⚠️ 2. Printer Sleep Mode or Power Saving Settings
When this occurs, they may disconnect from the network, may not wake properly, etc.

Clue:
Printer becomes unresponsive after a certain amount of time, unless restarted.

⚠️ 3. Dynamic IP Address Conflicts
If your router assigns your printer a new IP address each time it connects to Wi-Fi, your devices may not recognize the printer causing your devices to be “offline”.

⚠️ 4. Firewall / Antivirus blocking printer communication
It is possible that your security software views the printer as an unknown device, newly discovered on a new network or as a result of a firmware update.

⚠️ 5. Old Printer Drivers or Software
Old drivers or corrupted printer driver software can cause connection errors, incorrect status updates and even also total unresponsiveness with the printer or printing functions

⚠️ 6. Incorrect Default Printer Settings
If you have multiple printers or receive print-to-PDF options on your computers and devices, your computer can inadvertently only try to send printing jobs to the intended (faulty or not intended) device.

⚠️ 7. Wifi Band Compatibility Issue
Some older printers are only capable of connecting via 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. If your network operates on a 5 GHz band with some possibility of switching to 2.4GHz, you may be unable to establish good and lasting connection with your printer.

🛠️ How to Fix Your Wireless Printer Offline – Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

✅ 1. Power Cycle Everything (Printer + Router + Computer)
Action:
Turn the printer off and unplug.
Reset wireless router.
Restart the computer or mobile device.
Plug all back in.

Why: Power cycling everything will reset any temporary issues and regenerate the handshake on the network.

✅ 2. Bring the Printer 10–20 Feet from the Router
Action:
Make sure to bring the printer within 10–20 feet of the router and be mindful of any walls or metal shelves which may hinder wireless performance.

Why: The greater the distance from the printer, the more likely you have a weaker signal making any connection unreliable.

✅ 3. Make a Static IP to the Printer
Action:

• Access your router settings

• Find the printer IP address from the list of attached devices

• Make an IP reservation with your printer MAC address

Why: A static IP will ensure your computer will always locate the printer on the same IP address in the network.

✅ 4. Cripple Rest Mode or at Least Amplify Rest Timeout
Action: From the printer control board, disable deep sleep, or expand sleep timeout.

Why: In case the printer is dim (off) on the network, it cannot be recognized.

✅ 5. Reinstall or Update Printer Drivers
On Windows:
• Go to Device Manager > Printers.
• Right click > “Update Driver”, or “Uninstall” and reinstall from the official site.

On macOS:
• System Settings > Printers & Scanners
• Delete the printer, then re-add it.

Why: Old or corrupt drivers are some of the most common reasons for offline errors, even when the printer is actually available.

✅ 6. Set the Printer as Default
Action:
• Examine your printer in the Control Panel > Devices and Printer.
• Right click on your wireless printer > “Set as Default”.

Why: Prevents your computer from reverting to a nonexistent printer device or print-to-PDF option.

✅ 7. Add Printer via IP Address
Action:
• In the printer setup dialog, select add printer by IP.
• Using the static IP address you assigned in step 1.

Why: It’s usually more dependable to add the printer by direct IP address than by network discovery.

✅ 8. Disable Firewall or Add Exceptions
Action:
• Temporarily disable your antivirus program or firewall.
• Test the printer.
• If it worked, at that point you’ll ought to include an special case that will be lasting for your IP or the program related with the printer.

Why: Firewalls and security programs specific to certain printers may inadvertently block the communication ports that are required for printing.

✅ 9. Right Band on Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz)
Why: A large proportion of printers can’t connect to the 5 GHz program, especially budget models.

🧪 Testergate Recommendations

At Testergate, our product testing lab investigates the performance of wireless printers over periods of time:

• Long periods of idle

• Changing Wi-Fi signals

• Operating system updates, and router changes

• Multiple users / usage scenarios

Based on our testing our recommendations are:
✔️ Assign a static IP to each wireless printer for consistent access
✔️ Put printers near routers or use a mesh extender
✔️ Install everything from the manufacturer, not just the basic driver file
✔️ Verify all router settings to make sure DHCP leases aren’t dropping too quickly
✔️ Have scheduled reboot routines, for printers and routers in a high use scenario

We are about reliable fixes, not a temporary hack.

📌 Final Thoughts

Completely wireless printers are convenient, but getting the ‘offline’ error after printing, can turn your printing into a pain.
Most of the causes like IP changing, weak Wi-Fi, or driver issues are quick fixes once you know where to look first.

At Testergate, we are focused on your hassle-free tech use. Using our real-word testing in realistic-use situations without product bias, we want to help you confidently print.