If your Canon printer shows as offline on Windows or Mac, don’t worry. Check connections, restart the printer, and ensure it’s set as the default device. Update or reinstall drivers, clear print queues, and verify Wi-Fi or USB connections. Follow these steps to bring your Canon printer back online quickly.

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1. Understanding Canon Printer Offline Status

When your Canon printer appears as offline, it means your computer cannot communicate with the printer. This may be due to hardware, software, or network issues. In most cases, the printer is powered on and ready but fails to connect to your computer.

Common causes include:

1. Loose USB or network connections.

2. Printer driver problems.

3. Incorrect printer settings on Windows or Mac.

4. Network or Wi-Fi connectivity issues.

5. Print jobs stuck in the queue.

6. Firewall or antivirus interference.

Understanding the cause is the first step to fixing it efficiently.

2. Check Basic Printer Connections

Before diving into software solutions, always check physical connections:

Step 1: Power and Cable Check

1. Ensure the printer is powered on and the power indicator is lit.

2. Check the USB cable if you are using a wired connection.

3. For Wi-Fi printers, make sure your printer is connected to the correct network.

Step 2: Restart Devices

1. Turn off your printer and computer.

2. Wait 30 seconds and turn them back on.

3. Sometimes, a simple restart restores communication.

3. Verify Printer Status on Windows

Windows often marks printers as offline when there’s a connection issue or misconfiguration. Follow these steps to check the status:

Step 1: Open Devices and Printers

1. Press Windows + R, type control printers, and press Enter.

2. Locate your Canon printer.

Step 2: Check for Offline Status

1. Right-click your printer and see if it shows “Offline”.

2. If yes, proceed with the fixes below.

4. Set Canon Printer Online on Windows

Windows may accidentally set your printer to offline mode. Correct it as follows:

Step 1: Open Printer Properties

1. Right-click your Canon printer.

2. Select See what’s printing.

3. Click Printer in the menu bar.

Step 2: Uncheck “Use Printer Offline”

1. Ensure the “Use Printer Offline” option is unchecked.

2. If it’s checked, your printer will remain offline despite being connected.

5. Clear Print Queue

A stuck print job can also cause offline status. Clear the queue with these steps:

Step 1: Open Print Queue

1. Right-click your Canon printer in Devices and Printers.

2. Select See what’s printing.

Step 2: Cancel Pending Jobs

1. Click Printer > Cancel All Documents.

2. Wait a few minutes for the queue to clear.

3. Retry printing.

6. Reinstall Canon Printer Driver on Windows

Outdated or corrupted drivers often cause offline issues. Reinstall drivers as follows:

Step 1: Uninstall Existing Driver

1. Open Control Panel → Devices and Printers.

2. Right-click your Canon printer and select Remove device.

3. Restart your computer.

Step 2: Download Latest Driver

1. Visit ij.start.canon.

2. Enter your Canon printer model.

3. Download the latest Full Driver & Software Package for Windows.

Step 3: Install Driver

1. Run the downloaded installer.

2. Follow on-screen instructions for Wi-Fi or USB setup.

3. Your printer should now appear online.

7. Check Network Connection for Wireless Printers

For wireless Canon printers, network issues are common:

Step 1: Verify Wi-Fi

1. Ensure your printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer.

2. Check the Wi-Fi indicator on the printer.

Step 2: Ping the Printer

1. On Windows, open Command Prompt.

2. Type ping <printer IP> and press Enter.

3. If there’s no response, reconnect the printer to Wi-Fi.

Step 3: Restart Router

1. Power cycle your Wi-Fi router to refresh connections.

8. Use Canon IJ Network Tool

Canon provides the IJ Network Tool for troubleshooting network issues:

1. Open the Canon Utilities folder on your computer.

2. Launch IJ Network Tool.

3. Check if the printer is registered on your network.

4. If not, add it manually using the printer’s IP address.

9. Fix Canon Printer Offline on Mac

Mac users can also face offline issues. Here’s how to resolve them:

Step 1: Open System Preferences

1. Go to Apple Menu → System Preferences → Printers & Scanners.

2. Select your Canon printer.

Step 2: Check Printer Status

1. Ensure the status shows Idle or Ready.

2. If it shows Offline, proceed with the following steps.

Step 3: Reset Printing System

1. Right-click anywhere in the Printers list and select Reset printing system.

2. Confirm by clicking Reset.

3. Add your Canon printer again using the + button.

Step 4: Reinstall Driver

1. Download the latest Mac driver from ij.start.canon.

2. Install and reconnect the printer to the network.

10. Check Firewall and Antivirus Settings

Sometimes, security software can block printer communication.

Step 1: Temporarily Disable Firewall

1. On Windows, go to Control Panel → System and Security → Windows Defender Firewall.

2. Temporarily disable it and test printing.

Step 2: Antivirus Settings

1. Some antivirus programs may block network printers.

2. Temporarily disable antivirus or create a rule allowing the Canon printer driver.

11. Update Printer Firmware

Outdated firmware may cause offline issues.

Step 1: Visit Canon Website

1. Go to ij.start.canon.

2. Enter your printer model and download firmware updates.

Step 2: Install Firmware

1. Connect the printer to your computer via USB or Wi-Fi.

2. Follow on-screen instructions to update firmware.

12. Using Printer IP to Connect

Sometimes, Windows or Mac cannot detect your printer automatically. Use its IP address:

Step 1: Find Printer IP

1. Print a Network Configuration Page from your Canon printer.

2. Note the IP address listed.

Step 2: Add Printer via IP

1. On Windows: Control Panel → Devices and Printers → Add Printer → Add a Printer using TCP/IP address.

2. On Mac: System Preferences → Printers & Scanners → + → IP tab.

3. Enter IP and select Canon driver.

13. Check USB Connections (For Wired Printers)

Offline issues on USB-connected printers can occur due to faulty cables or ports.

1. Try a different USB cable.

2. Use another USB port on your computer.

3. Avoid USB hubs; connect directly to the computer.

14. Restart Spooler Service on Windows

The print spooler service manages print jobs. Restarting it can fix offline issues:

Step 1: Open Services

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.

Step 2: Locate Print Spooler

1. Scroll down and find Print Spooler.

2. Right-click → Restart.

Step 3: Retry Printing

1. Your Canon printer should now be online.

15. Check Printer Status in Windows Settings

1. Go to Settings → Devices → Printers & Scanners.

2. Click your Canon printer and select Open queue.

3. Verify that the printer is not paused.

4. Make sure it’s set as Default Printer.

16. Tips to Prevent Canon Printer Offline Issues

1. Always keep your printer driver updated.

2. Regularly check Wi-Fi and network connections.

3. Avoid power fluctuations by using a surge protector.

4. Keep firmware updated for network and device stability.

5. Restart printer and computer periodically to refresh connections.

17. Canon Printer Offline Troubleshooting Summary

Issue Solution Printer shows offline Set printer online, uncheck “Use Printer Offline” Print jobs stuck Clear print queue Driver outdated Reinstall latest driver from Canon website Wi-Fi not connected Reconnect to same network, restart router Firewall blocking Temporarily disable firewall/antivirus USB issues Check cable, change port, connect directly Mac offline Reset printing system, reinstall driver Firmware outdated Update via Canon website

18. Using Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY App

For wireless printers, the Canon PRINT app is extremely helpful:

1. Download on iOS or Android.

2. Detects printer automatically on the network.

3. Send print jobs directly from your smartphone.

4. Check ink levels and troubleshoot without a computer.

19. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Why is my Canon printer offline when it’s on?
It may be due to network issues, driver corruption, or print jobs stuck in the queue.

Q2: Can I fix offline issues without reinstalling drivers?
Yes. Try setting the printer online, clearing print queue, or restarting the spooler service.

Q3: How do I connect my Canon printer to a new Wi-Fi?
Use Wireless LAN setup on the printer or Canon PRINT app to enter the new network credentials.

Q4: Why does my Canon printer keep going offline on Mac?
It could be due to outdated drivers, network conflicts, or Mac’s printing system requiring a reset.

Q5: Is there a way to fix it quickly for urgent printing?
Yes. Connect your printer via USB temporarily to complete urgent print jobs.

20. Conclusion

Experiencing a Canon printer offline status can be frustrating, but it’s usually easy to fix. By checking connections, ensuring the printer is set online, updating drivers, and verifying network settings, you can quickly restore printing capabilities on both Windows and Mac.

Remember:

1. Keep drivers and firmware updated.

2. Ensure your printer and computer are on the same network.

3. Clear print queues and check firewall settings.

4. Use Canon utilities like IJ Network Tool and Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY for wireless printers.

Following this comprehensive guide on Canon printer offline – how to fix it on Windows & Mac ensures minimal downtime and seamless printing experience.

With these steps, your Canon printer will remain online, reliable, and ready for all your printing needs—whether at home, office, or school.

By following these detailed steps, users can troubleshoot and resolve almost any offline issue, making their Canon printer as dependable as intended.