Why does a printer say "offline"?


Quick Answer

When a printer says “offline,” it means that the printer is not capable of printing. Usually, the reason is low toner or ink, paper jams, or loose or defective cables.

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Full Answer

Printers with low toner or ink levels trigger replacement warning indicators on the printer. Replacing the toner or ink cartridge usually solves the problem. In some cases, the warning can be overridden using built-in printer functions, but there is a risk of damaging the printer. Paper jams cause printers to go offline until the jam is cleared. Once the paper jam is removed, the printer may need to be reset to place it back in service. Loose or defective cables often result in printers going offline by preventing the printer from receiving signals from the computer. Tightening or replacing the cable usually fixes the problem.

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