Canon Printer Offline on Mac or Windows: How to Fix

If your Canon printer shows offline on Mac or Windows, it means the printer isn’t communicating with your device. This could be due to connection problems, outdated drivers, or incorrect settings. Check cables, update drivers, and adjust printer settings to bring your Canon printer back online quickly and easily. [Dial +1-801-878-6858 USA]

This guide will explain why your Canon printer is offline on Mac or Windows and how you can fix it step-by-step. [Dial +1-801-878-6858 USA]

Why Is My Canon Printer Offline on Mac or Windows?

Several factors can cause your Canon printer to go offline. Understanding these reasons can help you troubleshoot the issue more effectively. Below are the most common causes:

1. Connection Issues [Dial +1-801-878-6858 USA]

If your printer is not properly connected to your computer or network — either through USB, Ethernet, or Wi-Fi — it may appear offline.

2. Printer Status Settings

Your printer might have been set to Use Printer Offline mode manually, especially on Windows. This prevents it from receiving print jobs.

3. Outdated or Corrupt Drivers

Old, outdated, or corrupted printer drivers can disrupt communication between your printer and computer.

4. Network Configuration Changes

If your printer’s IP address changes due to router resets or network updates, your computer may lose track of the device.

5. Print Spooler Errors

A stuck print job or a faulty print spooler service can result in the printer being marked as offline.

6. Sleep or Power-Saving Mode

Printers sometimes enter sleep mode when idle, causing them to show as offline until manually activated.

How to Fix Canon Printer Offline on Mac or Windows

Let’s address this problem with specific fixes for both Windows and Mac systems.

How to Fix Canon Printer Offline on Windows

1. Check Printer Connections

• Make sure your printer is powered on.
• If using a USB connection, unplug and reconnect the cable.
• For network printers, confirm Wi-Fi or Ethernet connections are stable.

2. Disable 'Use Printer Offline' Mode

• Go to Control Panel And Devices and Printers.
• Right-click your Canon printer and select See what’s printing.
• Click Printer in the top menu.
• If Use Printer Offline is checked, click it to uncheck.

3. Restart Print Spooler Service

• Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
• Scroll to Print Spooler.
• Right-click and choose Restart.

4. Update or Reinstall Printer Driver

• Go to Control Panel And Devices and Printers.
• Right-click your Canon printer and select Remove device.
• Visit ij.start.canon to download the latest drivers.
• Install the updated driver and reconnect your printer.

5. Set as Default Printer

• In Devices and Printers, right-click your Canon printer.
• Choose Set as default printer.

How to Fix Canon Printer Offline on Mac

1. Check Physical and Network Connections

• Confirm your printer is turned on.
• Reconnect USB cables, or check Wi-Fi/Ethernet connections.

2. Reset the Printing System

• Go to System Settings And Printers And Scanners.
• Right-click (or Control-click) in the printer list.
• Select Reset printing system.
• Add your printer again by clicking the + icon.

3. Clear Print Queue

• Open System Settings And Printers And Scanners.
• Select your Canon printer and click Open Print Queue.
• Delete any stuck or pending print jobs.

4. Download and Reinstall Canon Printer Driver

• Visit ij.start.canon and download the latest macOS-compatible driver.
• Remove the existing printer from Printers And Scanners.
• Install the new driver and re-add your printer.

5. Ensure Correct Printer Status

• Go to Printers and Scanners.
• Confirm your Canon printer status shows Idle or Ready.
• If offline, right-click the printer and select Set as default.

Additional Tips for Both Mac and Windows

• Ensure your router firmware is up to date.
• Disable VPN or firewall temporarily to test for connectivity issues.
• Check if another device (another Mac or Windows PC) can print to the same printer.
• Ensure your printer’s firmware is updated.

FAQs on Canon Printer Offline on Mac or Windows

Q1: Why does my Canon printer keep going offline on Windows?

A: It could be due to poor connection, an outdated driver, or a misconfigured printer setting like Use Printer Offline being enabled.

Q2: How do I turn my Canon printer back online on Mac?

A: Go to Printers And Scanners in System Settings, select your printer, clear any stuck print jobs, and ensure it's set to Default Printer. Resetting the printing system often resolves persistent issues.

Q3: How do I update my Canon printer driver on Windows?

A: Visit ij.start.canon, select your printer model, download the latest driver, uninstall the old driver, and install the new one.

Q4: What causes my Canon printer to go offline suddenly?

A: Common causes include unstable Wi-Fi, power-saving modes, system updates, or spooler service errors disrupting the connection.

Q5: Will resetting the print system on Mac delete my saved printers?

A: Yes, resetting the printing system removes all installed printers and scanners. You’ll need to re-add them afterward.

Conclusion

Encountering the Canon printer offline issue on Mac or Windows can be frustrating, but it's usually simple to resolve with a systematic approach. By checking your connections, clearing print queues, updating drivers, and configuring correct printer settings, you can get your Canon printer back online quickly.