Don’t worry — this is a common issue and usually easy to fix!
“Printer Is Offline”
What This Means (In Plain English)
Your Mac thinks the printer is not available. The printer may be off, disconnected, or having a communication issue.
Common Causes
- •Printer is turned off or in sleep mode
- •Printer is on a different Wi-Fi network
- •USB cable is loose
- •Printer driver needs updating
How to Fix It — Step by Step
- 1
Make sure the printer is turned on and has paper.
- 2
If using USB, check the cable is firmly connected.
- 3
If wireless, make sure the printer is on the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac.
- 4
Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners and click your printer.
- 5
Try removing the printer and adding it again.
- 6
Restart both the printer and your Mac.
How to Prevent This in the Future
Keep the printer on the same Wi-Fi network. Ensure it has paper and ink. Restart it if it has been idle for a long time.
Related Errors You Might See
Still stuck? Don’t worry!
If the steps above did not solve the problem, ask a trusted friend or family member for help, or contact us and we will do our best to assist you.