How to Fix Canon Printer Offline Error Message? (Full Guide)

Have you ever pressed the Print button and suddenly your ‘Canon printer shows an offline error’ for no reason? It can be confusing when the printer was working perfectly just a moment ago. But don’t worry — this is a common issue, and the good news is that it can be fixed with a few simple steps.

Here, I am going to walk you through the easiest and most effective methods to bring your Canon printer back online. Whether the problem is with the connection, settings, or drivers, you will learn exactly what to check and how to fix it. Let’s go through it together and get your printer working again!

Why Does Your Canon Printer Show an Offline Error?

A Canon printer shows an offline error when your computer can’t communicate with your printing device. This can happen for many reasons. The most common cause is a weak or unstable connection if you use Wi-Fi. Sometimes, loose cables, router issues, or a simple network drop can disconnect the printer without you noticing.

Apart from this, incorrect settings on your computer can also trigger the offline message. If the “Use Printer Offline” option is turned on by mistake, the printer will stop responding. Outdated or ‘corrupted printer drivers’ are another major reason because they prevent the system from recognizing the printer properly.

In some cases, the printer itself may be stuck due to a pending print job or an internal glitch. Restarting the printer and computer clears these temporary errors.

Solution 1: Check the Basic Setup First

Before trying any advanced fixes, it is always best to start with the basics. Many Canon printers show the ‘offline error’ because something small is not connected properly. So, take a moment to check your main setup.

If you are using a USB connection, then make sure the cable is plugged into the computer and your printer. A loose or damaged cable can stop your printer from responding. Also, you can try connecting the cable to another USB port to see if the problem goes away.

For wireless printers, confirm that your printer and your computer are linked to the same network. Even a small network drop can make the printer appear offline. Restarting your router and the printer helps refresh the connection and brings the printer back online.

Solution 2: Disable “Use Printer Offline” Mode (Windows & Mac)

Sometimes your Canon printer shows an offline error because the “Use Printer Offline” option is turned on. This setting stops your computer from sending print jobs to the printer, even when everything is connected properly. Turning it off is easy on Windows and Mac.

On Windows

• In the beginning, open the Start menu and go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.

• Next, you have to select your printer model name and click Open queue.

• At the top, click the Printer tab. If you see that “Use Printer Offline” is ticked, just click it once to remove the tick. This will switch your printer back to online mode, and you can start printing again.

On Mac

• Initially, click the Apple icon and go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners.

• After that, you will need to choose your Canon printer from the list.

• If the printer appears as “Offline,” right-click (or Control-click) on the printer and select Reset printing system.

• Now, restart your printer and Mac. This refreshes the connection and helps your printer come back online.

Solution 3: Set Your Canon Printer as the Default Device

Another common reason your printer shows an ‘offline error’ is that your computer may be sending print jobs to a different printer. Setting your printer as the default device makes sure all print commands go directly to it.

• First of all, open Settings by pressing Windows key + I or clicking the Start menu and selecting the gear icon.

• Go to Devices (on Windows 10) or Bluetooth & devices (on Windows 11), and then click Printers & scanners.

• Before choosing your printer, make sure to turn off the option “Let Windows manage my default printer” — this prevents Windows from switching printers automatically.

• Next, you must select your printer from the list and click Manage.

• A new window will open where you can choose Set as default under the printer status section.

• If you’re on an older Windows version, you might need to follow this path instead: Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Printers.

Once your Canon printer is set as the default, your print jobs will go to the correct device, which helping fix the offline error quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Won’t My Canon Printer Connect to Wi-Fi?

A Canon printer may not connect to Wi-Fi for a few common reasons. The signal might be weak, the router may need a quick restart, or the printer may be trying to join the wrong network. Sometimes the saved Wi-Fi password on the printer is outdated, which stops it from connecting. Old drivers can also cause trouble. In some cases, firewall settings on your device or a network change in your home can block the connection. Restart your devices, check the Wi-Fi name and password, and try reconnecting the printer from its control panel to fix the issue.

What Should I do to Reconnect My Canon Printer to the Network?

Learn “how to reconnect your printer to the network”, start by turning off your printer and router for a few seconds and switching them back on. After that, open the printer’s control panel and choose your Wi-Fi name from the list. Now, enter the correct password to connect again. If the Wi-Fi router has a WPS button, you can press it and press the WPS option on the printer to join the network without typing anything. Also, you can reconnect the printer through the Canon PRINT app or the Wi-Fi Connection Assistant on your computer/phone, which guides you through the setup.

Does low Ink level cause a Canon Printer to Show Offline?

Low ink levels do not make a Canon printer show as offline. When the ink is low, the printer may warn you about poor print quality or show an ink-related message, but it does not change the status to offline. A printer goes offline when there is a connection problem, the driver is not working properly, or the printer has been set to offline by mistake. So the issue comes from the connection, not the ink.

Source: How to Fix Canon Printer Offline Error