How do I reconnect an offline canon wireless printer?

If your Canon wireless printer shows as “offline,” it can be frustrating, especially when you’re in the middle of printing important documents. The “offline” status typically indicates that your printer is not communicating with your computer. There could be several reasons for this, such as network issues, incorrect settings, or outdated drivers. This blog will guide you through troubleshooting steps to reconnect your Canon wireless printer and get it back online.

Step 1: Check Printer and Network Connections

Before diving into complex solutions, ensure that your printer is turned on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer.

Power Cycle Your Printer: 

Turn off your printer, unplug it from the power source, and wait for about 30 seconds. Re-plug it in and switch it on. This simple reset often resolves connectivity issues.

Check Wi-Fi Connection: 

Make sure your printer is connected to the correct Wi-Fi network. On the printer’s control panel, navigate to the Wi-Fi settings and confirm that it is connected to the same network as your computer.

Restart Router: 

Sometimes, the issue may lie with your network. To restart your router, take it out of the box, wait 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Allow it to fully restart and check if your printer reconnects.

Step 2: Set the Printer as Default

Setting your Canon printer as the default printer can resolve the offline issue.

Windows:

Go to “Control Panel” > “Devices and Printers.”

Right-click on your Canon printer and select “Set as default printer.”

Verify that the print tasks in the queue are not still waiting. If there are, right-click on the printer icon and select “See what’s printing.” Right-click again and choose “Cancel all documents.”

Mac:

Go to “System Preferences” > “Printers & Scanners.”

Take your pick from the Canon printer selection on the left.

Click the “Default Printer” dropdown and choose your Canon printer.

Step 3: Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers

A malfunctioning or outdated driver might be the reason your printer stops working. Updating or reinstalling the drivers can help.

Update Drivers:

Visit the official Canon website and download the latest drivers for your printer model.

Install the drivers and restart your computer.

Reinstall Drivers:

Windows: 

Go to “Control Panel” > “Devices and Printers.” Right-click on your Canon printer and select “Remove device.” Restart your computer and reinstall the printer using the latest drivers.

Mac: 

Go to “System Preferences” > “Printers & Scanners.” Select your Canon printer and click the “-” button to remove it. Utilizing the most recent drivers, reinstall the printer.

Step 4: Restart Print Spooler Service (Windows)

The Print Spooler service manages the printing process. If this service is not functioning correctly, your printer may appear offline.

Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.

Type services.msc and press Enter.

Scroll down and locate “Print Spooler.”

Right-click on “Print Spooler” and select “Restart.”

Step 5: Disable Use Printer Offline Mode (Windows)

Sometimes, your printer may be set to “Use Printer Offline” mode accidentally.

Go to “Control Panel” > “Devices and Printers.”

To view what’s printing, right-click on your Canon printer and choose “See what’s printing.”

In the new window, click “Printer” in the top menu.

Ensure that “Use Printer Offline” is unchecked.

Step 6: Reset the Printing System (Mac)

If you’re using a Mac, resetting the printing system can clear up many issues.

Go to “System Preferences” > “Printers & Scanners.”

In the printer list, right-click (or control-click) and select “Reset printing system.”

Confirm the reset, and then re-add your Canon printer by clicking the “+” button.

Step 7: Check for Firmware Updates

Outdated firmware on your printer can lead to connectivity issues.

Go to the Canon website and check if there are any firmware updates available for your printer model.

Follow the instructions to download and install the firmware update.

FAQs

1. My Canon printer keeps going offline; why is that?

Your printer may keep going offline due to unstable network connections, outdated drivers, or incorrect printer settings.

2. How do I reset my Canon printer’s Wi-Fi connection?

You can reset your printer’s Wi-Fi connection by accessing the network settings on the printer’s control panel and selecting the option to reset the network settings or reconnect to Wi-Fi.

3. Can I reconnect my Canon printer to Wi-Fi without a computer?

Yes, you can use the printer’s control panel to reconnect it to Wi-Fi. Follow the instructions specific to your printer model in the user manual.

4. How do I update the firmware on my Canon printer?

Visit the Canon website, download the latest firmware for your printer model, and follow the installation instructions provided by Canon.

5. If none of the troubleshooting techniques work, what should I do?

If none of the steps work, consider contacting Canon customer support for further assistance, as there may be a more complex issue at play.

Conclusion

If your Canon wireless printer is showing as offline, it’s often due to network or connectivity issues. By following the steps outlined above, you should be able to resolve the problem and get your printer back online. Start with basic checks like ensuring your printer is connected to the correct Wi-Fi network and power cycling your devices. If those steps don’t work, move on to more advanced troubleshooting like updating drivers or resetting the print system. By systematically addressing each potential issue, you’ll likely have your Canon printer reconnected in no time.