How to Fix Printer Offline on Mac

When you have an important document to print or a project that needs to be submitted urgently, the last thing you want is your printer showing as "offline" on your Mac. Printer Offline is among the most common issues you could face while using printers with your Mac. There could be several reasons why your printer is offline, and in this post, we’ll provide you with a few methods that you could use to fix the issue.

Video Tutorial:

Why You Need to Fix Printer Offline on Mac

If your printer shows as "offline" on Mac, you will not be able to print anything. You’ll have to fix the issue to get your printer working again. Printer offline could happen due to several reasons, including connectivity issues, outdated drivers, or software issues. Without fixing the issue, you’ll waste precious time and money trying to troubleshoot it or calling a service technician.

Method 1: Reconnect the Printer to Your Mac via USB

Reconnecting your printer to your Mac via USB is the easiest and quickest way to fix the offline issue. This method is useful when you know that the reason for the issue isn’t a problem with the printer itself, but something else.

Steps:
1. Turn off your printer.
2. Unplug the USB cable from your printer and your Mac.
3. Wait for a few seconds, then reconnect the USB cable to your printer and your Mac.
4. Turn on your printer.

Pros:
– This method is quick and easy.
– It works in most cases.

Cons:
– It only works when the problem isn’t related to the printer.

Method 2: Restart Printer Spooler Service

Printer Spooler Service is responsible for managing print jobs. Restarting it may fix any issues with the print queue that is not allowing your printer to work.

Steps:
1. Press Command + Space on your keyboard to open Spotlight.
2. Type "Terminal" and hit Enter.
3. Type "sudo launchctl stop org.cups.cupsd" and press Enter.
4. Enter your Mac’s admin password.
5. Type "sudo launchctl start org.cups.cupsd" and press Enter.
6. Try printing a document.

Pros:
– It resets your Mac’s print system, which can fix any underlying issues.
– It’s a straightforward process.

Cons:
– If the issue is due to hardware problems, this method won’t help.
– It deletes your printer’s history.

Method 3: Update Printer Drivers

Outdated printer drivers could lead to several problems, including printer offline issues.

Steps:
1. Go to your printer manufacturer’s website and find the latest driver for your printer.
2. Download and install the driver according to the instructions provided.
3. Restart your printer and your Mac.

Pros:
– Updating drivers can solve various issues with printers.
– You could find updated features that weren’t available before.

Cons:
– It could be time-consuming to find and download the correct driver.
– You have to be careful with updates, or they might cause more problems than before.

What to Do If You Can’t Fix Printer Offline on Mac

If you’ve tried all the methods we’ve listed above, and your printer still shows as offline on your Mac, you could try the following fixes:

– Check your printer’s connectivity: Make sure your printer is properly connected to your network or Mac.
– Run system updates: Ensure that your Mac’s operating system is up to date.
– Reset your printing system: Go to System Preferences > Printers and Scanners > Ctrl-click the affected printer > Reset Printing System.

Bonus Tip: Install a Printer Management Tool

Installing a printer management tool is a great way to manage your printing needs, configure your printer settings, and diagnose any issues that you might be facing.

5 FAQs

Q1: How can I tell if my printer is offline on Mac?

A: Go to System Preferences > Printers and Scanners, and check if the printer shows a "gray dot" below the printer name. It indicates that your printer is offline.

Q2: Why does my printer go offline?

A: Your printer could go offline due to several reasons, including network connectivity problems, outdated drivers, software issues, etc.

Q3: Can I fix the issue if my printer is offline due to hardware problems?

A: Unfortunately, no. If your printer is showing as offline due to hardware problems, you’ll have to get it serviced.

Q4: How often should I update my printer drivers?

A: It’s recommended that you check for driver updates regularly and update them whenever a new version is available.

Q5: Do printer management tools work for all printers?

A: No, not all printers are compatible with management tools. You should check the software compatibility before installing.

Final Thoughts

If your printer shows as "offline" on your Mac, it could be a frustrating experience. But with the methods we’ve listed, you can fix the issue relatively quickly. Always make sure to check your printer’s connectivity, update your drivers, and reset your print system when needed. If you still can’t fix the issue, don’t hesitate to contact a professional technician.