How to Fix Canon Printer Offline on Mac and Windows

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To fix a Canon printer offline on Mac/Windows, first check all cable and Wi-Fi connections. Power-cycle the printer and computer. On Windows, ensure "Use Printer Offline" is unchecked in printer properties and restart the Print Spooler service. On Mac, reset the printing system in System Preferences > Printers & Scanners. Finally, update or reinstall the Canon printer driver.

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How to Fix Canon Printer Offline on Mac and Windows: A Complete Guide​

If your Canon printer is showing an "Offline" status, it means your computer cannot communicate with it. This is a common, but frustrating, issue on both Mac and Windows operating systems. Most of the time, the fix involves simple connectivity checks or minor software adjustments.

Here is a comprehensive, Google-friendly guide to getting your Canon printer back online.

Step 1: Initial Connectivity and Power Checks (Universal)​

The first step is always to verify the simplest potential causes.
  • Check Power: Ensure the printer is physically turned on and not in a sleep or low-power mode. Check the power cord connection at both the printer and the wall outlet.
  • Restart Everything: Perform a power-cycle:
    1. Turn off the Canon printer and unplug its power cord for about 30 seconds.
    2. Restart your computer (Mac or Windows).
    3. Restart your Wi-Fi router (if using a wireless printer).
    4. Plug the printer back in and turn it on.
  • Verify Connection:
    • USB: Check that the USB cable is securely plugged into both the printer and the computer. Try a different USB port or cable.
    • Wi-Fi: Ensure the printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer. You can usually check the printer's network status via its small display screen.

Step 2: Windows-Specific Fixes​

If the initial checks don't resolve the issue, follow these steps on your Windows PC.

1. Disable "Use Printer Offline"​

The most frequent cause on Windows is an accidentally activated setting.
  1. Press the Windows key, type "Control Panel," and open it.
  2. Go to Hardware and Sound > Devices and Printers.
  3. Right-click on your Canon printer and select See what's printing.
  4. In the print queue window, click the Printer menu.
  5. If there is a checkmark next to "Use Printer Offline", click it to uncheck it and bring the printer back online.

2. Restart the Print Spooler Service​

The Print Spooler manages print jobs. Restarting it can clear corrupted or stuck jobs that are causing the offline status.
  1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog.
  2. Type services.msc and press Enter.
  3. Scroll down to Print Spooler in the list of services.
  4. Right-click Print Spooler and select Restart. If you can't restart it, select Stop first, wait a few seconds, and then select Start.

Step 3: Mac-Specific Fixes​

On a Mac, the solution often involves resetting the printer system.

1. Delete and Re-add the Printer​

  1. Click the Apple menu ($\text{}$) and go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions).
  2. Click on Printers & Scanners.
  3. Select your Canon printer from the list.
  4. Click the "–" (minus) button to remove the printer.
  5. Click the "+" (plus) button, wait for your Canon printer to appear, and select it. Ensure the correct driver (Canon IJ Network or your specific model) is selected in the "Use" or "Type" field before clicking Add.

2. Reset the Printing System (If Step 1 Fails)​

This will delete all printers and print jobs, so use it as a final resort for Mac-specific troubleshooting.
  1. Click the Apple menu ($\text{}$) and go to System Settings (or System Preferences).
  2. Click on Printers & Scanners.
  3. In the printer list area, Control-click (or right-click) anywhere blank.
  4. Select Reset Printing System... from the context menu.
  5. Enter your administrator password to confirm.
  6. Once reset, click the "+" (plus) button and re-add your Canon printer.

Step 4: Update or Reinstall Drivers (Universal)​

Outdated or corrupted drivers are a frequent cause of communication failures.
  1. Uninstall: Remove the Canon printer driver from your system (via Device Manager on Windows or by removing the printer via Printers & Scanners on Mac).
  2. Download: Go to the official Canon support website and find the latest driver specifically for your printer model and your operating system (Windows 10/11 or a specific macOS version).
  3. Install: Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen prompts.
  4. Test: Try printing a test page.
By systematically working through these checks—starting with simple connectivity and moving to system-specific settings and driver management—you should successfully fix your Canon printer's "Offline" status.
 
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