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Ultimate Guide to Fix Canon Printer Offline on Windows & Mac

How to Connect Canon Printer to WiFi

If your Canon printer keeps showing offline, (Call US:+1-801-878-6858 USA) you are not alone. This is one of the most common issues faced by Canon printer users across Windows and Mac. When the printer displays “Offline,” it means your computer cannot communicate with the device. This may happen due to connection issues, driver errors, incorrect printer settings, loose cables, WiFi instability, or spooler problems.

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1. Understanding the Canon Printer Offline Problem

When your Canon printer shows offline, your computer is unable to communicate with it. This may appear as:

  • Canon Printer Offline

  • Printer is not responding

  • Canon printer not available

  • Canon printer paused

  • Canon printer unable to connect

The offline status does not always mean that the printer is faulty. In most cases, it is simply a connection or configuration issue.

Common Symptoms

  • Printer prints nothing even though commands are sent.

  • WiFi LED on the printer is blinking or off.

  • Canon printer appears greyed out in the device list.

  • Error messages in your PC like “Printer is offline.”

  • Printer works on mobile but not on laptop (or vice versa).

Understanding the causes is important to apply the correct fix.

2. Why Does My Canon Printer Go Offline? (All Possible Causes)

Below are the major reasons why your Canon printer might show offline on Windows or Mac:

a) Loose or Improper Cable Connections

If you’re using a USB connection, a damaged cable or loose port will immediately cause an offline error.

b) Weak or Lost WiFi Signal

Wireless Canon printers require a stable WiFi connection. If the printer disconnects from WiFi, your computer cannot find it.

c) Printer Not Set as Default

Sometimes, your computer selects a different printer, keeping the Canon one offline.

d) Printer is Set to “Use Printer Offline” Mode

Both Windows and macOS have an offline mode that may get enabled accidentally.

e) Spooler Service Errors

On Windows, the print spooler manages all printing tasks. If it crashes, the printer may go offline.

f) Outdated, Corrupt, or Missing Printer Drivers

Drivers help your computer recognize the printer. If they corrupt or become outdated, the printer fails to connect.

g) IP Address Mismatch

WiFi printers rely on IP addresses. If your Canon printer’s IP changes due to router issues, your computer cannot connect.

h) Firmware Issues

Old firmware can cause connection failures on certain Canon models.

i) Sleep Mode

Canon printers sometimes enter sleep mode and appear offline until you wake them.

Knowing the root cause helps you troubleshoot quickly. Now let’s move to the fixes.

3. How to Fix Canon Printer Offline – Complete Step-by-Step Solutions

Below are the best and most effective methods to turn your Canon printer back online. Try them in order for the best results.

Solution 1: Check All Physical Connections

For USB Printers

  • Ensure the USB cable is properly connected.

  • Try using a different USB port.

  • Replace the cable if it appears damaged.

  • Avoid using USB hubs.

For Wireless Printers

  • Make sure your printer is connected to the same WiFi network as your laptop.

  • Keep the printer close to the router.

  • Check if the WiFi icon on your printer is steady (not blinking).

For Wired (Ethernet) Printers

  • Confirm that the LAN cable is firmly plugged in.

  • Check the router’s LAN lights.

If connections are fine, your printer will often reconnect automatically.

Solution 2: Restart Printer, PC, and WiFi Router

A simple restart often fixes the Canon offline issue:

  1. Turn off your Canon printer.

  2. Unplug power cable for 15 seconds.

  3. Restart your PC or Mac.

  4. Restart the WiFi router.

  5. Turn printer back on.

This reset refreshes the network and clears temporary glitches.

Solution 3: Disable “Use Printer Offline” (Windows)

  1. Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.

  2. Right-click your Canon printer.

  3. Select See what’s printing.

  4. Click Printer in the menu.

  5. Uncheck Use Printer Offline.

This is one of the most common reasons for offline errors.

Solution 4: Set Canon Printer as Default (Windows & Mac)

Windows

  1. Control Panel → Devices and Printers

  2. Right-click Canon printer → Set as Default Printer

Mac

  1. Apple Menu → System Settings → Printers & Scanners

  2. Choose your Canon printer

  3. Select Default printer

Solution 5: Restart Print Spooler Service (Windows)

  1. Press Win + R, type services.msc

  2. Scroll to Print Spooler

  3. Right-click → Restart

  4. Close and try printing again

If the spooler is stuck, this instantly fixes the offline issue.

Solution 6: Reconnect Canon Printer to WiFi

If your printer disconnected from WiFi, reconnect it:

Using WPS (Most Canon Models)

  1. Press & hold WiFi button on printer

  2. Press WPS button on router

  3. Wait for steady WiFi light

Using Touchscreen (PIXMA Models)

  1. Go to Wireless LAN Setup

  2. Select SSID

  3. Enter WiFi password

Once connected, test from your computer.

Solution 7: Add the Printer Again (Windows & Mac)

Windows

  1. Settings → Bluetooth & Devices → Printers & Scanners

  2. Remove Canon printer

  3. Click Add Device

  4. Add your printer again

Mac

  1. Apple Menu → Printers & Scanners

  2. Select Canon → click “–” to remove

  3. Click “+” and add again

This fixes corrupt configuration files.

Solution 8: Update or Reinstall Canon Printer Drivers

Windows

  1. Go to Device Manager

  2. Expand Printers

  3. Right-click Canon → Update Driver

Or reinstall:

  1. Control Panel → Uninstall a Program

  2. Remove Canon driver

  3. Download fresh drivers from canon.com/support

Mac

  1. System Settings → Printers & Scanners

  2. Delete and add printer again

  3. Mac will auto-install latest drivers

Outdated drivers are a major cause of offline errors.

Solution 9: Assign a Static IP Address

WiFi printers often go offline if their IP changes:

  1. Print Network Configuration Page from your Canon printer.

  2. Note the IP address.

  3. Open router settings → DHCP settings.

  4. Reserve a static IP for your Canon printer.

This prevents future offline issues.

Solution 10: Update Canon Printer Firmware

Firmware updates fix WiFi bugs and offline issues:

  1. Visit canon.com/support

  2. Search your printer model

  3. Download and install firmware update

Some printers allow OTA updates directly from the touchscreen.

Solution 11: Turn Off VPN (Important)

VPNs can block network printers.
Disable your VPN temporarily and try again.

Solution 12: Disable Firewall Temporarily

Firewalls sometimes block printers.

Windows

  1. Control Panel → Windows Defender Firewall

  2. Turn off firewall temporarily

Mac

  1. System Settings → Network → Firewall → Turn Off

Try printing.
If it works, add your printer to firewall exceptions.

Solution 13: Wake the Printer from Sleep Mode

Press Power or Resume button on your Canon printer.
If it was in deep sleep, it will reconnect.

Solution 14: Reset Network Settings (Last Option)

If nothing works:

  1. Open printer menu → Reset → Network Reset

  2. Reconnect to WiFi again

This clears all misconfigurations causing the offline problem.

4. Canon Printer Offline on Windows – Complete Fix Guide

Windows users commonly face offline errors due to spooler issues, driver problems, or incorrect settings.

Most Effective Steps for Windows

  • Restart Print Spooler

  • Disable “Use Offline Mode”

  • Reinstall printer

  • Update drivers

  • Check USB/WiFi connection

Try each of the above in sequence.

5. Canon Printer Offline on Mac – Complete Fix Guide

macOS handles printers differently. The offline problem often comes from duplicate printers, driver conflicts, or network issues.

Most Effective Steps for Mac

  • Delete & re-add printer

  • Reset printing system

  • Restart router

  • Check Network Preferences

  • Disable VPN/Firewall

Reset Printing System on Mac

  1. Apple menu → Printers & Scanners

  2. Right-click in blank space

  3. Select Reset Printing System

  4. Add your printer again

This fixes stubborn offline issues on macOS.

6. How to Prevent Canon Printer From Going Offline (Pro Tips)

To avoid future offline issues:

✔ Always keep drivers updated

✔ Use a strong, stable WiFi network

✔ Assign a static IP address

✔ Keep printer close to router

✔ Avoid connecting printer to guest WiFi

✔ Restart router weekly

✔ Don’t let the printer stay idle for long periods

Regular maintenance helps your printer remain online.

7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Canon Printer Offline

1. Why is my Canon printer offline even though it’s connected to WiFi?

Your PC may not be connected to the same WiFi network, or the printer’s IP may have changed.

2. How do I bring my Canon printer back online?

Disable offline mode, restart the printer, reconnect WiFi, update drivers, and restart spooler services.

3. Why does my Canon printer keep going offline?

Weak WiFi, outdated drivers, IP conflicts, or sleep mode are the most common reasons.

4. How do I fix offline status on Mac?

Reset the printing system, remove and re-add the printer, and reconnect it to WiFi.

5. Can outdated firmware cause offline issues?

Yes, outdated firmware can lead to WiFi drops and offline status.

6. Does VPN interfere with Canon printers?

Yes. VPN changes your network routing, making printers unreachable.

Conclusion

A Canon printer showing offline can be frustrating, especially when you need to print something urgently. However, most canon printer offline issues are caused by simple connectivity or configuration problems that you can fix quickly. By following the methods in this 2500-word guide—checking connections, restarting devices, updating drivers, reconnecting WiFi, restarting spooler, and re-adding the printer—you can easily bring your printer back online.

With proper maintenance and correct settings, your Canon printer will stay online and work smoothly across both Windows and Mac.

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