How do I get my Canon printer to go back online? Easy Fixes for Offline Issues

Canon printers are known for their performance and reliability, but like any other piece of technology, they can sometimes run into connectivity issues. One common issue users face is the dreaded “Canon printer offline” status. When your printer shows offline, it means it’s unable to communicate with your computer or network. The good news? There are several straightforward steps you can take to bring it back online.

In this guide, we’ll explore the most effective methods to troubleshoot and fix a Canon printer that’s stuck offline—whether you're using Windows or Mac, wired or wireless.

Why Is My Canon Printer Offline?

Before jumping into solutions, it’s helpful to understand why your Canon printer may appear offline. Common reasons include:

Connection issues (Wi-Fi dropped or USB cable disconnected)

Printer is turned off or in sleep mode

Wrong default printer settings

Pending print jobs causing conflicts

Outdated or corrupted printer drivers

Firewall or security software blocking printer communication

Identifying the root cause can help you apply the most effective fix.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get Canon Printer Back Online

1. Check Physical Connections

Start with the basics:

Ensure your Canon printer is turned on and there are no error messages on the screen.

If you're using a USB connection, verify the cable is securely plugged into both the printer and the computer.

For wireless printers, make sure the printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your PC or laptop.

If your network connection was recently changed (new router, Wi-Fi password, etc.), you may need to reconnect the printer to the updated network.

2. Restart Printer and Computer

A simple restart often resolves many temporary issues.

Turn off your Canon printer and unplug it for 30 seconds.

Restart your computer.

Plug the printer back in and turn it on.

Once both devices are restarted, try printing again to see if the offline status disappears.

3. Set Canon as the Default Printer

Sometimes, the system automatically switches to a different printer or a "virtual" one like PDF. Setting the correct printer as default can fix the issue.

On Windows:

Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.

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

Make sure there’s a green checkmark next to it.

On Mac:

Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.

Select your Canon printer and click Default printer to set it.

4. Disable “Use Printer Offline” Mode (Windows)

If you're on a Windows PC, check if your printer is set to offline mode.

Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers.

Right-click on your Canon printer and choose See what’s printing.

In the new window, click on Printer in the menu bar.

Make sure “Use Printer Offline” is unchecked.

If it’s checked, click it to uncheck and bring your printer back online.

5. Clear Print Queue

A jammed print queue can also cause your Canon printer to show offline.

Open the print queue window as mentioned above.

Click Printer > Cancel All Documents.

Wait a few seconds and then try printing again.

6. Run the Printer Troubleshooter (Windows)

Windows has a built-in tool to detect and fix common printer issues.

Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners.

Select your Canon printer and click Manage.

Choose Run the troubleshooter.

Follow the on-screen instructions. Windows will attempt to detect and fix any issues automatically.

7. Update or Reinstall Canon Printer Drivers

Outdated or corrupt drivers can cause communication problems between your computer and printer.

To Update Drivers:

Visit the Canon support website.

Search for your printer model.

Download and install the latest drivers compatible with your operating system.

To Reinstall Drivers:

Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.

Right-click on your Canon printer and select Remove device.

Restart your computer.

Reinstall the printer using the new drivers.

8. Check Wireless Connection (For Wi-Fi Printers)

If you're using a wireless Canon printer:

Use the printer’s control panel to check the network status.

Reconnect the printer to the Wi-Fi network using the Setup > Wireless LAN Setup option.

Ensure your router is working properly and there’s no interference.

You can also print a network configuration page directly from the printer to verify the connection.

9. Reset Print Spooler Service (Windows Only)

The Print Spooler is a Windows service that manages print jobs. Restarting it can resolve persistent issues.

Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.

Find Print Spooler in the list.

Right-click and choose Restart.

Then try printing again.

10. Temporarily Disable Antivirus/Firewall

In rare cases, your antivirus or firewall settings may block your printer connection.

Temporarily disable the software and check if the printer comes online.

If it does, you may need to whitelist your printer or adjust security settings to allow communication.

Note: Always turn your security software back on after testing.

Final Thoughts

Seeing your Canon printer go offline can be frustrating, especially when you're on a deadline. Fortunately, with the right steps—checking connections, updating drivers, clearing queues—you can quickly bring it back online and get back to printing.

If you’ve tried everything and your Canon printer still won’t go online, it may be time to contact Canon support or consider a factory reset of the printer.

FAQs

Q1: How do I reconnect my Canon printer to Wi-Fi?

Use the printer’s control panel to go to Setup > Wireless LAN Setup, then follow the prompts to select your network and enter your password.

Q2: Why is my Canon printer offline but connected to Wi-Fi?

It could be a driver issue, wrong default printer settings, or a print queue jam. Follow the troubleshooting steps above to diagnose and fix it.

Q3: What does “Use Printer Offline” mean?

This setting tells Windows to work in offline mode, sending print jobs to a queue instead of the printer. It must be turned off for printing to resume.

Let me know if you’d like a PDF or formatted version of this article, or need a version tailored for a specific printer model!