Printer Not Connected? Fix It Now

If your printer shows “not connected,” the fix is usually a quick check of the physical cable or Wi-Fi link, then restarting the printer and your computer. Below are the step-by-step solutions for the most common causes, from USB issues to network glitches and driver problems.

Why Does the Printer Say “Not Connected”?

A printer can appear offline or disconnected for several reasons. The most frequent culprits are:

A loose or damaged USB cable (for wired printers).
The printer and computer are on different Wi-Fi networks (e.g., the computer is on the 5 GHz band while the printer is on 2.4 GHz).
The printer’s wireless radio is turned off, or it has gone into a deep sleep mode.
Outdated or corrupted printer drivers on your operating system.
Windows’ “Use Printer Offline” mode has been accidentally enabled.
A pending print job is stuck in the queue, blocking all new ones.

Understanding the cause narrows down the fix. Start with the simplest checks before reinstalling anything.

Quick Fixes That Work Most of the Time

Try these in order. They resolve the majority of connection issues without any technical know-how.

Restart everything. Turn off the printer, unplug it from the wall for 30 seconds, and restart your computer. This clears temporary glitches on both sides.
Check the physical connection. For USB printers, unplug and replug the cable, and try a different USB port on the computer. For network printers, ensure the Ethernet cable is firmly seated.
Verify Wi-Fi status. On the printer’s control panel, look for a wireless icon. If it’s off or blinking, run the printer’s built-in wireless setup wizard again.
Set the printer as the default. In Windows (Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners) or macOS (System Settings > Printers & Scanners), right-click or select your printer and choose “Set as default.”
Clear the print queue. Open the print queue for your printer and cancel all pending jobs. A stuck job can freeze the connection.

How to Fix a Network Printer (Wi-Fi or Ethernet)

Network printers are convenient but fail more often than USB ones. Here’s how to get them back online.

Check the IP Address

Printers on a network get an IP address from your router. If that address changes, your computer may still be trying to reach the old one. Find the printer’s IP from its control panel (usually under Network Settings). Then on your computer, add a new printer using that exact IP address.

Confirm Both Devices Are on the Same Network

If your router broadcasts both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, the printer might be on one and your phone or laptop on the other. Many printers only support 2.4 GHz. Temporarily connect your computer to the 2.4 GHz band to see if the printer appears.

Run the Printer’s Wireless Setup Again

Use the printer’s display menu to run “Wireless Setup Wizard.” It will scan for your Wi-Fi network and ask for the password. This re-establishes the connection from the printer side.

How to Fix a USB Printer Connection

USB printers are simpler but have their own issues.

Try a different cable. USB cables can fail internally even if they look fine. Use a known-good cable if available.
Use a direct port. Plug the printer directly into the computer, not into a USB hub or a front-panel port that may not supply enough power.
Check Device Manager (Windows). Press Windows + X and select Device Manager. Look under “Printers” or “Universal Serial Bus controllers” for a yellow warning icon. If present, right-click and select “Uninstall device,” then unplug and replug the printer to force a fresh driver install.

Dealing with Driver Issues

Drivers are the software that lets your operating system talk to the printer. Outdated or corrupt drivers are a leading cause of “not connected” errors.

Update from the manufacturer’s website. Go to the printer maker’s support page, enter your model, and download the latest driver for your exact operating system version (e.g., Windows 11 64-bit).
Uninstall and reinstall. In Windows, go to Settings > Apps, find the printer software, and uninstall it. Then restart your computer and run the newly downloaded installer.
On macOS: Remove the printer from System Settings > Printers & Scanners with the minus button, then click the plus button to add it again. macOS usually fetches the correct driver automatically.

Common Misconceptions About Printer Connections

Two myths cause a lot of wasted time:

“The printer is offline because the ink is empty.” Low ink does not cause a connection error. It may stop printing, but the printer will still appear online. If it shows offline, the issue is connectivity, not ink.
“Restarting the router will fix it.” Sometimes true, but not always. Restarting the router can help if the printer’s IP lease expired, but the more reliable fix is to run the printer’s own wireless setup again.

When to Use a Different Connection Method

If Wi-Fi keeps failing, consider switching to USB or Ethernet for a more stable connection. USB is the most reliable for a single computer. Ethernet is better if the printer has a port and sits near your router. Many printers also support Wi-Fi Direct, which creates a temporary point-to-point connection between the printer and your device—useful when the network is down.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my printer say “offline” when it’s turned on?

This usually means the computer cannot reach the printer over the network. Check that both are on the same Wi-Fi network, and look for the printer’s IP address in its network settings. Then, on your computer, delete and re-add the printer using that IP.

How do I set my printer online again in Windows?

Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, select your printer, and click “Open print queue.” In the queue window, click “Printer” in the menu bar and uncheck “Use Printer Offline.” If that option is greyed out, clear all jobs in the queue first.

Can a firewall block my printer?

Yes. Windows Defender Firewall or third-party security software can block printer communication, especially after a system update. Temporarily disable the firewall to test, and if the printer works, add an exception for the printer software or the printer’s IP address.

Why does my printer work on my phone but not my computer?

Your phone might be using a different connection method, like Wi-Fi Direct or a different band. Check that your computer is on the same network band as the printer. Also, the computer may have an outdated driver, so update it from the manufacturer’s site.

Is it worth using a USB cable instead of Wi-Fi?

For a single computer, yes. USB is more stable, faster, and eliminates network issues entirely. If you need to print from multiple devices, Wi-Fi is more convenient, but you’ll need to keep the network healthy.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.

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