How to Fix Epson Printer Showing Offline – Step-by-Step Guide
- digiknowlogy1
- Jul 1
- 4 min read
Seeing your Epson printer showing as “Offline” when you’re ready to print can be frustrating. This error usually means your printer is not communicating properly with your computer—whether it’s connected via USB or Wi-Fi. The good news is that this issue is usually software- or network-related and can be fixed in just a few steps.
This detailed guide will walk you through the most effective ways to get your Epson printer back online, whether you’re using Windows or macOS.
🖨️ What Does "Epson Printer Offline" Mean?
When your computer shows your Epson printer as offline, it means it cannot communicate with the printer, even though it’s connected. Common causes include:
Printer is turned off or in sleep mode
Faulty USB cable or network connection
Wrong printer selected as default
Printer queue is stuck or paused
Driver or software issues
IP address conflicts (for wireless printers)
✅ Step-by-Step Fixes for Epson Printer Offline
🟢 Step 1: Check Basic Power and Connection
Before jumping into advanced steps, make sure:
The printer is turned on and there are no error messages on the display.
The USB cable is properly plugged in (for wired printers).
The Wi-Fi light is solid or blinking on the printer, indicating connection.
If your printer has a touchscreen, use it to print a Network Status Report to verify connectivity.
Tip: Try restarting your printer, router, and computer.
🖥️ Step 2: Set Epson Printer to Online (Windows)
Press Windows + R, type control printers, and press Enter.
In the Devices and Printers window, find your Epson printer.
Right-click the printer > Select See what’s printing.
In the new window, click Printer in the menu bar.
Uncheck Use Printer Offline if it’s selected.
Also ensure Pause Printing is not checked.
Once deselected, your printer should show as “Ready.”
🖥️ Step 3: Set as Default Printer (Windows)
Sometimes, Windows sends documents to a virtual or offline printer instead.
Go back to Devices and Printers.
Right-click your Epson printer.
Click Set as Default Printer.
A green checkmark should appear on your Epson printer icon.
💻 Step 4: Fix Epson Printer Offline on Mac
Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
Select your Epson printer from the list.
If it shows as Offline, try the following:
Click the printer and press Resume if paused.
If that fails, delete the printer and re-add it:
Click the “–” button to remove.
Click “+”, select the Epson printer, and add it again.
This usually refreshes communication and resets the status.
🔄 Step 5: Restart the Print Spooler (Windows Only)
The print spooler manages print jobs. If it's stuck, your printer may go offline.
Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
Scroll down and find Print Spooler.
Right-click it and select Restart.
Close the window and try printing again.
🛠️ Step 6: Update or Reinstall the Printer Driver
Outdated or corrupt drivers can cause offline errors.
For Windows:
Go to Device Manager > Printers.
Right-click your Epson printer > Choose Update Driver.
Or go to Epson’s official driver page and download the latest drivers.
For macOS:
macOS usually downloads drivers automatically.
You can also use Epson Software Updater from the Epson website.
After reinstalling, restart your system and check the printer status.
🌐 Step 7: Fix Network Issues (For Wi-Fi Printers)
If you're using a wireless Epson printer:
Print a Network Configuration Page from the printer’s menu.
Confirm the IP address is valid (e.g., 192.168.x.x).
On your computer:
Windows: Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers > Right-click printer > Printer Properties > Ports tab.
Ensure the selected port matches the IP address printed on your Network Status Page.
If not, click Add Port > Standard TCP/IP Port, and input the correct IP.
Tip: Assign a static IP address to your Epson printer to avoid future connection drops.
🔄 Step 8: Use Epson Software Utility
Epson provides tools to help you diagnose and reset printer problems.
Download the Epson Printer Connection Checker or Epson ScanSmart depending on your model.
These tools help reset network configurations and detect issues.
Available at: https://epson.com/Support
🧰 Additional Tips
Disable VPNs or Firewalls temporarily, as they can block printer communication.
Ensure your printer and computer are on the same Wi-Fi network.
Avoid using guest or public networks.
📝 When to Contact Epson Support
If you’ve tried everything and your printer still shows as offline, it could be:
A hardware fault
A firmware issue
A deep network conflict
You can visit:👉 https://epson.com/SupportTo get live chat, warranty help, or schedule a repair.
✅ Conclusion
Fixing an Epson printer that shows offline doesn’t have to be complicated. In most cases, it’s a simple issue with the connection, print spooler, or drivers. By following the steps above, you can bring your printer back online and start printing again—whether you're on Windows or Mac.
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