Why does Windows 11 say my printer is offline when it is not?

Ask Mini NOVA, then walk Microsoft's checklist

Open Start, then Settings, then Bluetooth & devices, then Printers & scanners, and leave that page up. Mini NOVA can guide the Windows screen you have open. It cannot see the printer's own buttons or a paper jam.

1. Leave the error on screen. Keep the message, the formula bar, or the settings page in view. Mini NOVA captures the screen when you submit the question, so scroll until the error and a little of the window around it are visible.
2. Press Insert and type your question. Press Insert, then type what you want to know. Mini NOVA sees that screen and guides you step by step. You make the click. There is no server or browser extension to set up, and no Microsoft 365 plan is needed.
3. Change one thing, then look again. You make the change. If the error is still there, ask a follow-up with the new screen visible. Mini NOVA remembers the conversation context. There is no chat history list.
4. Run the printer troubleshooter in Get Help. On Windows 11, Microsoft says to start with the automated printer troubleshooter in the Get Help app. It runs diagnostics and tries to fix the common cases. If it does not clear the offline state, continue with the steps below.
5. Power-cycle the printer and check Wi-Fi. Turn the printer off, unplug it, wait 30 seconds, plug it back in, and turn it on. For a Wi-Fi printer, Microsoft says to confirm it is on the same Wi-Fi network as the PC. That check is on the printer's own menu or in its manual, which is not on the Windows screen.
6. Set it as the default and clear the queue. In Printers & scanners, select the printer, then Set as default. If Set as default is missing, turn off Let Windows manage my default printer, then set the default yourself. Open the print queue from the same page and choose Cancel all if jobs are waiting.
7. Restart Print Spooler. Search the taskbar for services and open Services. Find Print Spooler, right-click it, and choose Restart. Then try a one-page print.
8. Remove the printer and add it again. In Printers & scanners, select the printer, choose Remove, and confirm. Then, with the printer on and connected, choose Add device next to Add a printer or scanner and follow the prompts. If it is still offline, restart the PC. Microsoft says that refresh can restore the pieces Windows uses to talk to the printer.

Program dialogs are a different problem

MSVCP140.dll was not found and This app can't run on your PC are program errors, not a printer status. For any other message, keep it on screen and start from the error messages guide.

Sources

Checked on 9 Oct 2026. Support pages change, so open the source before you rely on a step. Mini NOVA is not affiliated with Microsoft. Questions about the account itself go to admin@deskwithnova.com.

• Troubleshooting offline printer problems in Windows (Microsoft Support)
• Fix printer connection and printing problems in Windows (Microsoft Support)

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