Printer not working and Cannot print after update to Windows 10: After upgrading your computer (PC) to Windows 10 from Windows 7, 8 and 8.1, your printer may stop working and show offline status, some printer drivers for a specific type of hardware might have issues with new Windows 10 Operating system, will discuss steps to resolve the printer going offline issue
Basic Pre-Checks
Check Printer connected to Network or Computer, USB cable plugged from the printer to the Windows 10 machine and there is no error on printer status, printer status should be green
How to fix printer offline issues in Windows 10 to Windows 7, Windows 8 and 8.1
Uninstall and Re-install Printer drivers
- Open Device Manager Window
- Locate Printer on the left side of the window
- Expand the icon of the printer
- Right click on the printer icon in the Device manager
- Click Uninstall
- Follow the instructions on the pop-up window to remove the installed printer
- Restart the Windows 10 system
- Install the printer from CD that came along with the printer
- Restart the Windows 10 system
- Check the printer status
- Update the latest Driver for Windows 10
Check the printer website for a new driver for Windows 10 for your printer, download and install as per the instructions, try to do below procedure if issue not resolved after the clean driver update
Also See: Print spooler stopping automatically on Windows Server 2012, 2008 and 2003
Install new Print Driver with Compatibility mode on Windows 10
- Download latest driver from the manufacturer’s website (save it to your desktop local disk)
- Right click on the setup file and select Properties
- Select the Compatibility Tab
- Place a check mark next to Run this program in Compatibility mode
- Select the operating system from the drop-down list
- Install a print driver and then check the functionality
Troubleshoot Windows 10 Printer issues with built-in troubleshooter
- Select Control panel
- Change the view by the option on the top right to Large icons
- Select troubleshooting and click on the view all option on the left panel
- Run the Hardware and devices as well as Printer troubleshooter
My wireless Printer showing offline after unplugged accidentally
If printers are suddenly unplugged without power off or proper shutdown, its un-proper removal which may have lost contact with the router and the computer (PC)
To resolve the issue you need to restart all the devices between your computer and printer (router/switch and computer)
If it all remains same and still the printer showing offline, then you need to reinstall the printer software/driver on Windows 10 from Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 to resolve the issue, other printer troubleshooting tips for Windows 10
Best Wireless Printer Scanner Copier (All-in-One Printer)
And Other Printer problems and issues with the solution
Related posts:
How to resolve the Print Spooler service crash issue (Print spooler service is not running)
Print spooler stopping automatically on Windows 10, Windows 8 and 8.1
Deploy and distribute new Print Queue to all Workstations through Group Policy on Windows Server 2012
Group policy is not applying/working after patching (GPO Permission issues)
Windows 10 Problem with Pop-Up Dialog box, it’s under the Application Window
It was SUCH a palaver getting my Epson SX535WD installed as a wifi printer that I do not wish to have to uninstall it or the drivers and try and do it all over again. Besides which, although Windows 10 reports my printer as being offline, it isn’t and even while the notification is being shown, my documents print out immediately with no issues whatsoever! So the problem does not appear to be my my printer but Windows 10 erroneously reporting as being offline!
I cannot find a fix for this anywhere, so I guess I’ll just have to put up with the false Windows notification for the foreseeable future Grrrrr!
Installed Windows 10
Printer reflects Off Line message – cannot print.
Uninstalled HP Printer and reinstalled the printer.
Still cannot print – printer is offline.
Tried to change Offline to online from Control Panel / Printer Options
Not working
How do I fix??
Did you installed new print driver? please download new print driver which supports Windows 10
Hi ganesamoorthy,
you certainly made my day! Many thanks for this excellent post and very clear instructions!!
I had tried quite a few different things, checked cables, printer cartridge, de- and reinstall, etc., nothing worked and the printer showed ‘offline’ status. Only when reading your instructions – and no other website I’ve checked the last two days has mentioned it so clearly – did I realise that I had to restart the computer after deinstalling the printer, and only after reboot reinstall the drivers.
So, a big THANK YOU goes out to you!
Best regards
Hubert
Hi Hubert, Thanks for your feedback
I have a Epson XP 400 printer and could not get it to show as on, no matter what I did. It was connected to wifi, but it wouldn’t print and the problem checker said the printer wasn’t turned on. Just before I was ready to uninstall and reinstall the printer and drivers, I unplugged the router/modem, waited a minute, plugged it back in, restarted my computer (again), turned on the printer, and it was fixed. I suggest you try unplugging your modem/router then restarting your computer before you start uninstalling your printer. It worked for me.
My printer has gone awol as well. So now MS has given me another time-wasting job to do. They should have paid me to install W10, somewhere in four figures. Completely ruined my work day and thrown off my timing for customer jobs. Completely ridiculous.
My iPad can’t find my wifi printer, I have 3 PC the can use it via the wifi and one that is hard wired. The iPad says “No air printer available”.
Hey, this was great, thanks for taking the time to write it.Your Article gives me great knowledge. I am totally satisfied with your work. Hello guys if you are facing issue with Epson printer Offline Windows 10, Disable Use Printer Offline feature of your EPSON printer. 1) On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key along with R at the same time to open the Run box. 3) Right-click on your printer and click See what’s printing. If you are still face any issue