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Printer says offline but isn't

Anonymous
2013-10-30T22:00:25+00:00

I have a Brother brand printer and my Dell Inspiron Duo says that my printer is always offline. My printer isn't offline though because it works on every other wireless devise I own. I have another computer with windows 8 and the printer works fine on that one but it just wont work on mine.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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  1. Anonymous
    2016-02-01T21:12:26+00:00

    I had this issue as well. Have you made any changes in your network (e.g. resetting your wireless router or getting a new one altogether)? If so, sometimes this can cause some communication snafus with your printer.

    Regardless of whether the above fits your situation, I would try going to your "Devices and Printers" in the Control Panel and deleting the affected printer from your list of printers. (This is especially recommended if the printer works on your other devices.) Then, search for that printer by right clicking (anywhere but on a installed printer) and clicking on "Add devices and printers" from the drop-down menu. If the printer doesn't show up in the search, or if this doesn't solve your problem, I'd uninstall everything relating to the printer and try a fresh install - this goes for the printer's driver too. Sometimes the manufacturer's website will have instructions on how to do this or a downloadable tool that will do all the work for you.

    Hope this solves your problem!

    TB

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-10-31T21:29:48+00:00

    Hi Jordan,

    I would suggest you to follow these steps to change the printer from offline to online on your computer.

    a. Type "Devices and Printers" on the start screen. This will open a window with a list of the printers currently set up on your computer.

    b. Double-click on the icon of the printer you want to change to online. The status of the printer will be shown as either "Printer: Ready" or "Printer: Offline."

    c. Click on "Printer: Offline" and the Printer menu will appear. Click on "Printer" in the menu bar and uncheck "Use Printer Offline." This action will change the printer from offline to online.

    Let us know about the status of the issue, so that we could help you further.

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-02-18T21:22:03+00:00

    I was hopeful when I read your clear directions, but there is no menu bar falling  from "Printer: Offline"--therefore no option to uncheck that item.  The only info on the Brother printer page, besides "Printer: Offline" is a little document box saying 3 documents are waiting.  I tried to cancel them, and initially thought I had, but they are still there.

    Should I re-install the original Brother print driver (CD)?

    Before this I uninstalled a driver (doPOD7) required by a publishing company for a project.  I noticed that it seemed to elbow the Brother printer out of the way, even after I checked the Brother as the default printer.  Could that have caused the problem?

    When I tried to print an item the other day, the toner light blinked.  I removed the cartridge and shook it gently and replaced it.  So the current situation is  this: the printer turns on, gears up, and only the blue light remains.  No action.  Can you lead me to the UNCHECK BOX FOR USE PRINTER OFFLINE?

    All ideas gratefully received!

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