Canon Printer Offline? Here's How to Fix Canon Printer Keeps Going Offline
Your Canon printer shows "offline" even though it's working. Canon PRINT keeps reporting it offline. It keeps happening. Here's why—and exactly how to fix it.
1. The "Canon PRINT Software" Conflict
Canon PRINT software manages Canon printer connections and status. When Canon PRINT is outdated, corrupted, or conflicts with Windows printer settings, it incorrectly reports printers as offline—even when they're working fine.
The Fix: Update Canon PRINT from Canon website or app store. If updating doesn't help, uninstall Canon PRINT completely, restart computer, then reinstall. Alternatively, remove Canon PRINT and use Windows built-in printer management—many Canon printers work more reliably without Canon PRINT. Add printer directly through Windows Settings → Printers → Add printer.
2. The "Canon Printer Sleep Mode" Problem
Canon printers enter sleep mode after inactivity to save power. When sleeping, Windows may detect them as unavailable and mark them offline. Some Canon models have aggressive sleep settings.
The Fix: Disable or adjust Canon printer sleep mode. Access printer settings through printer display panel → Settings → Power Settings → Sleep Mode → set to "Never" or increase timeout (e.g., 30 minutes instead of 5 minutes). Some Canon printers have "Keep Printer Online" option—enable this. Alternatively, send periodic test prints to keep printer awake. Canon PRINT app may also have sleep mode settings—check there too.
3. The "Canon Inkjet Print Head" Park Position Issue
Canon inkjet printers park the print head when not in use. If the park mechanism is stuck or the head doesn't return to park position properly, the printer may show offline or refuse to print.
The Fix: Reset print head park position. Turn printer off, unplug for 30 seconds. Plug back in, turn on. Printer will reinitialize and park head properly. If issue persists, access service menu (check manual for button combination—often involves holding buttons during power-on) → look for "Print Head Reset" or "Park Position Reset." For severe cases, manual head movement may be needed—consult Canon support or service manual.
4. The "Canon Network Connection" Drop
Canon network printers can lose Wi-Fi connection due to router issues, signal interference, or printer network settings. When connection drops, Windows marks the printer offline.
The Fix: Reconnect Canon printer to Wi-Fi. Access printer menu → Settings → Network → WiFi Setup → reconnect to your network → enter WiFi password. Print network configuration page to verify connection and note IP address. In Windows, switch printer port to TCP/IP using this IP address (Settings → Printers → Printer properties → Ports → add TCP/IP port). Ensure printer and computer are on same network. Move printer closer to router if signal is weak.
5. The "Canon Driver Port" Configuration
Canon printer drivers configured with wrong port settings (especially WSD ports) cause offline issues. WSD ports are unreliable and drop connections frequently.
The Fix: Switch to Standard TCP/IP Port. Find Canon printer's IP address (print network configuration page). Settings → Printers → Canon printer → Printer properties → Ports tab → uncheck WSD port → Add Port → Standard TCP/IP Port → enter printer's IP address → Finish. Canon printers are much more stable with TCP/IP ports. For USB printers, ensure correct USB port is selected in Ports tab.
6. The "Canon Waste Ink Counter" Error
Canon printers have a waste ink counter that tracks ink absorbed by waste pads. When the counter reaches limit (usually E16 error), the printer stops working and may show offline to prevent further use until service.
The Fix: Reset waste ink counter (requires service mode access). Access Canon service mode (check manual for button combination). Look for "Waste Ink Counter Reset" option. Warning: Only reset if waste pad has been replaced or serviced. Resetting without replacing pad can cause ink overflow. For most users, this requires professional service. Check printer display for E16 error code—if present, waste ink counter is the issue.
Step-by-Step Canon Printer Offline Fix
- Restart Canon printer: Turn printer off, wait 30 seconds, turn back on. Wait for all lights to stabilize.
- Update Canon PRINT: Download latest version from Canon website or update through app store.
- Uncheck "Use Printer Offline": Settings → Printers → Canon printer → See what's printing → Printer menu → uncheck "Use Printer Offline".
- Restart Print Spooler: Windows key + R → services.msc → Print Spooler → Restart.
- Switch printer port: For network printers, change from WSD to TCP/IP port using printer's IP address.
- Disable sleep mode: Printer menu → Settings → Power → Sleep Mode → set to Never or increase timeout.
- Update Canon drivers: Download latest drivers from Canon website for your printer model.
- Reconnect to network: For wireless printers, reconnect to Wi-Fi through printer menu.
- Remove and re-add printer: Remove Canon printer from Windows, then add it back fresh.
- Test print: Send test print to verify printer is online and working.
Canon-Specific Diagnostic Guide
| Issue | Diagnosis | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Canon PRINT shows offline | Canon PRINT software issue | Update Canon PRINT or remove it |
| Canon printer offline after Windows update | Driver compatibility issue | Update Canon drivers from Canon website |
| Canon network printer offline | WSD port or connection issue | Switch to TCP/IP port |
| Canon printer shows E16 error | Waste ink counter full | Reset counter or service required |
Need Professional Help?
If your Canon printer continues to show offline despite trying these solutions, there may be deeper Canon PRINT conflicts, driver issues, or network configuration problems. Our technicians can help diagnose and fix persistent Canon printer offline issues.
Contact SupportFrequently Asked Questions
Canon printers go offline due to Canon PRINT software conflicts, network connection drops (Wi-Fi or USB), print spooler service stopping, Canon printer sleep mode, incorrect printer port settings (WSD ports unreliable), or Windows power-saving features. Fix by updating Canon PRINT software, ensuring stable connection, restarting print spooler, disabling sleep mode, switching to TCP/IP port for network printers, and disabling USB selective suspend for USB printers.
Bring Canon printer back online: Turn printer off and on. Open Canon PRINT app or Windows Settings → Printers → right-click Canon printer → See what's printing → Printer menu → uncheck "Use Printer Offline". Restart Print Spooler service (services.msc → Print Spooler → Restart). Update Canon PRINT software from Canon website or app store. For network printers, verify Wi-Fi connection and printer's IP address. Set printer as default. Send test print to verify it's online.
Yes, Canon PRINT software can cause offline issues if outdated, corrupted, or conflicting with Windows printer settings. Canon PRINT manages printer connection and status—if it malfunctions, it can incorrectly report printer as offline. Fix by updating Canon PRINT from Canon website or app store, uninstalling and reinstalling Canon PRINT, or using Canon printer without Canon PRINT (add printer directly through Windows Settings). Some Canon printers work better without Canon PRINT—try removing it and using Windows built-in printer management.
Fix Canon printer offline Windows 11: Update Canon PRINT software. Ensure printer is connected (USB cable or Wi-Fi). Restart Print Spooler service. Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → Canon printer → Printer properties → Ports tab → if using WSD port, switch to Standard TCP/IP Port using printer's IP address. Uncheck "Use Printer Offline" in printer queue. Disable USB selective suspend if using USB. Update Canon printer drivers from Canon website.
Canon network printers show offline due to Wi-Fi connection drops, unreliable WSD ports (Windows automatically creates these), Canon PRINT software reporting incorrect status, printer sleep mode, or router issues. Fix by ensuring stable Wi-Fi connection, switching from WSD to Standard TCP/IP Port using printer's IP address, updating Canon PRINT, disabling printer sleep mode, restarting router if needed, and verifying printer's IP address matches port configuration. Canon printers often work better with TCP/IP ports than WSD ports.
Yes, Canon printers work without Canon PRINT. You can add printer directly through Windows Settings → Printers & scanners → Add printer → select your Canon printer. Windows will install basic drivers. For full features, download Canon Universal Print Driver or specific model driver from Canon website. Some Canon PRINT features (ink levels, scanning) won't be available, but printing works fine. Many users find Canon printers more stable without Canon PRINT, especially if Canon PRINT is causing offline issues.
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