A printer marked offline on macOS is usually still connected — the status just needs refreshing through System Settings.
Remove the printer from System Settings > Printers & Scanners and add it again to refresh its connection status.
Common Reasons my printer offline on mac
A cached connection status
macOS may not automatically refresh a printer's status after it reconnects.
Sleep mode on the printer
Some printers appear offline to macOS simply because they've entered a low-power state.
Quick Checks Before Troubleshooting
- Wake the printer by pressing any button on its panel.
- Confirm the printer and Mac are on the same WiFi network.
1. Wake the Printer
Press a button on the printer itself to bring it out of sleep mode.
2. Remove the Printer
In System Settings > Printers & Scanners, select the printer and click the minus button to remove it.
3. Re-Add the Printer
Click the + button and select the printer again once it appears in the list.
4. Restart the Mac
A restart clears any cached network state that might be keeping the status stuck.
What If It's Still Not Fixed?
If you've worked through every step above and the problem continues, it's worth checking a nearby cause rather than repeating the same steps. The guides below cover the most common related issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
People Also Ask
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From the printer's screen, open network settings, select your WiFi network, enter the password, then add the printer on your computer or phone. Read the full guide →
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Confirm both devices are on the same WiFi network, restart the printer, and check that your router allows Bonjour/mDNS traffic. Read the full guide →
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Confirm the printer and computer share the same network, enable network discovery, and restart both devices before searching again. Read the full guide →
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Check that the print settings aren't set to grayscale, run a nozzle cleaning cycle, and confirm every color cartridge has ink and is seated correctly. Read the full guide →