Canon Printer Keeps Going Offline: Why It Happens and How to Stop It

Why a Canon Printer Keeps Going Offline

"Offline" only means the computer cannot reach the printer at the moment it tries to print. The printer itself is often fine. These are the causes we see most, in rough order:

Quick Fixes to Bring It Back Online Now

1. Check the printer itself first. It should be on, with no error code on the LCD and no flashing Alarm lamp. Clear any paper or ink error before anything else.
2. Windows: open Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners, select your Canon printer, open the print queue and make sure Use Printer Offline is not ticked (it is under the Printer menu). Canon lists this as one of its first checks.
3. Cancel any stuck jobs in the same queue. If they will not clear, follow our print queue stuck guide.
4. Turn off the printer, restart your router, wait until the internet is back, then turn the printer back on.
5. Restart the computer. Canon notes the computer itself can be in an unstable state.
6. Mac: open System Settings → Printers & Scanners, select the printer and open the print queue. If it shows Paused, click Resume.

The Permanent Fix: Keep the Printer on the Same IP Address

Most home routers hand out addresses automatically. If the printer comes back after a restart with a different address, a computer that was set up to the old address marks it offline. A DHCP reservation tells the router to always give the printer the same address.

1. Print the printer’s network settings page (sometimes called LAN settings or network configuration). On models with a menu screen it is usually under LAN settings as "Print LAN details"; on button-only models search your model’s manual for "Printing Network Settings" for the exact button steps. Note the IP address and MAC address.
2. Log in to your router app or admin page (the address is usually on the router label).
3. Find the setting called DHCP reservation, Address reservation, or Static lease (wording differs by router brand).
4. Add a reservation for the printer’s MAC address using its current IP address, then save.
5. On the computer, remove the printer and add it again so the printer port points at the reserved address.

Remove Duplicate Printer Entries

Every time the setup software or Windows finds the printer again, it can create another entry such as "Canon TS3500 series (Copy 1)". One copy is online, the other points at an old address and shows offline. Canon’s own offline checklist starts by checking that the printer name you are printing to matches the installed driver.

1. Open your printer list (Windows Printers & scanners, Mac Printers & Scanners).
2. If there is more than one entry for the same Canon model, print a test page to each. Keep the one that prints.
3. Remove the others, then set the working one as the default printer.
4. Windows: turn off Let Windows manage my default printer so Windows does not switch the default to a different printer.

Check Signal Strength, Network Band and Security Software

Canon’s support guidance is to print the network settings page and read the connection status and signal strength. If the signal is low, move the printer and router closer together or away from other wireless devices and metal objects.

• 2.4 GHz: many PIXMA models only join a 2.4 GHz network. If your router has separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz names, make sure the computer and printer are on the same network. See our Wi-Fi guide for dual-band and mesh routers.
• Same subnet: Canon says the subnet mask on the printer page should match the computer’s. If you have a second router or extender, the printer and computer may be on different network segments.
• Firewall and VPN: Canon suggests temporarily turning off firewall software to test. If printing works with it off, allow the printer in the firewall instead of leaving it off. Disconnect any VPN while printing on your home network.
• Guest networks usually block devices from seeing each other. Do not put the printer or the computer on a guest network.

Change Power Settings That Drop the Connection

Many Canon printers turn themselves off after a period without use (Auto power off). A printer that is switched off will always show offline. On models with a menu screen this is under ECO settings or Energy saving settings; on button-only models it is usually changed from the Canon software on the computer (IJ Printer Assistant Tool or Canon IJ Printer Utility on Mac, under Auto Power settings). Set Auto power off to a longer time or turn it off if the printer is used often.

Update or Reinstall the Driver (Especially After a Windows Update)

If offline started straight after a Windows update, reinstall the Canon driver for your exact model from your regional Canon support site. Canon also mentions Windows protected print mode on newer Windows 11 builds: when it is enabled, Canon’s own MP Drivers cannot be used, so the printer may only work through the built-in Windows driver. If you need Canon driver features, turn that mode off under Printers & scanners.

On a Windows computer you can also use Canon’s Wi-Fi Connection Assistant to check and change the network settings, which is the step Canon recommends before a full reinstall.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why does my Canon printer keep going offline?
  The most common reason is that the printer gets a new IP address after the router or printer restarts, and the computer is still looking at the old one. Weak Wi-Fi, duplicate printer entries, the printer powering off when idle, and firewall or VPN software are the other usual causes.
• How do I get my Canon printer back online?
  Make sure Use Printer Offline is not ticked in the Windows print queue, clear stuck jobs, restart the printer, router and computer, and check you are printing to the correct printer entry. If it is still offline, check that the printer is actually connected to Wi-Fi.
• How do I stop my Canon printer from going offline permanently?
  Reserve the printer’s IP address in your router (DHCP reservation), remove duplicate printer entries, set the working one as default, and lengthen or turn off Auto power off.
• Why does my Canon printer say offline when it is connected to Wi-Fi?
  The printer can be on the network while the computer is looking for it at an old address or through a duplicate printer entry. Remove and re-add the printer, or reserve its IP address in the router.
• Why is my Canon printer offline on Mac?
  Open the print queue in Printers & Scanners and resume it if paused. If it still shows offline, remove the printer, then add it again using the + button so macOS finds it at its current address.