How to fix a wireless printer that keeps disconnecting from Wi-Fi and going offline

A wireless printer that repeatedly drops off your Wi-Fi network and shows as Offline can disrupt your entire workday. This issue is usually caused by power-saving settings, changing IP addresses, or weak signal strength rather than a hardware fault. The steps below will guide you through stabilising the connection so your printer stays online and ready to print.

Quick Fix Steps

1. Restart your printer and Wi-Fi router
2. Disable power-saving mode on the printer
3. Assign a static IP address to the printer
4. Reconnect the printer to your Wi-Fi network
5. Update the printer driver on your computer

Detailed Instructions

Step 1: Restart Your Printer and Router

This clears temporary network glitches on both devices.

1. Turn off the printer using its power button, then unplug it from the wall for 30 seconds.
2. Unplug your Wi-Fi router from power for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait for it to fully restart.
3. Plug the printer back in and turn it on.
4. Wait 2–3 minutes, then check if the printer appears online on your computer.

Step 2: Disable Power-Saving or Sleep Mode on the Printer

Many printers enter a low-power state that disconnects them from Wi-Fi. Disabling this keeps the wireless radio active.

1. On the printer’s control panel, navigate to Settings or Setup.
2. Look for Power Management, Energy Save, or Sleep Mode.
3. Set Sleep Mode or Auto-Off to Off or the maximum available time.
4. If available, disable Auto Power Off entirely.
5. Save your changes and exit the menu.

Step 3: Assign a Static IP Address to the Printer

When your router assigns a new IP address to the printer, your computer may still be looking for the old address, causing the printer to show as offline. A static IP prevents this.

1. Print a network configuration page from the printer’s control panel. This is usually under Settings > Network > Print Network Configuration or similar.
2. Note the printer’s current IP Address, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway.
3. Open a web browser on a computer connected to the same network and enter the printer’s IP address into the address bar.
4. Log in to the printer’s embedded web server (default credentials are often admin for both username and password, or check your printer manual).
5. Navigate to Network > IPv4 or TCP/IP Settings.
6. Change the IP configuration from Automatic (DHCP) to Manual or Static.
7. Enter an IP address outside your router’s DHCP range but within the same subnet. For example, if your router uses 192.168.1.1 and assigns addresses from 192.168.1.100 to 192.168.1.200, choose 192.168.1.50.
8. Enter the same Subnet Mask and Default Gateway you noted earlier.
9. Save the settings. The printer will restart its network connection.

Step 4: Reconnect the Printer to Your Wi-Fi Network

If the printer still drops offline, re-establishing the wireless connection from scratch can resolve corrupted network settings.

1. On the printer’s control panel, go to Settings > Network > Wireless Setup Wizard or Wi-Fi Setup.
2. Select your office Wi-Fi network from the list.
3. Enter your Wi-Fi password carefully. Note that passwords are case-sensitive.
4. Wait for the printer to confirm it is connected.
5. Print a network configuration page to verify the IP address and connection status.

Step 5: Update the Printer Driver on Your Computer

An outdated or corrupted driver can cause the printer to show as offline even when the network connection is fine.

1. On Windows, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
2. Select your printer and click Printer properties.
3. Click the Advanced tab, then New Driver to launch the driver update wizard.
4. Follow the prompts to install the latest driver. Alternatively, download the latest driver from the printer manufacturer’s website.
5. On macOS, go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners, select the printer, and click Remove Printer. Then click Add Printer to re-add it with the latest driver.

Step 6: Improve Wi-Fi Signal Strength

If your printer is located far from the router or behind thick walls, the signal may be too weak to maintain a stable connection.

• Move the printer closer to the Wi-Fi router, ideally within the same room or no more than 10–15 metres away.
• Avoid placing the printer near metal filing cabinets, microwave ovens, cordless phones, or other sources of wireless interference.
• If moving the printer is not practical, consider installing a Wi-Fi range extender or mesh node near the printer.
• Ensure the printer is not sitting on top of or directly next to the router, as this can also cause signal issues.

Troubleshooting

Printer Still Shows Offline After All Steps

• Check that your computer and printer are on the same Wi-Fi network. If your office has a guest network, make sure both devices are on the primary network.
• Temporarily disable any VPN software on your computer and check if the printer appears online.
• On Windows, open Control Panel > Devices and Printers, right-click the printer, and select See what’s printing. Click Printer in the menu bar and ensure Use Printer Offline is not ticked.
• On macOS, open System Settings > Printers & Scanners, select the printer, and check that the status does not say Paused. If it does, click Resume.

Printer Connects but Drops Off After a Few Hours

• Double-check that power-saving mode is fully disabled on the printer, including any Schedule or Timer settings.
• Verify that the static IP address you assigned is outside the router’s DHCP range. If it is inside the range, the router may assign the same address to another device, causing a conflict.
• Check if your router has a firmware update available. Outdated router firmware can cause intermittent device disconnections.

Multiple Devices Are Dropping Off Wi-Fi

If other devices in your office are also disconnecting, the issue may be with your router or internet connection rather than the printer. See Printer not printing? Fix offline printer issues for further guidance.