Last Updated on January 4, 2022 by Lilian Brooker
When a printer on Mac shows offline, despite the printer staying online on the network or connected to the PC, you need to find out why the printer is unavailable on Mac OS. Of course, once you re-establish a connection with the PC and verify the driver software is not corruptly installed, you can resume productive network printing.
While you try to get the printer online on Mac, it is best to start with basic troubleshoots and see if the printer comes back to the network following each fix as listed below. If the printer stays offline despite basic troubleshooting, you should reset the printer and add it to the network again.
Table of Contents
First Basic Troubleshoots
Ensure that the cable connections are safe between the printer and the computer or the network router, based on the printer connectivity method you use in your office setup. Make sure that the cables are not loosened and that the printer stays powered on just in case. Further, you should check the tray of the printer is devoid of paper jams.
In addition, ensure the tray has sufficient paper to print and that the paper is positioned in the printing direction. In case you see Low Ink error on the device, replace the empty cartridge of the printer.
Update Printer Driver
This works similarly as on Windows. To update the printer driver on Mac, go to Software Update in order to install Mac updates through Apple’s official website. If the OS is up-to-date, click on the Apple logo and choose Restart. Once the system reboots, click System Preferences icon through the menu and choose Print & Scan option. Double-click on the printer in the list of printers that appears if a yellow light pops up next to its name. Then, click Resume.
Reset the Printer
Click System Preferences icon on the Dock or access it via the Apple menu. Choose Print & Scan subsequently. Press down Ctrl key and right click at the printer in the list. Choose Reset Printing System. To add the printer again, click the plus icon and choose the printer if it pops up; if you do not see the printer listed automatically, click on Add Printer or Scanner to proceed. Choose the printer from next list and click Add.
