Windows updates are notorious for breaking printer connections. After a Windows 10 or 11 update, your printer may show as "offline," print jobs may get stuck, or the printer may disappear entirely. Here's how to fix it.
Fix 1: Uncheck "Use Printer Offline"
- Open Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners
- Click your printer → Open print queue
- Click Printer menu at the top
- Uncheck "Use Printer Offline"
- If the option is grayed out, proceed to Fix 2
Fix 2: Restart Print Spooler Service
- Press Win + R, type services.msc, press Enter
- Find Print Spooler in the list
- Right-click → Stop
- Open File Explorer → go to C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS
- Delete all files in this folder (these are stuck print jobs)
- Go back to Services → right-click Print Spooler → Start
- Set Startup type to Automatic
Fix 3: Reinstall Printer Driver
- Go to Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners
- Click your printer → Remove
- Open Device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager)
- Expand Print queues → right-click printer → Uninstall device
- Go to your printer manufacturer's website:
- HP: support.hp.com/drivers
- Canon: usa.canon.com/support
- Epson: epson.com/Support
- Brother: support.brother.com/downloads
- Download the latest driver for your OS version
- Install and restart computer
Fix 4: Run Windows Troubleshooter
- Open Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other troubleshooters
- Click Run next to "Printer"
- Follow the prompts — it can detect and fix common driver issues
- Restart after the troubleshooter completes
Fix 5: Re-add Network Printer by IP
If your printer is connected via WiFi or Ethernet:
- Find your printer's IP address (print a network config page from the printer)
- Go to Settings → Printers & scanners → Add device
- Click "The printer that I want isn't listed"
- Choose "Add a printer using TCP/IP address"
- Enter the printer's IP address
- Windows will detect and install the printer
Fix 6: Check Windows Firewall
- Windows updates can reset firewall rules
- Open Windows Security → Firewall & network protection
- Click Allow an app through firewall
- Ensure File and Printer Sharing is allowed on Private network
- Also check Network Discovery is enabled
Fix 7: Roll Back Windows Update (Last Resort)
- Open Settings → Windows Update → Update history
- Click Uninstall updates
- Find the most recent update → click Uninstall
- Restart computer and test printer
- If printer works, pause updates and wait for a fix from Microsoft or the driver manufacturer
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my printer go offline after Windows update?
Windows updates frequently replace or remove printer drivers. The update may have: (1) Installed a generic driver that doesn't work with your printer, (2) Changed USB/network port assignments, (3) Reset the Print Spooler service, (4) Disabled the printer in settings, (5) Changed firewall rules blocking network printers.
How do I fix printer offline after Windows 11 update?
Quick fix: Open Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → select printer → Open print queue → Printer menu → uncheck 'Use Printer Offline.' If that doesn't work, reinstall the printer driver from the manufacturer's website (not Windows Update).
Should I roll back the Windows update?
Only as a last resort. First try: reinstalling the driver, restarting Print Spooler, and removing/re-adding the printer. If the printer worked before the update and nothing else fixes it, go to Settings → Windows Update → Update history → Uninstall updates.
My network printer went offline after update — different fix?
Yes — network printers have additional issues: (1) Windows may have changed network discovery settings, (2) Firewall may be blocking the printer port, (3) IP address may have changed. Try: ping the printer IP, re-add by IP address, check Windows Firewall settings.
How do I prevent Windows updates from breaking my printer?
You can't completely prevent it, but: (1) Pause updates before important print jobs, (2) Pin your working driver so Windows doesn't replace it, (3) Download the latest driver from the manufacturer's site, (4) Set printer to use a static IP (network printers).
Printer Still Offline After Update?
Our technicians can remotely reinstall drivers and fix printer issues.