offline printer

I read something in PCMag about printers and the amount of power they use just sitting there, and knew enough to know it was true. So I just unplugged the printer; USB connection, so I figured the usual response (except as mediated by being the logical device, the printer). Then, a couple of weeks later, I wanted to print (still do), and I have an offline printer. Even after unplugging the USB and rebooting; even after uninstalling the printer and re-installing (though I used the software onsystem rather than re-installing from the CD).

Okay. I'm missing something obvious. But how do I get my ungrateful printer back online? (Conceivably, how do I rejuvenate to where I don't ask obvious questions. However, Help didn't help. In the future I'll at least unplug from the USB as well as powering down. Will that work?)

Which makes two questions in one. Incidentally, a printer runs even offline at a noticeable power rating, which is why it lights up a dark room; particularly a MF (multifunction, though other interpretations seem to fit) that copies as well as faxing and printing--laser. So it seemed a reasonable note by whoever.

--Glenn
8[

 

You will probably find the "offline" error is listed in the user guide/manual or you could check the FAQs and error listings at the manufacturer's website.

Using "Safely Remove Hardware ", before powering down the printer should work, I would expect (I wouldn't bother pulling out the USB cable). When powered back up Windows should recognize it and load the drivers.

Check if there are monitors, "helper" programs and updaters that can be turned off in the software and just run them from the Start menu when you need them.

If you can't see a fix in the manufacturer's information, I would uninstall the software and drivers completely, then walk through the setup procedure from scratch.

Matt

 

procedures suggested

Are the ones I'm trying to avoid, except I hadn't thought about the software itself causing a problem. There's a routine I remember very vaguely for this. The only minor problem is it could be DOS, Win 3.11...or even for instance the OS I used on a mainframe. Oh well. I will try the manual; thank you.
--Glenn

 

That noticeable power rating is relative. If printer has a standby mode then only power consumption will be LED’s lighting up room + tiny bit more. LED’s consume far less power then a night light but consume something which can be detected. So does my computer screen when computer kicks into standby/hibernate mode. And of course modem n router with LED’s blinking away. So does a DVD player, microwave, stereo or anything else where have to reset a clock after a power failure. These are really minor power consumptions that you can measure n figure out how much costing you. If measure "“ think you might be surprised "“ turning on 125 watt light in a room for 15 minutes costs you more.

But if concerned.
Try just turning power switch off on printer, it should shut it down. Don’t unplug anything. If you plug USB back into different port it may require another installation. You didn’t mention make/model of printer but many require they be turned on n plugged in before computer is booted. Usual sequence is: USB "“ printer power "“ then computer.

When in doubt about turn on sequence - manual is always a good resource-- LOL

 

no power switch

Just a standby--nothing in the verdammst instructions (which actually was my recollection). Evidently nothing in printer or printer-specific software, so it's Windows, and I'm hoping that a complete re-installation will do it.
--Glenn

 

Re-installation should do it.
Just plug USB in n turn printer on before the installation.
Leave that USB plugged in.
During installation software from CD will be expecting to find it. In future it’ll be expecting to find it on port was installed on.

Was kinda laughing cause I still use shot gunning method in troubleshooting. Try everything can think of first. Only when all else fails do I again read the manual.
Geeze – I read the manual first time – do I have to read it AGAIN. Might not apply in your case but couldn’t resist past n probably future instances of myself and laughing.

Actually that's a good topic for a thread. How many people troubleshoot first THEN read a manual?
Raise hands.

 

I am an idiot

Mind you, this isn't a new discovery. I'm also a Vietnam vet with (not failing) failed close-range vision. This is hard to do. I plugged the USB into a bloody phone receptacle, first time this has been possible. I am ready, unfortunately, for any number of recriminations and transcribed belly-laughs. ****