Printer Not Connecting to Internet? 10 Fixes That Work

If your printer is not connecting to internet, it may still appear connected to WiFi while online features remain unavailable. Cloud printing, remote services, firmware checks, or other internet-based printer features may stop working even though local printing continues normally.

A printer connected to WiFi but no internet is different from a printer that cannot join the wireless network at all. WiFi connects the printer to your local network, while internet access allows the printer to communicate with online services. The following checks can help identify where the connection is failing.

Why Is My Printer Not Connecting to the Internet?

If you are wondering why is my printer not connecting to internet, first determine whether the printer is actually connected to your WiFi network. If it cannot connect to WiFi at all, troubleshoot the wireless connection first.

Common causes of printer internet connection problems include:

• The printer has lost its WiFi connection.
• The router currently has no internet access.
• The printer is connected to the wrong wireless network.
• The WiFi password or network settings have changed.
• The router or printer needs to be restarted.
• Incorrect date and time settings are interfering with online services.
• Network or DNS communication is temporarily unavailable.
• The printer's online service or firmware needs attention.

WiFi Connection vs Internet Connection

WiFi and internet access are related, but they are not the same thing. A printer can connect successfully to a wireless router even when the router itself has no working internet connection.

In that situation, local printing may still work because the computer and printer can communicate over the same local network. However, features that require an external online service may remain unavailable.

If your printer cannot connect to the wireless network itself, use our Printer Won't Connect to WiFi troubleshooting guide before continuing with internet-specific troubleshooting.

How to Fix a Printer Not Connecting to Internet

Work through these solutions one at a time. Avoid factory-resetting the printer or router until basic network checks have been completed.

1. Check Whether Other Devices Have Internet Access

Start by testing the same network with a computer or phone. If multiple devices connected to the router also cannot access the internet, the problem is probably not limited to the printer.

In that situation, restore the router's internet connection first. Once normal internet access returns, check whether the printer's online features begin working again.

2. Check the Printer's WiFi Status

Look at the printer's wireless indicator, control panel, or network status information. Confirm that the printer is actually connected to the intended WiFi network.

If the wireless connection has been lost completely, internet-based troubleshooting will not help until WiFi connectivity is restored. Follow our wireless printer connection guide if the printer cannot join WiFi.

3. Confirm the Correct Wireless Network

Homes and offices may have multiple WiFi networks, guest networks, extenders, or separate access points. Make sure the printer is connected to the network you intend to use.

A guest or restricted network may allow basic internet access while limiting communication between local devices. Network behavior depends on how the router has been configured.

4. Restart the Printer and Router

Turn the printer off normally. Restart the router using its normal restart procedure and wait until its internet and WiFi connections are fully available again.

Then turn the printer back on and allow it time to reconnect. Check the printer's network status before testing any online feature.

Do not perform a router factory reset as an initial troubleshooting step. A factory reset can remove WiFi names, passwords, and other settings used by connected devices.

5. Check Whether the WiFi Password Recently Changed

If the router's wireless password was changed, the printer may still be trying to use old network credentials. Reconnect the printer using the current WiFi network name and password.

After reconnecting, verify that the printer reports a successful network connection before checking its internet-based services.

6. Check the Printer's Date and Time

Some network-connected devices rely on accurate date and time information when communicating securely with online services. If your printer provides date, time, or time-zone settings, check that they are reasonably accurate.

Do not change unrelated regional or system settings. Correct only information that is clearly inaccurate and then test the affected online feature again.

7. Check for a Temporary Online Service Problem

If local printing and internet access are working but a particular online printer feature is unavailable, the issue may involve that specific service rather than your entire network.

Wait briefly and test the service again. If the printer manufacturer provides a service status page or official notice for the affected feature, check that information before resetting your printer or router.

8. Check Network and DNS Communication

A router normally provides network information automatically to connected devices. Temporary router, DNS, or network configuration problems can prevent a printer from reaching internet services even while it remains connected to WiFi.

Restarting the router should be tested before manually changing DNS or advanced network settings. Avoid entering random DNS addresses or changing network configuration unless you understand the current setup and have identified a reason to do so.

9. Check for Current Printer Firmware or Software

If the printer has WiFi but no internet and online features repeatedly fail, check whether the manufacturer provides relevant firmware or software information for your exact printer model.

Use the printer manufacturer's official resources when obtaining firmware or printer software. Follow model-specific instructions carefully and do not interrupt a firmware update once the printer has started installing it.

10. Reconnect the Printer to the Network

If all other devices have internet access but the printer continues to have network problems, reconnecting the printer to WiFi may refresh its network configuration.

Use the printer's normal wireless setup process, select the correct network, and enter the current WiFi password. Once connected, test local communication first and then check the online feature that was previously unavailable.

Printer Connected to WiFi but No Internet

A printer connected to WiFi but no internet may still be able to print locally. This happens because communication between your computer and printer can remain inside the local network without requiring an external internet connection.

If local printing works but cloud or online functions do not, check the router's internet connection, printer network information, date and time, and the availability of the specific online service.

Printer Connected to Internet but Not Computer

If the printer has a working network connection but your computer cannot find it, this is more likely a local computer-to-printer communication problem than an internet problem.

Use our Printer Not Connecting to Computer guide for USB, WiFi, printer detection, installed printer, and driver troubleshooting.

Printer Connected to Network but Showing Offline

Internet or WiFi connectivity does not automatically mean that the computer considers the printer available. The computer may still display an offline status because of a print queue, old printer entry, or communication problem.

If this happens, follow our Printer Offline troubleshooting guide to check the computer-side connection and printer status.

Printer Online Services Not Working

If only an internet-based feature has stopped working, first confirm that ordinary local printing still works. Then check whether the printer and router have internet access.

A problem affecting one cloud or online feature does not necessarily mean that the printer's entire WiFi connection is broken. Check official information for that particular service before changing your network configuration.

Printer Won't Connect to Internet After Changing Router

A new router can introduce a different network name, WiFi password, security configuration, or local network setup. A printer configured for the previous router may therefore need to be connected again.

Use the printer's wireless setup process to connect it to the new network. If the printer cannot join the new WiFi network, continue with our Printer WiFi troubleshooting steps.

Printer Has Internet but Won't Print

An internet connection is not proof that the printer is ready to print. A print queue problem, incorrect printer selection, paper or cartridge error, or computer connection issue can still prevent printing.

If network connectivity is working but documents do not print, see our Printer Not Printing troubleshooting guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my printer connected to WiFi but has no internet?

The printer may be connected successfully to the local router while the router has no working internet connection. There may also be a temporary network, DNS, or online service issue. Check internet access on another device first.

Does my printer need internet access to print?

Not necessarily. Many printing tasks can work over a local USB or network connection without internet access. However, cloud printing, remote features, account-based services, and some updates may require internet connectivity.

Why does my printer have WiFi but still show offline?

WiFi status and computer printer status are different. The printer may be connected to the router while the computer cannot communicate with the installed printer entry. Check the printer queue, selected device, and local network connection.

Should I factory-reset my router to fix the printer?

Usually not as a first step. Restart the printer and router, verify the WiFi connection, check the password, and confirm internet access first. A factory reset can remove existing network settings for every connected device.

Should I change DNS settings on my printer?

Not without a specific reason. First restart the network equipment and confirm whether other devices have normal internet access. Advanced network settings should be changed only when the cause has been identified and the correct configuration is known.

Final Checks

When your printer is not connecting to internet, first determine whether the printer has joined WiFi and whether other devices on the same router can access the internet. This separates a printer WiFi problem from a wider internet connection problem.

If the printer cannot join WiFi, use our Printer Won't Connect to WiFi guide. If the computer cannot detect the networked printer, see our Printer Not Connecting to Computer guide. For an offline status, use the Printer Offline guide, and if the connection works but documents do not print, continue with our Printer Not Printing guide.