If you're a Mac user and your Epson printer suddenly shows as “Offline”, you’re not alone. This issue is common and often occurs after software updates, Wi-Fi interruptions, or driver conflicts. Thankfully, the problem is usually easy to resolve with the right troubleshooting steps.

 

 

This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step fix for macOS users experiencing the Epson printer offline error—whether you're using macOS Ventura, Sonoma, Monterey, or earlier versions.

🔍 Why Is Your Epson Printer Offline on Mac?

When macOS shows your Epson printer as offline, it usually means your computer and printer aren’t communicating properly. Some common reasons include:

  • The printer is turned off or disconnected

  • Wi-Fi or network issues

  • Incorrect printer settings on macOS

  • Outdated or missing Epson printer drivers

  • Conflicts after a macOS update

  • Print queue errors or jobs stuck in the system

Let’s walk through the solutions step by step.

✅ Step 1: Check Power and Connection

Start with the basics:

  • Ensure the printer is powered on

  • Make sure it's connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac

  • If using a USB cable, confirm it's securely plugged in

  • Look at the printer's LCD screen for any error messages (e.g., “No Connection”)

You can also print a network status report from the printer’s control panel to verify the connection.

✅ Step 2: Restart Your Printer and Mac

A simple restart often resolves temporary communication glitches.

  1. Power off your Epson printer

  2. Restart your Mac

  3. Turn the printer back on

  4. Wait until both devices are fully powered and reconnected to the network

Try printing a test page afterward.

 

 

✅ Step 3: Reset the Print System (macOS)

Resetting the print system clears out old printers, queues, and settings that may be causing issues.

How to do it:

  1. Go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS)

  2. Select Printers & Scanners

  3. Right-click (or Control + click) anywhere in the printer list

  4. Choose “Reset printing system”

  5. Enter your Mac admin password when prompted

  6. Confirm the reset

Afterward, re-add your Epson printer using the “+” button. Select your printer from the list and macOS will reinstall it automatically.

✅ Step 4: Remove and Re-Add Your Epson Printer

If you don’t want to reset the entire print system, simply removing and re-adding the Epson printer may fix the issue.

Steps:

  1. Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners

  2. Select your Epson printer and click the “-” button to remove it

  3. Click the “+” button and wait for your printer to appear

  4. Select it and click “Add”

This action forces macOS to reconnect to the printer with fresh settings.

✅ Step 5: Download and Install the Latest Epson Drivers

Apple updates often affect printer compatibility, so it’s critical to ensure your drivers are up to date.

To update drivers:

  1. Visit the official Epson Support website:

🔗 https://www.epson.com/Support

 

  • Enter your printer model (e.g., Epson EcoTank ET-2850)

  • Select macOS version from the dropdown menu

  • Download and install the latest printer driver and utility software

After installation, restart your Mac and try printing again.

✅ Step 6: Check for macOS Updates

Your Mac might need a system update to work correctly with Epson devices.

How to update macOS:

  1. Go to System Settings > General > Software Update

  2. If updates are available, click “Update Now”

  3. After the update, restart your Mac

macOS updates often include bug fixes for printer issues.

 

 

✅ Step 7: Set Epson as Default Printer

Sometimes your Mac tries to print to a different or outdated device.

  1. Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners

  2. Choose your Epson printer from the list

  3. Click the “Default Printer” dropdown and select your Epson device

This ensures all future print jobs are sent to the correct printer.

✅ Step 8: Use Epson Printer Utility

Epson provides diagnostic tools for macOS that can detect and fix offline issues.

  1. Download the Epson Printer Utility for your model

  2. Open the utility and follow the prompts to check connection status

  3. Use the "Update Firmware" or "Diagnose" options as needed

This tool can also help realign communication settings between your Mac and printer.

✅ Step 9: Check Network Settings on Printer

If you’re printing over Wi-Fi:

  • Access the Network Setup menu on your Epson printer

  • Run the Wireless Setup Wizard to rejoin your Wi-Fi network

  • Ensure your printer and Mac are on the same Wi-Fi (2.4GHz or 5GHz)

After reconnecting, re-add the printer as mentioned above.

✅ Step 10: Contact Epson Support

If none of these steps resolve the issue, reach out to Epson’s customer support team:

📞 U.S. Support

🌐 https://www.epson.com/Support

 

They can help with advanced diagnostics or potential hardware problems.

📝 Final Thoughts

An Epson printer showing as offline on macOS can be frustrating—but it's usually fixable in just a few steps. Whether the issue stems from a network hiccup, an outdated driver, or a system misconfiguration, this guide gives you all the tools you need to resolve it quickly.

By following the steps outlined above, you’ll have your Epson printer back online and ready to handle all your printing tasks with ease.