My Canon MF5550 multifunction 4-in-1 has a USB connection to my Windows XP computer. I am not on a network and don't need a password. A couple of days ago, it printed out a couple of half-pages (as they all do occasionally), so I opened the paper drawer, added more paper, closed it, and opened and shut the front cover. The LCD indicated it was busuness as usual. Now it won't print. The Control Panel/printers SAYS it is offline. I have exhausted Microsofr Help, Troubleshooting, and the command line (to which the printer won't respond). I have shut everything off, re-installed the printer, re-installed the drivers, rebooted--it won't even print a test page. I have searched the printer manual. I have no trouble SCANNING from the computer software, so the computer can communicate with the MF5550. The Control Panel keeps saying the printer is offline. Checking "print offline" doesn't do a thing. When I type ctrl-P and click on "find printer," a notice comes up that "the directory service is currently unavailable." How do I get this thing online? Please help--I am a professor, my classes start in a week, and I am dead in the water without my printer.

Thanks,
Suesjpeters,Welcome to the CH forums. When you go into "my computer--printers and faxes" what printer(s) are listed there and which one (if more than one is listed) is selected as default?truenorthDear Truenorth, thanks for answering so quickly. There are 3 MF5550s listed (since I reinstalled it so many times). They are all offline. I tried each one as the default printer, to no AVAIL. There are 3 other somethings listed as being "ready"--I tried one and it is some sort of print to file thing (gives the document a new extension). I don't know why my printer is offline.
Sue

OK while i do not have any experience with this canon model printer issues are USUALLY pretty much caused by the same issues. I compliment you on this particular choice it seems to be an extremely good printer (when it works). Except for a certain drawback with the "fax" function which does not seem to be your issue. I would like you to tell me more about the "other" things that are listed in your "printer/faxes window". What are they called? Now because you are showing 3 separate instances of the MF5550 you have NOT uninstalled all of them as you have thought. 1st there are a couple of easy quick things i want you to try. Go back to the printer /fax window and remove 2 of the entries (right click on the 2 and select "delete"). With only one remaining right click on it in the open window and select "properties". Then in the window select "advanced". If not chosen check the small circle to select "always available". Also in the same window with the "general "tab displayed your printer should be there and it should have a check mark beside it indicating it is the default printer. It should also be noted in the "model" and the "COMMENTS " on the "general" window. Another quick thing to try AFTER you have ensured the above is to try another USB port on the computer (preferably if not already so a rear port). If none of this changes anything we will then proceed to the sequence of reinstalling the printer. So please advise and we shall determine the next step.truenorthDear Truenorth, I have now rechristened you Truewonder. I followed all of your advice, got rid of the duplicate installations--nothing. Then I changed the USB cable and plugged it into another port on the back. This disabled my mouse, which I found a little strange (I know a little about the Universal Serial bus--I lecture on it briefly in MIDI class--I thought the ports were identical, and could support several peripherals even without a hub). So I plugged it into the other rear port which reenabled the mouse, but no printing. So I plugged it into the front lower port (my computer is less than a year old), and voila! A new entry for the printer mysteriously appeared on Contol Panel, and it was marked "ready," not offline. And then--after 5 days of this hassle--it printed! Thanks you so much. I have never belonged to a forum like this before, and am eternally grateful that it exists and that you took the time to deal with my problem. Now for my copier, which keeps printing dark copies, but that's another entry. SueYour very welcome glad that you now have the use of that very fine printer and your educational career can proceed without impedance. ;)Your issue with the darkness of your copies ought to be easily corrected by a darkness/brightness alteration in the copier portion of your copying program. Just look for it and you should find some variables that can be changed to affect that.truenorth