Printer turns off by itself
Your printer switches itself off after a while or partway through a job. Change auto power-off and schedule settings, then check ventilation and power.
Quick fix
Look in the printer's settings for an automatic power-off option, with a name such as Auto Power Off, Auto-Off or Power Off Timer (usually under Setup, Eco or Power). Turn it off or choose the longest delay. Many printers ship with this switched on to save energy, so the printer is doing what it was set to do.
Didn’t work? Go to the full stepsYou might see
- The printer is fully off, not just asleep, when you come back to it
- It switches off a similar length of time after you last used it
- It shuts down partway through a long job
- It turns off at the same time every day or night
Usually caused by
- Automatic power-off switched on by default
- An on/off schedule set on the printer
- Overheating from blocked vents or a hot spot
- Loose power connection or a faulty power strip
- Failing power supply or another internal fault
Step-by-step fix
Work through the steps in order and check each one off. Most people are printing again before the last step.
Any printer
0 of 8 steps tried
-
Tell sleep from power-off
In sleep mode the power light usually stays on, dims or pulses, and the printer wakes when you send a job or press a button. When it has powered off, every light is out and only the power button brings it back. If your printer is only sleeping, our guide to a printer that keeps going to sleep is the better fit.
-
Change the auto power-off setting
On the printer's control panel, open the settings and look under Setup, Device settings, Preferences, Eco or Power for an option such as Auto Power Off, Auto-Off or Power Off Timer. Turn it off or choose the longest time. On some models, and in some regions with energy rules, the timer can be lengthened but not switched off entirely.
-
Use the printer's built-in web page
If your printer has no screen, or the option isn't on it, type the printer's IP address into a web browser on the same network to open its built-in web page (embedded web server). Look under Settings, System, Power or Energy. You may be asked for an admin password, which on many printers is printed on a label on the printer or given in the manual.
-
Look for on/off schedules
Some printers, especially office laser models, can switch themselves on and off at set times. Look for a schedule or weekly timer option in the settings or on the built-in web page, and delete or change any schedule you didn't set up. The maker's app can change these settings too, so check it if you use one.
-
Give it room to breathe
Printers, laser printers in particular, can stop or shut down to protect themselves when they run too hot. Leave a few inches of space around the vents, and keep the printer out of direct sun, away from radiators, and off carpet or the inside of a closed cabinet. With the printer off and unplugged, brush dust off the outside vents with a soft, dry brush.
-
Check the power connection
A loose cable, a worn power strip or a loose-fitting outlet can cut power for a moment, which looks just like the printer switching itself off. Plug it directly into a wall outlet and push the cable firmly into the back of the printer. Avoid sharing the outlet with heaters, kettles or other heavy loads.
-
Update the firmware
Firmware updates sometimes fix power-management bugs. Update from the printer's menu, its built-in web page or the maker's app, and don't turn off or unplug the printer while the update is running.
-
Know when it's a fault
If it shuts off at random, including in the middle of jobs, gets very hot, smells of burning, or won't turn back on for a while afterwards, the power supply or another internal part may be failing. Stop using it and contact the manufacturer through its official support website.
Did this fix it?
Good. To confirm everything is healthy, print a test page. It takes a minute and shows any quality problems early.
Try these next
Still stuck? Our printer assistant can walk you through it by live chat, free. . Or the The troubleshooter asks a few questions and narrows it down. If your printer is under warranty, the manufacturer can repair or replace it at no cost. Find their official support site on our brand pages.
Common questions
Is it bad to turn off automatic power-off?
No. The printer uses a little more electricity, but in sleep mode it draws only a small amount. To save energy, keep a sensible sleep timer and turn the printer off with its button when you won't use it for a few days.
Why does my printer only turn itself off when it is connected by USB?
Some printers automatically disable auto power-off while they're connected to a network, so they stay reachable for print jobs. Over USB the timer applies, so change it in the settings if it gets in your way.
Should I turn the printer off with the button or at the wall?
Use the power button. On an inkjet it lets the printer park and cap the print head so the ink doesn't dry out, which pulling the plug while it's on can prevent.