I have a home network with few computers on it. The computers with Windows XP can access my network printer (Canon MF4370DN) 24x7 w/o any problem (even the printer is on standby/sleep mode). The computers with Windows 7 show the same printer offline (same situation when those computers had Windows Vista on them). I have searched this forum and saw some similar discussions but none of them can fix my problem, such as disable bi-direction or SNMP. The printer settings between Windows XP and Windows 7 are the same (bi-direction and SNMP enabled). Although I did not checksum printer drivers, I saw them having the same size and release date. I could restart print spooler, but it went offline again in a moment. I don't think I should restart anything to make my printer working either. The network printer is pingable from any computer 24x7. Please advise.

I followed your steps and printer is working fine now. In step 2.d, I select "Standard TCP/IP Port" instead of "Local Port". For step 2.f, I clicked "Windows Update" and the old Canon drivers were gone from the list. I selected "have disk" and get drivers from x64 directory on CD. Printer went offline after I manually enabled the SNMP. I disabled SNMP back afterward. Looks like the the CD installation might be bad. Thanks

While I acknowledge that this works, that this is even an issue that hasn't been solved is beyond me. I have a laptop and am constantly moving in and out of my home network. So if I have to remove and re-add my printer every time I want to print is ridiculous. FIX THE PROBLEM!!!

Hello, I have similar problems. I move my labtop between home and work. If my computer has been set to sleep at home, then companny printers appears offline. The only way I can get them online is to do a slow restart :-( Leo

I'm always amazed by the number of inapplicable or truly bad answers you see on fora such as this. I have the same problem with Win 7 x64 and an old IBM Network Printer. It has been working flawlessly for a year and a half, and suddenly, the printer appears offline to Windows 7. Turning off SNMP solved the problem, but there was never a problem before. What changed? Nothing except Windows updates. Same driver, same printer, same cabling. Microsoft - Too many people are reporting this symptom for it to be an anomaly. Find the root cause and make a fix available. Thanks

Window 7 is terrible on network sharing. Wonder if Window 8 can get better. It's seem XP is the best so far.