If your printer keeps going offline randomly, shows “Not Responding,” or only works after restarting, the issue may not be your driver, WiFi, or router.
It might be something most people never check:
Bi-directional support.
Disabling bi-directional support is one of the most overlooked but highly effective fixes for recurring printer offline errors — especially on Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems.
I’m Mark Thomson, a printer support specialist with over 10 years of experience resolving printer offline and connectivity issues. At Printer Offline Fix, I’ve seen countless cases where this small configuration change permanently stabilizes printing.
Let’s break it down clearly.
What Is Bi-Directional Support in Printers?
Bi-directional support allows two-way communication between your printer and your computer.
Instead of your computer only sending print commands, it also receives:
- Ink level information
- Paper status
- Error messages
- Toner warnings
- Device alerts
This sounds helpful — and in many situations, it is.
But here’s the problem:
When the communication handshake fails even once, Windows may interpret that failure as the printer being unavailable.
That’s when you see:
Printer is Offline
Even though the printer is powered on and connected.
Why Bi-Directional Support Causes Printer Offline Errors
Here’s what actually happens behind the scenes.
When bi-directional support is enabled:
- Your computer constantly checks printer status
- Printer responds with live updates
- Windows validates communication
- If response is delayed or interrupted, connection is flagged
If the printer:
- Is in sleep mode
- Has weak WiFi signal
- Uses WSD port
- Has dynamic IP changes
- Experiences temporary network lag
The handshake fails.
Windows then marks the printer as offline.
It’s not that the printer stopped working.
It’s that Windows temporarily lost confirmation.
This is why users say:
- My printer is offline but connected
- Printer says offline randomly
- Printer keeps going offline every few hours
Bi-directional support often amplifies these interruptions.
Signs You Should Disable Bi-Directional Support
You may need this fix if:
- Printer keeps going offline without reason
- Printer works after restart but fails later
- Printer offline after sleep mode
- Printer offline only on one computer
- Printer offline after Windows update
- Printer randomly switches to “Not Responding”
Especially if:
You’re already using TCP/IP port and static IP.
At that point, bi-directional support becomes the next suspect.
How to Disable Bi-Directional Support (Step-by-Step Guide)
Follow these steps carefully.
Step 1: Open Devices and Printers
- Press Windows key
- Type “Control Panel”
- Open Devices and Printers
Do not use the Settings app. Use the full Control Panel.
Step 2: Open Printer Properties
- Right-click your printer
- Select Printer Properties
Important:
Choose Printer Properties, not just “Properties.”
Step 3: Go to Ports Tab
- Click the Ports tab
- Identify the selected port
If using WSD, consider switching to Standard TCP/IP for maximum stability.
Step 4: Disable Bi-Directional Support
At the bottom of the Ports tab, you will see:
Enable bi-directional support
Uncheck this box.
Click Apply.
Click OK.
Restart the printer.
Restart your computer.
Test print again.
What Happens After Disabling It?
You may notice:
- Ink levels no longer update automatically
- Some warning popups stop appearing
- Printer status shows basic information only
However:
Printing becomes more stable.
Offline errors reduce significantly.
For users prioritizing reliability, this trade-off is usually worth it.
Does Disabling Bi-Directional Support Affect Printing Quality?
No.
It does NOT affect:
- Print quality
- Color output
- Speed
- Paper feed
- Toner usage
It only changes how Windows receives device status updates.
Why This Fix Works Especially on Windows 10 & Windows 11
Modern Windows versions are more aggressive about:
- Power management
- Network optimization
- Driver resets
- Background service control
After Windows updates, communication timing can shift slightly.
Bi-directional handshakes may fail under these new configurations.
That’s why many users report:
“Printer went offline after Windows update.”
Disabling bi-directional support removes the dependency on constant two-way confirmation.
Best Practice: Combine This with Other Stability Fixes
For maximum long-term stability, combine:
- Standard TCP/IP port
- Static IP assignment
- Disabled bi-directional support
- Updated manufacturer driver
This creates a professional-grade network configuration.
If you only disable bi-directional support but still use WSD port and dynamic IP, instability may continue.
Configuration layers matter.
Printer Offline Only on One Computer?
If the printer works on:
- Laptop A
- But not on Desktop B
The problem is likely:
- Bi-directional support enabled only on one system
- Driver conflict on one machine
- Network adapter power management issue
Disabling bi-directional support on the problematic computer often resolves the issue instantly.
Business Network Considerations
In office environments:
- Multiple users connect to the same printer
- Computers sleep overnight
- Routers reset
- Network load fluctuates
Bi-directional communication becomes less stable in complex networks.
For business setups, many IT professionals disable it by default.
Stability becomes priority over live ink tracking.
When You Should NOT Disable Bi-Directional Support
Keep it enabled if:
- You rely heavily on real-time ink monitoring
- You need detailed printer alerts
- Your printer is USB connected
- You never experience offline issues
If everything works fine, no need to change anything.
This fix is for recurring instability cases.
Why Reinstalling Drivers Doesn’t Fix This Permanently
Many users reinstall drivers when printer goes offline.
That temporarily works because:
- Windows refreshes communication
- Port resets
- Services restart
But if bi-directional support remains enabled, handshake failures may return.
Reinstalling does not change configuration logic.
Disabling bi-directional support does.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does disabling bi-directional support permanently fix printer offline?
In many cases, yes — especially when combined with TCP/IP port and static IP.
Can I re-enable it later?
Yes. You can re-enable it anytime by checking the box again.
Is bi-directional support required?
No. Printing works perfectly without it.
Why does my printer only go offline when idle?
Because the communication handshake may fail when the printer enters low power mode.
Does this work for HP, Brother, Canon, Epson?
Yes. The setting exists in Windows and applies regardless of printer brand.
Real-World Example
A common case:
Printer works fine during active use.
After 20–30 minutes idle, it shows offline.
Restarting printer fixes it.
Cause:
Bi-directional handshake fails during idle state.
Fix:
Disable bi-directional support.
Switch to TCP/IP.
Assign static IP.
Problem solved permanently.
Final Thoughts
If your printer keeps going offline and you’ve already:
- Restarted devices
- Reinstalled drivers
- Checked WiFi
- Updated Windows
Then disabling bi-directional support may be the missing piece.
It’s a small configuration change.
But it often makes a big difference.
At Printer Offline Fix, we focus on root cause solutions — not temporary restarts.
Fix the handshake.
Stabilize the connection.
Print without interruption.
