Why does my printer show as "Not connected"?
Why does my printer show as "Not connected"?
This guide explains why your printer can show as "Not connected" in SimplyPrint, and how to fix it. "Not connected" is different from "Offline" - if you're not sure which one you're seeing, the difference is below.
"Not connected" vs "Offline"
Status | What it means |
|---|---|
Offline | SimplyPrint can't reach the host or device that controls your printer (the Raspberry Pi running OctoPrint, the SimplyPrint Bambu Lab Client, etc.). |
Not connected | SimplyPrint can reach the host, but the host can't reach your printer. Usually a cable, network, or printer-side configuration issue. |
If your printer is fully offline (SimplyPrint can't reach the host at all), see Why is my printer offline? instead.
Find your setup type
Setup | Troubleshooting guide |
|---|---|
OctoPrint (most common - printer connected via USB to a Raspberry Pi) | |
Bambu Lab (rare - happens when the SimplyPrint Bambu Lab Client is running but can't reach the printer) |
Klipper and Direct Prusa integration printers don't currently show this state. If a Klipper or Prusa Direct printer is unreachable, you'll see "Offline" instead - follow the offline troubleshooting guide.
Most common cause: the USB cable
Across all the support tickets we've seen for "Not connected", about 9 out of 10 are caused by the USB cable. Before going deep into the per-integration guide, try this:
- Swap to a different USB cable. Make sure it's a data cable, not charge-only.
- Plug into a different USB port on the host (Pi, PC, etc.).
- Power-cycle the printer (off, wait 30 seconds, back on).
If that doesn't fix it, pick the per-setup guide above.
Still need help?
- SimplyPrint Discord: simplyprint.io/discord
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Updated on: 25/05/2026
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