Introduction
If you are a Brother printer user, you may have faced the frustrating “Brother Printer Offline” error. This issue can prevent you from completing important printing tasks, whether at home or in the office. Don’t worry—this problem is very common and can usually be resolved with a few troubleshooting steps. In this guide, we will walk you through the causes, fixes, and tips to prevent your Brother printer from going offline. If you need quick assistance, you can always contact Brother printer support at +1–872–999–5616 for expert help.
Why Does Your Brother Printer Keep Going Offline?
The “offline” error can occur for several reasons. Understanding the root cause will help you fix it faster:
- Loose or faulty connection: A disrupted USB or Wi-Fi connection can cause the printer to go offline.
- Network issues: If your Wi-Fi network is unstable, the printer may lose connectivity.
- Outdated or corrupt drivers: Printer drivers act as a bridge between your computer and printer. If they are corrupted, your printer may not function properly.
- Incorrect printer settings: Sometimes, your Brother printer may not be set as the default printer, causing Windows or Mac to show it as offline.
- Print spooler errors: Print spooler service issues can block communication between the printer and computer.
- Firmware or software conflicts: Outdated firmware or incompatible software may lead to offline errors.
Quick Solutions to Fix Brother Printer Offline Error
Here are some proven solutions that can help you bring your Brother printer back online:
1. Check Printer Connections
- If using a USB cable, make sure it is securely connected.
- For Wi-Fi printers, ensure your printer is connected to the correct wireless network.
- Restart your router and reconnect the printer.
2. Set Brother Printer as Default
- Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
- Right-click your Brother printer and select Set as Default Printer.
- This ensures all print commands are directed to the right device.
3. Restart the Print Spooler Service
- Press Windows + R and type
services.msc. - Locate Print Spooler, right-click, and select Restart.
- This clears stuck print jobs and refreshes the printer status.
4. Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers
- Visit the official Brother website and download the latest drivers for your model.
- Alternatively, go to Device Manager > Printers, right-click your Brother printer, and update the driver.
- If the issue persists, uninstall and reinstall the driver.
5. Disable “Use Printer Offline” Mode
- Go to Devices and Printers.
- Right-click on your Brother printer and uncheck Use Printer Offline.
- This forces Windows to try reconnecting to the printer.
6. Check Firewall and Antivirus Settings
Sometimes, firewalls or antivirus programs block printer communication. Temporarily disable them and check if your printer comes online.
7. Reset Network Settings (For Wireless Printers)
- On your Brother printer’s control panel, navigate to Network Settings.
- Reset the network and reconnect to your Wi-Fi.
- Re-add the printer to your computer.
Brother Printer Offline on Mac: How to Fix
If you’re using a Mac, follow these steps:
- Open System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
- Select your Brother printer and check if it’s paused or offline.
- Click Resume if the printer is paused.
- Delete and re-add the printer if necessary.
- Ensure your Mac and printer are on the same Wi-Fi network.
Brother Printer Offline on Windows 10/11
Windows users frequently encounter this issue. Here’s how to fix it:
- Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners.
- Select your Brother printer and click Open Queue.
- Ensure Use Printer Offline is unchecked.
- Run the Windows Troubleshooter to auto-detect problems.
Preventing Brother Printer from Going Offline
Here are some proactive measures to keep your printer running smoothly:
- Keep your printer firmware and drivers up to date.
- Ensure a stable internet or USB connection.
- Regularly restart your printer and router.
- Avoid installing multiple versions of the same printer driver.
- Perform routine printer maintenance.
When to Call Brother Printer Support
If the above steps don’t work, it may indicate deeper issues such as hardware faults, complex driver conflicts, or internal settings misconfiguration. In such cases, it’s best to seek professional help.
You can call Brother printer support at +1–872–999–5616 to get instant technical assistance. The support team can guide you through step-by-step solutions or provide advanced troubleshooting remotely.
Conclusion
A Brother printer showing offline is a frustrating problem, but it’s usually fixable with the right steps. Start with basic checks like cables, Wi-Fi connection, and default printer settings. If those don’t work, move on to updating drivers, restarting the print spooler, and adjusting firewall settings.
For quick and reliable assistance, don’t hesitate to contact the official Brother printer support helpline at +1–872–999–5616. Expert technicians are available to help you bring your printer back online and ensure smooth, uninterrupted printing.
Brother Printer Offline: FAQs
Q1. Why does my Brother printer show as offline?
This usually happens due to connectivity issues, outdated drivers, or incorrect printer settings. It may also occur if the printer is set to “Use Printer Offline” mode in Windows.
Q2. How do I get my Brother printer back online?
Try these steps:
- Check that the printer is powered on and connected to your computer or network.
- Restart both the printer and your computer.
- Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers, right-click your Brother printer, and ensure “Use Printer Offline” is unchecked.
- Set the printer as default.
Q3. What should I do if my Brother printer is connected via Wi-Fi but still shows offline?
Make sure:
- The printer is connected to the correct Wi-Fi network.
- The IP address hasn’t changed (you can print a network configuration page to check).
- Firewall or antivirus software isn’t blocking the connection.
Q4. How can I update my Brother printer drivers?
Visit the Brother Support website and download the latest drivers for your printer model. Installing updated drivers can resolve offline issues caused by compatibility problems.
Q5. Can I fix the offline issue using Brother’s software?
Yes! Brother offers tools like the Brother Printer Driver Information Cleanup Tool and Brother iPrint&Scan app that can help diagnose and fix connectivity problems.
Q6. Why does my printer go offline after a Windows update?
Windows updates can sometimes reset printer settings or cause driver conflicts. Reinstalling the printer driver or running the Windows troubleshooter may help.
