Brother printers are widely known for their durability, speed, and sharp printing quality. However, like all electronic devices, they can sometimes run into connectivity problems. One of the most common issues users face is the “Brother printer offline” error. When your printer appears offline, it stops communicating with your computer, preventing any print jobs from completing.
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This issue can occur due to several factors, including connection errors, driver problems, or incorrect settings. In this article, we’ll explain why your Brother printer shows as offline and how you can fix it quickly — step by step.
1. What Does “Brother Printer Offline” Mean?
When your printer status shows “Offline,” it means your printer isn’t able to communicate properly with your computer or network. This doesn’t necessarily mean that your printer is broken — rather, it may be disconnected, paused, or set incorrectly in the operating system.
For example, your Brother printer may be:
Disconnected from Wi-Fi or a USB port
Not set as the default printer
Paused or in an error state
Suffering from outdated or corrupted drivers
Understanding the cause will help you apply the right fix.
2. Common Causes of Brother Printer Offline Issue
Several factors can lead to your Brother printer going offline. Below are the most frequent causes:
Loose or damaged USB cable – If your printer is connected through USB, a loose or damaged cable can interrupt communication.
Wi-Fi disconnection – For wireless printers, losing connection to the network or router can cause the offline error.
Incorrect printer settings – Sometimes, the printer may be manually set to “Use Printer Offline” mode.
Outdated printer driver – Old or corrupted printer drivers can create communication issues between your computer and the printer.
Firewall or antivirus interference – Some security software may block printer network access.
Paper jams or low ink – In some cases, hardware issues like paper jams or ink problems can prevent printing and show offline status.
3. Step-by-Step Solutions to Fix Brother Printer Offline
Follow these steps to bring your Brother printer back online and ready to print.
Step 1: Check the Physical Connection
If your printer is connected via USB cable:
Ensure the cable is properly plugged into both the printer and computer.
Try connecting the USB to another port.
Replace the cable if it looks damaged.
If your printer is wireless:
Check that your printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer.
Reconnect to Wi-Fi from the printer’s control panel.
Move the printer closer to the router to ensure a stable connection.
Step 2: Restart Devices
Simple restarts can often fix temporary glitches.
Turn off your printer and unplug it from the power outlet.
Wait for 30 seconds.
Restart your computer or laptop.
Plug the printer back in and turn it on.
This clears any temporary connection errors between the devices.
Step 3: Set Brother Printer as Default
Your computer may be sending print jobs to a different printer. Setting your Brother printer as default ensures all jobs go to it.
For Windows:
Open Control Panel → Devices and Printers.
Right-click your Brother printer and select Set as default printer.
Check if a green checkmark appears on your printer icon.
For Mac:
Go to Apple menu → System Preferences → Printers & Scanners.
Choose your Brother printer from the list.
Click Set as default printer.
Step 4: Disable “Use Printer Offline” Mode
Windows has a feature that lets users work offline with printers, but sometimes it gets turned on accidentally.
Open Control Panel → Devices and Printers.
Right-click your Brother printer and select See what’s printing.
Click Printer on the top menu bar.
If Use Printer Offline is checked, click it to uncheck.
This will bring the printer online.
Step 5: Clear Print Queue
A stuck print job may cause your printer to go offline.
Open the Devices and Printers window.
Right-click your Brother printer and choose See what’s printing.
Select all documents in the queue and click Cancel all documents.
Restart your printer and try printing again.
Step 6: Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers
Outdated or corrupted drivers are a major cause of printer offline errors. Reinstalling the latest driver can restore communication.
To update drivers:
Visit the official Brother support website.
Enter your printer model number (e.g., HL-L2321D, MFC-J1010DW).
Download the latest drivers for your operating system.
Install the drivers following on-screen instructions.
After installation, restart your computer and printer.
Step 7: Check Printer Status on Network
For wireless Brother printers:
Print a Network Configuration Page from the printer’s menu.
Check if the IP address is correct and matches your computer’s network.
If it doesn’t, reconnect your printer to Wi-Fi.
You can also access your printer settings via its IP address (type it into your browser).
Step 8: Restart Print Spooler Service (Windows Only)
The Print Spooler service manages all print jobs in Windows. If it’s not running properly, your printer might show offline.
Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
Scroll down to Print Spooler.
Right-click and choose Restart.
Close the window and try printing again.
Step 9: Temporarily Disable Firewall/Antivirus
Sometimes, antivirus or firewall software blocks printer communication.
Disable the software temporarily and check if the printer comes online.
If it works, add your printer or Brother software to the security software’s exception list.
Step 10: Reset Printer Network Settings
If none of the above steps work, resetting network settings can help.
To reset Wi-Fi settings:
Go to your printer’s Menu → Network → Network Reset.
Confirm the reset and reconnect to your Wi-Fi network.
Reinstall the printer driver if necessary.
4. Brother Printer Offline on Mac
If you’re using a Mac, follow these additional steps:
Click the Apple menu → System Settings → Printers & Scanners.
Select your Brother printer and click Open Print Queue.
Click Resume Printer if it’s paused.
If still offline, remove the printer by clicking “-”, then re-add it by clicking “+”.
This re-establishes communication between your Mac and printer.
5. Preventing Brother Printer from Going Offline Again
Here are some tips to prevent this issue in the future:
Always keep your printer’s firmware and drivers updated.
Avoid frequent Wi-Fi disconnections.
Keep your printer and router close for stable wireless performance.
Regularly check for pending print jobs and clear them.
Avoid turning off the printer abruptly during active print tasks.
6. When to Contact Brother Support
If your Brother printer continues showing offline even after trying all solutions, it may be due to a hardware fault or deep driver issue. In such cases, it’s best to contact Brother Support for expert assistance. You can visit access chat, call, or email options.
Conclusion
The “Brother Printer Offline” issue is common but easily fixable with the right approach. Whether it’s a loose connection, incorrect setting, or outdated driver, following the steps outlined above should bring your printer back online quickly. Regular maintenance, updated drivers, and stable network connectivity are key to keeping your Brother printer functioning flawlessly.
