When you're ready to print something important and your printer stops working, it can be very annoying. A lot of people have the same problem: the Brother Printer Offline message shows up on the screen. The printer might be plugged in, turned on, and even showing WiFi signals, but it won't print.
The good news is that you can fix this problem at home by following a few easy steps. This guide will help you figure out why the problem happens and how to fix it quickly.
Why Does a Brother Printer Go Offline?
When your system cannot communicate with the printer, it marks the device as offline. This does not always mean the printer is broken. In most cases, the issue is small and easy to correct.
Common reasons include:
- Weak or unstable WiFi connection
- Loose USB cable
- Printer set as default incorrectly
- Print jobs stuck in the queue
- Outdated printer driver
- Wrong printer settings
If your brother's printer says offline, do not panic. You can fix it step by step.
Step 1: Check Power and Connections
Start with the basics.
- Make sure the printer is turned on.
- Check that the power cable is firmly connected.
- If using a USB, ensure the cable fits tightly.
- If using WiFi, confirm the printer is connected to your network.
The printer may look connected, but the signal may drop. This can make the system think the brother printer is offline even when it's close by.
Restart the printer and wait for it to fully power up before testing again.
Step 2: Restart Your Devices
Turn off your printer, computer, and WiFi router. Wait about two minutes. Turn the router on first and let it connect fully. Then start your printer and computer.
This simple restart fixes many communication errors. If the issue continues, move to the next step.
Step 3: Set Printer as Default
Your computer may send print commands to another printer or a virtual device.
On Windows:
- Open Control Panel
- Click Devices and Printers
- Right-click your Brother printer
- Select Set as Default Printer
Remove the check mark next to “Use Printer Offline” if it appears. This step often helps when users search for how to turn a Brother printer offline or how to turn it online.
Step 4: Clear the Print Queue
A stuck print job can block new tasks.
To clear the queue:
- Go to Devices and Printers
- Double-click your Brother printer
- Open the print queue
- Cancel all pending jobs
After clearing the queue, restart the printer and try printing a test page.
Step 5: Check Network Connection
Make sure that both your printer and your computer are on the same WiFi network if your printer connects to WiFi.
If you see that your brother's printer is offline but connected to Wi-Fi, the network might not be stable. Bring the printer closer to the router. Don't put it close to thick walls or metal things.
You can also confirm the IP address by printing a network configuration page from the printer settings. Your computer might not be able to find the printer if the IP address has changed.
Step 6: Update or Reinstall Printer Driver
Outdated drivers often cause offline issues.
Go to the official Brother support website. Enter your printer model. Download the latest driver for your system.
Install the driver and restart your computer. Many users fix the issue by updating the driver, especially on Brother printer offline Windows 10 systems after updates.
Step 7: Check Printer Status on Windows
Sometimes Windows changes printer settings automatically.
Follow these steps:
- Open Control Panel
- Click Devices and Printers
- Right-click your printer
- Click to see what’s printing
- Click Printer in the top menu
- Uncheck Use Printer Offline
This quick setting change can turn your printer back online.
Step 8: Fix the Offline Issue on Mac
Mac users also face offline problems. If you see the Brother printer offline on a Mac, try these steps:
- Open System Settings
- Click Printers & Scanners
- Select your Brother printer
- Remove it from the list
- Add it again using the plus button
Re-adding the printer refreshes the connection and often solves the issue.
Step 9: Disable SNMP Setting
For advanced users, disabling SNMP can help.
On Windows:
- Open Devices and Printers
- Right-click the printer
- Click Printer Properties
- Go to Ports
- Click Configure Port
- Uncheck SNMP Status Enabled
Click OK and restart your system. This step works well if your brother's printer appears offline without a clear reason.
Step 10: Reset the Printer Network
If nothing works, reset the printer’s network settings.
On the printer control panel:
- Go to Network
- Select Network Reset
- Confirm reset
Reconnect the printer to WiFi and install it again. This process helps if your brother's printer is always offline, even after trying multiple fixes.
Step 11: Use Printer Troubleshooter
Windows has a built-in tool that checks and fixes common problems.
- Open Settings
- Click System
- Select Troubleshoot
- Run Printer Troubleshooter
The system will scan for errors and apply fixes automatically.
Step 12: Check for Multiple Printer Copies
Sometimes your computer installs the same printer more than once. One copy works, but the other one says "offline."
Remove extra printer icons from Devices and Printers. Set one printer as the default and keep it active.
This step often fixes problems like when someone asks, "My brother's printer is offline. How do I get it back online? The system was using the wrong copy.
Step 13: Turn Printer Offline to Online Manually
If the printer status shows offline, you can change it manually.
Go to:
Devices and Printers
Right-click your Brother printer
Click to see what’s printing
Select Printer from the top menu
Uncheck Use Printer Offline
This action switches the brother printer from offline to online immediately if the connection is stable.
Extra Tips to Avoid Offline Issues
You can prevent future problems by following simple habits:
- Keep your printer firmware updated
- Restart devices once a week
- Maintain a strong WiFi signal
- Avoid overloading the print queue
- Use official drivers only
These small steps keep your printer running smoothly.
When to Contact Support
If you do everything right and the printer still doesn't work, there may be a problem with its hardware. You can get help by calling Brother customer service or going to a service centre.
If you don't know how to fix things, don't open the printer yourself.
Final Thoughts
Offline printer errors are common, but they are usually easy to fix. Most problems happen because of connection errors, outdated drivers, or simple setting changes.
By checking cables, clearing the queue, updating drivers, and adjusting settings, you can quickly solve the issue. Follow each step carefully and test your printer after every fix.
You can get your Brother printer back online and keep printing without any problems if you are patient and follow the right steps.