How to Fix Brother Printer Offline: Easy Step-by-Step Guide

Is your Brother printer showing offline when you try to print? This is a common printer problem, and in many cases, you can fix it at home without much technical work.

A Brother printer may go offline because of a Wi-Fi problem, a USB connection issue, a stuck print job, an incorrect printer setting, or an old printer driver.

If you are searching for brother printer is offline how to fix, this guide will walk you through the most common fixes in simple steps.

Why Is My Brother Printer Offline?

A Brother printer can show offline even when it is turned on and ready to print. The problem may come from the connection between your printer and computer.

Some common causes are:

• The printer is not connected to Wi-Fi

• Your computer and printer use different Wi-Fi networks

• The USB cable is loose or damaged

• The printer is set to offline mode

• Print jobs are stuck in the queue

• The wrong printer is selected

• The printer driver has a problem

• The printer's IP address has changed

• The Wi-Fi router is not working well

• The Brother printer needs to be added again

• Printer software needs an update

Before you contact a technician, try the fixes below one by one.

How to Fix Brother Printer Offline

1. Check That the Brother Printer Is Turned On

1. Make sure your Brother printer is switched on and the power light or display is active.

2. Check the printer screen for messages such as paper jam, no paper, cover open, or low ink or toner.

3. If the printer looks stuck, turn it off.

4. Wait for around 30 seconds.

5. Turn the printer back on and wait until it shows that it is ready.

6. Try printing again.

2. Check the Printer Connection

1. Check the connection between your computer and Brother printer.

2. If you use a USB cable, make sure both ends are firmly connected.

3. Check the USB cable for signs of damage.

4. Try another USB port on your computer.

5. If you use a wireless Brother printer, check its Wi-Fi connection.

6. Try printing again after the connection is restored.

3. Make Sure the Printer and Computer Use the Same Wi-Fi

A wireless printer needs to communicate with your computer through the same local network.

1. Check the Wi-Fi network connected to your computer.

2. Open the Wi-Fi settings on your Brother printer.

3. Check the network name shown on the printer.

4. Make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

5. If they use different networks, connect them to the same network.

6. Send a test print after reconnecting both devices.

This is one of the most common reasons a Brother printer is offline.

4. Restart the Brother Printer

Restarting the printer can clear a temporary connection problem.

1. Turn off the Brother printer.

2. Remove its power cable.

3. Wait for around 30 seconds.

4. Connect the power cable again.

5. Turn the printer on.

6. Wait for the printer to connect to Wi-Fi if you use a wireless connection.

7. Try printing a test page.

5. Restart Your Computer

Sometimes Windows or macOS may fail to communicate with the printer correctly.

1. Save your open work.

2. Restart your computer.

3. Wait for the system to start completely.

4. Check the Brother printer status.

5. Open a document and try to print it.

6. Check whether the offline message has disappeared.

6. Restart Your Wi-Fi Router

If your Brother printer keeps disconnecting from Wi-Fi, the router may be causing the problem.

1. Turn off your Wi-Fi router.

2. Wait for around 30 seconds.

3. Turn the router back on.

4. Wait until your internet and Wi-Fi are working again.

5. Check the Wi-Fi connection on your Brother printer.

6. Make sure the printer reconnects to your network.

7. Try printing again.

7. Turn Off “Use Printer Offline” in Windows

Windows has an option that can make a printer stay offline even when it is connected.

1. Open Settings on your Windows computer.

2. Go to Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.

3. Select your Brother printer.

4. Open the printer queue.

5. Check the printer menu for the Use Printer Offline option.

6. If this option is selected, turn it off.

7. Close the printer queue.

8. Try printing again.

8. Set Your Brother Printer as the Default Printer

Your computer may be sending the print job to another printer.

1. Open Settings.

2. Go to Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.

3. Find your Brother printer.

4. Select the printer.

5. Choose Set as default if the option is available.

6. Open your document again.

7. Select the Brother printer before printing.

8. Send a test print.

9. Clear Stuck Print Jobs

A stuck document can stop new documents from printing.

1. Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.

2. Select your Brother printer.

3. Open the printer queue.

4. Check for documents waiting to print.

5. Cancel the pending documents.

6. Wait until the print queue is empty.

7. Close the queue.

8. Send a new print job.

If your Brother printer not printing issue started after a failed print job, this fix may solve it.

10. Check the Brother Printer Status in Windows

Windows may show an error that explains why the printer is offline.

1. Open Settings.

2. Select Bluetooth & devices.

3. Open Printers & scanners.

4. Select your Brother printer.

5. Check the status shown on the screen.

6. Look for messages related to connection, paper, toner, driver, or printer errors.

7. Fix the reported issue.

8. Try printing again.

11. Remove and Add the Brother Printer Again

If Windows cannot communicate with the printer correctly, removing and adding it again can help.

1. Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.

2. Select your Brother printer.

3. Choose Remove.

4. Restart your computer.

5. Open Printers & scanners again.

6. Select Add device.

7. Wait for Windows to find your Brother printer.

8. Add the printer.

9. Print a test page.

This can help when the printer appears in Windows but does not respond to print commands.

12. Update or Reinstall the Brother Printer Driver

A damaged or old printer driver can cause communication problems between your computer and printer.

1. Find the exact model number of your Brother printer.

2. Go to the official Brother website.

3. Search for your printer model.

4. Select your Windows or macOS version.

5. Download the correct printer driver and software.

6. Remove the old driver if it is damaged.

7. Install the new Brother printer driver.

8. Restart your computer.

9. Try printing again.

Using the correct driver is important for proper printer setup and printing.

13. Check Your Brother Printer IP Address

Wireless printers use an IP address to communicate with computers on the network. If the address changes, your computer may stop finding the printer.

1. Open the network settings on your Brother printer.

2. Find the printer's IP address.

3. Check whether the printer is connected to your current Wi-Fi network.

4. Check the printer connection saved on your computer.

5. If Windows is using an old printer connection, remove it.

6. Add the Brother printer again.

7. Try sending a test print.

This can help when the Brother printer works on Wi-Fi but your computer still shows it as offline.

14. Run the Windows Printer Troubleshooter

Windows includes a built-in tool that can check common printer problems.

1. Open Settings.

2. Go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.

3. Find the printer troubleshooter.

4. Start the troubleshooting process.

5. Allow Windows to check the printer settings.

6. Follow the instructions shown on the screen.

7. Restart the printer if Windows asks you to do so.

8. Try printing again.

15. Check the Wi-Fi Signal

A weak Wi-Fi signal can make a wireless Brother printer disconnect from the network.

1. Check the distance between your printer and Wi-Fi router.

2. Move the printer closer to the router if possible.

3. Keep large electronic devices away from the printer and router.

4. Avoid placing the printer behind thick walls or inside closed cabinets.

5. Check the printer's Wi-Fi connection again.

6. Reconnect the printer to Wi-Fi if needed.

7. Try printing after the connection becomes stable.

16. Try Printing From Another Device

Testing the printer from another device can help you find out whether the issue is with the printer or your computer.

1. Connect another computer or phone to the same Wi-Fi network.

2. Add the Brother printer to that device if needed.

3. Open a small document or photo.

4. Select the Brother printer.

5. Send a test print.

6. If the second device prints successfully, the issue may be with your original computer.

7. If no device can print, check the printer's Wi-Fi or hardware.

17. Check the Brother Printer Network Settings

Incorrect Wi-Fi settings can stop a Brother printer from connecting to your network.

1. Open the Network or WLAN settings on the printer.

2. Make sure wireless connection is switched on.

3. Check the Wi-Fi network name.

4. Make sure it is your current home or office network.

5. If needed, select your current Wi-Fi network.

6. Enter the correct Wi-Fi password.

7. Wait for the printer to confirm the connection.

8. Check that your computer uses the same Wi-Fi network.

9. Try printing again.

18. Reinstall the Brother Printer Completely

If the printer still shows offline after trying the other fixes, a complete reinstall may help.

1. Remove the Brother printer from your computer.

2. Remove the old Brother printer driver if needed.

3. Restart the computer.

4. Download the correct printer software for your printer model.

5. Install the Brother printer driver.

6. Connect the printer through USB or Wi-Fi during setup.

7. Follow the setup instructions on your computer.

8. Print a test page after installation.

9. Check whether the printer now shows as ready.

If the problem continues after a complete reinstall, the issue may be related to the printer hardware, network hardware, or another technical fault.

Brother Printer Offline After Changing Wi-Fi

Did your Brother printer go offline after changing your Wi-Fi password or getting a new router? The printer may still have the old network details saved.

Try these steps:

1. Open the Wi-Fi or WLAN settings on your Brother printer.

2. Select the option to set up a wireless connection.

3. Choose your current Wi-Fi network.

4. Enter the new Wi-Fi password.

5. Wait for the printer to connect.

6. Check that your computer uses the same Wi-Fi network.

7. Print a test page.

If you changed your internet provider or router, you may need to set up the printer again.

Brother Printer Offline on Windows 11

If you use Windows 11, try these steps when your Brother printer shows offline:

1. Open Settings.

2. Select Bluetooth & devices.

3. Select Printers & scanners.

4. Click your Brother printer.

5. Open the printer queue.

6. Cancel any stuck print jobs.

7. Check that the printer is not set to offline mode.

8. Set it as the default printer.

9. Remove and add the printer again if needed.

10. Update the Brother printer driver.

11. Restart the computer.

12. Try a test print.

Brother Printer Offline on Mac

Mac users can also face Brother printer connection problems. A Wi-Fi issue, old printer software, or incorrect printer setup may cause the offline status.

Try these steps:

1. Open the Apple menu.

2. Go to System Settings.

3. Select Printers & Scanners.

4. Select your Brother printer.

5. Check its current status.

6. Cancel any pending print jobs.

7. Remove the printer if it does not respond.

8. Add the Brother printer again.

9. Make sure your Mac and printer use the same Wi-Fi network.

10. Install the correct Brother printer software if needed.

11. Try printing a test page.

Brother Printer Is Connected but Not Printing

Sometimes a Brother printer may show as connected but still fail to print.

Try these checks:

1. Check the print queue for stuck documents.

2. Make sure the correct Brother printer is selected.

3. Check the paper tray.

4. Check the ink or toner.

5. Look for an error message on the printer screen.

6. Restart the printer.

7. Restart your computer.

8. Check the USB or Wi-Fi connection.

9. Update the printer driver.

10. Remove and add the printer again.

When Do You Need Brother Printer Service?

Many offline printer problems come from simple settings or connection issues. But some problems need help from a trained technician.

You may need brother printer service if:

• The printer keeps going offline

• Wi-Fi does not work

• The printer does not turn on

• The printer shows repeated hardware errors

• The printer keeps disconnecting

• The computer cannot detect the printer

• The printer has paper-feed problems

• The printer makes unusual sounds

• The printer stops during printing

• The printer has physical damage

A technician can check the printer, network connection, driver setup, and internal hardware to find the cause.

When Do You Need Brother Printer Installation Service?

If you have bought a new Brother printer or want to connect it to a new computer, brother printer installation service can help with the setup.

A printer installation may include:

• Brother printer setup

• Wi-Fi printer setup

• USB printer setup

• Printer driver installation

• Computer connection

• Mobile printing setup

• Network printer setup

• Test printing

• Printer sharing

A correct setup can also help prevent common connection problems later.

When Should You Repair Brother Printer?

Software settings will not fix every printer problem. If your Brother printer has a hardware fault, you may need to repair Brother printer service.

You may need repair if:

• The printer does not turn on

• The printer shuts down during use

• The paper feed does not work

• The printer makes unusual sounds

• The printer shows repeated hardware errors

• The Wi-Fi hardware does not work

• The printer has physical damage

• The printer stops working after a power issue

Before getting a repair, check the printer's age and the expected repair cost. For an older printer, replacing it may cost less than a major repair.

Quick Brother Printer Offline Checklist

If you want a fast way to check the problem, go through this list:

1. Turn the Brother printer off and on.

2. Check the USB or Wi-Fi connection.

3. Make sure the printer and computer use the same Wi-Fi.

4. Restart your Wi-Fi router.

5. Restart your computer.

6. Clear stuck print jobs.

7. Turn off “Use Printer Offline.”

8. Set the Brother printer as the default printer.

9. Remove and add the printer again.

10. Check the printer's IP address.

11. Update or reinstall the Brother printer driver.

12. Run the Windows printer troubleshooter.

13. Check the printer's network settings.

14. Try printing from another device.

15. Reinstall the Brother printer if needed.

16. Get professional printer service if the issue continues.

Final Thoughts

A Brother printer going offline does not always mean there is a serious fault. In many cases, the issue comes from the Wi-Fi connection, printer settings, stuck print jobs, or the printer driver.

Start with the simple checks: restart the printer, check the network, clear the print queue, turn off offline mode, and make sure your computer uses the correct Brother printer.

If these fixes do not work, you may need brother printer service, brother printer installation service, or professional help to repair Brother printer problems.

For anyone searching brother printer is offline how to fix, the most useful approach is to check the connection first, then the Windows or Mac printer settings, and finally the driver and network setup.