A Brother printer going offline (Call +1-888-966-6097) is a common issue faced by many users, whether on Windows or Mac computers. This error prevents printing and can be frustrating, especially when urgent documents need to be printed. The offline issue may arise due to network problems, outdated drivers, incorrect settings, or hardware issues.

This comprehensive guide provides step-by-step solutions to fix the Brother printer offline problem on both Windows and macOS.

Why Is My Brother Printer Offline?

Before jumping to solutions, it is essential to understand why your Brother printer is showing offline. Here are the most common causes:

Connection Issues: The printer may not be correctly connected to Wi-Fi, USB, or Ethernet.
Driver Problems: Outdated or corrupted printer drivers can cause offline errors.
Print Queue Errors: Stuck print jobs can prevent the printer from working properly.
Incorrect Default Printer Settings: Your system might be trying to print to the wrong printer.
Firewall or Antivirus Interference: Security software can block printer communication.
Power or Hardware Issues: The printer might be turned off or in sleep mode.

Quick Fixes Before Troubleshooting

Try these basic steps before diving into advanced troubleshooting:

✅ Restart the Printer: Turn the printer off and on again.
✅ Check the Printer’s Status: Ensure there are no error lights or warning messages on the printer.
✅ Verify Connections: If using USB, ensure it is properly plugged in. If using Wi-Fi, confirm the printer is connected to the correct network.
✅ Restart the Computer: A simple restart can sometimes resolve the issue.

If the problem persists, follow the troubleshooting steps below based on whether you are using Windows or Mac.

Fixing Brother Printer Offline on Windows

If your Brother printer is offline on Windows 10 or 11, follow these solutions:

1. Set Brother Printer as Default Printer

Press Win + R, type control panel, and hit Enter.
Click Devices and Printers.
Right-click your Brother printer and select Set as default printer.
Restart your printer and try printing again.

2. Disable "Use Printer Offline" Mode

Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
Right-click your Brother printer and select See what’s printing.
Click on Printer in the top menu.
If Use Printer Offline is checked, click to uncheck it.
Restart your printer and check if it’s online.

3. Restart Print Spooler Service

The Print Spooler manages print jobs. Restarting it can fix offline issues.

Press Win + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
Scroll down and find Print Spooler.
Right-click Print Spooler and select Restart.
Close the window and check if your printer is now online.

4. Update Brother Printer Drivers

Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
Expand Printers or Print queues.
Right-click your Brother printer and choose Update driver.
Select Search automatically for drivers and follow the prompts.

Alternatively, visit the Brother Support website, download the latest drivers, and install them manually.

5. Check and Reset Network Connection (For Wireless Printers)

If your Brother printer is connected via Wi-Fi, follow these steps:

Print a Network Configuration Page:
- Press Menu on the printer.
- Navigate to Print Reports > Network Configuration and print the report.
- Check if the IP address matches your network.
Reconnect the Printer to Wi-Fi:
- Go to the printer’s Network Settings.
- Select WLAN > Setup Wizard.
- Choose your Wi-Fi network and enter the password.
Manually Add the Printer via IP Address:
- Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
- Click Add a Printer and select Add a printer using TCP/IP address.
- Enter the printer’s IP address from the Network Configuration Page.

Fixing Brother Printer Offline on Mac

If your Brother printer is offline on Mac, follow these steps:

1. Set Brother Printer as Default

Click on the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
Go to Printers & Scanners.
Select your Brother printer and click Set as Default.

2. Remove and Re-Add the Printer

Open System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
Select your Brother printer and click Remove (-).
Click Add (+) and select your printer from the list.
Click Add, then try printing again.

3. Reset the Printing System

Open System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
Right-click in the printer list and select Reset printing system.
Confirm the reset, then restart your Mac.
Re-add the printer as shown in Step 2.

4. Update Brother Printer Drivers on Mac

Visit the Brother Support website.
Enter your printer model and download the latest macOS driver.
Install the driver and restart your Mac.

5. Fix Wi-Fi Connection Issues on Mac

Open System Preferences > Network.
Ensure your Mac is connected to the correct Wi-Fi network.
Check the printer’s IP address by printing a Network Configuration Page.
Open Printers & Scanners > Add Printer, click IP, and enter the printer’s IP address manually.

Advanced Troubleshooting for Both Windows & Mac

If the above solutions don’t work, try these advanced fixes:

1. Disable Firewall or Antivirus

Security software can block printer communication. Temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus and check if the printer comes online.

2. Factory Reset Brother Printer

If nothing works, reset your Brother printer:

Press Menu on the printer.
Navigate to Initial Setup > Reset > Factory Reset.
Confirm reset and reconnect the printer.

Conclusion

A Brother printer showing offline can be frustrating, but following these steps should resolve the issue on Windows and Mac. Ensure proper connections, update drivers, reset settings, and check network configurations. If the problem persists, contact Brother customer support for further assistance.