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A Brother printer showing as offline can be frustrating, especially when you need to print important documents. This guide will walk you through the steps to troubleshoot and fix the issue on both Windows and Mac computers.

1. Understanding Why Your Brother Printer is Offline

A Brother printer may appear offline due to various reasons, including:

  • Loose or disconnected cables (for wired connections)

  • Wi-Fi connectivity issues (for wireless printers)

  • Incorrect printer settings

  • Outdated or corrupted drivers

  • Printer spooler errors

  • IP address conflicts

2. Basic Checks Before Troubleshooting

Before proceeding with advanced fixes, check the following:

  • Ensure the printer is turned on and has sufficient ink or toner.

  • Check all cable connections if using a wired setup.

  • Verify that your Wi-Fi router is functioning properly.

  • Restart both the printer and the computer.

If the problem persists, follow the troubleshooting steps below.

3. Restarting the Print Spooler Service (Windows)

  1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.

  2. Scroll down and locate Print Spooler.

  3. Right-click on it and select Restart.

  4. Close the window and check if the printer is now online.

4. Setting the Brother Printer as Default

On Windows:

  1. Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers.

  2. Right-click your Brother printer and select Set as Default Printer.

  3. Try printing again.

On Mac:

  1. Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.

  2. Select your Brother printer and click Set as Default.

  3. Try printing a test page.

5. Checking Printer Status in Windows

  1. Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers.

  2. Right-click your Brother printer and select See what’s printing.

  3. Click Printer from the menu bar and uncheck Use Printer Offline.

  4. Restart the printer and computer.

6. Reinstalling Brother Printer Drivers

  1. Visit the Brother Support website and download the latest drivers.

  2. Uninstall the existing drivers via Control Panel > Programs and Features.

  3. Restart your computer.

  4. Install the newly downloaded drivers and follow the on-screen instructions.

  5. Restart the computer and check if the issue is resolved.

7. Fixing Wi-Fi Connection Issues

If using a wireless Brother printer, follow these steps:

  1. Check Wi-Fi Signal: Move the printer closer to the router.

  2. Reconnect to Wi-Fi:

    • On the printer, navigate to Menu > Network > WLAN > Setup Wizard.

    • Select your Wi-Fi network and enter the password.

    • Wait for a confirmation message.

  3. Assign a Static IP:

    • Open your router’s settings page.

    • Assign a static IP to the Brother printer.

    • Restart the printer and check the connection.

8. Running the Windows Printer Troubleshooter

  1. Open Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.

  2. Click Additional Troubleshooters.

  3. Select Printer and run the troubleshooter.

  4. Follow the prompts and apply the suggested fixes.

9. Updating Firmware and Software

  1. Go to the Brother Support website and check for firmware updates.

  2. Download and install the latest firmware for your printer model.

  3. Restart the printer and computer after updating.

10. Contacting Brother Support

If none of the above solutions work, contact Brother’s customer support for further assistance. Provide details like your printer model, connection type, and the troubleshooting steps you’ve tried.

Conclusion

A Brother printer appearing offline can be caused by connectivity issues, outdated drivers, or incorrect settings. By following this guide, you should be able to restore your printer’s online status and resume printing smoothly. If problems persist, seeking professional support may be necessary.