Printers are essential tools in both home and office environments, and Brother printers are known for their reliability and performance. But even the most dependable devices can sometimes go offline without warning, leaving you frustrated and unable to print important documents. If your Brother printer is showing as offline, don’t worry—this is a common issue and can usually be resolved with a few simple steps.

In this guide, we’ll explore what causes the "Brother Printer Offline" issue, how to troubleshoot it, and how to prevent it from happening again.

What Does “Brother Printer Offline” Mean?

When your Brother printer shows as offline, it means your computer is unable to communicate with the printer. This disconnect can happen for several reasons, such as:

• Network or USB connection problems

• Driver issues

• Printer settings misconfigured

• Print queue errors

• Power or hardware issues

Fortunately, most of these issues can be resolved at home without needing professional help.

Common Causes of Brother Printer Offline Issues

Before jumping into fixes, it’s important to understand what might be causing the problem. Here are some of the most frequent reasons:

1. Loose or Unplugged USB/Wireless Connection

2. Wi-Fi Network Errors or Changes

3. Printer Not Set as Default

4. Outdated or Corrupt Printer Drivers

5. Paused or Stuck Print Queue

6. Printer in Sleep Mode or Turned Off

7. Firewall or Antivirus Blocking Communication

Now let’s go step-by-step to fix it.

How to Fix Brother Printer Offline – Step-by-Step Solutions

✅ Step 1: Check Physical Connections

If you’re using a USB connection, make sure:

• The cable is firmly connected to both the printer and computer

• Try a different USB port

• Restart both devices

For wireless printers:

• Make sure the printer is connected to the correct Wi-Fi network

• Check that your Wi-Fi is working and stable

• Restart your router and printer

✅ Step 2: Set Brother Printer as Default

Sometimes, your system might be sending print jobs to the wrong printer.

On Windows:

• Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers

• Right-click on your Brother printer

• Click “Set as Default Printer”

• Ensure “Use Printer Offline” is unchecked

On macOS:

• Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners

• Select your Brother printer and set it as default

✅ Step 3: Cancel All Print Jobs

A stuck print queue can make your printer go offline.

On Windows:

• Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers

• Right-click on your Brother printer

• Click “See what’s printing”

• Right-click and choose “Cancel all documents”

Then restart your printer.

✅ Step 4: Restart Printer Spooler Service (Windows)

The Printer Spooler is a service that manages print jobs. Restarting it can fix offline errors.

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter

2. Scroll down to Print Spooler, right-click it, and choose Restart

3. Restart your computer and check the printer status

✅ Step 5: Update or Reinstall Brother Printer Drivers

An outdated or corrupted driver can interrupt communication.

• Visit the official Brother website

• Enter your printer model and download the latest drivers

• Install them and restart your computer

✅ Step 6: Check Printer Status

Some Brother printers go into sleep mode to save energy, making them appear offline.

• Wake the printer by pressing a button on its control panel

• Make sure there are no error lights or messages (e.g., low ink, paper jam)

✅ Step 7: Disable SNMP Protocol (Advanced)

For network printers, the SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) can cause offline errors.

Steps:

• Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers

• Right-click your Brother printer > Printer Properties > Ports tab

• Click Configure Port

• Uncheck SNMP Status Enabled

• Click OK and restart the printer

Still Showing Offline? Contact Brother Printer Helpline

If you've tried all the steps and your printer still won’t come online, don’t stress. The Brother Printer Helpline is available to assist with more advanced troubleshooting, firmware updates, or warranty claims. Their expert team can guide you through remote solutions or recommend servicing if needed.

Tips to Prevent Your Brother Printer from Going Offline

1. Keep drivers and firmware updated regularly via Brother’s official website.

2. Avoid turning off your printer while print jobs are pending.

3. Use a stable internet connection if using Wi-Fi.

4. Do not overload the print queue.

5. Perform regular maintenance like cleaning printheads and checking ink levels.

6. Keep your computer and printer on the same network (especially for wireless printing).

Final Thoughts

The Brother Printer Offline issue might seem like a major inconvenience, but in most cases, it’s caused by minor glitches that are easy to fix. By following the steps outlined above, you can restore your printer’s online status and resume your work without delays.

If you find yourself repeatedly facing this issue, consider contacting the Brother Printer Helpline for personalized support. They’re always ready to help keep your printer running smoothly—just like it should.