Brother printer showing ‘Offline’ status +1-888-966-6097 even when the printer is connected and appears fine physically. Brother printers are widely recognized for their quality, affordability, and reliability. But like any technology, they aren’t completely immune to occasional glitches.
This article will explain what it means when your Brother printer is offline, why it happens, and how you can fix this issue using simple, step-by-step solutions.
What Does ‘Brother Printer Offline’ Mean?
When your Brother printer shows as offline, it means your computer cannot communicate with the printer at that moment. As a result, your documents stay in the print queue without printing. Even though the printer might be powered on and connected, the operating system considers it unavailable for printing tasks.
This is a frequent issue in both wired and wireless printers, especially if connections, drivers, or settings are misconfigured.
Common Reasons Why Brother Printer Goes Offline
Several factors can lead to a Brother printer showing offline. Here are the most common causes:
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Loose or Faulty Connections
If the USB cable or network connection is disrupted, your computer might fail to detect the printer. -
Printer is Turned Off or in Sleep Mode
Printers with automatic power-saving features may enter sleep mode, causing communication interruptions. -
Incorrect Printer Settings
Sometimes, settings like ‘Use Printer Offline’ get enabled accidentally in Windows or Mac. -
Driver or Software Issues
Outdated, missing, or corrupted drivers can interrupt communication between your computer and printer. -
Network Issues in Wireless Printers
Weak Wi-Fi signals or changes in network configuration can make wireless printers inaccessible. -
Pending Print Jobs or Print Queue Errors
A stuck print queue or corrupt print job can freeze the connection, marking the printer offline.
How to Fix Brother Printer Offline Problem
Now, let’s walk through practical solutions to bring your Brother printer back online:
1️⃣ Check Physical Connections
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Ensure the printer’s power cable is plugged in properly.
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For wired printers, confirm that the USB cable is securely connected to both the printer and computer.
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For network printers, check that the Ethernet cable is properly inserted or verify a stable Wi-Fi connection.
2️⃣ Wake the Printer from Sleep Mode
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Press the Power or Go button on your Brother printer.
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If your printer has an LCD screen, check if it displays ‘Ready.’
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Disable automatic sleep settings via the printer’s menu if this happens frequently.
3️⃣ Set Brother Printer as Default
Windows may attempt to send print jobs to another printer if your Brother printer isn’t set as the default.
On Windows:
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Go to Control Panel → Devices and Printers
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Right-click your Brother printer → Select Set as default printer
On Mac:
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Go to System Settings → Printers & Scanners
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Right-click your Brother printer → Select Set as default printer
4️⃣ Disable ‘Use Printer Offline’ Mode
On Windows, sometimes this setting switches on accidentally.
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Go to Control Panel → Devices and Printers
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Right-click your Brother printer → Click See what’s printing
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In the menu bar, click Printer → Uncheck Use Printer Offline
5️⃣ Clear the Print Queue
A clogged print queue can cause the printer to go offline.
On Windows:
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Open Devices and Printers
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Right-click the Brother printer → See what’s printing
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Right-click each job and choose Cancel
On Mac:
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Go to System Settings → Printers & Scanners
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Click your Brother printer → Click Open Print Queue
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Remove all pending jobs
6️⃣ Restart Print Spooler Service (Windows)
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Press Windows + R, type
services.msc, and press Enter -
Scroll to Print Spooler
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Right-click it and select Restart
7️⃣ Update or Reinstall Brother Printer Driver
Outdated drivers can lead to offline errors.
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Visit the official Brother Support website
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Download the latest driver for your printer model and operating system
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Install the driver and restart your computer and printer
8️⃣ Reconnect to Wi-Fi or Wired Network
If you’re using a wireless Brother printer:
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Print a Network Configuration Page from your printer’s menu
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Check signal strength and IP address details
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If disconnected, reconnect your printer to the correct Wi-Fi network
9️⃣ Remove and Re-add Printer
As a last resort, remove the printer from your computer and reinstall it.
On Windows:
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Go to Devices and Printers
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Right-click your Brother printer → Remove device
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Click Add a printer and follow the instructions
On Mac:
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Go to System Settings → Printers & Scanners
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Select your Brother printer and click – to remove it
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Click + to add it again
When to Contact Brother Customer Support
If your Brother printer still shows offline after following these steps, it’s best to contact Brother customer service. You can call them at +1-888-966-6097) or visit their Support Center for further help. They can remotely diagnose and resolve complex issues.
Final Words
Dealing with a Brother printer offline message can be frustrating, especially during important tasks. Fortunately, in most cases, this issue is fixable through simple troubleshooting steps like checking connections, clearing print queues, updating drivers, or adjusting settings.
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