 Brother Printer Offline? 10 Fixes That Actually Work (2026)

Is your Brother Printer Offline even though it is turned on and connected to your computer? This common issue can prevent you from printing important documents on Windows or Mac. Sometimes the printer appears offline despite having an active WiFi or USB connection.

A Brother printer offline error may occur because of outdated drivers, incorrect printer settings, network interruptions, or stuck print jobs. Fortunately, most problems can be resolved with simple troubleshooting steps.

This guide explains how to fix Brother printer offline problems on Windows and Mac and restore normal printing.

\# Why Is My Brother Printer Showing Offline?

Before troubleshooting, it is important to understand why your Brother printer keeps going offline.

Common causes include:

- Weak or disconnected WiFi network
- Incorrect printer settings
- Outdated or corrupted printer drivers
- Stuck documents in the print queue
- Printer and computer connected to different networks
- Damaged or disconnected USB cables
- Incorrect printer IP address
- Temporary operating system communication errors

If your Brother Printer Says Offline But Is Connected, the issue may be related to network communication or printer configuration.

\# How to Fix Brother Printer Offline on Windows 10 and 11

\## Check the Printer Connection

First, make sure your Brother printer is switched on and displays no error messages.

If you use a wireless printer, confirm that the printer and computer are connected to the same local network.

For USB printers, check the cable connection and try another compatible USB port if necessary.

Restart your printer, computer, and wireless router to refresh their connections.

\## Disable Use Printer Offline Mode

Incorrect printer settings can cause Windows to display an offline status.

Follow these instructions:

- Open Control Panel on your computer.
- Select Devices and Printers.
- Right-click your Brother printer.
- Choose See what's printing.
- Open the Printer menu.
- Uncheck Use Printer Offline if enabled.

On Windows 11, you may need to access the classic print queue interface.

Try printing a test page afterward.

\## Clear Pending Print Jobs

A stuck document can prevent your Brother printer from processing new printing requests.

Open the printer queue and cancel pending documents.

Restart the printer and submit another print job.

If the problem continues, restart the Windows Print Spooler service.

\## Update Brother Printer Drivers

Outdated printer drivers can cause communication problems between Windows and your Brother printer.

Download compatible drivers for your printer model and operating system from Brother's official support resources.

Install the software and restart your computer if required.

\# How to Fix Brother Printer Offline on Mac

If your Brother Printer Offline on Mac, incorrect printer configuration or wireless connectivity problems may be responsible.

\## Check Printer Settings

Open System Settings on your Mac and select Printers & Scanners.

Choose your Brother printer and check its current status.

Open the print queue and remove any stalled documents.

Confirm that the printer is powered on and connected properly.

\## Remove and Re-Add the Printer

If the printer remains offline, remove its existing entry from Printers & Scanners.

Select Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax and choose your Brother printer when it appears.

Follow the setup instructions to complete the connection.

Make sure the printer and Mac are connected to the same network.

\## Check macOS Software Compatibility

Outdated printer software may cause printing problems after a macOS update.

Check for compatible printer software and install any recommended updates.

Restart your Mac and try printing again.

\# Brother Printer Connected to WiFi But Offline

Sometimes a Brother printer connects successfully to WiFi but still displays offline on the computer.

This may happen when the printer's IP address changes or the computer uses an outdated printer connection.

Print a network configuration report from the printer and verify its current IP address.

Check whether the computer can communicate with the printer over the local network.

If necessary, update the printer connection or add the printer again.

\# How to Prevent Brother Printer Offline Problems

To reduce recurring offline errors:

- Maintain a stable wireless connection.
- Keep printer drivers updated.
- Avoid unnecessary router configuration changes.
- Clear stuck print jobs regularly.
- Keep printer firmware updated when recommended.
- Consider reserving the printer's IP address in your router.
- Restart connected devices when communication problems occur.

\# Frequently Asked Questions

\## Why does my Brother printer keep going offline?

Recurring offline errors may result from unstable WiFi, outdated drivers, incorrect printer settings, or changing network addresses.

\## How do I get my Brother printer back online?

Restart the printer, verify its connection, clear pending print jobs, and check the printer's offline settings.

\## Why is my Brother printer offline after a Windows update?

A Windows update may affect printer drivers or configuration settings. Check the printer connection and reinstall compatible drivers if necessary.

\## Can I fix Brother printer offline errors without reinstalling drivers?

Yes. Many offline errors can be resolved by restarting devices, correcting printer settings, or clearing the print queue.

\# Conclusion

A Brother Printer Offline problem on Windows or Mac is often caused by connection failures, incorrect settings, or printer driver issues. Checking your network, clearing print jobs, and updating compatible software can help restore normal printing.

Need Additional Assistance?

If you’ve tried the troubleshooting steps above and still need help (Dial +1-803-866-1601 USA), our independent technical support team can assist with printer troubleshooting. We are not affiliated with or authorized by Brother or any other printer manufacturer.