It’s frustrating when your Brother printer Offline status — especially when you need to print something urgently. You reconnect it, it works briefly, and then it goes offline again. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

This guide explains why your Brother printer keeps going offline, the most common causes, and step-by-step solutions to fix the issue permanently.

What Does “Printer Offline” Mean?

When your Brother printer shows “Offline,” it means your computer cannot communicate with the printer. The printer may still be powered on, but the connection between your device and the printer is interrupted.

The issue is usually related to:

Network connectivity
Printer settings
Driver problems
IP address conflicts
Windows print spooler errors

Let’s break down the most common causes.

1. Weak or Unstable Wi-Fi Connection

For wireless printers, unstable internet is the most common reason for repeated offline issues.

Why it happens:

Weak Wi-Fi signal
Router interference
Printer too far from router
Frequent network resets

How to fix it:

Move the printer closer to the router.
Restart your router and printer.
Connect the printer to a 2.4GHz network (if dual-band router).
Avoid frequently switching Wi-Fi networks.

2. Dynamic IP Address Changes

If your router assigns a new IP address to the printer each time it reconnects, your computer may lose communication with it.

Solution:

Assign a Static IP Address
Print a network configuration page from the printer.
Access your router settings.
Reserve the printer’s IP address.
Update the printer port settings on your computer if needed.

A static IP prevents future disconnections.

3. “Use Printer Offline” Setting Enabled

Sometimes Windows accidentally enables offline mode.

Fix (Windows):

Open Control Panel.
Click Devices and Printers.
Right-click your Brother printer.
Select See what’s printing.
Click Printer (top menu).
Uncheck Use Printer Offline.

4. Outdated or Corrupted Printer Drivers

Drivers allow your computer to communicate with the printer. If they’re outdated or corrupted, the printer may keep disconnecting.

Solution:

Visit Brother’s official support website.
Download the latest driver for your printer model.
Uninstall the old driver first.
Reinstall and restart your computer.
Updating drivers often resolves repeated offline issues.

5. Print Spooler Service Problems (Windows)

The print spooler manages print jobs. If it crashes, the printer may appear offline.

To Restart Print Spooler:

Press Windows + R.
Type services.msc.
Find Print Spooler.
Right-click and select Restart.

If it keeps stopping, clear the print queue and restart again.

6. USB Cable Issues (For Wired Printers)

If you use a USB connection:

Check for loose connections.
Try a different USB port.
Replace the USB cable if needed.
Damaged cables can cause repeated disconnections.

7. Firewall or Antivirus Interference

Security software can block printer communication.

What to do:

Temporarily disable firewall or antivirus.
Add the printer as an exception in security settings.
Ensure network discovery is enabled.

8. Multiple Printers Installed

If multiple versions of the same printer are installed, Windows may send jobs to the wrong one.

Fix:

Remove duplicate printers from Devices and Printers.
Set your Brother printer as the default printer.

9. Printer Firmware Issues

Outdated firmware may cause connectivity instability.

Check Brother’s support website for firmware updates and install them carefully following official instructions.

FAQs

1. Why does my Brother printer go offline after restarting my computer?

This usually happens due to IP address changes or driver issues.

2. How do I stop my Brother printer from going offline repeatedly?

Assign a static IP address and update your drivers to prevent recurring disconnects.

3. Can Windows updates cause my printer to go offline?

Yes, sometimes system updates reset printer settings or drivers.

4. Why does my printer show online but won’t print?

This may be due to a stuck print queue or spooler issue.

5. Should I reinstall the printer completely?

If the issue persists, removing and reinstalling the printer can reset configuration errors.

6. Does weak Wi-Fi cause printer offline errors?

Yes, unstable network signals are a major cause of repeated offline problems.

7. Is this a hardware issue?

In most cases, it’s not hardware-related. However, if troubleshooting fails, professional service may be needed.

Conclusion

If your Brother printer offline, the issue is usually caused by network instability, IP conflicts, outdated drivers, or Windows settings. Fortunately, most of these problems can be fixed with simple adjustments.

Assigning a static IP address and keeping your drivers updated are the two most effective long-term solutions. With proper setup and maintenance, your Brother printer should remain stable, connected, and ready whenever you need to print.