Fix Brother Printer Offline

If your Brother Printer Offline message appears on your Windows computer, you may be unable to print even though the printer is switched on. This problem can occur when the printer loses its connection, has an error, or Windows is unable to communicate with it correctly. Fortunately, you can follow several troubleshooting steps to bring your Brother printer back online.

Check Your Brother Printer

Start by checking whether the Brother printer is powered on. If the display is blank or the LED is off, check the power connection and make sure the printer is plugged into a working outlet.

Look at the printer display for any error messages. Issues such as a paper jam or empty ink or toner should be resolved before continuing with other troubleshooting steps.

Check the Printer Connection

The connection between your computer and printer is important when troubleshooting a Brother Printer Offline problem.

If you are using a USB cable, check that it is securely connected to both the printer and computer. Brother recommends connecting the printer directly to the computer instead of using a USB hub.

For an Ethernet connection, check the network cable between the printer and your router or access point.

If your Brother printer uses Wi-Fi, confirm that the printer and computer are connected to the same wireless network or SSID.

Check the Wireless Network

A network connection problem can make your Brother printer appear offline. Brother recommends printing a Network Configuration report to check the printer's network information, including its IP address.

If the printer has not received an appropriate network address, reconnect it to the correct wireless or wired network and check the network information again.

Check Windows Printer Settings

Windows settings can also contribute to a Brother Printer Offline issue. Make sure you have selected the correct Brother printer when sending a document to print.

On supported Windows versions, check the printer's queue and settings. If Use Printer Offline is selected, disable it where that option is available.

You should also make sure the Brother printer is set as the default printer when appropriate.

Clear Pending Print Jobs

A stuck print job can prevent other documents from printing. To check for pending jobs in Windows 11, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, select your Brother printer, and open the print queue.

Cancel pending print jobs and then try printing again. Clearing the queue can help restore normal communication between Windows and the printer.

Use Brother's Network Connection Repair Tool

If your Brother printer is connected to the network but Windows still cannot communicate with it, Brother provides a Network Connection Repair Tool for supported Windows systems.

The tool can help locate and update the printer's IP address in the printer driver. If the problem continues, Brother's troubleshooting guidance may recommend removing the existing Brother software and drivers and installing the appropriate Full Driver and Software Package.

Conclusion

A Brother Printer Offline message can be caused by a power issue, printer error, connection problem, network configuration, Windows printer settings, or pending print jobs. Start by checking the printer and its connection, then review Windows settings and clear the print queue. If the printer remains offline, use Brother's recommended network repair or reinstall the appropriate printer software and drivers.