Brother Printer Offline? Update Guide (2026)

Brother printers are widely used in homes and offices because of their reliable performance, wireless connectivity, and printing features. However, sometimes users encounter the Brother Printer Offline error [Printer Support: Click Here], even when their printer is powered on and connected to WiFi.

If your Brother printer keeps going offline, you may be unable to print documents, photos, or important files. This issue can occur because of network interruptions, incorrect printer settings, outdated drivers, or pending print jobs.

Fortunately, most Brother printer offline problems can be resolved through simple troubleshooting steps. This guide explains why your Brother printer shows offline and how to restore its connection on Windows 10, Windows 11, and Mac.

Why Is My Brother Printer Offline?

Several factors can cause your Brother printer to display an offline status.

Weak WiFi connection: An unstable wireless network may disconnect the printer.
Outdated printer drivers: Missing or incompatible drivers can interrupt communication.
Incorrect printer settings: The Use Printer Offline option may be enabled.
Pending print jobs: Stuck documents can prevent new printing tasks.
IP address changes: Your computer may be using an outdated printer address.
Printer spooler errors: Windows printing services may stop responding.
USB connection problems: Damaged cables or loose connections can interrupt printing.

Identifying the cause makes troubleshooting easier.

How to Fix Brother Printer Offline on Windows 10 and 11

1. Check Your Brother Printer Connection

First, verify that your printer is powered on and connected correctly.

Check the printer's power indicator.
Confirm that the printer and computer use the same WiFi network.
Restart your router if necessary.
Check the USB cable if using a wired connection.

Once connected, try printing a test page.

2. Disable Use Printer Offline Mode

Incorrect Windows printer settings can cause the Brother printer offline error.

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

Restart the printer and check whether its status changes to online.

3. Set Brother Printer as Default

Sometimes Windows sends documents to another printer.

Open Settings.
Navigate to Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
Select your Brother printer.
Choose Set as default, if available.

You may need to disable Windows' automatic default-printer management first.

4. Restart the Print Spooler Service

The Print Spooler manages printing tasks in Windows.

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

This may resolve temporary printing errors.

5. Update Brother Printer Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause connectivity problems.

Visit Brother's official support website, locate your printer model, and download the compatible driver for your operating system.

Install the driver, restart your computer, and test the printer.

How to Fix Brother Printer Offline on Mac

If your Brother printer shows offline on Mac, follow these troubleshooting methods.

1. Check Printer Status

Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners and select your Brother printer.

Check whether the printer is paused or showing a connection error.

2. Remove and Re-add the Printer

If the connection remains unavailable:

Open Printers & Scanners.
Select the affected printer.
Remove it from the printer list.
Click Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax.
Select your Brother printer and complete the setup.

3. Restart Your Devices

Restart your Mac, printer, and wireless router. Wait for the printer to reconnect before sending another document.

Brother Printer Connected to WiFi but Offline

Sometimes the printer appears connected to WiFi but still displays an offline message.

To resolve this issue, verify that both devices are connected to the same network, check the printer's current IP address, and remove any duplicate printer entries.

You can also print a network configuration report from the printer's control panel to verify its wireless connection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Brother printer keep going offline?

Your Brother printer may repeatedly go offline because of unstable WiFi, outdated drivers, incorrect printer settings, or changes to its network IP address.

How do I get my Brother printer back online?

Restart your printer, verify its connection, disable offline mode, clear stuck print jobs, and update the printer driver if necessary.

Why is my Brother printer offline even though it is connected?

Your computer may be communicating with an outdated printer address, or the print queue may be paused. Checking the network configuration and printer settings can help.

Conclusion

The Brother Printer Offline problem is commonly caused by connectivity interruptions, driver issues, or incorrect printing settings. Whether you use Windows 10, Windows 11, or Mac, checking the connection, restarting printing services, and updating drivers can often restore normal operation.

If the issue continues, consult Brother's official troubleshooting resources for instructions specific to your printer model.

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.