Brother Printer Offline: How to Fix It on Windows and Mac

Brother printers are known for reliability but the offline error is a common frustration. Here's how to fix it quickly.

Fix 1: Check Physical Connections

First confirm the basics: the printer is powered on (not just in sleep mode — press any button to wake it), the WiFi light is solid blue (not flashing or off), and if using USB, the cable is securely connected at both ends. A loose USB cable is a surprisingly common cause of the offline error.

Fix 2: Windows — Set Printer Online

Press Windows + I → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → click your Brother printer → Open print queue → click Printer in the menu bar → if "Use Printer Offline" is ticked, click it to remove the tick. The printer immediately returns to online status in most cases.

Fix 3: Restart Print Spooler Service

Press Windows + R → type services.msc → press Enter. Scroll to Print Spooler → right-click → Restart. Close Services. This resets the Windows print communication system and resolves stuck offline states caused by failed print jobs.

Fix 4: Brother Printer Reset Network Settings

On your Brother printer: press Menu → scroll to Network → Reset Network → Yes to confirm. This resets all network settings. You'll need to reconnect to WiFi using the Wireless Setup Wizard in the Network menu. After reconnecting, delete and re-add the printer in Windows or Mac settings to establish a fresh connection.

Fix 5: Update Brother Drivers

Go to support.brother.com, enter your printer model, select your operating system, download the Full Driver & Software Package. Uninstall existing Brother software first via Control Panel → Programs, restart your computer, then run the new installer. Fresh drivers resolve most persistent offline issues that occur after Windows updates.

Fix 6: Mac — Reset Printing System

Go to System Settings → Printers & Scanners → right-click anywhere in the printer list → Reset printing system. This removes all printers and resets the Mac print system. Re-add your Brother printer by clicking + and selecting it from the list. Mac automatically downloads the latest Brother driver.

Fix 7: Change Printer IP to Static

Brother printers that frequently go offline are usually being assigned a new IP address by your router after each restart. Print a network configuration page from your Brother printer (hold the WiFi button for 3 seconds), note the current IP address, access the printer's web interface by typing that IP in a browser, go to Network → TCP/IP → Boot Method → change from Auto to Static → set a fixed IP address. This permanently solves recurring offline issues.