How to Resolve 'Brother Printer Offline' Issues on Windows and Mac

A Brother printer showing as "offline" +1-888-966-6097 is a common issue that prevents the printer from receiving and processing print jobs. This problem can stem from network errors, incorrect settings, or driver issues. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the causes of the “offline” status and provide step-by-step solutions to bring your printer back online.

1. Understanding the "Printer Offline" Issue

The "offline" status means that your computer cannot communicate with the printer. This can happen for several reasons:

• The printer is powered off or not properly connected.
• Network or USB cable connectivity problems.
• Incorrect printer settings on your computer.
• Outdated or corrupted printer drivers.
• A network IP address conflict.

2. Quick Checks Before Troubleshooting

Before diving into detailed solutions, ensure the following:

1. Power On the Printer: Verify that the printer is turned on. Look for indicator lights on the printer panel.
2. Check Connections: If using a USB connection, ensure the cable is firmly connected to both the printer and the computer. For wireless connections, ensure the printer is connected to the correct Wi-Fi network.
3. Restart Devices: Power cycle the printer, computer, and router to resolve temporary communication glitches.

3. Set Brother Printer as the Default Printer

Your computer may be attempting to send print jobs to the wrong printer. Setting your Brother printer as the default printer can resolve this issue:

1. On Windows:
   • Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
   • Locate your Brother printer, right-click on it, and select Set as Default Printer.
2. On Mac:
   • Open System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
   • Select your Brother printer and click Default Printer to set it as the default.

4. Change Printer Status to "Online"

Sometimes, the printer status is set to offline in error. Here’s how to fix it:

1. On Windows:
   • Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
   • Right-click your Brother printer and select See What’s Printing.
   • In the print queue window, click Printer and ensure Use Printer Offline is unchecked.
2. On Mac:
   • Open System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
   • Select your Brother printer and check its status. If it says Paused, click Resume Printer.

5. Troubleshooting Network Connection Issues

For wireless or networked printers, connectivity issues are a common cause of offline status. Follow these steps:

1. Reconnect to Wi-Fi:
   • On the printer’s control panel, navigate to Settings > Network > WLAN > Setup Wizard.
   • Select your Wi-Fi network and enter the password to reconnect.
2. Check Network Configuration:
   • Print a network configuration report from the printer’s menu. Verify the printer’s IP address matches the subnet of your router.
3. Ping the Printer:
   • On your computer, open the command prompt and type ping [printer IP address]. If the printer doesn’t respond, there is a network issue.

6. Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers can prevent communication between your computer and the printer.

1. Update Drivers:
   • Visit the Brother Support Website and download the latest driver for your printer model.
2. Reinstall Drivers:
   • Uninstall the current driver by going to Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a Program.
   • Restart your computer, then install the new driver.

7. Check for Firewall or Antivirus Interference

Firewalls or antivirus software can block printer communication. Temporarily disable these programs to see if the issue resolves.

• On Windows:
  • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Firewall & Network Protection.
  • Turn off the firewall temporarily and check the printer status.
• On Mac:
  • Open System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Firewall.
  • Turn off the firewall temporarily and test the connection.

8. Resolve IP Address Conflicts

If the printer’s IP address changes (due to DHCP settings), your computer might lose communication with the printer. Assign a static IP address to the printer:

1. Log into your router’s settings and find the connected devices list.
2. Reserve an IP address for your printer’s MAC address.
3. Update the printer’s IP address in your computer’s printer settings.

9. Perform a Factory Reset on the Printer

If the issue persists, resetting the printer to its factory defaults can resolve configuration errors:

1. On the printer’s control panel, go to Settings > Initial Setup > Reset > Network Reset.
2. Follow the prompts to reset the network settings.
3. Reconfigure the printer’s connection to your network.

10. Use the Brother iPrint&Scan App

The Brother iPrint&Scan app can help diagnose and resolve connectivity issues. Install the app on your smartphone or computer and follow the prompts to reconnect the printer to the network.

11. Contact Brother Support

If you’ve tried all the above steps and your Brother printer is still offline, contact Brother Support for assistance. Have the following information ready:

• Printer model and serial number.
• Your computer’s operating system.
• Details of the issue, including steps you’ve already tried.

You can find support options on the Brother Support Website.

12. Preventing Printer Offline Issues

To minimize future occurrences, follow these best practices:

• Use a static IP address for your printer to avoid network conflicts.
• Regularly update your printer drivers and firmware.
• Ensure your Wi-Fi network is stable and secure.
• Periodically restart your printer, computer, and router to clear temporary glitches.

Conclusion

A Brother printer showing as offline can disrupt your workflow, but the problem is usually straightforward to resolve. By checking connections, updating drivers, and adjusting settings, you can restore your printer’s online status. If issues persist, don’t hesitate to seek help from Brother’s customer support team for advanced troubleshooting.