How to fix Brother Printer Offline on Mac?

If your Brother printer is appearing as "Offline" on a Mac, the issue is likely due to connectivity problems, configuration errors, or software conflicts. This guide provides detailed troubleshooting steps to help you resolve the issue and bring your Brother printer back online.

1. Check Physical Connections

• Power and Printer Status: Ensure the printer is turned on and not in sleep mode. Look for any warning lights or error messages on the printer's display panel.
• Cable Connection: If using a USB connection, verify the cable is securely connected to both the printer and the Mac. For Ethernet connections, ensure the network cable is properly plugged into the router and the printer.

2. Verify Network Connection (For Wi-Fi Printers)

• Ensure Same Network: Make sure both your Mac and Brother printer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If you have multiple networks (e.g., 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), verify they’re using the same one.
• 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. Ensure the connection is successful.
• Print a Network Configuration Report: This report shows the printer’s current network status, including its IP address. Follow the printer’s manual to print this report.

3. Check Printer Status on Mac

• Open Printers & Scanners:
  1. Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
  2. Select your Brother printer from the list.
• Take Printer Online:
  • If you see a “Resume” button, click it to bring the printer back online.
  • Ensure the "Pause Printing" option is unchecked under the printer queue settings.
• Set as Default Printer:
  • In Printers & Scanners, select your Brother printer from the Default Printer dropdown menu. This ensures that print jobs are directed to the correct printer.

4. Clear Print Queue

• A stalled print queue can cause the printer to appear offline.
  1. Open the print queue by selecting your Brother printer in Printers & Scanners and clicking Open Print Queue.
  2. Cancel any pending or stuck print jobs by selecting them and clicking the X or Delete button.
• Restart both the printer and your Mac to clear any residual issues.

5. Reset the Printing System

• Resetting the printing system can resolve many configuration-related issues, but note that this will remove all printers from your Mac.
  1. Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
  2. Right-click (or Control-click) anywhere in the printer list and select Reset Printing System.
  3. Confirm the reset and re-add your Brother printer by clicking the + button.

6. Update Printer Drivers

• Check for Driver Updates:
  • Visit the Brother Support Website and download the latest drivers for your printer model. Ensure the drivers are compatible with your macOS version.
• Reinstall the Printer:
  1. Remove the current printer from the Printers & Scanners list by selecting it and clicking the - button.
  2. Re-add the printer using the + button. If the printer is on the network, it should appear in the list of available devices.

7. Assign a Static IP Address

• Assigning a static IP to your Brother printer can prevent disconnections caused by dynamic IP changes.
  1. Access your router’s settings and reserve a static IP for your printer.
  2. On the printer’s control panel, go to Network > TCP/IP > IP Address, and enter the static IP manually.
  3. Re-add the printer on your Mac by selecting IP in the Add Printer dialog and entering the static IP address.

8. Disable Sleep Mode on Printer

• Brother printers can enter sleep mode after periods of inactivity, causing them to appear offline.
  • Adjust or disable sleep settings through the printer’s control panel under Settings > General Setup > Sleep Mode.
  • Increase the sleep duration or turn the mode off entirely.

9. Check Firewall and Security Settings

• Firewalls or security software on your Mac can block communication with the printer.
  • Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Firewall and disable the firewall temporarily to see if it resolves the issue.
  • If disabling the firewall works, create an exception for your printer in the firewall settings.

10. Manually Add the Printer via IP

• If your Brother printer is still offline, manually adding it using its IP address can establish a stable connection.
  1. Print a Network Configuration Report from the printer to find its IP address.
  2. In Printers & Scanners, click the + button and select IP.
  3. Enter the printer’s IP address and select a protocol such as “Line Printer Daemon (LPD)” or “HP Jetdirect – Socket.”
  4. Follow the prompts to complete the setup.

11. Update macOS

• Outdated macOS versions can cause compatibility issues with printers.
  • Go to System Preferences > Software Update and check for updates. Install any available updates to ensure compatibility with your Brother printer.

12. Contact Brother Support

• If all else fails, contact Brother customer support for further assistance.
  • Have your printer model, serial number, and Network Configuration Report ready to provide detailed information to the support team.

Summary

By following these steps, you can troubleshoot and resolve issues that cause your Brother printer to appear offline on a Mac. Start by checking physical connections and network settings, then move on to resetting the printing system, updating drivers, and assigning a static IP address. If the problem persists, Brother’s customer support can offer additional help to get your printer back online.