Easy Ways to Fix Brother Printer Offline in Windows 10/11

 

 

 

Brother printers are known for their reliability and performance, but like any technology, they can occasionally encounter issues. One of the most common problems users face is the "Brother Printer Offline" error, particularly on Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems. This issue can disrupt your workflow, but the good news is—it’s usually easy to fix.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the causes of the offline error and provide multiple solutions to get your Brother printer back online in no time.

What Does “Printer Offline” Mean?

When a printer is labeled as "offline," it means your computer is unable to communicate with the printer. This can be due to a number of reasons such as connectivity issues, outdated drivers, or incorrect printer settings.

Common Causes of Brother Printer Offline Error

• Printer not set as default

• Loose or disconnected USB cable

• Wi-Fi connectivity problems

• Printer spooler service not running

• Outdated or corrupt printer drivers

• Print jobs stuck in the queue

• Windows firewall or antivirus interference

Easy Ways to Fix Brother Printer Offline in Windows 10/11

1. Check Physical and Network Connections

• Make sure your printer is powered on.

• If you’re using a USB connection, ensure the cable is properly plugged in.

• For wireless printers, ensure the device is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your PC.

2. Set Brother Printer as Default

1. Open Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.

2. Click on your Brother printer and select Manage.

3. Click Set as default.

A non-default printer may cause Windows to send jobs to another device, making it appear offline.

3. Restart Print Spooler Service

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.

2. Locate Print Spooler, right-click it, and choose Restart.

3. You can also click Stop, wait a few seconds, then Start it again.

4. Clear Print Queue

1. Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.

2. Right-click your Brother printer > See what’s printing.

3. Click Printer > Cancel All Documents.

4. Restart your printer.

5. Disable “Use Printer Offline” Option

1. In the print queue window, click on Printer.

2. Uncheck Use Printer Offline if it is selected.

This setting forces Windows to treat the printer as offline, even when it’s connected.

6. Update or Reinstall Brother Printer Drivers

• Visit the official Brother website.

• Download the latest drivers for your model and operating system.

• Install them and restart your computer.

Outdated or corrupted drivers are a major cause of printer offline issues.

7. Run the Windows Printer Troubleshooter

1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.

2. Select Additional troubleshooters.

3. Click Printer > Run the troubleshooter.

This will automatically detect and fix common issues.

8. Temporarily Disable Firewall/Antivirus

Sometimes firewalls or antivirus software can block printer connections. Try temporarily disabling them to check if the issue resolves. If it does, adjust the firewall settings to allow printer communication.

9. Reconnect Your Brother Printer

If nothing else works, remove and reinstall your printer:

1. Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.

2. Click on your printer and hit Remove device.

3. Click Add a printer or scanner and follow the instructions.

 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

❓ Why does my Brother printer keep going offline?

This could be due to network instability, sleep mode, outdated drivers, or print spooler service failures. Ensure proper connection and keep drivers updated to avoid frequent offline issues.

❓ How do I get my Brother printer back online?

Check connectivity, restart the print spooler, update drivers, and ensure "Use Printer Offline" is not selected in printer settings.

❓ Can a wireless printer go offline without warning?

Yes. Network drops, IP conflicts, or sleep settings can cause a wireless Brother printer to suddenly show offline status.

❓ Should I uninstall and reinstall my Brother printer?

Only if other troubleshooting steps don’t work. Reinstalling often resolves deeper driver or configuration issues.

❓ Does Windows 11 require different steps than Windows 10?

The steps are largely the same, though navigation may differ slightly in the Settings interface.

Conclusion

Dealing with a Brother Printer Offline error in Windows 10 or 11 can be frustrating, but it's typically easy to resolve using the steps outlined above. From checking connections to updating drivers, these fixes cover both basic and advanced troubleshooting.

If you've tried everything and your printer is still offline, it might be time to contact Brother’s official support for professional assistance.