Dial 1-888-966-6097 Nothing’s more frustrating than sending a print job only to see your Brother printer status stuck on “Offline.” Whether you're using Windows, macOS, or a Wi-Fi network, this is a common issue that many users face. Fortunately, there are proven ways to fix it—fast.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through 8 tested solutions to fix the Brother printer offline issue 1-888-966-6097, no matter your device or operating system.

? Why Does My Brother Printer Say “Offline”?

Before diving into the fixes, here are the most common reasons your Brother printer might go offline:

• Weak or lost Wi-Fi connection

• Wrong default printer settings

• Print queue errors or stuck jobs

• Outdated or corrupt printer drivers

• Printer is powered off or in sleep mode

• Windows “Use Printer Offline” setting enabled

• IP address of printer changed on the network

Now, let’s look at how to fix each issue step-by-step.

✅ Solution 1: Check Printer Power & Connectivity

Sometimes the fix is simpler than you think.

✔️ Do this:

• Make sure the printer is turned on and shows no error lights.

• Reconnect the power cable and restart the printer.

• Ensure it’s connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer.

• If using a USB cable, ensure it’s firmly connected to both printer and PC.

? Tip: Use the printer’s control panel to check Wi-Fi signal and network connection status.

✅ Solution 2: Set Brother as the Default Printer

If your Brother printer is not the default, the computer may be trying to print to a virtual or offline device.

? Windows:

1. Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers

2. Right-click your Brother printer

3. Select "Set as default printer"

? macOS:

1. Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners

2. Select your Brother printer

3. Click “Set as Default”

✅ Solution 3: Disable “Use Printer Offline” Option (Windows Only)

If this setting is checked, your printer won’t respond even if it’s online.

Steps:

1. Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers

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

3. Click Printer from the top menu

4. Uncheck “Use Printer Offline”

✅ Solution 4: Clear the Print Queue

Stuck or corrupted print jobs can force the printer into an offline loop.

How to clear:

1. Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers

2. Right-click Brother printer > Click “See what’s printing”

3. Click “Cancel All Documents”

4. Restart the printer

✅ Solution 5: Restart Print Spooler Service (Windows)

The print spooler manages print jobs. Restarting it can restore connectivity.

Steps:

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

2. Find Print Spooler, right-click and select Restart

3. Try printing again

✅ Solution 6: Update or Reinstall Brother Printer Drivers

Outdated drivers can lead to compatibility and offline issues.

? To update drivers:

• Visit https://support.brother.com

• Enter your printer model

• Download and install the latest driver for your OS

Bonus: You can also use Brother’s “Printer Driver Information Cleanup Tool” to remove faulty drivers before reinstalling.

✅ Solution 7: Reconnect Brother Printer to Wi-Fi Network

If the printer’s IP address has changed or the network drops, it may appear offline.

Reconnect using Control Panel:

• Go to your printer’s Menu > Network > WLAN

• Choose Setup Wizard

• Select your Wi-Fi and enter password

• Print a Network Configuration Page to confirm connection

✅ Solution 8: Use Brother Printer Offline Fix Tool (Windows)

Brother offers a free utility to diagnose and fix offline printer problems.

How to use:

1. Visit: https://support.brother.com/g/b/downloadlist.aspx

2. Select your printer model

3. Download the “Brother Printer Driver Information Tool” or “Printer Connection Repair Tool”

4. Run the tool and follow on-screen instructions

? Bonus Tip: Restart Everything!

Sometimes a full reboot of your printer, router, and PC is all you need. Restart your:

• Brother printer

• Wi-Fi router

• Computer or Mac

Reconnect everything and try printing again.

❓ FAQs – Brother Printer Offline

Q1: Why does my Brother printer keep going offline on Windows 10/11?

A: Common causes include driver issues, Wi-Fi drops, and incorrect printer settings. Follow the steps above to resolve.

Q2: How do I get my Brother printer back online on a Mac?

A: Reset the printing system, set Brother as the default, and check Wi-Fi settings under System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.

Q3: Is there an official Brother tool to fix this?

A: Yes, Brother provides a Printer Connection Repair Tool on its official support site.

Q4: How can I find my Brother printer’s IP address?

A: Print a Network Configuration Page from the printer’s control panel. It will display the current IP address.

? Final Thoughts

When your Brother printer goes offline, it doesn’t mean your device is broken. It’s often a software, network, or settings issue that can be fixed using one of these 8 proven solutions.

Start with the basic checks, move on to driver updates or network fixes, and you’ll be back to printing in no time.