Fix Brother Printer Offline Issues
Brother printers are generally steady, but “offline” messages can appear after a router change, an IP address swap, a Windows port mismatch, or a stuck queue. The key is to confirm the printer is actually online at the device, then make your computer point at the correct network path. This guide walks through the fastest fixes for both laser and inkjet Brother models.
1) Confirm the Printer Is Ready
Check the printer display for a specific error (jam, toner low, cover open). Clear any hardware errors first. Then print a test page directly from the printer or copy a sheet. If the printer can copy, the engine is fine and the problem is connection/driver‑side.
2) Verify Network Connection
Print a network configuration report from the Brother menu (Network > Print Network Config or similar). Confirm it shows Connected and note the IP address. For Wi‑Fi models, ensure the printer is on your main 2.4 GHz SSID (many Brother units are 2.4 GHz only). Avoid guest networks with client isolation.
3) Power‑Cycle the Network
Turn the printer off. Unplug your router for 20 seconds, power it back on, and wait for the internet light to stabilize. Turn the printer on and let it reconnect. This clears stale DHCP leases that often cause sudden offline reports.
4) Fix Offline Status on Windows
Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners and select your Brother printer. Open the queue and cancel all stuck jobs. From the Printer menu, uncheck Use Printer Offline.
Next, open Printer properties > Ports. If the selected port is WSD or points to an old IP, add a new Standard TCP/IP Port using the current IP from the network report. Select that port and apply.
5) Fix Offline Status on macOS
Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners, select the Brother printer, and open its queue. Cancel jobs. If it stays offline, remove the printer with the minus button, then click plus to re‑add.
If the printer doesn’t appear automatically, add it by IP using the address from your network report and protocol IPP or LPD. Choose the Brother driver in Use when offered.
6) Reinstall Brother Drivers
If ports are correct but offline persists, reinstall the Brother full driver package. Remove old Brother entries first to avoid conflicts. On Windows, uninstall Brother software from Apps, reboot, then install the latest driver from Brother support. On macOS, download Brother drivers, install, and re‑add the printer so the driver registers correctly.
6a) WSD vs. TCP/IP Devices
Windows sometimes installs Brother printers as WSD devices, especially after a router change. WSD is convenient but can be flaky and often reports “offline” when the printer is actually on. If your printer port says WSD, remove that entry and re‑add the printer using a Standard TCP/IP port. This forces Windows to talk directly to the printer’s IP and usually stabilizes status reporting.\n
7) Use Brother Utilities
Brother’s Printer Setting Tool or BRAdmin Light can locate printers even when Windows discovery fails. Use these tools to confirm the IP, firmware version, and connection status. If the utility sees the printer but Windows doesn’t, the issue is almost always a driver/port mismatch.
8) Reserve the Printer IP
To prevent repeat offline errors, create a DHCP reservation in your router so the printer keeps a stable IP. After reserving, remove and re‑add the printer (or update the port) so your computer points at the permanent address.
9) Mesh and Router Settings
On mesh systems, pair the printer with the primary node during setup. Turn off client isolation and MAC filtering until pairing completes. If your router uses band steering, keep the printer and computers on the same subnet; temporarily splitting SSIDs can help.
9a) Printer Goes Offline After Sleep
Some Brother models take a moment to wake on Wi‑Fi. If your computer sends a job while the printer is in deep sleep, Windows may mark it offline. Give the printer 15–30 seconds to wake, then retry. Keeping the printer on a strong signal and reserving its IP helps it wake reliably. If the problem persists, check Brother firmware updates—many releases improve sleep‑wake network behavior.\n
10) USB Test
If you’re unsure whether the issue is network or hardware, connect the printer by USB and print a test page. If USB works, the printer is fine and you should focus on Wi‑Fi/Ethernet configuration. Remove duplicate USB entries later to avoid confusion.
Quick Checklist
- Clear panel errors and confirm the printer can copy/test print.
- Print a network report; confirm “Connected” and note the IP.
- Clear queues and uncheck offline mode.
- Switch Windows/macOS to the correct IP port.
- Reinstall Brother drivers if needed.
- Reserve the IP to prevent future offline flips.
Once the port points to a stable IP and the correct Brother driver is installed, offline issues usually disappear for good.