A Brother printer shows as offline when it is not properly connected or communicating with your computer, which can be caused by power issues, connection problems (USB or network), printer errors, or driver/software issues. To fix it, ensure the printer is turned on, properly connected, and set as the default printer. You can also clear the print queue, update or reinstall drivers, and temporarily disable the Windows firewall for troubleshooting[1][2][3][5].
Key steps to fix a Brother printer offline issue include:
– Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers, then right-click your Brother printer and select “Set as Default Printer”[3].
– Clear stuck print jobs by selecting your printer, clicking “See what’s printing,” then canceling all pending jobs[3].
– Update or reinstall printer drivers from Brother’s official website or via Device Manager[3][4].
– Check and resume the printer’s status (especially on Mac via System Preferences > Printers & Scanners)[3].
– Temporarily disable Windows Defender Firewall to see if it is blocking communication[3].
– Verify physical connections and that the printer is powered on; check for any error messages on the printer’s display[2][5].
If after these steps the printer still appears offline, it may be related to software conflicts or recent system updates causing intermittent connectivity, which might require uninstalling and reinstalling printer software or checking network settings[4].