Brother Printer Showing Offline on Windows 10 – Complete Guide





    If your Brother printer is showing offline on Windows 10, you're not alone. This is a common issue faced by users due to connectivity problems, outdated drivers, incorrect settings, or minor glitches in the Windows print spooler. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the causes and provide step-by-step solutions to bring your Brother printer back online.

    🛠️ Common Reasons Why Brother Printer Shows Offline

    Before jumping into the solutions, it’s essential to understand what might be causing the issue:

    • Loose USB or network cable connections

    • Wi-Fi connectivity issues

    • Outdated or corrupt printer drivers

    • Set to "Use Printer Offline" mode

    • Printer is paused or not set as default

    • Print spooler service not responding

    ✅ How to Fix Brother Printer Offline on Windows 10

    Follow these steps in order for the best results:

    🔌 1. Check Physical and Network Connections

    • Ensure the printer is powered on and there are no error lights.

    • If using a USB connection, make sure the cable is securely connected to both the printer and computer.

    • For Wi-Fi users, check that your printer is connected to the correct wireless network.

    • You can print a network configuration page from the printer to verify its status.

    🖨️ 2. Set Brother Printer as Default

    1. Open Control Panel → Devices and Printers

    2. Right-click on your Brother printer and choose Set as default printer

    3. A green checkmark should now appear on your Brother printer icon

    🧾 3. Disable “Use Printer Offline” Mode

    1. Right-click your Brother printer and select See what’s printing

    2. Click Printer in the menu bar

    3. Uncheck the Use Printer Offline option

    4. Also ensure Pause Printing is unchecked

    🔄 4. Restart the Print Spooler Service

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

    2. Scroll down to Print Spooler

    3. Right-click and select Restart

    4. You can also stop it, wait 10 seconds, and then start it again

    🔄 5. Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers

    Outdated or corrupt drivers can prevent the printer from working correctly.

    1. Go to Device Manager

    2. Expand Printers, right-click on the Brother printer, and select Update driver

    3. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software

    4. Alternatively, download the latest driver from the official Brother website

    🌐 6. Reconnect the Printer (For Wireless Users)

    1. On the printer, go to Settings > Network > WLAN > Setup Wizard

    2. Select your Wi-Fi network and enter the password

    3. On your PC, remove the printer from Devices and Printers, and re-add it via Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners

    🧹 7. Run Windows Troubleshooter

    1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot

    2. Select Printer → Click on Run the troubleshooter

    3. Follow on-screen instructions

    🔄 Still Offline? Try These Additional Fixes

    • Check Firewall or Antivirus settings that may block the printer connection

    • Use Brother’s Printer Diagnostic Tool for automatic problem detection

    • Perform a factory reset on the printer (refer to the user manual)

    📌 How to Prevent the Brother Printer from Going Offline Again

    • Keep your drivers updated regularly

    • Ensure a stable internet/Wi-Fi connection

    • Always turn off the printer properly

    • Use static IP for wireless printers to avoid disconnections

    • Perform routine printer maintenance and updates

    ❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Q1. Why does my Brother printer say offline when it’s connected?
    A: It may be set to offline mode, have outdated drivers, or Windows may not detect it properly due to a glitch.

    Q2. Can I fix the Brother printer offline error without reinstalling the printer?
    A: Yes. Try restarting the print spooler, setting it as default, or disabling “Use Printer Offline” first.

    Q3. Will resetting the printer to factory settings help?
    A: It might help if the issue is due to incorrect network configuration or internal errors.

    Q4. What if my Brother printer keeps going offline?
    A: Check for IP conflicts, update firmware, and consider using a USB connection for stability.

    📝 Conclusion

    Dealing with a Brother printer offline on Windows 10 can be frustrating, but it's usually fixable with the right steps. By checking your connection, adjusting printer settings, updating drivers, and running the Windows troubleshooter, you can quickly restore functionality and get back to printing.

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