How to get rid of the brother printer offline error?

Brother printers are renowned for their reliable performance, but like any technology, they can encounter issues from time to time. One common problem faced by users is the "Brother Printer Offline" error. This frustrating issue can disrupt your workflow and hinder productivity. Fortunately, there are several effective solutions to get your Brother printer back online. In this guide, we will explore six key methods to resolve the Brother Printer Offline error and ensure smooth printing operations.

Set your printer as Default Printer

Setting your printer as the default printer is a straightforward process that can help resolve the "Brother Printer Offline" error. Depending on the operating system you use, follow these steps:

For Windows:

Open Control Panel:

Click on the Windows Start menu.

Press Enter after selecting "Control Panel" in the search bar.

Navigate to Devices and Printers:

In the Control Panel, find and click on "Devices and Printers."

Locate your Brother Printer:

Look for your Brother printer in the list of installed devices.

Set as Default Printer:

Right-click on your Brother printer.

From the context menu, choose "Set as Default Printer."

Confirmation:

A green checkmark or a "Default" designation should appear next to your Brother printer, indicating it is now the default printer.

For macOS:

Open System Preferences:

In the upper-left corner, tap the Apple logo.

Select "System Preferences."

Access Printers & Scanners:

Locate and click on "Printers & Scanners."

Select your Brother Printer:

From the list of printers, click on your Brother printer.

Set as Default:

Below the list of printers, look for the option "Set default printer."

Click on it to designate your Brother printer as the default.

Confirmation:

A checkmark or a "Default" tag should now be associated with your Brother printer, indicating it is the default printer.

By setting your Brother printer as the default, you ensure that print jobs are directed to the correct device, reducing the chances of encountering the offline error. 

Un pause the printer and set it using online

If your Brother printer is set to "Paused" or "Use Printer Offline," it can result in the offline error. Follow these steps to un pause the printer and set it back online:

For Windows:

Open Control Panel:

Click on the Windows Start menu.

Press Enter after selecting "Control Panel" in the search bar.

Navigate to Devices and Printers:

In the Control Panel, find and click on "Devices and Printers."

Locate your Brother Printer:

Look for your Brother printer in the list of installed devices.

Check Printer Status:

Right-click on your Brother printer.

If you see an option that says "Pause Printing" or "Use Printer Offline," make sure it is unchecked.

Set Printer Online:

Right-click on your Brother printer again.

If the option "Use Printer Offline" is checked, click on it to uncheck and set the printer back online.

Confirmation:

The status of your Brother printer should change to "Ready" or "Online."

For macOS:

Open System Preferences:

In the upper-left corner, tap the Apple logo.

Select "System Preferences."

Access Printers & Scanners:

Locate and click on "Printers & Scanners."

Select your Brother Printer:

From the list of printers, click on your Brother printer.

Check Printer Status:

Look for a button that says "Open Print Queue" or "Resume."

Click on it to un pause the printer.

Set Printer Online:

If there's an option that says "Use Printer Offline," uncheck it to set the printer back online.

Confirmation:

The status of your Brother printer should change to "Idle" or "Ready."

By unpausing the printer and ensuring it is set to online mode, you eliminate potential software-related issues that may have caused the offline error.

Cancel all print jobs

Clearing the print queue by canceling all print jobs can help resolve the Brother Printer Offline error. Depending on the operating system you use, follow these steps:

For Windows:

Open Control Panel:

Click on the Windows Start menu.

Press Enter after selecting "Control Panel" in the search bar.

Navigate to Devices and Printers:

In the Control Panel, find and click on "Devices and Printers."

Locate your Brother Printer:

Look for your Brother printer in the list of installed devices.

Access the Print Queue:

Double-click on your Brother printer to open the print queue.

Cancel Print Jobs:

In the print queue window, select all the print jobs listed.

Right-click and choose "Cancel" or "Cancel All Documents."

Confirmation:

The print queue should now be empty.

For macOS:

Open System Preferences:

In the upper-left corner, tap the Apple logo.

Select "System Preferences."

Access Printers & Scanners:

Locate and click on "Printers & Scanners."

Select your Brother Printer:

From the list of printers, click on your Brother printer.

Open the Print Queue:

Look for a button that says "Open Print Queue" or similar.

Click on it to open the print queue.

Cancel Print Jobs:

Choose every print job that is waiting in line.

Right-click and choose "Cancel" or "Cancel All Documents."

Confirmation:

The print queue should now be cleared.

Clearing the print queue ensures that there are no pending or stuck print jobs, which might have been causing the Brother Printer Offline error.

Update printer firmware

Updating your Brother printer's firmware is a crucial step in resolving the offline error, as outdated firmware can lead to compatibility issues and errors. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to update your Brother printer's firmware:

For Windows:

Visit the Brother Support Website:

Open your web browser and go to the official Brother Support website (support.brother.com).

Locate Your Printer Model:

Enter your Brother printer model in the search bar or use the provided options to navigate to your specific model.

Download the Firmware Update:

Once on your printer's support page, look for the "Firmware Update Tool" or a similar download option.

Get the most recent firmware update that is compatible with the model of your printer.

Run the Firmware Update Tool:

Locate the downloaded firmware update file and run the executable.

Go through the given directions.

Connect the Printer:

Ensure that your Brother printer is connected to your computer via USB or is on the same network.

Run the Firmware Update:

Open the firmware update tool.

Follow the prompts to connect to your Brother printer and initiate the firmware update.

Wait for the Update to Complete:

Allow the firmware update process to complete. It may take some time, and your printer may restart during the update.

Confirmation:

Once the update is successful, you should receive a confirmation message. Verify that your Brother printer is online and operational.

For macOS:

Visit the Brother Support Website:

Open your web browser and go to the official Brother Support website (support.brother.com).

Locate Your Printer Model:

Enter your Brother printer model in the search bar or navigate to your specific model.

Download the Firmware Update:

Look for the "Firmware Update Tool" or a similar download option.

Get the most recent firmware update that is compatible with the model of your printer.

Run the Firmware Update Tool:

Locate the downloaded firmware update file and run the installer.

To install the firmware update tool, adhere to the on-screen directions.

Connect the Printer:

Ensure that your Brother printer is connected to your computer or network.

Run the Firmware Update:

Open the firmware update tool.

Follow the prompts to connect to your Brother printer and start the firmware update.

Wait for the Update:

Allow the firmware update to complete. Your printer may restart during the process.

Confirmation:

Once the update is successful, you should receive a confirmation message. Verify that your Brother printer is online and operational.

Updating the firmware ensures that your Brother printer has the latest software improvements, bug fixes, and enhancements, reducing the likelihood of encountering the offline error.

Update printer driver

Updating the printer driver is essential for resolving compatibility issues and improving the overall performance of your Brother printer. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to update the printer driver for your Brother printer:

For Windows:

Visit the Brother Support Website:

Open your web browser and go to the official Brother Support website (support.brother.com).

Locate Your Printer Model:

Enter your Brother printer model in the search bar or navigate to your specific model.

Download the Latest Driver:

On your printer's support page, look for the "Full Driver & Software Package" or a similar download option.

Download the latest driver package compatible with your printer model.

Run the Driver Installer:

Locate the downloaded driver file (usually in the Downloads folder) and run the installer.

Go through the given directions.

Connect the Printer:

Ensure that your Brother printer is connected to your computer via USB or is on the same network.

Complete the Installation:

To complete the installation process, adhere to the directions.

To make the changes take effect, restart your computer if requested.

Confirmation:

After the installation is complete, check the status of your Brother printer. Ensure that it is recognized and set as the default printer.

For macOS:

Visit the Brother Support Website:

Open your web browser and go to the official Brother Support website (support.brother.com).

Locate Your Printer Model:

Enter your Brother printer model in the search bar or navigate to your specific model.

Download the Latest Driver:

Look for the "Full Driver & Software Package" or a similar download option.

Download the latest driver package compatible with your printer model.

Run the Driver Installer:

Open the downloaded driver package and run the installer.

To install the most recent driver, according to the on-screen directions.

Connect the Printer:

Ensure that your Brother printer is connected to your computer or network.

Complete the Installation:

Follow the prompts to complete the installation.

To make the changes take effect, restart your computer if requested.

Confirmation:

After the installation is complete, verify that your Brother printer is recognized, and check the printer settings to ensure it is set as the default printer.

Updating the printer driver ensures that your computer communicates effectively with your Brother printer, reducing the chances of encountering the offline error.

FAQs 

Q1: Why does my Brother printer show as offline?

A1: Several factors can contribute to the Brother printer offline error, including incorrect printer settings, paused or offline status, outdated firmware or driver, and physical issues with the printer such as paper jams.

Q2: How can I set my Brother printer as the default printer?

A2: For Windows, go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers, right-click on your Brother printer, and select "Set as Default Printer." For macOS, go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, select your Brother printer, and click on the "Set default printer" option.

Q3: What should I do if my Brother printer is paused or set to offline?

A3: In the printer settings (Control Panel > Devices and Printers for Windows, or System Preferences > Printers & Scanners for macOS), ensure that your Brother printer is not paused or set to offline. Right-click (Windows) or Control-click (macOS) on the printer and uncheck any options like "Pause Printing" or "Use Printer Offline."

Q4: How do I cancel all print jobs on my Brother printer?

A4: Open the print queue by double-clicking on your Brother printer (Control Panel > Devices and Printers for Windows, or System Preferences > Printers & Scanners for macOS). Select all print jobs and either right-click and choose "Cancel" (Windows) or click on a "Cancel" button (macOS).

Q5: Why is updating the printer firmware important?

A5: Updating the printer firmware is crucial for resolving bugs, improving performance, and ensuring compatibility with your computer's operating system. Outdated firmware can lead to errors such as the Brother printer offline problem.

Q6: How can I update the firmware on my Brother printer?

A6: Visit the official Brother Support website, locate your printer model, and download the latest firmware update. Run the firmware update tool, connect your printer, and follow on-screen instructions to complete the update.

Q7: Why is updating the printer driver necessary?

A7: Updating the printer driver is essential to address compatibility issues, improve functionality, and fix bugs. An outdated or incompatible driver can contribute to the Brother printer offline error.

Q8: How can I update the printer driver for my Brother printer?

A8: Visit the Brother Support website, find your printer model, and download the latest driver package. Run the driver installer, connect your printer, and follow on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Q9: What should I check if my Brother printer is still offline after troubleshooting?

A9: If the problem persists, check for physical issues with the printer, ensure proper connectivity, and consider reaching out to Brother's customer support for further assistance.

Q10: How often should I update the firmware and driver for my Brother printer?

A10: It's advisable to check for updates periodically or when you encounter issues. However, frequent checks for updates, especially when prompted by the printer or the manufacturer, can help keep your Brother printer in optimal condition.

Conclusion

The Brother Printer Offline error can be a source of frustration, but armed with the right knowledge, you can troubleshoot and resolve the issue efficiently. By setting your printer as the default, unpausing and setting it to online, canceling print jobs, updating firmware and drivers, and checking for physical issues, you increase the likelihood of bringing your Brother printer back online. Remember to follow the specific steps outlined for your operating system and printer model to achieve the best results. With these troubleshooting methods, you can ensure that your Brother printer operates smoothly, contributing to a more efficient and productive printing experience.