Brother Printer Keeps Going Offline? Fix It Fast

If your Brother printer keeps dropping offline, the cause is almost always a power-saving setting, a Wi-Fi connection issue, or a stale driver. This guide walks you through the exact steps to get it back online and keep it that way, covering Windows, Mac, and mobile setups.

Why Brother Printers Go Offline

Brother printers are designed to sleep after a few minutes of inactivity to save energy. When they sleep, they stop responding to network pings, and Windows or macOS marks them as offline. Other common causes include:

• Wi-Fi interference or the printer being too far from the router.
• IP address changes (if the printer uses DHCP, its address can change and the computer still looks for the old one).
• Outdated or corrupted drivers.
• Multiple printers with the same name on the network.
• Windows Print Spooler service hanging.

Quick Fixes to Try First

Before diving into deeper troubleshooting, try these simple steps—they resolve most cases:

1. Turn the printer off and on. Unplug it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. This clears the printer’s network cache.
2. Restart your computer. This clears the print queue and re-establishes the connection.
3. Check the printer’s display for a Wi-Fi icon. If it’s not lit, the printer lost its network connection.
4. Print a network configuration page (usually by holding the “Go” button for 5 seconds) to verify the printer’s IP address and SSID.

Disable Sleep Mode and Power Saving

Brother printers have a “Sleep Time” setting that can be set from 1 to 90 minutes. If you set it to the maximum, the printer will stay awake longer, reducing the chance of it going offline. Here’s how:

1. Press the Menu button on the printer.
2. Navigate to General Setup → Ecology → Sleep Time.
3. Choose the longest available time (usually 90 minutes) or select “Off” if your model allows it.

Note: Some newer models have a “Deep Sleep” mode that cannot be fully disabled, but setting the sleep timer to maximum helps.

Set a Static IP Address

If your router assigns IP addresses dynamically (DHCP), your printer’s IP can change, causing your computer to lose track of it. Setting a static IP ensures the printer always has the same address. You can do this from the printer’s control panel or through the Brother Web Based Management tool (enter the printer’s IP in a browser).

1. Find your printer’s current IP (print a network configuration page).
2. Open a web browser and type that IP address.
3. Log in (default password is often “access” or blank—check your manual).
4. Go to Network → TCP/IP and change from “Auto” to “Static”.
5. Enter an IP address outside your router’s DHCP range (e.g., if your router uses 192.168.1.100-200, choose 192.168.1.50).
6. Save and restart the printer.

Then, on your computer, re-add the printer using that static IP address.

Update Drivers and Firmware

Outdated drivers are a frequent cause of offline issues. Brother releases updates that fix bugs and improve compatibility. Visit Brother’s support site, search for your model, and download the latest driver for your operating system. Also check for firmware updates—these can be installed via the printer’s web page or the Brother iPrint&Scan app.

After updating, restart both the printer and your computer.

Windows-Specific Fixes

On Windows, the “Offline” status often comes from the Print Spooler service or the “Use Printer Offline” setting. Try these:

1. Open Control Panel → Devices and Printers.
2. Right-click your Brother printer and uncheck “Use Printer Offline” if it’s checked.
3. If that doesn’t work, restart the Print Spooler: press Win + R, type services.msc, find Print Spooler, right-click and choose Restart.
4. Delete the printer and re-add it using the IP address (Add a printer → “Add a printer using an IP address or hostname”).

Mac-Specific Fixes

On macOS, the printer may show “Paused” or “Offline” in System Settings. Here’s how to fix it:

1. Open System Settings → Printers & Scanners.
2. Select your Brother printer and click “Open Print Queue”.
3. If the printer is paused, click “Resume”.
4. If it says “Offline”, right-click (or Control-click) the printer in the list and choose “Reset”.
5. If that fails, remove the printer and re-add it using the IP address (click “+” → “IP” tab).

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Brother printer go offline every time I try to print?

This usually happens when the printer has gone into sleep mode and Windows hasn’t “woken” it. Try disabling sleep mode or setting a static IP. Also, ensure the printer’s Wi-Fi is not set to “Auto Off” in the printer’s network settings.

How do I stop my Brother printer from going offline on Wi-Fi?

Set a static IP, disable sleep mode, and make sure the printer is on the same network as your computer. If you have a dual-band router, connect the printer to the 2.4 GHz band, as it has a longer range.

Can I use a USB cable instead of Wi-Fi to avoid offline issues?

Yes, connecting via USB eliminates network-related offline problems. However, you lose the convenience of wireless printing from multiple devices. If you prefer wireless, consider using a wired Ethernet connection if your printer supports it.

Is there a way to force the printer to stay online?

Some Brother models have a “Stay Online” option in the driver settings. On Windows, go to Printer Properties → Ports and uncheck “Enable bidirectional support” (this can cause the printer to appear offline). On Mac, you can disable “Share this printer on the network” in System Settings if you don’t need sharing.

Why does my Brother printer show offline but I can ping it?

This often indicates a driver or spooler issue. Try restarting the Print Spooler on Windows, or on Mac, delete and re-add the printer. Also, ensure the printer’s firmware is up to date.

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