Brother Printer Keeps Going Offline? Here’s What to DoUpdated 3 months ago
Is your Brother printer repeatedly going offline? This can be frustrating, especially when you need to print important documents. Fortunately, there are multiple troubleshooting steps you can take to fix this recurring issue. This guide will walk you through possible causes and solutions to ensure your Brother printer stays online.
Why Does My Brother Printer Keep Going Offline?
Before proceeding with the fixes, it’s important to understand why your Brother printer might keep going offline:
Unstable network connection
Incorrect printer settings
Outdated or corrupt drivers
Print spooler issues
Power-saving mode interruptions
Security software blocking the printer
IP address conflicts
Step-by-Step Solutions to Keep Your Brother Printer Online
1. Restart Your Printer, Computer, and Router
A simple restart can help resolve temporary connectivity problems:
Turn off your Brother printer and unplug it from the power source.
Restart your computer and WiFi router.
Plug in and turn on the printer.
Check if the printer remains online.
2. Ensure the Printer Is Set as Default
Your printer may go offline if it’s not set as the default printer.
On Windows:
Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
Right-click your Brother printer and select Set as Default Printer.
On Mac:
Open System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
Select your Brother printer and click Set as Default Printer.
3. Check the Printer Status and Clear Print Jobs
Pending print jobs may cause your printer to go offline repeatedly.
On Windows:
Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
Right-click your Brother printer and select See what’s printing.
Cancel any stuck print jobs.
On Mac:
Open System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
Click Open Print Queue and remove any stuck jobs.
4. Reconnect the Printer to WiFi or Wired Network
If your printer is frequently disconnecting from WiFi, reconnecting it may help.
For Wireless Printers:
Make sure your printer is within range of the router.
Restart your router and reconnect your printer.
Ensure no devices are interfering with the WiFi signal.
For Wired Printers:
Check that the USB or Ethernet cable is securely connected.
Try using a different cable or port.
5. Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers
Outdated drivers can cause connectivity issues.
Visit the Brother Support website.
Enter your printer model and download the latest drivers.
Install the drivers and restart your computer.
6. Restart the Print Spooler Service (Windows Only)
A malfunctioning print spooler service can lead to frequent offline errors.
Press Win + R, type
services.msc, and hit Enter.Find Print Spooler, right-click it, and select Restart.
Check if your printer stays online.
7. Disable Power-Saving Features
Some power-saving settings may disconnect your printer from the network.
Disable Deep Sleep Mode on your printer’s menu.
Change Power Management settings on your computer to prevent automatic disconnection.
8. Assign a Static IP Address
If your printer’s IP address changes frequently, it may cause it to go offline.
Print a Network Configuration Report from the printer’s menu.
Note the current IP address and enter it manually in your router settings.
9. Check Firewall or Security Software Settings
Firewalls and antivirus programs can block printer connections. Temporarily disable them and check if your printer stays online.
10. Reset the Printer’s Network Settings
If all else fails, resetting the network settings may resolve persistent offline issues.
Press Menu on your printer.
Navigate to Network > Network Reset.
Confirm the reset and reconnect your printer.
Final Thoughts
By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the issue of your Brother printer repeatedly going offline. If the problem persists, consider reaching out to Brother Customer Support for further assistance.
We hope this guide helps! Let us know if you have any questions or need additional support.