Having a printer that suddenly goes offline can be frustrating, especially when you need to print important documents. Brother printers are renowned for their reliability and performance, but occasionally, they too encounter offline issues. If you're facing the Brother printer offline problem, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the troubleshooting steps to get your printer back online.
Step 1: Check the Connection
The first thing you should do is check the connection between your printer and computer. Ensure that the USB or Ethernet cable is securely connected to both devices. If you're using a wireless connection, verify that your printer is connected to the correct network and that the Wi-Fi signal is stable. Restarting both the printer and computer can also help refresh the connection.
Step 2: Verify Printer Status
On your computer, go to the "Devices and Printers" or "Printers & Scanners" settings. Locate your Brother printer and check its status. If it shows as "Offline," right-click on the printer and select "Use Printer Online" to bring it back online. If this doesn't work, proceed to the next step.
Step 3: Clear Print Queue
Sometimes, a stuck print job in the queue can cause the printer to go offline. To resolve this, open the print queue and cancel all pending print jobs. Right-click on your Brother printer and select "See what's printing." From the new window, click on "Printer" and choose "Cancel All Documents." Restart the printer and check if it comes online.
Step 4: Set Default Printer
Ensure that your Brother printer is set as the default printer on your computer. To do this, go to the "Devices and Printers" or "Printers & Scanners" settings, right-click on your Brother printer, and select "Set as default printer." This ensures that your computer recognizes the printer as the primary printing device.
Step 5: Update the Printer Driver
Outdated or incompatible printer drivers can cause various issues, including printer offline problems. Visit the official Brother website and download the latest driver for your printer model. Install the driver and restart your computer. This should resolve any driver-related issues and improve compatibility.
Step 6: Disable Printer Offline Mode (Windows)
For Windows users, there's an offline mode feature that might have been accidentally enabled. To disable it, go to the "Devices and Printers" or "Printers & Scanners" settings. Right-click on your Brother printer and uncheck the "Brother Printer Offline" option. This should bring the printer back online.
Step 7: Restart Print Spooler Service
The Print Spooler service manages print jobs in Windows. Restarting this service can often fix printer offline issues. Open the Run dialog (Windows key + R), type "services.msc," and hit Enter. In the Services window, locate "Print Spooler," right-click on it, and select "Restart." Wait for the service to restart, then check if your Brother printer is online.
Step 8: Contact Brother Support
If you've followed all the troubleshooting steps and your Brother printer is still offline, it's recommended to reach out to Brother's customer support. They have trained professionals who can assist you in resolving the issue. Provide them with detailed information about the problem, the steps you've already taken, and any error messages you've encountered.
Conclusion
Encountering a Brother printer offline issue can disrupt your productivity, but with the troubleshooting steps outlined in this comprehensive guide, you can overcome this problem effectively. Remember to check the connection, verify printer status, clear the print queue, set the printer as default, update the driver, disable offline mode, and restart the print spooler service. If all else fails, don't hesitate to contact Brother support for further assistance. Get your Brother printer back online and resume printing your important documents hassle-free.
FAQ
What to do when printer says offline but is on?
If your printer says offline but is on, there are a few steps you can take. First, check the connection between the printer and your computer. Clear any pending print jobs and restart both devices. Verify that the printer is set as the default printer and update the printer driver.
Why is my Brother printer showing offline?
There could be several reasons why your Brother printer is showing offline. It could be due to a loose or faulty connection, outdated printer driver, stuck print jobs, incorrect printer settings, or issues with the print spooler service. Troubleshooting these factors can help resolve the offline status of your Brother printer.
How do I get my Brother printer back online?
To get your Brother printer back online, follow these steps:
Check the connection between the printer and the computer.
1. Verify the printer's status in the "Devices and Printers" or "Printers & Scanners" settings.
2. Clear the print queue of any stuck print jobs.
3. Set your Brother printer as the default printer.
4. Update the printer driver.
5. Disable any offline mode settings.
6. Restart the print spooler service if using Windows.
how to contact Brother printer support?
To contact Brother printer support, you can visit the official Brother website and look for their customer support section. They usually provide phone numbers, email addresses, and live chat options for assistance. Alternatively, you can also check the documentation or packaging of your Brother printer for contact information.