Printers going offline is a common issue, and it can be particularly frustrating when you need to print an important document. If you’re using a Brother printer and it’s showing as offline on your Mac, there are several steps you can take to bring it back online. In this guide, we’ll walk you through troubleshooting methods and solutions to get your Brother printer working again.

Why Is My Brother Printer Offline on My Mac?

Before diving into the solutions, it’s helpful to understand why your Brother printer might be showing as offline. Common causes include:

Connection Issues: The printer may not be properly connected to your Wi-Fi network or your Mac.

Printer Settings: What to Do When Your Brother Printer is Offline on Your Mac

Driver Problems: Outdated or corrupted printer drivers can cause the printer to appear offline.

Network Problems: Your Wi-Fi network might be unstable, causing the printer to lose connection

Step-by-Step Solutions to Bring Your Brother Printer Back Online

1. Check Printer and Network Connection

What to Do When Your Brother Printer is Offline on Your Mac

Check Wi-Fi Connection: Make sure your Brother printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac. If the connection is lost, reconnect the printer to your Wi-Fi network.

Restart Devices: Restart your Mac as well as your printer. Restarting the device could sometimes fix connectivity problems.

Check for Error Messages: Look at your printer’s display screen for any error messages that could indicate connection problems.

2. Ensure the Printer is Set as Default

Sometimes, the issue can be as simple as your printer not being set as the default printer.

Go to System Preferences: Choose System Preferences from the Apple menu by clicking on it on your Mac.

Open Printers & Scanners: Click on Printers & Scanners to view your installed printers.

Set as Default Printer: If your Brother printer is not set as the default printer, right-click on it and select Set as Default Printer.

3. Clear the Print Queue

A clogged print queue can also cause your printer to appear offline.

Open Print Queue: In the Printers & Scanners menu, select your Brother printer and click Open Print Queue.

Clear Pending Jobs: If there are any pending print jobs, cancel them by selecting them and clicking the X button.

Restart Print Job: After clearing the queue, try printing again to see if the issue is resolved.

4. Re-add the Printer to Your Mac

If your printer is still offline, removing and re-adding it to your Mac can reset the connection.

Remove Printer: In the Printers & Scanners menu, select your Brother printer and click the minus (-) button to remove it.

Add Printer Again: Click the plus (+) button to add your printer back. Select your Brother printer from the list and click Add.

5. Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause connectivity issues. Make sure the drivers for your printer are current.

Visit Brother's Website: Go to the Brother website and download the latest drivers for your printer model.

Install Drivers: Follow the installation instructions provided. After updating the drivers, restart your Mac and printer.

Re-add Printer: Once the drivers are updated, re-add your printer in Printers & Scanners as mentioned in the previous step.

6. Check for MacOS Updates

Ensure that your MacOS is up to date. Outdated operating systems can sometimes cause compatibility issues with printers.

Update MacOS: Navigate to the System Preferences menu on the Apple menu, then pick Software Update. Install any updates that are available, then restart your Mac.

7. Reset the Printing System

If all else fails, you can reset the entire printing system on your Mac. This will remove all printers and reset printing settings.

Reset Printing System: In the Printers & Scanners menu, right-click on an empty area of the printer list and select Reset Printing System.

Re-add Printer: After resetting, re-add your Brother printer using the plus (+) button.

FAQs

Why does my Brother printer keep going offline?

This can happen due to unstable network connections, outdated drivers, or incorrect printer settings. Ensure that your printer and Mac are on the same network, and check for driver updates.

How can I get the IP address of my Brother printer?

You can find the IP address through the printer’s control panel. Navigate to the Network or Wi-Fi settings to locate the IP address.

Can I use a USB cable if my printer won’t connect wirelessly?

Yes, if wireless connection issues persist, you can connect your printer to your Mac using a USB cable as an alternative.

How do I update my Brother printer drivers on a Mac?

Visit the Brother website, search for your printer model, and download the latest Mac-compatible drivers. Install them by following the on-screen instructions.

What if my Brother printer still won’t come online after following these steps?

If the problem persists, you may need to contact Brother customer support or consider servicing your printer.

Conclusion

Dealing with a Brother printer that shows as offline on your Mac can be frustrating, but with the right troubleshooting steps, you can resolve the issue quickly. Start with checking your connections, clearing the print queue, and ensuring your printer is set as the default. If the problem persists, updating drivers and re-adding the printer should help get it back online. Following these steps will ensure your Brother printer is ready to print whenever you need it.