Troubleshooting Guide: Brother Printer Offline on Windows 11

Posted on 3 July, 2023 by xeets

Experiencing the "brother printer offline windows 11" error on Windows 11 can be frustrating, especially when you have urgent printing tasks. However, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve this issue. In this article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to troubleshoot and fix the problem of your Brother printer showing as offline on Windows 11.

Step 1: Check Printer Connection Start by checking the physical connections between your Brother printer and the computer. Ensure that the USB or Ethernet cable is securely connected to both the printer and your Windows 11 computer. If you are using a wireless connection, make sure the printer is connected to your Wi-Fi network.

Step 2: Restart Printer and Computer Power off your Brother printer and unplug it from the power source. Additionally, shut down your Windows 11 computer. Wait for a few moments, then plug in your printer and turn it on. Boot up your computer and allow it to fully initialize.

Step 3: Set Brother Printer as Default Sometimes, Windows 11 may switch the default printer, causing your Brother printer to appear offline. To fix this, open the Control Panel on your computer and navigate to "Devices and Printers" or "Printers & Scanners". Right-click on your Brother printer and select "Set as Default Printer" from the context menu.

Step 4: Restart Print Spooler Service The Print Spooler service manages the print jobs in the Windows operating system. Restarting this service can often resolve printer offline issues. Open the Run dialog by pressing the Windows key + R, then type "services.msc" and hit Enter. In the Services window, locate "Print Spooler", right-click on it, and select "Restart" from the menu.

Step 5: Update Printer Drivers Outdated or incompatible printer drivers can cause communication issues and lead to the offline status. Visit the official Brother website and search for your printer model's support page. Look for the latest driver compatible with Windows 11. Download and install the driver following the provided instructions. Restart your computer after the installation is complete.

Step 6: Disable Use Printer Offline Setting Windows 11 has a "Use Printer Offline" setting that might be enabled, causing the offline status. Open the Control Panel and go to "Devices and Printers" or "Printers & Scanners". Right-click on your Brother printer and uncheck the "Use Printer Offline" option if it is enabled. This will attempt to bring the printer back online.

Step 7: Run the Printer Troubleshooter Windows 11 includes a built-in Printer Troubleshooter that can automatically diagnose and fix common printer-related problems. Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key + I, then go to "System" and select "Troubleshoot" from the left panel. Click on "Additional troubleshooters" and locate the "Printer" troubleshooter. Run the troubleshooter and follow the on-screen instructions.

Step 8: Reset Network Settings (If using a wireless connection) If you are using a wireless connection and your Brother printer is offline, resetting the network settings can help resolve connectivity issues. Refer to your printer's user manual or the Brother support website for instructions on how to perform a network reset. Follow the provided steps carefully and reconnect your printer to the Wi-Fi network.

Contact Brother Support If none of the above steps have resolved the issue and your brother printer wifi setup continues to show as offline on Windows 11, it is recommended to seek further assistance from Brother's customer support. Visit the Brother support website and contact their technical support team either via phone, email, or live.