Brother Printer Offline? Here's How to Fix Brother Printer Keeps Going Offline
Your Brother printer shows "offline" even though it's working. Brother iPrint&Scan keeps reporting it offline. It keeps happening. Here's why—and exactly how to fix it.
1. The "Brother iPrint&Scan Software" Conflict
Brother iPrint&Scan software manages Brother printer connections and status. When Brother iPrint&Scan is outdated, corrupted, or conflicts with Windows printer settings, it incorrectly reports printers as offline—even when they're working fine.
The Fix: Update Brother iPrint&Scan from Brother website or app store. If updating doesn't help, uninstall Brother iPrint&Scan completely, restart computer, then reinstall. Alternatively, remove Brother iPrint&Scan and use Windows built-in printer management—many Brother printers work more reliably without Brother iPrint&Scan. Add printer directly through Windows Settings → Printers → Add printer.
2. The "Brother Printer Sleep Mode" Problem
Brother printers enter sleep mode after inactivity to save power. When sleeping, Windows may detect them as unavailable and mark them offline. Some Brother models have aggressive sleep settings.
The Fix: Disable or adjust Brother printer sleep mode. Access printer settings through printer display panel → Settings → Power Settings → Sleep Mode → set to "Never" or increase timeout (e.g., 30 minutes instead of 5 minutes). Some Brother printers have "Keep Printer Online" option—enable this. Alternatively, send periodic test prints to keep printer awake. Brother iPrint&Scan app may also have sleep mode settings—check there too.
3. The "Brother Network Connection" Drop
Brother network printers can lose Wi-Fi connection due to router issues, signal interference, or printer network settings. When connection drops, Windows marks the printer offline.
The Fix: Reconnect Brother printer to Wi-Fi. Access printer menu → Settings → Network → WiFi Setup → reconnect to your network → enter WiFi password. Print network configuration page to verify connection and note IP address. In Windows, switch printer port to TCP/IP using this IP address (Settings → Printers → Printer properties → Ports → add TCP/IP port). Ensure printer and computer are on same network. Move printer closer to router if signal is weak.
4. The "Brother Driver Port" Configuration
Brother printer drivers configured with wrong port settings (especially WSD ports) cause offline issues. WSD ports are unreliable and drop connections frequently.
The Fix: Switch to Standard TCP/IP Port. Find Brother printer's IP address (print network configuration page). Settings → Printers → Brother printer → Printer properties → Ports tab → uncheck WSD port → Add Port → Standard TCP/IP Port → enter printer's IP address → Finish. Brother printers are much more stable with TCP/IP ports. For USB printers, ensure correct USB port is selected in Ports tab.
5. The "Brother Drum Unit Counter" Error
Brother laser printers track drum unit usage. When the drum unit counter reaches limit (usually shows error code), the printer may stop working and show offline until the drum is replaced or counter is reset.
The Fix: Reset drum unit counter (requires service mode access). Access Brother service mode (check manual for button combination—often involves holding buttons during power-on). Look for "Drum Unit Counter Reset" option. Note: Only reset if drum unit has been replaced. Resetting without replacing drum can cause print quality issues. For most users, replace drum unit when counter reaches limit. Check printer display for drum-related error codes—if present, drum counter is the issue.
6. The "Brother Firmware Update" Required
Some Brother printers require firmware updates to work properly with newer Windows versions. Outdated firmware can cause offline issues, communication errors, or printer not responding.
The Fix: Update Brother printer firmware. Brother website → Support → enter printer model → Software & Drivers → Firmware → download and install. Alternatively, Brother iPrint&Scan → Settings → Firmware Update → check for updates. Ensure printer stays powered on during firmware update—don't interrupt it. After update, restart printer and test connection. Firmware updates can fix compatibility issues with Windows updates and improve network stability.
Step-by-Step Brother Printer Offline Fix
- Restart Brother printer: Turn printer off, wait 30 seconds, turn back on. Wait for all lights to stabilize.
- Update Brother iPrint&Scan: Download latest version from Brother website or update through app store.
- Uncheck "Use Printer Offline": Settings → Printers → Brother printer → See what's printing → Printer menu → uncheck "Use Printer Offline".
- Restart Print Spooler: Windows key + R → services.msc → Print Spooler → Restart.
- Switch printer port: For network printers, change from WSD to TCP/IP port using printer's IP address.
- Disable sleep mode: Printer menu → Settings → Power → Sleep Mode → set to Never or increase timeout.
- Update Brother drivers: Download latest drivers from Brother website for your printer model.
- Reconnect to network: For wireless printers, reconnect to Wi-Fi through printer menu.
- Remove and re-add printer: Remove Brother printer from Windows, then add it back fresh.
- Test print: Send test print to verify printer is online and working.
Brother-Specific Diagnostic Guide
| Issue | Diagnosis | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Brother iPrint&Scan shows offline | Brother iPrint&Scan software issue | Update Brother iPrint&Scan or remove it |
| Brother printer offline after Windows update | Driver compatibility issue | Update Brother drivers from Brother website |
| Brother network printer offline | WSD port or connection issue | Switch to TCP/IP port |
| Brother printer shows drum error | Drum unit counter full | Replace drum unit or reset counter |
Need Professional Help?
If your Brother printer continues to show offline despite trying these solutions, there may be deeper Brother iPrint&Scan conflicts, driver issues, or network configuration problems. Our technicians can help diagnose and fix persistent Brother printer offline issues.
Contact SupportFrequently Asked Questions
Brother printers go offline due to Brother iPrint&Scan software conflicts, network connection drops (Wi-Fi or USB), print spooler service stopping, Brother printer sleep mode, incorrect printer port settings (WSD ports unreliable), or Windows power-saving features. Fix by updating Brother iPrint&Scan software, ensuring stable connection, restarting print spooler, disabling sleep mode, switching to TCP/IP port for network printers, and disabling USB selective suspend for USB printers.
Bring Brother printer back online: Turn printer off and on. Open Brother iPrint&Scan app or Windows Settings → Printers → right-click Brother printer → See what's printing → Printer menu → uncheck "Use Printer Offline". Restart Print Spooler service (services.msc → Print Spooler → Restart). Update Brother iPrint&Scan software from Brother website or app store. For network printers, verify Wi-Fi connection and printer's IP address. Set printer as default. Send test print to verify it's online.
Yes, Brother iPrint&Scan software can cause offline issues if outdated, corrupted, or conflicting with Windows printer settings. Brother iPrint&Scan manages printer connection and status—if it malfunctions, it can incorrectly report printer as offline. Fix by updating Brother iPrint&Scan from Brother website or app store, uninstalling and reinstalling Brother iPrint&Scan, or using Brother printer without Brother iPrint&Scan (add printer directly through Windows Settings). Some Brother printers work better without Brother iPrint&Scan—try removing it and using Windows built-in printer management.
Fix Brother printer offline Windows 11: Update Brother iPrint&Scan software. Ensure printer is connected (USB cable or Wi-Fi). Restart Print Spooler service. Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → Brother printer → Printer properties → Ports tab → if using WSD port, switch to Standard TCP/IP Port using printer's IP address. Uncheck "Use Printer Offline" in printer queue. Disable USB selective suspend if using USB. Update Brother printer drivers from Brother website.
Brother network printers show offline due to Wi-Fi connection drops, unreliable WSD ports (Windows automatically creates these), Brother iPrint&Scan software reporting incorrect status, printer sleep mode, or router issues. Fix by ensuring stable Wi-Fi connection, switching from WSD to Standard TCP/IP Port using printer's IP address, updating Brother iPrint&Scan, disabling printer sleep mode, restarting router if needed, and verifying printer's IP address matches port configuration. Brother printers often work better with TCP/IP ports than WSD ports.
Yes, Brother printers work without Brother iPrint&Scan. You can add printer directly through Windows Settings → Printers & scanners → Add printer → select your Brother printer. Windows will install basic drivers. For full features, download Brother Universal Print Driver or specific model driver from Brother website. Some Brother iPrint&Scan features (ink levels, scanning) won't be available, but printing works fine. Many users find Brother printers more stable without Brother iPrint&Scan, especially if Brother iPrint&Scan is causing offline issues.
📞 Need immediate help? Call +1-888-769-4448 and get fast, reliable printer support from ZamZam Print experts.