Is your Brother printer showing as "Offline" on your Mac when you're trying to print an important document? You're not alone. This issue is common among Mac users and can usually be resolved quickly with a few simple steps. In this guide, we'll show you how to fix the Brother printer offline error on Mac in just minutes, even if you’re not tech-savvy.

🔍 Why Is My Brother Printer Offline on Mac?

When a Brother printer appears offline on macOS, it often means that your Mac is unable to communicate with the printer. This can be caused by:

  • Connectivity issues (Wi-Fi or USB)

  • Incorrect printer settings

  • Outdated or corrupted printer drivers

  • macOS system glitches

✅ Quick Fixes to Bring Your Brother Printer Back Online

1. Check the Printer’s Power and Connection

  • Ensure your printer is powered on and there are no error messages on the display.

  • If you’re using USB, make sure the cable is firmly connected.

  • For Wi-Fi printers, confirm that the printer is connected to the same network as your Mac.

2. Restart Printer and Mac

  • Turn off your Brother printer, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on.

  • Restart your Mac as well. Sometimes, a simple reboot can fix connectivity issues.

3. Set Brother Printer as Default

  1. Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners (or System Preferences on older macOS versions).

  2. Select your Brother printer from the list.

  3. Click on Set as Default Printer.

4. Remove and Re-add the Printer

  1. Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners.

  2. Select your Brother printer and click the minus (–) button to remove it.

  3. Click the plus (+) button to re-add the printer.

  4. Choose your printer from the list and click Add.

5. Reset the Printing System (Advanced Fix)

Use this only if other methods don’t work.

  1. Go to Printers & Scanners.

  2. Right-click (or Control + Click) in the printer list area.

  3. Select Reset printing system.

  4. Confirm and re-add your printer.

6. Update or Reinstall Brother Printer Drivers

  • Visit the official Brother Support Website and download the latest macOS-compatible drivers.

  • Install the driver and restart your Mac.

💡 Pro Tip: Use Brother’s Printer Connection Tool

Brother offers diagnostic tools for Mac users that can help identify connection problems. Download and run the Brother iPrint&Scan or Wireless Setup Assistant from the Brother support page for more help.

🛡️ Still Facing Issues? Contact Brother Support

If your printer remains offline after trying all the above steps, it may be a hardware issue or a more complex macOS compatibility problem. In such cases, reach out to Brother’s customer support for personalized assistance.

🔚 Conclusion

Resolving the Brother printer offline status on Mac doesn’t have to be a headache. By following the steps outlined above, most users can get their printer back online in just a few minutes. Whether it’s a network hiccup, a driver update, or a settings tweak, this guide covers everything you need.

Need help fast? Bookmark this page for quick reference whenever your Brother printer acts up on Mac.