Seeing your Brother printer stuck in "Offline" mode on your Mac can be frustrating—especially when you need to print something urgently. But don’t worry! This is a common issue with a handful of simple fixes. Whether you’re using a wired or wireless connection, this guide will walk you through step-by-step solutions to get your Brother printer back online and running smoothly.

🧭 Why Is Your Brother Printer Showing Offline on Mac?

Your Brother printer may appear offline for a variety of reasons, including:

  • A weak or lost Wi-Fi connection

  • Printer not set as default

  • Outdated or corrupted printer drivers

  • A paused print queue

  • System communication issues

Now, let’s look at how you can fix it.

✅ 1. Check the Printer’s Connection

Start with the basics:

  • For Wi-Fi printers: Ensure your printer and Mac are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

  • For USB printers: Make sure the USB cable is properly plugged in.

  • Restart both your printer and your Mac to refresh the connection.

🟢 If your printer has a display, look for a Wi-Fi or connectivity icon to confirm it's connected.

✅ 2. Set Brother as the Default Printer

Sometimes macOS sends the job to a different printer or "Last Used" printer.

How to do it:

  1. Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners

  2. Right-click on your Brother printer > Choose Set as Default Printer

✅ 3. Clear the Print Queue

A stuck or paused print job might be keeping your printer offline.

Steps:

  1. Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners

  2. Select your Brother printer and click Open Print Queue

  3. If any jobs are listed, cancel or delete them

  4. Try printing again

✅ 4. Delete and Re-add the Printer

This is a quick way to reset the connection between your Mac and the printer.

How to:

  1. Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners

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

  3. Click the plus (+) button to add it again

  4. Your Mac will automatically detect and reconfigure the printer

✅ 5. Update or Reinstall Brother Printer Drivers

Outdated drivers may lead to communication issues.

To update:

  1. Visit the Brother Support Website

  2. Enter your printer model and download the latest drivers for macOS

  3. Install them and restart your Mac

🔄 Reinstalling drivers can often solve offline issues caused by recent macOS updates.

✅ 6. Check Printer Status and Power

  • Make sure the printer is powered on and has no error messages or blinking lights.

  • Look for warning messages such as “Paper Jam” or “Low Ink” that might block printing.

✅ 7. Reset Printing System (Last Resort)

If all else fails, try resetting the macOS printing system.

Warning: This will remove all printers and scanners from your Mac.

To reset:

  1. Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners

  2. Right-click in the blank space on the left sidebar and choose "Reset Printing System…"

  3. Re-add your Brother printer using the plus (+) icon

📝 Final Thoughts

A Brother printer showing as offline on Mac is usually a minor hiccup—and with the right steps, it’s easy to fix. Whether it’s a network issue, outdated drivers, or a paused print queue, the methods above should get your printer back online in minutes.