Brother Printer Connected to WiFi but Offline? Here’s the Real Fix

So your Brother printer says it’s connected to WiFi, but it just won’t print. Sounds familiar, right? This issue is more common than most people think, and it’s definitely one of those annoying tech hiccups that show up when you’re in a rush.

At Explore Tech Hive, we hear this question almost daily. Don’t worry—if your Brother printer is connected to WiFi but offline, we’re going to walk you through simple, real-world fixes that actually work.

Let’s sort this out once and for all.

What It Really Means When Your Brother Printer Shows “Offline”

Okay, let’s break this down. When your Brother printer shows as offline, even though it’s connected to WiFi, it usually means your computer and printer aren’t communicating properly. It doesn’t necessarily mean something’s broken—just that there’s a gap in the network handshake.

And no, it’s not always your fault. Windows updates, router resets, or printer sleep modes can all contribute to this weird disconnect.

Step-by-Step Fix: Brother Printer Shows Offline Despite WiFi Connection

Let’s start with the simplest stuff and work our way toward the technical side.

1. Restart the Obvious

Yes, you’ve heard it a million times—but trust me, it helps more than you’d expect:

• Turn off the Brother printer.
• Restart your WiFi router.
• Reboot your laptop or PC.

Sometimes, devices just lose track of each other. Restarting gives them a chance to re-establish the link.

2. Set the Printer as Your Default Device

On Windows:

• Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
• Click on your Brother printer, then select Set as default.

On macOS:

• Navigate to System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
• Right-click your printer and make it the default.

You wouldn’t believe how often Windows sends jobs to “Microsoft Print to PDF” instead. Happens all the time.

Fix Brother Wireless Printer Offline Status

If your printer’s still offline, it might be set to work that way. Here’s how to flip that:

On Windows:

• Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
• Right-click on your Brother printer.
• Uncheck “Use Printer Offline” if it’s selected.

That one setting can make or break your printing attempts.

Update or Reinstall Your Printer Driver

Outdated drivers are another sneaky cause of this issue.

Here’s what to do:

1. Head to Brother’s official support page.
2. Search for your model (like HL-L2350DW or MFC-J491DW).
3. Download the latest driver for your operating system.
4. Install and restart your system.

If you’ve already got the right driver installed, try uninstalling and reinstalling. Sometimes, files get corrupted without you knowing.

Check IP Settings and Fix Port Conflicts

Your printer might have a new IP address after a router restart, while your computer is still trying to talk to the old one.

To check and update it:

• Print a Network Configuration Report from the printer.
• Go to your computer’s printer settings > Properties > Ports.
• Make sure the IP listed matches the one on the configuration report.

If it doesn’t, delete the current port and create a new TCP/IP port using the right IP address.

Fix: Brother Printer Not Responding Over Wireless Network

This one’s sneaky. You think your devices are on the same WiFi—but are they really?

Many routers broadcast both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks. Brother printers typically support only 2.4GHz. If your PC is on 5GHz and the printer’s stuck on 2.4GHz (or vice versa), they might be unable to find each other.

Solution?

• Go to your router settings and separate the two bands into unique network names.
• Connect both your PC and printer to the 4GHz network.

Perform a Network Reset

When nothing else works, reset everything on the printer’s network settings.

How to do it:

• On the printer, press Menu > Network > Network Reset.
• Confirm and wait for it to reboot.
• Reconnect it to WiFi using the setup wizard.

Need help with the setup process? Check out our core Brother WiFi setup instructions you may have missed.

FAQ – Brother Printer Connected to WiFi but Offline

1. Why does my Brother printer say it’s connected to WiFi but won’t print?
   It likely means your computer can’t find the printer on the network. It may be using the wrong IP address or outdated settings.
2. How do I bring a Brother printer online when Windows shows it as offline?
   Right-click your printer in Devices and Printers and uncheck “Use Printer Offline.” Also, set it as default.
3. Can outdated drivers cause my Brother printer to appear offline on WiFi?
   Yes. Brother updates drivers regularly for compatibility. Installing the latest version usually fixes this.
4. Is there a Windows setting that forces Brother printers to stay offline?
   There is. If “Use Printer Offline” is selected, the system will not try to connect over WiFi—even if the printer is available.
5. How do I fix a Brother printer that is connected wirelessly but not responding?
   Check for port issues, IP conflicts, and outdated drivers. Resetting the network settings is often the most effective fix.
6. Does changing the printer port or IP help when a Brother printer is offline over WiFi?
   Definitely. If your printer’s IP changes after a router reset, updating the printer port ensures your computer can talk to the right device.

Final Thoughts from Explore Tech Hive

Look, we get it. You’re not asking for much—just that your Brother printer connected to WiFi doesn’t randomly go offline when you need it most. It’s a common problem, but now you’ve got the tools to troubleshoot it like a pro.

If you’ve tried everything above and it’s still being stubborn, check out our core Brother WiFi setup instructions. Sometimes it’s just about doing the steps in the right order.

We’re here to make tech simpler—and a little less frustrating.