Highlights
- This guide will walk you through the most common solutions to get your Brother printer back online in Windows 10.
- Unplug the power cord from the printer and wait for a few minutes.
- This could be due to a temporary network glitch, driver issues, or a problem with the printer’s internal settings.
Printing is an essential part of many tasks, whether it’s for work, school, or personal projects. When your Brother printer suddenly goes offline, it can be a frustrating experience. This guide will walk you through the most common solutions to get your Brother printer back online in Windows 10.
1. Check the Basics: Power, Connections, and Paper
Before diving into more complex troubleshooting, ensure the basics are in order:
- Power: Verify that both your printer and your computer are powered on. Check the power cord connections and ensure the power outlet is working.
- Connections: Make sure your printer is connected to your computer via USB or Wi-Fi. For USB connections, try a different port. For Wi-Fi, double-check the network name and password on your printer’s settings.
- Paper: Ensure there’s paper in the printer’s tray and that it’s not jammed. Remove any obstructions and try again.
2. Restart Your Printer and Computer
A simple restart can often resolve temporary glitches.
1. Turn off your printer: Unplug the power cord from the printer and wait for a few minutes.
2. Restart your computer: Shut down your computer completely and restart it.
3. Turn on your printer: Plug the power cord back into the printer and turn it on.
3. Update Printer Drivers
Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause connectivity issues.
1. Access Device Manager: Search for “Device Manager” in the Windows search bar and open it.
2. Locate your printer: Expand the “Print queues” section to find your Brother printer.
3. Right-click and update: Right-click on the printer name and select “Update driver.”
4. Choose automatic search: Select “Search automatically for updated driver software.”
5. Follow prompts: Windows will search for updates and install them if available.
4. Reinstall Printer Drivers
If updating drivers doesn‘t work, try reinstalling them completely:
1. Uninstall existing drivers: In Device Manager, right-click on your printer and select “Uninstall device.”
2. Restart your computer: Reboot your computer after uninstalling the drivers.
3. Download latest drivers: Visit the Brother website and search for your printer model. Download the latest drivers for your specific Windows 10 version.
4. Install the drivers: Run the downloaded installer file and follow the on-screen instructions.
5. Troubleshoot Network Connection
If you’re using a wireless connection, ensure a stable network connection:
1. Check your router: Verify that your router is working properly and that your printer is connected to the correct network.
2. Restart your router: Unplug your router for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and wait for it to reboot.
3. Forget and reconnect: On your printer’s settings, forget the current Wi-Fi network and reconnect it using the correct password.
6. Check Windows Firewall and Antivirus
Firewall and antivirus software may sometimes block printer communication:
1. Temporarily disable firewall: Open Windows Firewall settings and temporarily disable it. Try printing again.
2. Add printer to exceptions: If disabling the firewall doesn‘t work, add your printer to the firewall’s exceptions list.
3. Check antivirus settings: Review your antivirus software‘s settings and ensure it’s not blocking your printer.
7. Run Printer Troubleshooter
Windows has a built-in troubleshooter that can diagnose and fix common printer problems:
1. Open Settings: Click on the “Start” menu and select “Settings.”
2. Go to “Update & Security”: Click on “Update & Security” in the settings menu.
3. Select “Troubleshoot”: Choose “Troubleshoot” from the left-hand menu.
4. Run printer troubleshooter: Select “Printer” from the list of available troubleshooters and click “Run the troubleshooter.”
8. Contact Brother Support
If none of the above solutions work, it’s time to contact Brother support:
1. Visit Brother website: Go to the Brother website and locate the support section.
2. Choose your printer model: Select your printer model from the list.
3. Contact support: Use the available options, such as live chat, email, or phone, to reach out to Brother support.
Printer Back Online: A Final Check
After trying the above solutions, check if your Brother printer is back online. You can try printing a test page or document to confirm.
Popular Questions
1. Why is my Brother printer offline even though it’s connected?
This could be due to a temporary network glitch, driver issues, or a problem with the printer’s internal settings. Try restarting your computer and printer, updating or reinstalling drivers, and checking your network connection.
2. How do I know if my printer is connected to the right network?
Check your printer’s settings to see the connected network name. You should see the same network name as your computer.
3. What if my printer is still offline after trying all these solutions?
If you’ve tried all the steps above and your printer is still offline, it might be a hardware issue. Contact Brother support for further assistance.
4. Can I use a different USB cable?
Yes, using a different USB cable can sometimes resolve connectivity issues. Ensure the cable is compatible with your printer and computer.
5. What if my printer is connected but not printing?
This could be due to a paper jam, a problem with the printer’s ink cartridges, or a software error. Check for paper jams, ensure the ink cartridges are properly installed, and try restarting your printer and computer.