Brother Printer Offline on Mac After Update? Do This Now
Dial 1-888-966-6097 to Fix Brother Printer Offline on Mac and get easy troubleshooting steps to fix this issue permanently
Is your Brother printer suddenly showing offline on your Mac after a recent macOS update? You're not alone. Many Mac users face this frustrating issue, especially after upgrading to newer versions like macOS Ventura or Sonoma. But don’t worry—this guide will walk you through the most effective steps to bring your Brother printer back online.
🔍 Why Does the Brother Printer Go Offline on Mac After an Update?
When your Mac updates its system software, it may:
Reset or modify printer drivers
Change network permissions or firewall settings
Remove or misconfigure your default printer settings
Lose saved printer configurations
These changes can break communication between your Mac and your Brother printer, resulting in the “Printer Offline” error.
✅ Quick Checks Before You Start
Before diving into fixes, make sure:
The printer is turned on and has no error lights or paper jams
It's connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac
You’ve installed the latest macOS update completely
Your Brother printer model supports macOS version you're using (check Brother support)
🛠️ How to Fix Brother Printer Offline on Mac After an Update
🔧 1. Restart Your Devices
Sometimes a simple reboot solves it:
Power off your Brother printer and unplug it for 30 seconds
Restart your Mac
Power your printer back on and wait until it's fully connected
🔧 2. Delete and Re-Add the Brother Printer
macOS updates can corrupt saved printer settings. Re-adding it can help.
Steps:
Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners
Select your Brother printer and click the minus (-) button to remove it
Click the plus (+) to add the printer again
Choose your Brother printer from the list (AirPrint or Brother driver)
Click Add
💡 If it offers “AirPrint” by default, try switching to Brother’s specific driver if available for your model.
🔧 3. Reset the Printing System (If Re-Adding Fails)
This resets all printer-related settings.
Steps:
Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners
Right-click (or Control + click) in the printer list
Select Reset Printing System
Enter your Mac password if prompted
Re-add your printer as shown above
⚠️ This will remove all saved printers and queues.
🔧 4. Download and Install the Latest Brother Drivers
The AirPrint driver isn’t always enough. Get the official driver from Brother.
Steps:
Go to Brother Downloads
Enter your printer model (e.g., HL-L2350DW)
Select your macOS version
Download and install the Full Driver & Software Package
After installing, re-add the printer via Printers & Scanners and select the new driver from the list.
🔧 5. Check Your Printer’s Network Connection
If you're using a wireless Brother printer, it might have dropped off your network after the update.
Steps:
Print a Network Configuration Page from the printer’s control panel
Confirm it shows a valid IP address and is connected to the same Wi-Fi as your Mac
If not, reconnect the printer using WPS or wireless setup wizard
🔧 6. Disable "Use Printer Offline" Mode
Sometimes this gets enabled accidentally.
Steps:
Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners
Right-click on the Brother printer
Make sure “Use Printer Offline” is unchecked
🔧 7. Try Printing Using Brother iPrint&Scan App
If nothing works, try using Brother’s official app:
Download Brother iPrint&Scan from the Mac App Store
Connect your printer via USB or Wi-Fi
Try printing from within the app as a temporary workaround
🧼 Bonus Tip: Reset Printer Settings from the Device
Some Brother printers allow a network reset or factory reset from the control panel. Doing this can help clear old network settings that conflict with macOS.
Refer to your printer's user manual for model-specific reset steps.
📌 Conclusion
If your Brother printer is offline on Mac after an update, the fix usually lies in:
Re-adding the printer
Installing the latest drivers
Resetting the printer system
Ensuring network connectivity
These steps resolve the issue in most cases. If the problem persists, you may need to contact Brother support or visit an Apple Genius Bar to rule out deeper system issues.
❓FAQs
Q1. Why is my Brother printer offline only on Mac but works with other devices?
Your Mac may be using outdated or incorrect printer drivers after an update. Reinstalling the correct driver should help.
Q2. Is Brother AirPrint affected by macOS updates?
Yes. Sometimes, AirPrint compatibility breaks temporarily after macOS updates. Use Brother’s native driver as a workaround.
Q3. Can a macOS firewall block printer communication?
Yes, if you’ve enabled strict firewall settings. Go to System Settings > Network > Firewall and allow printer services.
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