The Brother DCP-L2640DW is a monochrome laser multifunction printer with wireless and automatic double-sided printing, and when Windows or a Mac says it is offline the printer is usually on but the computer has lost the path to it. Start by looking at the printer's own screen: it should show a Wi-Fi symbol with a signal level, and if it shows no connection, the printer has dropped off the network. Press the buttons to open the network menu and run a WLAN report, which Brother's guides describe, to see the error code and the signal strength.
The checks in more detail
Make sure the router has not changed its name or password, because a printer holds the old details and cannot rejoin. If it has, use the control panel's wizard to enter the new details. Restart the printer, the router and the computer in that order, since this alone restores many offline printers. Then look at the computer. In Windows, open Printers and scanners, select the printer and make sure Use Printer Offline is unticked, and open the printer's queue to clear stuck jobs.
The most common long-term cause is that the printer's IP address changed: routers hand out addresses, and a printer that moves to a new one is lost to a driver set for the old one. Give the printer a fixed address by reserving it in the router, or by setting a static IP in the printer's network menu, and update the port in Windows to the new address. Reinstall the driver from Brother's site if the printer still shows offline, or use the Brother iPrint and Scan app, which finds the printer on the network.
On a Mac, remove the printer and add it again with the AirPrint option. Keep the printer on the same network as the computer, not a guest network, and turn off VPNs that route local traffic. If the printer cannot stay connected on Wi-Fi, try a USB cable to prove the printer works and consider a router with a stronger signal or a wired Ethernet connection, which this model supports.
Differential
Likely causes of “Brother DCP-L2640DW is offline or unavailable”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The printer left the Wi-Fi network
What separates it The printer shows no connection
How to confirm Run a WLAN report and rejoin the network
- 2
A changed router name or password
What separates it It cannot rejoin
How to confirm Enter the new details in the printer menu
- 3
A changed IP address
What separates it The driver points at an old address
How to confirm Reserve the address or set a static IP
- 4
The printer is set to offline in Windows
What separates it The queue shows offline
How to confirm Untick Use Printer Offline
- 5
A guest network or VPN
What separates it The computer cannot see the printer
How to confirm Put both on the main network
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The printer's Wi-Fi symbol
- The WLAN report error
- The printer's IP address
- Whether the router changed
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedCheck the printer's network
ReversibleLook at the Wi-Fi symbol and run a WLAN report.
Restart everything
ReversiblePrinter, router, then computer.
Clear the offline setting
ReversiblePrinters and scanners, untick Use Printer Offline.
Fix the address
ReversibleReserve it in the router or set a static IP.
Reinstall the driver
ReversibleOr use the Brother iPrint and Scan app.
Try USB or Ethernet
ReversibleTo prove the printer.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- IP address
- A fixed address stops the printer going offline.
- Wired option
- Ethernet avoids Wi-Fi drops.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the printer keeps dropping off Wi-Fi, use Ethernet or a router with a stronger signal
- !If it still shows offline after a driver reinstall, contact Brother
- !Keep the firmware updated
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
Why does my Brother DCP-L2640DW say offline?+
The computer has lost the path to it, often after an address change.
What is a WLAN report?+
A printout of the wireless status and error codes.
Can I use Ethernet?+
Yes, this model has a wired port.
Do I need the guest network?+
No, use the main network.