Posts: 13,305
Threads: 2,485
Joined: May 2025
Trying to decide if it's worth trying to fix or just continue to deal with the workaround.
I've had this Brother MFC-240C color inkjet printer for...a while. The earliest reference I can find in my records is an email confirming purchase of generic ink carts for it and that was a little more than ten years ago.
Anyway, it's been working fine for as infrequently as I need to print anything in color. Except sometime last year it got stupid. Whenever I try to print, it says the printer is offline. My workaround is that I go over to the printer, unplug the usb cable then plug it back in, and then it starts receiving data and prints fine. It's just a minor inconvenience, but there's a part of me that thinks it must be a simple fix, and I figured I'd ask here.
I must have tried downloading new printer software at some point when this first started happening because the printer appears twice in my System Preferences and consequently in my print menu, and no matter which I choose it says it is Not Connected or Offline, until I go and do the unplug/plug routine again.
Do you think it's worth the time and aggravation to try to fix this (and possibly make it worse) or would you just live with the workaround? There's always the chance that if I attempt a permanent fix, I'll break it for real. I'm hoping I'm just overlooking a stupidly easy fix.
Posts: 6,487
Threads: 54
Joined: May 2025
Reputation:
0
wurm,
It should be a fairly simple fix.
1. Go to Sys Pref/Printer and unlock the lock. Delete both printers by highlighting them and then hit the "minus" sign.
2. Now use the "plus" sign to find and add it back.
Take a screen shot and print the screen shot. You should be back in business.
Removing and adding back has cured 95% of my printing problems over the years.
wurm wrote:
Trying to decide if it's worth trying to fix or just continue to deal with the workaround.
I've had this Brother MFC-240C color inkjet printer for...a while. The earliest reference I can find in my records is an email confirming purchase of generic ink carts for it and that was a little more than ten years ago.
Anyway, it's been working fine for as infrequently as I need to print anything in color. Except sometime last year it got stupid. Whenever I try to print, it says the printer is offline. My workaround is that I go over to the printer, unplug the usb cable then plug it back in, and then it starts receiving data and prints fine. It's just a minor inconvenience, but there's a part of me that thinks it must be a simple fix, and I figured I'd ask here.
I must have tried downloading new printer software at some point when this first started happening because the printer appears twice in my System Preferences and consequently in my print menu, and no matter which I choose it says it is Not Connected or Offline, until I go and do the unplug/plug routine again.
Do you think it's worth the time and aggravation to try to fix this (and possibly make it worse) or would you just live with the workaround? There's always the chance that if I attempt a permanent fix, I'll break it for real. I'm hoping I'm just overlooking a stupidly easy fix.
Posts: 4,930
Threads: 69
Joined: May 2025
I often have an issue with my older Brother.
Though I don't think he has a printer.
Posts: 12,349
Threads: 1,831
Joined: Nov 2023
Reputation:
0
Sometimes the “Reset the printing system” procedure can help:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203343
Posts: 15,224
Threads: 204
Joined: Jan 2023
Reputation:
0
A decade plus ago, I set up two seniors with that model and, both users have been happy with it. Before I left NY, I made sure both seniors had extra ink cartridges (generic packages I got cheap on Amazon). If you have extra ink cartridges, I'd say try to revive your 240. If you don't have extra ink, then I'd say to look at a newer replacement that would also give you modern features like wireless printing, duplexing etc.
I've heard good things about the Epson Eco-tank models. They're a LOT more expensive than basic MFCs but the ink tank system Epson has developed will run two+ YEARS before ink refills are needed. Over the long haul, an Eco-Tank MFC can cost less than a "cheap" printer.
Posts: 13,305
Threads: 2,485
Joined: May 2025
Thanks, all. I was going to try the delete and re-add the printer next. Wasn't sure if that was the best solution. I'll also try that printer reset that btfc linked.
As I said I've been very content with this old beast for the infrequent use it gets. I still have a few cheap generic carts, but ink does't seem to be the problem.
Posts: 48,066
Threads: 9,823
Joined: Dec 2021
Reputation:
0
did you try a new USB cable? I don't think that is the issue, but you do mention that you unplug/replug and it works. Could be a bad cable (although unlikely)
Posts: 68,332
Threads: 17,214
Joined: May 2025
Reputation:
1
.....family is everything......nice that you are helping your older brother......with his printing issues......
_____________________________________
I reject your reality and substitute my own!
Posts: 8,604
Threads: 1,555
Joined: Jul 2022
Five years ago and completely my fault, my MFC-J825DW wouldn't print correctly.
I cleaned it & got it working again. The long post detailing the event.
5 years later, it is still going strong. Just won't quit!
Posts: 13,305
Threads: 2,485
Joined: May 2025
Well, neither of the above solutions did the trick. I deleted both instance of the printer from System Preferences, then when I went to add it back, it couldn't be found. So I went to the Brother website and downloaded the latest drivers and installed them. Still couldn't find the printer in System Prefs, so I went to that printer reset page of Apple's. Followed those steps and the printer now shows up in System Prefs so I figured it was fixed. Then I went to print and it shows the same Printer is offline and Printer is not connected messages that I had before.
So I guess for now I'll just resort to my old workaround...which thankfully still works. Thanks for your efforts.
|
