Troubleshooting Brother MFC-J995DW Wireless Dropouts

Is your Brother MFC-J995DW suddenly not responding, going offline, or refusing to print over WiFi? You are not alone. Many everyday Windows users run into this problem. The printer may work one day and then stop connecting the next. You might see error messages, stuck print jobs, or documents that never leave the queue.

In many cases, the real cause is not your WiFi signal. The issue often comes from outdated, missing, or damaged printer software inside your computer. This software helps Windows talk to your printer. When it is not working properly, your Brother MFC-J995DW may appear offline, disconnect often, or fail to print at all.

This guide explains why this happens and shows you step by step how to fix it. You will also learn the fastest and easiest way to repair the problem.

Why Your Brother MFC-J995DW Keeps Going Offline

Your printer depends on a small program installed on your computer. This program acts like a translator. It tells Windows how to send print jobs, scan commands, and wireless instructions to your Brother MFC-J995DW.

When this program is:

• Outdated
• Missing
• Corrupted or damaged
• Not compatible with a recent Windows update

your printer may start acting strangely.

Common signs include:

• Printer shows as offline even though it is turned on
• Documents stay stuck in the print queue
• Wireless connection drops repeatedly
• Printer not responding error messages
• Scanner not detected
• Computer cannot find the printer on the network

Windows updates can sometimes replace or disturb printer software. Power outages or incomplete installations can also damage it. Even normal system updates can cause communication problems between your computer and printer.

The good news is that updating the printer software usually fixes these issues quickly.

Fastest and Easiest Fix: Use DriverAssist

If you want the simplest solution, DriverAssist is the easiest way to repair your Brother MFC-J995DW connection problems.

Instead of searching for the correct files yourself, DriverAssist automatically finds the right printer software for your exact Windows version. It installs the correct update and repairs missing or damaged files.

You can download it directly here.

Here is how to use it:

1. Click the link above and download DriverAssist.
2. Open the downloaded file and follow the installation instructions.
3. Launch the program.
4. Let it scan your system.
5. Follow the prompts to update your Brother MFC-J995DW printer software.
6. Restart your computer after the update finishes.

After restarting, check if your printer shows as online and try printing a test page.

For many users, this resolves wireless dropouts and printing errors in just a few minutes.

If you prefer to update manually, follow the detailed steps below.

Method 1: Update Through the Brother Support Website

This method allows you to download the correct printer software directly from Brother.

Step 1: Check Your Windows Version

1. Press Windows key + I.
2. Click System.
3. Click About.
4. Look for your Windows version and whether it says 64 bit or 32 bit.

Write this down because you will need it.

Step 2: Visit the Brother Support Page

1. Open your web browser.
2. Go to the official Brother support website.
3. Type Brother MFC-J995DW in the search box.
4. Select your printer model from the list.

Step 3: Choose Your Operating System

1. Confirm your Windows version.
2. Go to the Downloads or Support section.
3. Look for the full driver and software package.

Download the recommended full package rather than small individual files.

Step 4: Install the Downloaded File

1. Open your Downloads folder.
2. Double click the file you downloaded.
3. Follow the on screen instructions.
4. Choose Wireless Network Connection when prompted.

If the installer asks you to temporarily connect using a USB cable, follow the instructions carefully.

Step 5: Restart Your Computer

After installation is complete, restart your computer.

Step 6: Test the Printer

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Bluetooth and devices.
3. Click Printers and scanners.
4. Select Brother MFC-J995DW.
5. Click Print a test page.

If the page prints successfully and the printer stays online, the issue is resolved.

Method 2: Update Using Windows Device Manager

Windows includes a built in tool called Device Manager. It can check for updated printer software automatically.

Step 1: Open Device Manager

1. Right click the Start button.
2. Click Device Manager.

Step 2: Locate Your Printer

1. Expand Printers or Print queues.
2. Find Brother MFC-J995DW.

If you see a yellow warning icon, that confirms a problem.

Step 3: Update the Software

1. Right click Brother MFC-J995DW.
2. Click Update driver.
3. Choose Search automatically for drivers.

Windows will search your computer and online for updated software.

Step 4: Follow the Prompts

If Windows finds an update, allow it to install.

Step 5: Restart Your Computer

Restart your system once the update finishes.

Step 6: Check Printer Status

Open Printers and scanners again and confirm that the printer shows as Ready or Online.

If Windows says the best drivers are already installed but your printer still disconnects, the manual download from Brother or using DriverAssist is often more reliable.

Extra Tips for Fixing Wireless Dropouts

After updating the printer software, you can also try these helpful steps:

Restart Everything

Turn off your printer. Restart your computer. Unplug your WiFi router for 60 seconds. Turn everything back on.

Reconnect to WiFi

On the printer screen:

1. Go to Menu.
2. Select Network.
3. Choose WLAN.
4. Run the wireless setup again.

Set as Default Printer

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Printers and scanners.
3. Select Brother MFC-J995DW.
4. Click Set as default.

Clear Stuck Print Jobs

1. Open Printers and scanners.
2. Click your printer.
3. Open print queue.
4. Cancel all documents.

Old stuck jobs can sometimes cause the printer to appear offline.

Why Updating Printer Software Solves Wireless Problems

Your Brother MFC-J995DW communicates with your computer using instructions built into its software. When Windows updates or changes its internal system files, the old printer software may no longer match.

This mismatch causes:

• Connection interruptions
• Communication errors
• Printing failures
• Scanner not detected issues

Updating replaces outdated files with correct ones that match your current Windows version. It repairs broken communication and restores stable printing.

Think of it like updating a translation dictionary. If the dictionary is outdated, the conversation breaks down. Updating restores clear communication.

How to Prevent Future Printer Issues

To reduce future wireless dropouts:

• Keep Windows updated
• Install printer updates regularly
• Avoid unplugging the printer during updates
• Restart your system occasionally
• Use a stable WiFi connection

Using a tool like DriverAssist can make this easier because it checks for updates automatically and installs the correct version for your system.

Final Thoughts

Brother MFC-J995DW wireless dropouts can be frustrating, especially when you need to print important documents. In most cases, the issue is not your internet connection. It is outdated or damaged printer software that prevents your computer from communicating properly with the printer.

The fastest solution is using DriverAssist to automatically repair and update the necessary files. You can download it here.

If you prefer manual steps, updating through the Brother support website or Windows Device Manager can also resolve the issue.