Troubleshooting Guide: Brother Printer Not Printing

Mills Stanley Updated by Mills Stanley

Brother Printer Not Printing

Having a reliable printer is essential for both personal and professional tasks. However, even the best printers can sometimes encounter issues. If your Brother printer isn't printing, it can be frustrating and hinder productivity. This guide will walk you through common causes and solutions to get your Brother printer back up and running.

1. Check the Basics

Ensure the Printer is On

First, make sure your printer is turned on and properly connected to a power source. Check the power cable for any signs of damage and ensure it is securely plugged into both the printer and the power outlet.

Verify Connections

For wired printers, ensure the USB cable is securely connected to both the printer and the computer. If you are using a network printer, make sure the printer is connected to the network either via Wi-Fi or an Ethernet cable.

Paper and Ink/Toner Levels

Check if there is enough paper in the tray and that it is properly aligned. Also, verify that there is sufficient ink or toner in the cartridges. Low ink or toner levels can prevent printing.

2. Check Printer Status and Settings

Printer Status

Go to the printer control panel and check for any error messages or indicators that might suggest what the issue is. Many modern Brother printers have display screens that can provide specific error codes.

Printer Queue

Sometimes, print jobs can get stuck in the queue, causing the printer to stop responding. To clear the print queue, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Control Panel on your computer.
  2. Navigate to "Devices and Printers."
  3. Right-click on your Brother printer and select "See what's printing."
  4. In the print queue window, click on "Printer" and select "Cancel All Documents."
Printer Settings

Ensure your Brother printer is set as the default printer. Go to "Devices and Printers," right-click on your Brother printer, and select "Set as default printer."

3. Update or Reinstall Drivers

Outdated or corrupt printer drivers can cause printing issues. To update or reinstall your Brother printer drivers:

  1. Visit the Brother support website.
  2. Enter your printer model number and download the latest drivers for your operating system.
  3. Install the downloaded drivers and restart your computer.

Alternatively, you can update the drivers through the Device Manager:

  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Expand the "Printers" section.
  3. Right-click on your Brother printer and select "Update driver."
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.

4. Network Issues

If your Brother printer is connected to a network, network issues can prevent it from printing.

Check Network Connection

Ensure your printer is connected to the same network as your computer. Print a network configuration page from your printer to check its IP address. Compare it with the IP address of your computer to confirm they are on the same network.

Restart Router and Printer

Sometimes, restarting your network devices can resolve connectivity issues. Turn off your router and printer, wait for a minute, and then turn them back on.

Firewall and Antivirus Settings

Firewall or antivirus software can sometimes block printer communication. Temporarily disable these programs to see if they are causing the issue. If the printer works with them disabled, you may need to configure your firewall or antivirus settings to allow printer communication.

5. Printer Hardware Issues

Hardware issues can also prevent your Brother printer from printing.

Paper Jams

Paper jams are a common issue. Open the printer and carefully remove any jammed paper. Refer to your printer’s manual for specific instructions on clearing paper jams.

Ink or Toner Cartridge Issues

Ensure the ink or toner cartridges are properly installed. If the cartridges are empty or not seated correctly, the printer may not print. Replace any empty cartridges and make sure they click into place securely.

Dirty or clogged print heads can cause print quality issues or prevent printing altogether. Most Brother printers have a built-in print head cleaning function. Refer to your printer’s manual for instructions on how to perform a print head cleaning.

6. Software Conflicts

Software conflicts can sometimes interfere with printing. Try the following steps:

Restart Your Computer

A simple restart can often resolve software conflicts. Restart your computer and try printing again.

Reinstall Printer Software

If restarting doesn't help, try reinstalling the printer software. Uninstall the current printer software from your computer, then reinstall it using the latest version from the Brother support website.

7. Seek Professional Help

If you’ve tried all the above steps and your Brother printer still isn’t printing, it might be time to seek professional help. Contact Brother customer support or take your printer to an authorized service center for further diagnosis and repair.

Conclusion

Troubleshooting a Brother printer that isn't printing involves checking basic connections, updating drivers, addressing network issues, and inspecting hardware components. By systematically going through these steps, you can identify and resolve most common printing issues. If all else fails, professional assistance is always an option to ensure your printer returns to optimal functionality.

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