Brother Printer Not Connecting to computer: Fixing Guide

Mills Stanley Updated by Mills Stanley

Brother Printer not connecting to computer

If your Brother printer is not connecting to your computer, it can be a frustrating issue that disrupts your printing tasks. Whether you’re dealing with a networked or directly connected printer, the following comprehensive guide will help you diagnose and resolve the issue.

1. Initial Checks

1.1 Ensure Proper Connections

  • For USB Connections: Verify that the USB cable is securely connected to both the printer and the computer. Try using a different USB port or cable to rule out any issues with the cable or port.
  • For Network Connections: Ensure that both the printer and computer are connected to the same network. If the printer is using WiFi, make sure it is within range of the router.

1.2 Power and Status Checks

  • Confirm that the printer is powered on and ready. Check the printer’s display panel for any error messages or warnings.

2. Printer and Computer Communication

2.1 Check Printer Status on Computer

  • Windows: Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers and see if your Brother printer appears. If it’s listed but not set as default, right-click on it and select Set as default printer.
  • Mac: Open System Preferences > Printers & Scanners to see if your Brother printer is listed. If not, click the + button to add it.

2.2 Restart Devices

  • Power cycle both the printer and the computer. Turn off both devices, wait a few moments, and then turn them back on.

3. Software and Driver Issues

3.1 Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers

  • Download Latest Drivers: Visit Brother’s official website, locate the driver section, and download the latest drivers for your specific printer model.
  • Reinstall Drivers: Uninstall the current drivers from your computer and then reinstall the newly downloaded drivers. This can resolve any issues related to corrupted or outdated drivers.

3.2 Check for Software Updates

  • Ensure your computer’s operating system is up-to-date. Sometimes, updates include patches that resolve compatibility issues with printer drivers.

4. Network Printer Troubleshooting

4.1 Verify Network Settings

  • Ensure that your printer is connected to the same network as your computer. Check the printer’s network settings to confirm it is connected to your WiFi or wired network.

4.2 Assign a Static IP Address

  • Assigning a static IP address to your printer can help maintain a stable connection. Access your printer’s network settings via the control panel or web interface and set a static IP address.

4.3 Ping the Printer

  • Open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac) and use the ping command followed by the printer’s IP address to check if the printer is reachable over the network. For example: ping 192.168.1.100.

5. Printer Settings and Configuration

5.1 Check Printer Status

  • Ensure that the printer is set to ‘Online’ rather than ‘Offline’. In the Devices and Printers (Windows) or Printers & Scanners (Mac) settings, right-click on the printer icon and select See what’s printing. Make sure the printer is not paused or set to offline.

5.2 Reconfigure Printer Settings

  • Windows: Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers, right-click on your Brother printer, and select Printer Properties. Check the port settings and make sure they match your printer’s configuration.
  • Mac: Open System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, select your printer, and click Options & Supplies. Verify that the correct settings are applied.

6. Advanced Troubleshooting

6.1 Perform a Printer Reset

  • Resetting your printer to factory settings can resolve persistent connection issues. Refer to your printer’s manual for instructions on performing a factory reset.

6.2 Check for Firmware Updates

  • Visit Brother’s website to check if there are any firmware updates available for your printer model. Updating the firmware can resolve compatibility issues and improve performance.

6.3 Consult Printer Manual

  • Refer to the printer’s user manual for model-specific troubleshooting steps. The manual may provide additional insights into resolving connectivity issues.

7. Contacting Support

7.1 When to Contact Support

  • If you’ve followed all troubleshooting steps and your Brother printer still won’t connect to your computer, it may be time to contact Brother’s customer support. They can provide further assistance and determine if there is a hardware issue.

7.2 How to Contact Support

  • Visit Brother’s official support website for contact options. You can usually find support through phone, email, or live chat.

Conclusion

Resolving connectivity issues between your Brother printer and computer requires a systematic approach to identify and fix the problem. By checking connections, updating drivers, configuring network settings, and following advanced troubleshooting steps, you can often resolve these issues and restore normal printing operations. If all else fails, contacting Brother’s support team is a reliable option for further assistance.

FAQ: Brother Printer Not Connecting to Computer

1. Why isn’t my Brother printer connecting to my computer?

  • This issue can be due to various reasons such as incorrect cable connections, outdated or corrupted drivers, network issues, or printer settings. Ensure all connections are secure and check for any driver updates or network configuration problems.

2. How do I check if my printer is properly connected to the computer?

  • For USB connections: Ensure the USB cable is firmly connected to both the printer and computer. Try using a different USB port or cable if needed.
  • For Network connections: Verify that both the printer and computer are connected to the same network. Check the printer’s network settings to confirm it is properly connected.

3. My Brother printer is listed on my computer but shows as offline. How do I fix this?

  • Right-click on the printer icon in the Devices and Printers (Windows) or Printers & Scanners (Mac) settings. Select See what’s printing and ensure the printer is set to ‘Online’. Uncheck the option for ‘Use Printer Offline’ if it’s selected.

4. How can I update or reinstall my Brother printer drivers?

  • Visit Brother’s official website and download the latest drivers for your printer model. Uninstall the existing drivers from your computer, then install the newly downloaded drivers following the on-screen instructions.

5. My computer cannot detect my Brother printer. What should I do?

  • Ensure the printer is turned on and properly connected to the computer. Restart both the printer and the computer. Check the printer’s status and settings, and ensure that the drivers are correctly installed.

6. What should I do if my Brother printer is not responding or printing?

  • Perform a printer reset or check for firmware updates. Ensure that the printer is not paused or set to offline in the printer settings. Verify the printer’s status and troubleshoot any error messages displayed.

7. How do I configure my Brother printer’s network settings if it’s connected via WiFi?

  • Access the printer’s network settings from the control panel or web interface. Ensure the printer is connected to the correct WiFi network and check if it has a valid IP address. You may need to reconfigure the network settings or assign a static IP address.

8. My printer was working fine but suddenly stopped connecting. What could be the issue?

  • This could be due to changes in network settings, software updates, or driver issues. Check for any recent changes to your network or computer settings, and ensure that the drivers are up-to-date.

9. How do I perform a factory reset on my Brother printer?

  • Refer to your printer’s manual for specific instructions on performing a factory reset. This process typically involves accessing the settings menu and selecting the reset option.

10. When should I contact Brother support for assistance?

  • If you’ve tried all troubleshooting steps and your Brother printer still won’t connect to your computer, it may be time to contact Brother’s customer support. They can provide further guidance and determine if there is a hardware issue.

11. How do I contact Brother support?

  • Visit Brother’s official support website for contact options including phone, email, or live chat. You may also find additional resources such as user manuals and troubleshooting guides.

How did we do?

Brother Printer Wifi Setup | Brother Printer

Brother Printer Won't Connect to Wifi: Complete Guide

Contact