Troubleshooting Guide: Brother Printer Not Working
- By Jee Comendador
- On Dec 19, 2023
- Comment 0
If you find yourself grappling with a Brother printer that refuses to cooperate, don't fret. We've compiled a comprehensive troubleshooting guide to help you identify and resolve common issues. Follow these steps in an active tech overview tone, and you'll likely get your printer back in working order.
Check the Power and Connections
Ensure that your printer is correctly connected to a power source and turned on. Confirm that USB or network cables are securely linked to both the printer and your computer or network router.
Restart the Printer and Computer
- Turn off the printer and unplug it from the power source.
- Shut down your computer and restart it.
- After the computer has rebooted, plug the printer back in, power it on, and check if the issue persists.
Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers
Outdated or corrupted drivers can be a culprit. Visit the official Brother website and download the latest drivers for your specific printer model. Install them on your computer following the provided instructions.
Check for Error Messages or Indicators
Inspect the printer's display panel for any error messages or indicators. Refer to the user manual or Brother's support website to troubleshoot the specific error code or message.
Clear Print Queue and Restart Print Spooler
- For Windows: Navigate to "Services" in the Control Panel or Task Manager, find the "Print Spooler" service, and restart it.
- For macOS: Open "System Preferences," go to "Printers & Scanners," select your Brother printer, click on the "Open Print Queue" button, cancel pending jobs, and click "Resume."
Check Ink or Toner Cartridges
Ensure that ink or toner cartridges are properly installed and have sufficient ink or toner. Replace or refill cartridges if necessary.
Perform a Firmware Update
Visit the Brother website for any available firmware updates for your printer model. Follow the instructions to update the printer's firmware, addressing potential software-related issues.
Reset the Printer
As a last resort, consider resetting the printer to its factory default settings. Refer to the user manual or Brother's support website for detailed instructions on performing a reset.
Additional Tips from Users
Check Connections
Ensure all cables connecting the printer to the computer and power source are securely connected.
Power Cycle
- Turn off the printer.
- Unplug it from the power source.
- Wait for about 30 seconds.
- Plug it back in and power on the printer.
Printer Queue
Clear the print queue on your computer, cancel pending print jobs, and attempt to print again.
Driver Issues
Visit the official Brother website, locate your printer model, and download the most recent drivers for your operating system.
Restart Devices
Restart both your computer and the printer to resolve potential communication issues.
If, after diligently following these steps, your Brother printer is still uncooperative, it's advisable to contact Brother Printer customer support for personalized assistance. They can provide specific troubleshooting steps based on your printer model and help you with any hardware-related problems.
For more tech insights and troubleshooting tips, stay connected with our YouTube Channel BCH Technologies and follow our Tech blog. If you're in the Greensboro, North Carolina area, consider visiting us locally for hands-on support.