Brother printers are known for their reliability, efficiency, and crisp print quality. However, like any electronic device, they can occasionally face issues — one of the most common being the printer not printing at all. If your Brother printer is turned on but nothing is coming out, don’t worry. This detailed guide walks you through all possible causes and provides tested solutions to get your printer back to work.

Common Reasons Why Your Brother Printer Isn’t Printing

Understanding the cause is the first step toward fixing the issue. Here are some of the most frequent reasons why your Brother printer may not be printing:

1. Connection issues – USB or Wi-Fi connection is unstable or broken.

2. Outdated or missing printer driver – The computer cannot communicate with the printer properly.

3. Paper jams or low ink/toner – The printer halts due to hardware issues.

4. Print queue jammed – Previous print jobs are stuck and blocking new ones.

5. Wrong default printer selected – You may be sending the print job to the wrong device.

6. Sleep mode or offline status – The printer is on but unresponsive.

7. Firmware issues – Buggy or outdated firmware causing internal errors.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

Let’s go step by step to identify and fix the problem.

Step 1: Check Printer Connection

Make sure your printer is connected to your computer or network.

For USB Printers:

• Ensure the USB cable is securely connected to both printer and PC.

• Try a different USB port on your computer.

For Wireless Printers:

• Print a network configuration page to verify the printer is connected to Wi-Fi.

• On the printer menu: Menu > Print Reports > Network Configuration.

If the IP address is missing or “Disconnected,” reconnect using the printer’s WLAN setup wizard.

Step 2: Set Brother Printer as Default

Often, print jobs are sent to a virtual printer (like OneNote) instead of the real device.

On Windows:

1. Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.

2. Right-click your Brother printer.

3. Select Set as default printer.

On Mac:

1. Open System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.

2. Select your Brother printer and click Set as Default.

Step 3: Clear the Print Queue

A stuck print queue can block new jobs from being printed.

On Windows:

1. Go to Devices and Printers.

2. Right-click on your Brother printer > See what's printing.

3. Click Printer > Cancel All Documents.

4. Restart your PC and printer.

On Mac:

1. Open Printers & Scanners.

2. Click on your printer > Open Print Queue.

3. Cancel any pending jobs and restart the printer.

Step 4: Restart Printer and Computer

Sometimes, a simple reboot resolves software glitches and re-establishes the printer connection.

• Turn off the printer, unplug it for 60 seconds, then power it back on.

• Restart your computer as well.

Step 5: Check Ink or Toner Levels

If your Brother printer uses ink or toner, low levels can stop printing.

• Go to the printer control panel > Ink/Toner Status.

• Replace any low or empty cartridges.

• Also, check that cartridges are properly installed.

Tip: Even if there is some ink left, dried or clogged nozzles can cause print failure. Run a print head cleaning from the settings menu.

Step 6: Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers

Outdated or corrupt drivers often cause communication issues between the printer and computer.

On Windows:

1. Visit the Brother Site.

2. Download the latest driver for your printer model.

3. Uninstall the old driver via Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a Program.

4. Install the new driver.

On Mac:

1. Go to Brother's website.

2. Download and install the macOS-specific drivers.

3. Restart your computer and re-add the printer from Printers & Scanners.

Step 7: Check for Hardware Issues

Sometimes internal hardware problems prevent printing.

• Open the printer and look for paper jams, misaligned cartridges, or torn labels.

• Ensure the drum unit and toner are installed properly.

• Run a self-test page from the printer menu to ensure hardware functionality.

Step 8: Disable Offline Mode

Sometimes printers are accidentally set to offline.

On Windows:

1. Go to Devices and Printers.

2. Right-click your Brother printer > See what’s printing.

3. Click Printer > Uncheck "Use Printer Offline".

On Mac:

• If the printer shows “Offline,” delete and re-add it from Printers & Scanners.

Advanced Fixes If Your Brother Printer Still Won’t Print

If none of the basic steps worked, try these advanced methods:

Reset Printer Settings

You can reset the printer to factory settings to clear out network, firmware, and queue errors.

• Menu > Initial Setup > Reset > All Settings > Confirm.

⚠️ This will erase all saved configurations.

Update Printer Firmware

Firmware updates fix bugs and improve connectivity.

1. Visit Brother’s website.

2. Download the firmware update tool.

3. Connect your printer via USB.

4. Run the update tool and follow the prompts.

Run Windows Printer Troubleshooter

For Windows users:

1. Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners.

2. Select your Brother printer > Manage > Run Troubleshooter.

It will scan and fix common printer problems automatically.

Brother Printer Not Printing from Mobile?

If you're printing from an Android or iPhone using Brother iPrint&Scan:

• Ensure both the mobile device and printer are connected to the same WiFi network.

• Update the Brother iPrint&Scan app.

• Try reinstalling the app and re-adding the printer.

• Clear the app’s cache (for Android).

Preventing Printing Issues in the Future

Here are some tips to keep your Brother printer working smoothly:

• Keep the firmware and drivers updated regularly.

• Avoid overloading the paper tray and use good-quality paper.

• Run cleaning cycles to prevent nozzle clogs (for inkjet printers).

• Keep the printer in a dust-free and dry environment.

• Use genuine Brother ink or toner to avoid compatibility issues.

When to Contact Brother Support

If you've tried all the above and the issue persists, it may be a deeper hardware problem.

Reach out to Brother Customer Support if:

• The printer shows hardware errors or blinking LED codes.

• Internal components like the drum, fuser, or motherboard are suspected.

• You've tried resetting the printer and it still won't print.

Conclusion

A Brother printer not printing can be caused by a wide range of issues — from something as simple as a misconfigured setting to more complex hardware malfunctions. Thankfully, most problems can be resolved at home with the troubleshooting steps outlined above.

From checking connections and clearing queues to reinstalling drivers and cleaning cartridges, these methods ensure that your printer returns to peak performance. With regular maintenance and updates, you can avoid such issues in the future and enjoy a smooth, wireless printing experience.