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When you press "Print" and your Brother printer doesn’t react, frustration quickly follows. This issue, commonly referred to as “Brother Printer Not Responding,” can happen with both wired and wireless models. Whether you're printing from a computer, laptop, or mobile device, your printer's silence often points to underlying communication problems.

This guide explains why your Brother printer may not be responding and provides step-by-step solutions to fix it. Whether you're using Windows or macOS, connected via USB or Wi-Fi, we've got every scenario covered.

Why Is My Brother Printer Not Responding?

Before diving into the fixes, it's helpful to understand the common reasons behind this issue:

  1. Connection Problems: USB or network cables may be loose or faulty. In wireless setups, dropped connections or incorrect Wi-Fi credentials can cause failure.

  2. Outdated or Corrupted Drivers: If the printer driver is not up to date or has been corrupted, the computer may fail to communicate with the printer.

  3. Printer Offline or Sleep Mode: Your printer might be set to “Use Printer Offline” or stuck in sleep mode.

  4. Print Queue Errors: A jammed or stuck print queue can halt further printing.

  5. Firewall or Antivirus Block: Security software may block printer communication unknowingly.

  6. Firmware or OS Compatibility: New updates to your operating system can sometimes break printer compatibility unless updated drivers or firmware are installed.

Step-by-Step Fixes for Brother Printer Not Responding

Let’s go through the recommended solutions based on how your printer is connected: USB, wireless, or Ethernet.

1. Check the Physical Connection

If you're using a USB cable:

  • Make sure the cable is securely connected to both the printer and computer.

  • Try a different USB port.

  • Swap the cable with a known working one.

  • Avoid using USB hubs.

For Ethernet users:

  • Ensure the Ethernet cable is connected tightly to both the printer and the router/switch.

  • Confirm the network indicator lights are on.

2. Restart Devices

Sometimes a simple restart of your printer, computer, and router can resolve temporary communication glitches.

3. Verify Printer Status

  • Go to your computer’s Control Panel > Devices and Printers (Windows) or System Settings > Printers & Scanners (Mac).

  • Make sure your Brother printer is set as default.

  • Ensure the printer status doesn’t show "Offline" or "Paused".

  • If it does, right-click (or control-click) and select Resume or Use Printer Online.

4. Clear and Reset the Print Queue

A stuck print job can block the entire print process.

  • Cancel all current print jobs.

  • Restart the Print Spooler service on Windows via services.msc.

  • On Mac, delete the pending jobs and reboot the printer.

5. Reinstall or Update Printer Drivers

Drivers act as the bridge between your computer and printer. If they’re outdated or corrupted, your printer won’t respond.

To reinstall the driver:

  • Uninstall the current Brother printer driver from your system.

  • Download and install the latest driver from Brother’s official support page for your printer model.

  • Restart your computer after installation.

 
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6. Reconnect Wireless Printers

If you use your Brother printer over Wi-Fi, it may have disconnected from the network.

  • Use the printer’s control panel to go to Network > WLAN > Setup Wizard.

  • Select your Wi-Fi and enter the correct password.

  • Ensure your computer and printer are on the same Wi-Fi network.

You can also print a Network Configuration Page from the printer to verify IP and network status.

7. Manually Add Printer by IP Address

Sometimes, auto-detection fails. You can manually add your printer using its IP address.

On Windows:

  • Go to Devices and Printers > Add a Printer > Add by IP Address.

On macOS:

  • Go to Printers & Scanners > + > IP Tab, enter the IP, and select the appropriate driver.

8. Disable Firewall/Antivirus Temporarily

Security software may block the printer from communicating with your system.

  • Temporarily disable the firewall or antivirus.

  • Try printing again.

  • If it works, add the printer as a trusted device before turning security back on.

9. Update Firmware

If your printer’s firmware is outdated, it might fail to respond after an OS update.

  • Visit the official Brother support site.

  • Download the Firmware Update Tool for your printer model.

  • Connect your printer via USB and run the update.

10. Reset the Printer (If Needed)

If all else fails, resetting your Brother printer can clear out any misconfigurations or internal errors.

  • On the printer’s control panel, go to Initial Setup > Reset > All Settings or Network Reset, depending on your model.

This will erase all previous settings, allowing you to set it up fresh.

Preventive Tips

  • Update drivers and firmware regularly.

  • Set a static IP address for wireless printers to avoid reconnection problems.

  • Turn off VPNs when printing over a home network.

  • Avoid sending multiple print jobs rapidly to prevent spooler overload.

  • Power off your printer properly to allow clean shutdowns.

 
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Brother Printer Not Responding – FAQs

Why is my Brother printer not responding to print commands?

This usually happens when there is a communication issue between the computer and the printer. Causes include outdated drivers, sleep mode, offline settings, or network problems.

How do I fix a Brother printer that doesn’t respond?

Start by checking cables or Wi-Fi connection. Restart all devices, reinstall drivers, clear print queue, and ensure the printer is not set to offline or paused.

Can outdated drivers cause the printer to stop responding?

Yes. Printer drivers that are outdated, incompatible, or corrupted are one of the most common causes of communication failure between printer and computer.

My printer is on and connected, but still won’t print. Why?

Check if the print spooler is functioning properly and that there are no jammed print jobs. Also, verify that your printer is set as the default device.

Why does my wireless Brother printer not respond even when connected?

This may be due to IP address conflicts or being on a different network from your device. Reconnect to the correct Wi-Fi and manually add the printer via IP address if needed.

How can I print a test page to check hardware functionality?

You can print a test page directly from the printer’s control panel under the “Reports” or “Maintenance” menu. This confirms the printer itself is working correctly.

Do I need to uninstall and reinstall the printer?

Yes, if other steps don’t work, uninstalling and reinstalling the printer driver often resolves the issue by resetting all configurations and clearing corrupted data.

How do I reset my Brother printer to factory settings?

Navigate the printer’s menu to Initial Setup, then choose Reset > All Settings or Network Reset depending on what you want to erase.

Why does my printer respond only via USB but not wirelessly?

Wireless connectivity can be unstable due to interference, incorrect Wi-Fi settings, or DHCP issues. Use a static IP and ensure a strong Wi-Fi signal.

When should I contact technical support?

If all troubleshooting fails and the printer remains unresponsive, or if you receive specific error codes, contacting Brother’s support is recommended for deeper diagnostics.