Brother printers are known for their reliability, efficient output, and cost-effective printing solutions. But no matter how dependable your printer is, it can still run into issues. One of the most frustrating problems users report is when the Brother printer stops printing altogether. Whether it’s printing blank pages, stuck in the queue, or simply unresponsive — these problems can seriously interrupt your workflow.

Common Reasons Why Your Brother Printer Is Not Printing

Several factors can contribute to your Brother printer not printing, including:

1. Printer Offline or Not Connected

If your Brother printer is showing “Offline” or isn’t connected properly to your computer or network, it won’t receive print commands.

2. Paper Jam or No Paper

A paper jam or an empty tray can halt the printing process. The printer may pause indefinitely or show an error.

3. Empty or Misplaced Ink/Toner Cartridge

Low ink or toner levels, or incorrectly installed cartridges, can cause the printer to stop printing or produce blank pages.

4. Driver or Software Issues

Corrupt, missing, or outdated printer drivers are common culprits. Your computer might not be communicating with the printer correctly.

5. Print Queue or Spooler Error

A jammed print queue or a stuck print spooler can prevent new print jobs from processing.

6. Faulty Cable or Wireless Disconnection

USB cables can become loose or damaged. For wireless printers, signal loss or network issues can prevent the printer from responding.

Troubleshooting Brother Printer Not Printing – Step-by-Step

Step 1: Check Basic Connections and Power

• Ensure the printer is turned ON.

• Check the power cable and all physical connections.

• If you’re using USB, try a different port or cable.

• For wireless printers, ensure both the computer and printer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Step 2: Look for Error Messages on the Display Panel

If your Brother printer has a display, look for:

• Paper jam alerts

• Ink/toner warnings

• Low paper

• Maintenance notices

Clear any reported issues before sending another print job.

Step 3: Check Ink or Toner Levels

• Open the printer’s cartridge panel.

• Remove and reinsert the ink or toner cartridges.

• Replace any empty or faulty cartridges.

Sometimes, even new cartridges may not be recognized if not properly installed.

 

Step 4: Clear the Print Queue

A stuck print queue is a very common reason for a non-printing Brother printer.

On Windows:

1. Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.

2. Right-click your Brother printer and select “See what’s printing.”

3. Click Printer > Cancel All Documents.

4. Restart the computer and printer.

On macOS:

1. Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.

2. Select your printer, then click “Open Print Queue.”

3. Cancel all documents.

Step 5: Restart the Print Spooler Service (Windows Only)

1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.

2. Scroll down and find Print Spooler.

3. Right-click and select Restart.

This clears internal software errors and forces the system to reprocess print commands.

Step 6: Update or Reinstall the Printer Driver

An outdated driver may not work correctly with recent OS updates.

• Visit the official Brother website.

• Download the latest driver for your printer model and OS.

• Uninstall the current driver from Control Panel > Programs.

• Install the new one and restart your computer.

For macOS, you may also need to remove and re-add the printer in System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.

Step 7: Set Brother as the Default Printer

1. Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.

2. Right-click your Brother printer.

3. Select “Set as Default Printer.”

If another printer is set as default, your jobs may be sent to the wrong device.

Step 8: Run the Printer Troubleshooter (Windows)

1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.

2. Select Printer and run the troubleshooter.

3. Follow on-screen steps to fix any detected issues.

Step 9: Test with a Different Device

Try printing from a different device (PC, Mac, or phone):

• If it prints, the issue may be with your computer or software settings.

• If not, the problem may be with the printer itself.

Step 10: Reset the Printer

Resetting the printer can resolve software glitches.

• Turn off the printer and unplug it for 2 minutes.

• Plug it back in and turn it on.

• Try printing again.

Some Brother models also allow factory reset via control panel menus. Check your user manual for model-specific instructions.

Advanced Tips to Fix Brother Printer Not Printing

• Use the Brother iPrint&Scan App to test printing from a phone.

• Assign a static IP address to your wireless printer via router settings to prevent disconnections.

• Disable SNMP status monitoring in printer properties (Windows-only tip for network printers).

• Ensure firmware is up to date via Brother’s official firmware update tool.

When to Contact Brother Support

If none of the above solutions work, it may be time to contact Brother Customer Service. The issue could be hardware-related, such as:

• Malfunctioning printhead

• Internal sensor issues

• Fuser unit failure (in laser models)

Ensure your printer is still under warranty and inquire about repair or replacement options.

Conclusion

While a Brother printer not printing can be a major disruption, most causes are simple to resolve. The issue is often related to software misconfigurations, driver errors, or communication failures — all of which can be fixed at home with the right steps.

By checking connections, updating drivers, clearing the print queue, and resetting printer settings, you can bring your Brother printer back online quickly. If all else fails, Brother’s support team is ready to assist.

With this guide in hand, you can confidently tackle the issue and restore smooth, reliable printing.

FAQs – Brother Printer Not Printing

❓ Why is my Brother printer not printing even though it is connected?
This can happen due to a stuck print queue, offline status, driver issues, or incorrect printer settings. Clear the print queue, update the driver, and ensure the printer is set as default.

❓ Why does my Brother printer print blank pages?
Blank pages can result from empty ink cartridges, dried-up ink, clogged printheads, or incorrect paper size settings. Try cleaning the printhead and replacing any empty cartridges.

❓ How do I get my Brother printer to print again?
Restart the printer, clear the print queue, and check the cartridge and paper settings. If the issue persists, reinstall the driver and run a test print.

❓ Why is my Brother printer connected but not responding to print commands?
It could be due to a spooler error or network communication problem. Restart the print spooler, reconnect the printer, and check your firewall settings.

❓ What software is required to print with Brother printers?
Install the Full Driver & Software Package from Brother’s official website. It includes the printer driver, scanner driver, and utility tools for your OS.

❓ Do I need to update my Brother printer firmware?
Yes. Firmware updates fix bugs, improve performance, and enhance compatibility with the latest OS versions. Check Brother’s website regularly for updates.

❓ When should I reset my Brother printer?
If basic troubleshooting fails and the printer still won’t print, a reset can help restore factory settings and eliminate software bugs.