Part 1: Preparation Before Scanning

Before starting the scanning process, make sure the following:

• The Brother printer is powered on.

• It is properly connected to your computer via USB or Wi-Fi.

• The printer drivers and software are installed correctly.

• You have placed your document face-down on the scanner glass or face-up in the ADF (Automatic Document Feeder), if available.

Now, let’s move on to the steps for scanning.

Part 2: Scan Using Brother Printer on Windows

Method 1: Using Brother iPrint&Scan Software

1. Download and Install iPrint&Scan:

   • Visit https://support.brother.com

   • Search for your printer model and download the Brother iPrint&Scan software for Windows.

   • Install and open the program.

2. Scan a Document:

   • Open iPrint&Scan.

   • Choose Scan from the menu.

   • Select your device from the list.

   • Click Scan again, and choose your scan type (e.g., Color or B&W).

   • Adjust settings like resolution, scan size, and file format (PDF, JPEG, etc.).

   • Click Start Scan.

3. Save the Scanned File:

   • After the scan completes, the preview will be displayed.

   • Click Save, choose the location, and name the file.

Method 2: Using Windows Built-in Scan Tool

1. Search and Open ‘Windows Fax and Scan’:

   • Click the Start button and type "Windows Fax and Scan".

   • Open the application.

2. Scan the Document:

   • Click New Scan.

   • Select your Brother printer from the device list.

   • Choose the scan format and click Preview (optional).

   • Click Scan.

3. Save the File:

   • Click File > Save As to store your scanned document.

Part 3: Scan Using Brother Printer on Mac

Method 1: Using Brother iPrint&Scan for macOS

1. Download and Install the Software:

   • Visit Brother’s support site and download iPrint&Scan for Mac.

   • Install and open the software.

2. Start Scanning:

   • Open the app and select your device.

   • Place your document on the scanner bed or in the ADF.

   • Choose scan settings such as resolution, format, and destination.

   • Click Scan.

3. Save or Share the Scan:

   • After scanning, save the file to your desired folder or share it directly via email or cloud.

Method 2: Using Preview App on macOS

1. Open Preview:

   • Launch Preview from your Applications folder.

   • Click File > Import from Scanner > Select your Brother device.

2. Customize Settings and Scan:

   • Choose options such as file format, resolution, and scan area.

   • Click Scan.

3. Save the File:

   • Once scanned, go to File > Save or Export to save the document.

Part 4: Wireless Scanning from Brother Printer

If your Brother printer is connected via Wi-Fi, scanning wirelessly works similarly:

1. Make Sure Printer is on Same Network as Your Computer:

   • Use the printer control panel to connect it to Wi-Fi.

   • Ensure your PC or Mac is on the same Wi-Fi network.

2. Open iPrint&Scan or Other Scan Tool:

   • The software should auto-detect the device.

   • If not, you may need to manually enter the printer's IP address.

3. Scan as Usual:

   • The rest of the process remains identical—select your settings, preview (optional), and save the scanned files.

Part 5: Scan to Email, OCR, or Cloud (Advanced Features)

Most Brother multifunction printers come with extra features like:

Scan to Email:

• Set up your email address using the Brother ControlCenter or the printer’s menu.

• Scan directly to your email as an attachment.

Scan to OCR:

• Optical Character Recognition (OCR) allows your scanned text to be editable.

• Choose OCR as the scan type in iPrint&Scan.

• It will convert scanned pages into Word or editable text files.

Scan to Cloud:

• Register your printer with Brother Cloud Apps.

• Scan documents directly to Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, etc.

Part 6: Troubleshooting Common Scanning Issues

Here are solutions to frequent problems:

• Scanner Not Detected: Restart your computer and printer, and ensure the drivers are installed.

• Wi-Fi Scanning Fails: Reconnect both devices to the same network.

• Blank Pages Scanned: Check document placement on the glass or ADF.

• Scan Button Doesn’t Work: Use software-based scanning instead.

• Slow Scanning: Lower the resolution or disable color mode if not needed.

Conclusion

Scanning from your Brother printer to your computer is simple once you have the right tools in place. Whether you’re using USB or Wi-Fi, Brother iPrint&Scan or your system's default scan software makes the process smooth and efficient. This guide covers everything from basic scanning to cloud and OCR options. With these steps, you’ll be scanning like a pro in no time.