Brother printers are known for their dependability and quality, whether you use them for home, office, or personal tasks. However, like any other device, they may occasionally encounter connectivity issues. One common problem many users face is when a Brother printer won’t connect to their computer.

The possible reasons why your Brother printer not connecting to computer 📞1-888-BROTHER (+1-888-966-6097). Common Reasons Why Your Brother Printer Won’t Connect to Your Computer

Before diving into fixes, it’s useful to understand what might be causing the issue. Here are the most frequent culprits:

  • Loose or faulty USB cable

  • Printer not connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer

  • Outdated, missing, or corrupted printer drivers

  • Printer set to offline mode

  • Firewall or antivirus blocking the connection

  • Incorrect printer settings on your computer

  • Software or firmware glitches in the printer

Once you have an idea of what might be causing the problem, you can apply the appropriate solution.

How to Fix Brother Printer Not Connecting to Computer

Let’s go through step-by-step troubleshooting methods for both USB and wireless connections.

1. Check Physical Connections (For USB Printers)

If your Brother printer is connected via USB:

  • Ensure the USB cable is properly connected to both the printer and your computer.

  • Try using a different USB port on your computer.

  • If possible, test with another USB cable to rule out a faulty cable.

  • Avoid using USB hubs — connect the printer directly to the computer’s USB port.

After checking the connection, turn off both the computer and the printer, then turn them back on and check if the printer is recognized.

2. Check Wi-Fi Connection (For Wireless Printers)

For wireless printers, both your computer and printer must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

  • On the printer’s control panel, print a Network Configuration Report to verify the current connection.

  • On your computer, check the network your device is connected to.

  • If they’re not on the same network, reconnect your printer to the correct Wi-Fi network.

You can reconnect your printer using its control panel under Network Settings > Wi-Fi Setup Wizard.

3. Set the Brother Printer as Default

If multiple printers are installed on your computer, it may not be sending print jobs to your Brother printer.

  • Windows:

    • Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.

    • Right-click your Brother printer and choose Set as Default Printer.

  • Mac:

    • Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners.

    • Choose your Brother printer and set it as default.

4. Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers

Outdated or corrupt drivers can prevent your printer from connecting to your computer.

  • Visit the official Site.

  • Enter your printer model and download the latest drivers for your operating system.

  • Uninstall existing printer drivers before installing the new ones to avoid conflicts.

  • After installation, restart your computer.

5. Disable Use Printer Offline Mode

If your printer is stuck in offline mode, it won’t respond to print requests.

  • Windows:

    • Go to Devices and Printers.

    • Right-click your Brother printer.

    • Make sure Use Printer Offline is not selected.

  • Mac:

    • Go to Printers & Scanners.

    • Check the printer status and set it to online.

6. Restart the Print Spooler Service (Windows)

The Print Spooler service manages print jobs in Windows. Restarting it can clear stuck jobs and resolve connectivity issues.

  • Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.

  • Scroll down to Print Spooler.

  • Right-click and select Restart.

7. Check Firewall and Antivirus Settings

Firewalls or antivirus programs can sometimes block your printer’s connection.

  • Temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus software.

  • Try connecting the printer again.

  • If successful, add your printer software to your firewall’s exception list and turn security software back on.

8. Reset Printer Network Settings

If the issue persists with a wireless connection, reset the printer’s network settings:

  • On your Brother printer’s control panel, navigate to Settings > All Settings > Network > Network Reset.

  • Confirm the reset and reconnect the printer to your Wi-Fi network using the Wi-Fi setup wizard.

9. Perform a Power Cycle

Sometimes a simple reboot fixes connection problems:

  • Turn off your printer, computer, and router.

  • Unplug them from the power source for 30 seconds.

  • Plug them back in and turn them on.

  • Reattempt the connection.

Conclusion

When your Brother printer won’t connect to computer +1-888-966-6097, the problem typically lies in either physical connections, network mismatches, outdated drivers, or software glitches. By systematically checking each of these areas — from verifying cables and Wi-Fi connections to reinstalling drivers and adjusting printer settings — you can usually fix the issue without professional help.