A Complete Guide on Brother Printer Won’t Print 

This guide outlines the most common causes behind this issue and provides step-by-step troubleshooting techniques to help you get your Brother printer printing again.

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Common Reasons a Brother Printer Isn’t Printing

Before fixing the issue, it helps to understand what might be going wrong. Here are some common reasons why your Brother printer may not be printing:

• Printer is offline or paused

• Outdated or missing drivers

• Connection issues (USB, Wi-Fi, or network)

• Print jobs stuck in the queue

• Empty or misinstalled ink/toner cartridges

• Paper jams or internal errors

• Wrong printer selected as default

• Printer is in sleep or error mode

Let’s walk through a series of steps to isolate and fix the issue.

Step 1: Check Printer Status

Is the Printer Turned On and Ready?

Ensure the printer is turned on and not displaying any error messages on the control panel. Check for:

• "Offline" status

• Blinking error lights

• Messages like "Paper Jam" or "Low Toner"

If the printer shows any warning, address it first.

Step 2: Check the Physical and Network Connection

For USB Printers:

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

• Try a different USB port.

• Avoid using USB hubs or extension cords.

For Wireless Printers:

• Make sure the printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer.

• Use the printer’s control panel to verify the network status:
  Menu > Network > WLAN > Connection Status

If disconnected, reconnect using the Wi-Fi Setup Wizard on the printer.

Step 3: Set the Correct Printer as Default

Sometimes print jobs are sent to the wrong printer or a virtual printer (e.g., PDF).

Windows:

• Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers

• Right-click on your Brother printer and select Set as default printer

macOS:

• Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners

• Select your Brother printer from the list and set it as the default

Step 4: Clear the Print Queue

A stuck print job can halt all printing tasks.

Windows:

• Go to Devices and Printers

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

• In the window that opens, click Printer > Cancel All Documents

• Restart the computer and printer

macOS:

• Go to Printers & Scanners

• Select the printer, then click Open Print Queue

• Cancel any pending jobs

Step 5: Reinstall or Update Printer Drivers

Outdated or corrupt drivers often cause printing failures.

To Install/Update Drivers:

1. Visit Brother

2. Enter your printer model

3. Download the Full Driver & Software Package for your operating system

4. Uninstall old drivers from your computer

5. Install the new drivers and restart your system

Step 6: Run a Printer Test Page

Windows:

• Go to Devices and Printers

• Right-click on your printer > Printer Properties > Print Test Page

macOS:

• Go to Printers & Scanners

• Select your printer > Options & Supplies > Utility > Print Test Page

If the test page prints, the printer is working and the issue may lie in the application you're trying to print from.

Step 7: Check Ink or Toner Levels

If your Brother printer uses ink or toner, low or empty cartridges can prevent printing.

• Open the printer cover and check if cartridges are installed correctly.

• Check the printer's display for messages like “Ink Low” or “Replace Toner.”

• Replace or refill cartridges if necessary.

Step 8: Wake the Printer from Sleep Mode

Brother printers often enter sleep or deep sleep mode to save energy. If the printer isn’t waking up:

• Press the Power or Go button on the control panel

• Send the print job again once the printer display is active

• You may also disable deep sleep mode via Menu > General Setup > Ecology > Sleep Time

Step 9: Disable Offline Mode

Sometimes, Windows sets the printer to offline mode, stopping all print jobs.

To Disable:

• Open Devices and Printers

• Right-click on your Brother printer

• Ensure “Use Printer Offline” is unchecked

Step 10: Restart Your Devices

• Turn off the printer and unplug it for 30 seconds

• Restart your computer

• Turn the printer back on

• Try printing again

Restarting clears temporary errors in both the printer and computer.

Step 11: Check for Firmware Updates

Some models may have firmware updates available that fix bugs or improve performance.

• Visit Brother’s support site

• Download and install the latest firmware update tool

• Follow the on-screen instructions to update your printer

When to Contact Support

If you’ve tried all the above steps and your Brother printer still won’t print:

• Your printer may have a hardware issue

• There could be a conflict with third-party software

• Contact Brother’s technical support for further assistance

Conclusion

A Brother printer that won’t print can be frustrating, especially when you're on a deadline. Fortunately, most printing issues are caused by common and fixable problems like network errors, software glitches, or outdated drivers. By following the steps in this guide—checking printer status, verifying connections, clearing queues, and updating software—you can often solve the issue without needing professional support.

Taking the time to carefully troubleshoot ensures that your printer works reliably, whether you're printing a report, a school project, or family photos. Stay proactive with regular updates and maintenance, and your Brother printer will continue serving you well.