13 Ways to Find How to Scan From a Brother Printer to a Computer: Step-by-Step Guide
Brother printers are popular for their reliability, versatility, and user-friendly features. Many of their models come with multifunction capabilities, including printing, copying, faxing, and scanning. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or a home office user, knowing how to scan from a Brother printer to a computer is a valuable skill. Fortunately, Brother makes the scanning process relatively straightforward once everything is properly set up.
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In this guide, we’ll walk through the complete process of scanning from a Brother printer to a computer—whether you're using Windows or macOS. We’ll also include troubleshooting tips and suggestions for optimizing your scans.
Before You Begin: Check Requirements
Before you start scanning, make sure you have the following:
A Brother printer with scanning capabilities (usually labeled "MFC" or "DCP" models).
A computer (Windows or macOS) connected to the same network or directly via USB.
The Brother printer driver and scanning software installed on your computer.
If you haven’t installed the software yet, you can usually find it on the CD included with your printer or download it from Brother’s official website. The recommended tool for scanning is Brother iPrint&Scan, which supports most modern Brother models.
How to Scan from Brother Printer to a Windows Computer
Step 1: Launch the Scanning Software
Open the Brother iPrint&Scan application on your Windows computer. If it’s not installed yet, download it and follow the installation instructions.
Step 2: Place the Document
Lift the scanner lid and place your document face-down on the scanner glass. Align it with the guide markings on the edges. If your printer has an automatic document feeder (ADF), you can place multiple pages face-up in the feeder tray.
Step 3: Select Scan Settings
In the software, choose Scan from the menu. You’ll then be prompted to select scanning preferences, such as:
Color or black-and-white
Document type (PDF, JPEG, etc.)
Resolution (usually 300 DPI for general use)
File destination (folder location where the scanned file will be saved)
Adjust settings based on your needs.
Step 4: Start the Scan
Click the Start Scan or Scan button in the app. The scanner will begin the process, and a progress bar will display the scanning status.
Step 5: Save or View the File
Once the scan is complete, you can view the image or document in the iPrint&Scan preview window. You’ll have the option to rename the file, choose where to save it, or make basic edits.
How to Scan from Brother Printer to a macOS Computer
Step 1: Install the Necessary Software
Download and install Brother iPrint&Scan for macOS if you haven’t already. Some models also work with Apple’s Preview or Image Capture apps.
Step 2: Load Your Document
Place the document face-down on the scanner bed or face-up in the ADF.
Step 3: Open iPrint&Scan
Launch Brother iPrint&Scan on your Mac and select your printer from the list. If it’s not listed, ensure your printer is turned on and connected to the same network.
Step 4: Adjust Settings and Scan
Click on Scan, select your scan preferences (file type, resolution, color options), and start the scan. Wait for the scan to complete, then save the file to your desired location.
Alternatively, you can use Image Capture:
Open Image Capture
Select your Brother printer from the device list
Choose your scan settings
Click Scan
Scanning Using the Printer’s Control Panel
You can also initiate scanning directly from the printer’s control panel (if supported). This method is especially useful when the printer and computer are on the same Wi-Fi network.
Step 1: Load the Document
Place the original document on the scanner or into the ADF.
Step 2: Use the Printer Menu
Navigate the control panel using the touchscreen or buttons. Select Scan, then choose Scan to PC or Scan to File, depending on the model.
Step 3: Select the Computer
The printer will show a list of connected computers. Choose the one you want to send the scan to.
Step 4: Confirm Settings and Start
Select your desired file format (PDF, JPEG, etc.), then press Start or OK to begin scanning.
The scanned file will be sent directly to the chosen computer and saved in the default folder, usually your Documents or Pictures folder.
Tips for Better Scanning Results
Clean the scanner glass to prevent smudges or streaks in your scanned images.
Use higher DPI (dots per inch) settings for text-heavy documents or photos that need high clarity.
Choose PDF format for multipage documents; JPEG or PNG is better for individual images.
Name your files clearly if scanning in bulk, so they’re easy to locate later.
Use grayscale instead of color for faster scanning when color is unnecessary.
Troubleshooting Common Scanning Issues
If your Brother printer won’t scan to your computer, here are some quick fixes:
Check connections: Ensure the printer is properly connected via USB or Wi-Fi.
Update drivers: Install the latest Brother printer and scanner drivers.
Restart devices: Power cycle your printer and computer.
Firewall settings: Your firewall or antivirus may block the scan software—temporarily disable it to test.
Reinstall software: Uninstall and reinstall Brother iPrint&Scan.
Conclusion
Scanning from a Brother printer to your computer is simple once you have the right setup and software in place. Whether you use a Windows PC or a Mac, Brother provides intuitive tools like iPrint&Scan to make scanning fast and easy. You can also scan directly from the printer control panel for added convenience. By following these steps and tips, you can efficiently digitize documents, photos, or forms with professional-quality results.