Step by Step Guide Brother Printer Won't Scan Issue

For Brother Printer Helpline Or Customer Support:

This guide walks you through the most common causes and effective solutions when your Brother printer won’t scan +1-803-866-1601. From connectivity issues to driver errors, you’ll find step-by-step advice to get your device back to full working order.

Common Reasons a Brother Printer Won’t Scan

Before diving into the fixes, it's important to understand what might be causing the problem. Here are the most common issues:

• Connection problems (USB or Wi-Fi)

• Outdated or missing drivers

• Printer not recognized by the computer

• Software issues with scanning utilities

• Firewall or antivirus blocking communication

• Wrong scan settings or misconfigured software

• Operating system updates that disrupt printer functionality

Identifying the right cause can save time and prevent unnecessary frustration.

1. Check the Physical and Network Connection

Start with the basics. If your Brother printer isn’t connected properly, it won’t scan.

For USB Connections:

• Ensure the USB cable is securely plugged into both the printer and computer.

• Try using a different USB port.

• Avoid using USB hubs or extenders; connect the cable directly to your computer.

For Wireless Connections:

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

• Use the printer's control panel to verify the network status.

• Restart your router and reconnect both the printer and the computer.

A reliable connection is the foundation for scanning functionality.

2. Restart All Devices

Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve communication issues.

• Turn off the Brother printer and unplug it.

• Restart your computer.

• Plug in and turn on the printer after about 30 seconds.

• Try scanning again.

Rebooting resets network and device memory, which can resolve minor glitches.

3. Install or Reinstall the Brother Software and Drivers

Outdated or missing drivers are a major cause of scanning problems.

• Go to Brother’s official support site.

• Enter your printer model and download the Full Driver & Software Package for your operating system.

• Uninstall any existing Brother software from your computer.

• Install the new software and restart your computer.

The installation usually includes the Brother ControlCenter and iPrint&Scan utilities, which are essential for scanning.

4. Use Brother iPrint&Scan or ControlCenter

Brother provides scanning utilities designed for smooth operation.

iPrint&Scan:

• Open the iPrint&Scan app.

• Choose your printer from the list.

• Select Scan, then choose settings such as color, resolution, and file format.

• Click Start Scan to begin.

ControlCenter (for Windows):

• Open the ControlCenter software.

• Select Scan, then choose the type (e.g., Scan to File, Scan to Image).

• Set preferences and click Start.

If these utilities fail to detect the printer, it’s likely a driver or connectivity issue.

5. Check Firewall or Antivirus Settings

Security software can block the communication between your printer and computer, especially during network scanning.

• Temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus software.

• Try scanning again.

• If it works, create exceptions for Brother software in your security settings.

Don’t forget to re-enable your firewall or antivirus after testing.

6. Verify Scanner Recognition in Your System

Make sure your system is recognizing the Brother scanner.

Windows:

• Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.

• Right-click on your Brother printer and choose Scan Properties.

• Click Test Scanner to check functionality.

You can also try using Windows Fax and Scan as an alternative scanning method.

macOS:

• Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.

• Select your Brother printer and click Open Scanner.

• Try a basic scan from this interface.

If your computer doesn’t detect the scanner, you may need to reinstall the drivers.

7. Use the Printer’s Control Panel to Initiate Scan

Some Brother models allow scanning directly from the printer's control panel.

• Place the document on the scanner bed or ADF.

• Select Scan on the printer screen.

• Choose Scan to PC or Scan to File.

• Select the destination computer from the list.

• Press Start.

This method only works if your printer and computer are properly linked and recognized.

8. Check for Error Messages or Warnings

Inspect the printer’s screen for any error codes or messages like:

• “Check Connection”

• “Cannot Find Target PC”

• “Scanner Error”

Refer to the printer’s manual or support site to interpret the error codes and follow the recommended steps.

9. Reset Printer and Network Settings (If Necessary)

If nothing else works, you might consider resetting the printer to factory settings.

• Go to the printer’s menu.

• Navigate to Initial Setup or Reset.

• Choose Network Reset or All Settings.

• Confirm and restart.

Afterward, reconnect your printer to the network and reinstall the software on your computer.

10. Try Another Computer or Device

To determine whether the issue is with the printer or the computer:

• Try scanning from a different computer or device (using Brother’s mobile app).

• If it works, the issue likely lies with your original computer setup.

• If it doesn’t, the printer itself may require service or repair.

Conclusion

When your Brother printer won’t scan, it’s often due to connection issues, software conflicts, or misconfigured settings. Fortunately, most problems can be resolved with simple steps like reinstalling drivers, checking network settings, or using the correct scanning utility. Taking a methodical approach ensures you find the root cause and get your printer back to working order quickly.

If after all troubleshooting your printer still won’t scan, it may be time to contact Brother customer support for further assistance. But in most cases, the tips above should help you restore full scanning functionality and avoid interruptions in your work.