How to Fix Brother Printer Not Printing on Windows 11/10

Dealing with a Brother printer that’s not printing can be extremely confusing, especially when you need an important file right now. Not to worry — in this blog, you’ll learn 8 workable and simple methods to resolve the problem where your Brother printer is not printing in Windows 11/10, and you can hopefully repair the fault with your Brother printer so you can get on with your work calmly and without further issue.

Common Reasons Why Your Brother Printer Isn’t Printing

Below are the most general causes why your Brother printer isn’t printing that you should know:

1. Empty Cartridges: Empty ink or toner will not print or will reduce print quality.
2. Paper Jam: Papers are of the wrong range, or the sheets are blocked between the printer.
3. Connection Interruption: Unsecured USB and Wi-Fi disconnections can interrupt the communication.
4. Offline Mode: A Printer offline or paused can’t be used to receive a print job.
5. Incorrect Settings: Paper size is wrong, layout is wrong, and not set as the default printer.
6. Driver Problems: Unwanted drivers delay print jobs from getting through.
7. Overloaded Queue: If there are enough queued jobs, additional print jobs can be hard to handle.
8. Outdated Firmware: Because of outdated firmware, some software clashes are also known.
9. Blocked up print head: A buildup of dust or dried-up ink won’t print properly.
10. Power Supply problems: If there’s a power failure or loose connection, the printer can be stopped.

8 Ways to Resolve Brother Printer Not Printing on Windows 11/10

If your Brother printer can’t connect to Windows 11/10 via USB cable, then you can follow all these solutions to resolve the Brother printer issue.

Solution 1: Verify the Connection

Once you begin troubleshooting, however, start by checking all the basics to make sure that the Brother printer and computer are connected.

For USB Printers

If your printer is USB connected, you should unplug the connect and plug it back in tightly. In some instances, the actual USB port may be to blame, so trying another port on your computer could eliminate a bad connection as the issue.

For Wireless Printers

If you have a wireless printer, your computer should link to it in the same way as for registration, and the printer should be on the same network. A non-match of the network is often responsible for connection problems.

Once you have checked the connection and the Brother printer does not print, proceed to the next troubleshooting technique.

Solution 2: Make Your Brother Printer the Default Printer

By default, your computer simply sends documents to the default printer. If your Brother printer isn’t the default for Windows, it may not receive print jobs. If you set it as the default printer, all your print jobs will suddenly go to it. Follow these steps:

• Press Windows + R on your keyboard at the same time to open the Run dialog box. Type control and hit Enter.
• In the upper right corner of the Control Panel, select Small icons from the “View by” drop-down menu for easier access to it. Then select Devices and Printers.
• Search for your Brother printer in the list of printers and right-click on it. Select Set as default printer. You’ll see a checkmark indicating that it is now the default for your device.
• Try printing a test page to ensure all is executing correctly. If your printer remains doesn’t answerd, don’t worry—there are more solutions to apply.

Solution 3: Restart the Print Spooler

When the Print Spooler is creating your Brother printer not to read, the Print Spooler needs to be reopened. Switching off and back on solves the issues

• Press Windows + R, type services. msc, and hit OK.
• Locate Print Spooler, right-click on it, and click Restart.
• Open Properties for Print Spooler and change the Startup type to Automatic.
• Press OK and test your printer.

If it’s still not working, your printer driver could be the issue — see solution 4.

Solution 4: Update Your Printer Driver

The printer not working would probably be due to outdated or faulty drivers. If you cannot print from your Brother printer because it is not working, don’t worry. The problem is likely easy to fix. This process may be manual or automatic.

Option 1: Manual Update

• Visit the Brother support site and fill in the information for the latest drivers for your printer and your version of Windows (such as 32 or 64-bit).
• Not one driver click and file does the trick!

Option 2: Automatic Update

• Update drivers with Driver Easy effortlessly.
• Download and install Driver Easy, then run it and click Scan Now – the tool will then identify your aging driver, and will replace it with a fresh version the moment you’ve paid for a new edition.
• Click Update next to your printer driver or press the button Update All to download and install the latest drivers automatically (you would be required to upgrade the Driver Updater to the Pro version.
• You have to reboot your computer for the changes to take effect.

The printer will function smoothly and won’t cause any problems if you update the printer driver.

Solution 5: Clear the Print Queue

A printer print jam or print queue can prevent your Brother printer from printing. Clearing it fixes printing like it should right away.

• Type in services in the Start search box and hit Enter.
• Use Windows + R to open the run box and enter services.MSC, replaced by returning to locate the box that is shown. Now the Print Spooler is shown, right-click it and click Stop. Minimize the window.
• Open File Explorer ( Windows + E ) and navigate to: %windir%\System32\spool\PRINTERS.
• Clear pending print jobs by removing all files in this folder.
• Return to Services, right-click Print Spooler, and click Start.
• Try to restart your PC and see if the printer works.

This will free up the memory that the system is using to store the queued print jobs; clearing the queue will also add new life to your networked printer.

Solution 6: Scan for Corrupted System Files

Printer error may arise when Windows system files are lost or corrupted. You can apply the System File Checker (SFC) tool to verify and fix spoiled files instantly. After the verifying is completed, try the Brother printer to scan if it still works as needed. If not, move to the next solution.

I can write out all of the other printer fix steps for you in that same document. Do you want me to do that?

Solution 7: Try Printing from Another App

And the printing problems can be isolated to individual programs. Try to print with another application. If it worked, then the problem is with that particular software, and you’ll have to contact its support.

Solution 8: Reset Your Brother Printer

If all else fails, factory reset. This will clear the Settings, so use this as a last choice. Your printer’s manual will provide exact steps, which can differ between models.

After this, strictly follow all the above step-by-step explanations; you don’t need to think much and get the brother printer not printing all set up.

FAQ

Q1. Why is My Printer Connected But Not Printing?

It is very usual that you will find your Brother printer connected to Wi-Fi, but it still will not print. Such problems can have very simple causes. Well, we’ll point out possible reasons in this short and easy-to-read list.

• The driver for the printer is further old or new.
• Printing stops if it faces a paper jam or runs low on ink.
• The printer that was not supposed to be the default became it.
• Items remain hung in the spooler.
• Lost connection between PC and printer.

Q2. How do I update my printer driver?

To update the print driver, go to the Brother site, install the newest driver for your printer model, and download it. As well as it can also be upgraded from the Device Manager in Windows.

Q3. Where is the reset button on a Brother printer?

Many Brother printers don’t have a physical reset button. To reset, press Menu → Initial Setup → Reset → Yes, or discuss your printer user’s manual for model-specific do’s.

Q4. How do I get my Brother printer to print?

Your printer should be turned on, have a USB/Wi-Fi connection, and have paper & ink. Improve the driver, pick it as the revert, and print a test page.

Q5. Why will my Brother printer not connect to my computer?

Whenever you’re dealing with a linking issue, it could be that you are working on an old driver, have the Wi-Fi/USB settings wrong, or a firewall is jamming. Reboot devices, refix, and refill drivers to restore them.