Brother printers are renowned for their reliability and high-quality performance, whether in a home office or a business setting. However, there are times when a Brother printer may stop printing, causing frustration and delays. When your Brother printer won’t print, the problem could stem from several different factors, ranging from hardware malfunctions to software glitches. Thankfully, most issues can be resolved with some basic troubleshooting.

In this guide, we’ll explore the common causes of a Brother printer not printing and provide detailed steps to help you fix the issue.

Before diving into solutions, it’s important to understand why your Brother printer might stop printing. Here are some common causes:

1. Connectivity Issues

   • If your printer is not connected properly to your computer, network, or Wi-Fi, it won’t be able to receive print commands. Connectivity issues are one of the primary reasons for a printer failing to print.

2. Low or Empty Ink/Toner

   • A lack of ink or toner in your printer can prevent it from printing. Even if the printer appears to be functioning, low or empty ink cartridges may stop it from printing.

3. Paper Jams

   • Paper jams or paper stuck in the printer can interfere with the printing process. Even small fragments of paper can cause issues, preventing the printer from completing a print job.

4. Driver Issues

   • Outdated or corrupted printer drivers are often the culprit behind printing problems. If the drivers are not correctly installed or compatible with your operating system, the printer may not communicate with your computer.

5. Print Queue Blockages

   • Print jobs sometimes get stuck in the print queue, which can prevent new print jobs from being processed. A blocked queue can stop all printing activity.

6. Incorrect Printer Settings

   • Misconfigured print settings, such as selecting the wrong paper size, type, or color mode, can cause the printer to malfunction. The printer might not print if the settings do not match the document’s requirements.

If your Brother printer isn’t printing, follow these steps to identify and resolve the issue.

• Turn On the Printer: Ensure the printer is turned on. Sometimes, a simple issue like the printer being off or in sleep mode can prevent it from printing.
• Check for Error Messages: Look for error messages or warning lights on the printer’s display. Common messages like “Paper Jam” or “Out of Ink” will give you a clear indication of what the issue is.

• On Windows:
  1. Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
  2. Right-click your Brother printer and choose Set as Default Printer.
• On Mac:
  1. Open System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
  2. Make sure your Brother printer is set as the default printer.
  3. Restart your computer and check if printing resumes.

• USB Printers: If your printer is connected via USB, make sure the cable is securely connected to both the printer and the computer. Try using a different USB port on your computer if necessary.
• Wireless Printers: For wireless printers, ensure the printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer. You can print a network configuration report directly from the printer to verify that it’s connected to the correct network.

• A print job that is stuck in the queue can block new jobs from being processed. To clear the print queue:
  1. On Windows, go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
  2. Right-click your Brother printer and select See what’s printing.
  3. Cancel any print jobs that are stuck.
• On Mac, open System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, select your printer, and delete any pending jobs.

• Check Ink/Toner: Low ink or toner levels can prevent your printer from printing. To check the ink or toner levels:
  1. Open the Brother printer software on your computer.
  2. Navigate to the Printer Settings or Maintenance tab.
  3. Check the ink or toner levels.
• If the levels are low, replace the cartridges. For inkjet printers, ensure the cartridges are installed correctly, and for laser printers, verify the toner cartridge is properly seated.

• Open the Printer: Check for any paper stuck in the printer. Open the paper tray and rear cover to inspect all areas where paper may be jammed.
• Clear the Jam: If you find paper in the printer, carefully remove it. Avoid ripping the paper, as small bits may cause future jams.
• Reload Paper: After removing the jam, reload the paper into the tray and try printing again.

• Update Drivers: Outdated or corrupted drivers can prevent your printer from functioning properly. To update the drivers:
  1. Visit the Brother support website.
  2. Find your printer model and download the latest drivers for your operating system.
  3. Install the updated drivers on your computer.
• Reinstall Drivers: If updating doesn’t work, uninstall the current drivers and reinstall them. This will help resolve issues caused by corrupted or incomplete installations.

• Sometimes, a simple reset can resolve minor glitches that prevent the printer from printing. To reset the printer:
  1. Turn off the printer.
  2. Unplug it from the power source for about 10 minutes.
  3. Plug it back in, turn it on, and try printing again.

• Review Print Settings: Ensure the print settings in your document (such as paper size, print quality, and color options) match the settings on the printer. Incorrect settings can lead to printing failures.

• Try a Different Computer: If you have access to another computer, try connecting the printer to it and see if it prints. This can help determine if the issue lies with the printer or the original computer.
• Check for Firmware Updates: Some printing issues may be resolved by updating the printer’s firmware. Check Brother’s website for available firmware updates for your printer model.
• Contact Brother Support: If none of these solutions work, it may be time to contact Brother’s customer service for further assistance. They can guide you through advanced troubleshooting steps or help arrange for repairs if necessary.

A Brother printer not printing can be caused by a variety of issues, but most problems can be solved with a few simple troubleshooting steps. Start by checking the printer’s status and ensuring it is connected properly to your computer. If there are no error messages, clear the print queue, check ink or toner levels, and inspect for paper jams. Updating drivers, resetting the printer, and reviewing the printer’s settings can also resolve many issues.

If you’ve tried all of these steps and your printer still isn’t working, don’t hesitate to reach out to Brother support for further help. By following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this guide, you should be able to get your Brother printer back to printing in no time.