Brother Printer Not Connecting to Your Computer? Here's How to Fix It
If your Brother Printer is not connecting to your computer, don’t worry. This is a common issue and is usually easy to resolve. Whether you're setting up your printer for the first time or it suddenly stopped working with your PC or Mac, the steps below will guide you through identifying and fixing the problem.
For immediate help, call the Brother Printer Support Helpline at +1-855-446-1089 (Toll-Free).
Why Is My Brother Printer Not Connecting to My Computer?
There are several possible reasons why your Brother printer may not connect to your computer. Common causes include:
Loose or faulty USB cables
Printer set to offline mode
Missing or outdated printer drivers
Incorrect network configuration (for wireless printers)
Outdated firmware or software
Firewall or antivirus blocking the connection
Errors in the print queue
Incorrect printer settings
Understanding these causes will help you troubleshoot effectively and restore your printer connection.
Basic Checks Before Troubleshooting
Before you proceed with detailed fixes, make sure you have completed the following basic checks:
The printer is powered on
All cables are securely connected (for USB connections)
The printer and computer are on the same Wi-Fi network (for wireless models)
Restart both your printer and computer
If everything checks out but the issue remains, continue with the troubleshooting steps below.
Solutions for Brother Printer Not Connecting to Computer
1. Check the Connection Type
Determine whether your printer is connected via USB or Wi-Fi, and troubleshoot accordingly.
For USB Printers:
Disconnect and reconnect the USB cable
Try a different USB port
Test the cable with another device
For Wi-Fi Printers:
Ensure the printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the computer
Move the printer closer to the router to improve signal
Restart the router and printer
2. Set Brother Printer as the Default Printer
If another printer is set as the default, your Brother printer may not receive print jobs.
On Windows:
Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners
Select your Brother printer
Click Set as default
On macOS:
Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners
Select your Brother printer
Click to set it as the default
If you need help, contact +1-855-446-1089.
3. Check Printer Status (Is It Offline?)
Sometimes the printer is mistakenly set to offline mode.
On Windows:
Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers
Right-click your Brother printer and choose See what’s printing
In the Printer menu, ensure Use Printer Offline is unchecked
On macOS:
Go to Printers & Scanners
Select your printer and check the current status
Still offline? Call +1-855-446-1089 for assistance.
4. Update or Reinstall Brother Printer Drivers
Drivers are essential for proper printer communication with your computer.
To update:
Visit support.brother.com
Enter your printer model
Download and install the latest driver for your operating system
Restart your computer
If updating doesn’t work:
Uninstall the current driver
Reinstall the latest one from the website
Need guidance? Call +1-855-446-1089.
5. Clear the Print Queue
Stuck print jobs can block new ones and cause the printer to appear unresponsive.
On Windows:
Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers
Right-click your printer and select See what’s printing
Cancel all pending print jobs
On macOS:
Go to Printers & Scanners
Click Open Print Queue
Clear all pending documents
For help, call +1-855-446-1089.
6. Temporarily Disable Firewall or Antivirus
Security software may block the printer’s communication with your computer.
Temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus
Reconnect the printer
If successful, add your printer as an exception in your security settings
If unsure how to do this, contact +1-855-446-1089.
7. Reset Network Settings on Brother Printer (For Wireless Models)
If your printer isn’t connecting to Wi-Fi:
Go to Network Settings > Network Reset on the printer
Confirm the reset
Reconnect to Wi-Fi using the Setup Wizard
Reinstall printer drivers on your computer
For help with this process, call +1-855-446-1089.
8. Update Your Printer Firmware
Outdated firmware can prevent compatibility with new operating systems.
Visit the Brother support website
Download the firmware update tool for your model
Follow the instructions to complete the update
Need help updating? Contact +1-855-446-1089.
When to Contact Brother Support
If none of the above solutions work, the issue may be hardware-related or require advanced troubleshooting.
Call Brother Support at +1-855-446-1089 (Toll-Free) and provide:
Your printer model number
A description of the issue
Any error messages or codes
A technician can guide you through deeper fixes or schedule a repair if needed.
Conclusion
When your Brother printer isn’t connecting to your computer, the cause is often something simple like an outdated driver, incorrect settings, or network issues. Start by confirming your connection type and checking for any obvious problems. USB and wireless setups require different troubleshooting methods, so be sure to follow the correct approach.
If the issue continues after following the recommended steps, contact Brother’s support team at +1-855-446-1089 for expert, model-specific assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why is my Brother printer not connecting to my computer?
Loose cables, incorrect printer settings, outdated drivers, or network issues can cause this. Try updating your drivers and checking the connection type. For expert support, call +1-855-446-1089 (Toll-Free).
2. How do I set my Brother printer as the default printer?
On Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners, select your Brother printer, and click Set as default. On Mac, go to Printers & Scanners and choose your default printer. Need help? Call +1-855-446-1089 (Toll-Free).
3. What should I do if my Brother printer shows offline?
Ensure “Use Printer Offline” is unchecked in printer settings. Restart both the printer and computer. If the issue continues, contact +1-855-446-1089 (Toll-Free).
4. How do I update or reinstall Brother printer drivers?
Visit support.brother.com, search for your model, and download the latest drivers. Need help installing them? Call +1-855-446-1089 (Toll-Free).
5. What if my Brother printer is still not connecting after troubleshooting?
If all else fails, the issue may be hardware-related or require deeper diagnostics. Call Brother Support at +1-855-446-1089 (Toll-Free) for assistance or repair options.