Fix Brother Printer Won’t Print Issue
Brother printers are usually dependable, so when one suddenly won’t print, the problem is almost always a specific, fixable break: the printer is paused by a panel error, the computer is pointing at an old port, the queue is jammed, or supplies are misread. The fastest way to fix a Brother printer that won’t print is to work through the checks in order—hardware first, then connection, then driver/queue, then print quality.
1) Check the Printer Panel
Look for any error message or flashing light: paper jam, cover open, toner low, drum error, or ink problem. Clear the error first. Open the front/rear covers, remove scraps, reseat toner/drum or cartridges, and close covers firmly. If the printer can make a copy, the engine is fine and the issue is communication.
2) Confirm Paper and Tray Settings
Load fresh paper and set guides snugly. Brother printers often stop printing when the driver paper size doesn’t match the tray. In your print dialog, confirm paper size (Letter/A4) and tray selection match what's loaded.
3) Verify the Connection
If you print over Wi‑Fi, print a network configuration report and confirm Connected, plus note the IP address. Most Brother home models use 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi. Avoid guest networks with isolation. For Ethernet models, reseat the cable and check link lights. For USB, plug directly into the computer and try another port/cable if needed.
4) Clear the Print Queue
Open the Brother print queue and cancel all jobs. On Windows, restart the Print Spooler (Services > Print Spooler > Restart). On macOS, cancel jobs; if one sticks, remove and re‑add the printer. A stuck queue can block every new job.
5) Fix Ports and Offline Status on Windows
Go to Settings > Printers & scanners, select the Brother printer, open Printer properties, then Ports. Choose the port matching the current IP (avoid WSD ports). Clear Use Printer Offline. If needed, add a Standard TCP/IP port with the correct IP.
6) Fix on macOS
In Printers & Scanners, remove the Brother printer and re‑add it. If Bonjour discovery fails, add by IP using protocol IPP or LPD and the printer’s IP. Choose Brother drivers instead of AirPrint when available.
7) Reinstall Brother Drivers
If ports are correct but nothing prints, reinstall the Brother full driver package. Remove old Brother devices first, reboot, then install the newest driver from Brother support. Generic OS drivers can be missing crucial status services.
8) Check Ink/Toner and Drum
For lasers, remove the toner cartridge and gently rock it to redistribute toner. Clean the corona wire (slide the green tab across several times). If the printer says replace drum/toner, do so—some units halt printing when supply life is critical. For inkjets, verify cartridges are recognized, vents are open, and run a nozzle check/cleaning.
8a) Brother Utility Tools
Brother’s utilities (ControlCenter, iPrint&Scan, BRAdmin Light) can confirm whether your computer is talking to the printer. If BRAdmin sees the printer but Windows/macOS won’t print, the issue is driver‑side. If the utilities can’t see the printer, focus on Wi‑Fi/Ethernet connection and IP reservation.\n
9) Firmware Updates
Update firmware via Brother utilities or the printer’s web interface. Firmware can fix Wi‑Fi drops and status misreporting. Power‑cycle after updating.
9a) Avoid WSD Ports on Windows
If your Brother printer was added as a WSD device, Windows may send jobs to the wrong virtual port and report “won’t print.” Remove the WSD printer entry and re‑add using a Standard TCP/IP port that matches the printer’s IP address. With a reserved IP, this setup is far more stable.\n
10) USB Test to Isolate Issues
Connect via USB and print a test page. If USB works, hardware is fine and the problem is network/port related. Focus on IP reservation and router settings. If USB fails too, the issue is printer‑side (paper path or supplies).
Preventing Future “Won’t Print” Problems
Reserve the printer’s IP in your router, avoid guest networks, and keep drivers up to date. Print weekly on inkjets to prevent clogs. For lasers, keep toner and drum clean and replace on schedule.
Quick Checklist
- Clear panel errors and confirm paper size/tray match.
- Verify Wi‑Fi/Ethernet/USB connection and IP.
- Clear the queue and restart the spooler.
- Select correct TCP/IP port; avoid WSD.
- Reinstall Brother drivers if needed.
- Check toner/drum or ink/nozzles.
In most cases, a Brother printer that “won’t print” is fixed once the port points to a stable IP and the queue is cleared.