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+1-888-966-6097 Brother Printer Won’t Scan: How to Fix it
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Brother printers are popular for their reliable printing and scanning features. However, like any device, they can sometimes run into problems — and one of the most frustrating issues is when your Brother printer won’t scan. Whether you need to scan important documents for work, school, or personal records, scanning problems can seriously disrupt your workflow.
This article covers the common reasons your Brother printer might not scan and provides simple, effective solutions to help you fix it.
<b data-start=”690″ data-end=”740″>Common Reasons Why a Brother Printer Won’t Scan
Before jumping to solutions, it’s helpful to understand what might be causing the problem:
<strong data-start=”836″ data-end=”881″>Connection issues (WiFi, USB, or network)
<strong data-start=”884″ data-end=”923″>Outdated or missing scanner drivers
<strong data-start=”926″ data-end=”975″>Incorrect settings on the computer or printer
<strong data-start=”978″ data-end=”1021″>Firewall or antivirus blocking the scan
<strong data-start=”1024″ data-end=”1060″>Printer in offline or error mode
<strong data-start=”1063″ data-end=”1085″>Software conflicts
<strong data-start=”1088″ data-end=”1140″>Compatibility problems with the operating system
Once you’ve identified the possible cause, you’ll be better equipped to resolve the issue.
<b data-start=”1239″ data-end=”1286″>How to Fix a Brother Printer That Won’t Scan
Here’s a step-by-step troubleshooting guide you can follow to get your Brother printer scanning properly again.
<b data-start=”1406″ data-end=”1463″>1️⃣ Check the Connection Between Printer and Computer
The most common reason a Brother printer won’t scan is a faulty connection.
<strong data-start=”1542″ data-end=”1560″>If using WiFi:
Make sure both the printer and computer are connected to the same WiFi network.
Check for a stable internet connection.
Restart your router, printer, and computer.
<strong data-start=”1732″ data-end=”1757″>If using a USB cable:
Ensure the cable is securely connected to both devices.
Try a different USB port or replace the cable if necessary.
<strong data-start=”1879″ data-end=”1908″>If using a network cable:
Confirm that the Ethernet cable is properly connected.
Check the printer’s network settings to see if it’s connected to the network.
<b data-start=”2052″ data-end=”2075″>2️⃣ Restart Devices
Sometimes, a simple restart can fix minor glitches.
<strong data-start=”2130″ data-end=”2140″>Steps:
Turn off your Brother printer and computer.
Wait for 30 seconds.
Turn them back on and retry scanning.
<b data-start=”2256″ data-end=”2285″>3️⃣ Check Scanner Drivers
Outdated or missing drivers often cause scanning issues.
<strong data-start=”2345″ data-end=”2358″>Solution:
Go to Brother’s official support website.
Enter your printer model.
Download the latest <strong data-start=”2484″ data-end=”2518″>Full Driver & Software Package for your operating system.
Install the drivers and restart your computer.
Make sure you install both the <strong data-start=”2627″ data-end=”2645″>printer driver and the <strong data-start=”2654″ data-end=”2672″>scanner driver.
<b data-start=”2680″ data-end=”2728″>4️⃣ Set the Correct Scanner on Your Computer
Your computer might be set to use a different scanner device.
<strong data-start=”2793″ data-end=”2808″>On Windows:
Open <strong data-start=”2816″ data-end=”2856″>Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
Right-click your Brother printer.
Select <strong data-start=”2903″ data-end=”2929″>Set as Default Printer.
Also check <strong data-start=”2944″ data-end=”2984″>Control Panel > Devices and Scanners to see if the Brother scanner appears.
<strong data-start=”3025″ data-end=”3036″>On Mac:
Open <strong data-start=”3044″ data-end=”3085″>System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
Select your Brother printer.
Ensure it shows as both a printer and a scanner.
<b data-start=”3175″ data-end=”3225″>5️⃣ Disable Firewall and Antivirus Temporarily
Firewalls and antivirus programs sometimes block scanning operations.
<strong data-start=”3298″ data-end=”3311″>Solution:
Temporarily disable your computer’s firewall or antivirus software.
Try scanning again.
If scanning works, add your Brother printer software to the firewall or antivirus <strong data-start=”3488″ data-end=”3507″>exceptions list.
<b data-start=”3515″ data-end=”3554″>6️⃣ Use Brother iPrint&Scan Utility
Brother offers a free application to manage printing and scanning from your computer.
<strong data-start=”3643″ data-end=”3653″>Steps:
Download <strong data-start=”3665″ data-end=”3688″>Brother iPrint&Scan from the Brother website.
Install the software on your computer.
Open the app and select your Brother printer.
Try scanning a document.
This tool often resolves scanning issues caused by compatibility or driver problems.
<b data-start=”3923″ data-end=”3955″>7️⃣ Check for Printer Errors
Your printer might be showing an error message preventing scanning.
<strong data-start=”4026″ data-end=”4039″>Solution:
Look at your Brother printer’s display panel for any error codes.
Refer to the printer manual or Brother support site to understand and resolve the error.
Common errors like <strong data-start=”4219″ data-end=”4237″>“Offline Mode”, <strong data-start=”4239″ data-end=”4254″>“Paper Jam”, or <strong data-start=”4259″ data-end=”4282″>“Replace Ink/Toner” can stop scans.
<b data-start=”4305″ data-end=”4349″>8️⃣ Reset the Printer’s Network Settings
If scanning over WiFi isn’t working, resetting the network settings might help.
<strong data-start=”4432″ data-end=”4442″>Steps:
Press the <strong data-start=”4455″ data-end=”4463″>Menu button on your printer.
Go to <strong data-start=”4496″ data-end=”4523″>Network > Network Reset.
Confirm and wait for the printer to reboot.
Reconnect to your WiFi and retry scanning.
<b data-start=”4622″ data-end=”4669″>Final Tips to Prevent Future Scanning Issues
Regularly update your printer’s firmware and drivers.
Keep your operating system up to date.
Ensure your WiFi or USB connection is stable.
Avoid installing conflicting scanning software.
Use Brother’s official tools like iPrint&Scan for better reliability.
<b data-start=”4944″ data-end=”4957″>Conclusion
When your Brother printer won’t scan, it can often be fixed with basic troubleshooting — whether it’s checking connections, reinstalling drivers, or adjusting settings. By following the step-by-step solutions outlined above, you can quickly get your scanning function back to working condition.
If the problem persists after trying everything, it may indicate a deeper hardware issue, in which case contacting <strong data-start=”5370″ data-end=”5398″>Brother customer support or visiting a certified service center would be your next best step.
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