Dealing with the frustrating Brother Printer not Printing issue can disrupt your workflow, delay important tasks, and cause unnecessary stress—especially when you need a document urgently. Brother printers are known for their reliability, but like any device, they can sometimes run into problems that prevent them from printing correctly. The good news is that most of these issues have simple, effective solutions. This comprehensive guide walks you through the most common causes of printing errors and shows you how to resolve them step by step so you can get your Brother printer running smoothly again.
Check Basic Device Connections
Before diving into advanced troubleshooting, start with the basics. Many printing issues occur due to loose connections or small oversights.
Ensure Power Is On
Make sure your printer is properly plugged in and switched on. Look for any signs such as lights, display messages, or sounds, that confirm your printer is active.
Verify USB or Network Cable
If you are using a USB cable, check for any loose connections and ensure the cable is not damaged. For network or Ethernet printing, ensure cables are firmly connected at both ends.
Check Wireless Connection
If your Brother printer is connected via Wi-Fi, confirm that both your printer and device are on the same network. Weak Wi-Fi signals can also cause printing delays or failures.
Review Printer Status and Error Messages
Brother printers usually display error messages on the screen. These messages may indicate issues like low ink, paper jams, or offline status.
Common Printer Status Issues:
-
Offline Mode – The printer is not communicating with your device.
-
Paused Printing – Jobs are stuck in the queue, and the printer won’t continue.
-
Paper Jam – Paper stuck inside prevents the printer from functioning.
-
Low Ink/Toner – Insufficient ink can halt the printing process.
Clearing these alerts usually restores normal operation.
Examine the Print Queue
Often, the print queue gets overloaded with pending documents, causing your printer to stop responding.
Steps to Clear Print Queue (Windows):
-
Open Control Panel
-
Select Devices and Printers
-
Right-click your Brother printer
-
Click See what’s printing
-
Cancel all pending print jobs
-
Restart your printer
Steps for Mac:
-
Open System Settings
-
Choose Printers & Scanners
-
Select your Brother printer
-
Click Open Print Queue
-
Cancel stuck jobs
Once the queue is clear, try printing a test page.
Check Ink or Toner Levels
Low ink or toner is a common reason behind printing issues. Although some Brother printers may still function with low levels, others stop printing until the cartridge is replaced.
Tips:
-
Remove the cartridge and gently shake it to redistribute ink or toner.
-
Check the printer software on your computer for ink level warnings.
-
Always use genuine Brother toner or ink cartridges for best results.
Ensure Paper Settings Are Correct
Incorrect paper size, type, or alignment can prevent your Brother printer from printing properly.
Checklist:
-
Make sure the paper tray is filled correctly.
-
Ensure paper guides are not too tight.
-
Verify that the selected paper type in printer settings matches what’s loaded in the tray.
Check for Paper Jam or Obstruction
Paper jams are among the most common reasons a Brother printer stops printing.
How to Fix:
-
Turn off and unplug the printer.
-
Open the rear or front cover.
-
Slowly remove stuck paper without tearing it.
-
Check for foreign objects like labels or torn pieces.
-
Close the panel and restart the printer.
Avoid pulling paper forcefully, as this may damage internal components.
Restart Your Printer and Computer
A simple restart can fix temporary communication issues between your printer and computer.
Quick Restart Steps:
-
Turn off your printer
-
Wait 30 seconds
-
Turn it back on
-
Restart your PC or laptop
This refreshes printer drivers and clears temporary glitches.
Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers
Outdated, missing, or corrupted drivers are a major cause of printing problems.
For Windows:
-
Go to Device Manager
-
Expand Printers
-
Right-click your Brother printer
-
Select Update Driver
If updating doesn’t work, download the latest driver from the Brother website and reinstall it.
For Mac:
-
Go to System Settings
-
Select Printers & Scanners
-
Remove your Brother printer
-
Add it again to reinstall drivers automatically
Updating drivers ensures your computer and printer communicate correctly.
Reset Printer Network Settings
Network issues can also lead to printing errors. If your printer isn’t connecting properly, resetting network settings may help.
How to Reset:
-
Go to Settings on your printer
-
Navigate to Network Settings
-
Select Reset Network
-
Reconnect your printer to Wi-Fi
After reconnecting, print a network status report to confirm the connection.
Run Printer Troubleshooter (Windows)
Windows includes a built-in tool to resolve common printer issues automatically.
Steps:
-
Open Settings
-
Go to Update & Security
-
Select Troubleshoot
-
Click Printer Troubleshooter
-
Follow on-screen instructions
This tool detects and fixes configuration problems.
11. Disable Use Printer Offline Mode
When set to offline mode, your printer cannot receive new print commands.
How to Disable:
-
Open Devices and Printers
-
Right-click your Brother printer
-
Choose See what’s printing
-
Select ‘Printer’ from the top menu
-
Uncheck Use Printer Offline
Once offline mode is disabled, your printer should resume printing normally.
Check Firewall or Antivirus Settings
Sometimes security software can block your printer’s communication with the computer.
What to do:
-
Temporarily disable firewall or antivirus
-
Add your printer as an exception
-
Try printing again
Always re-enable your antivirus after testing.
Factory Reset as a Last Option
If none of the above solutions work, performing a factory reset may resolve deeper configuration issues.
To Factory Reset:
-
Press Menu on the printer
-
Navigate to Initial Setup
-
Select Factory Reset
-
Confirm action
This clears custom settings, so set up your printer again after resetting.
Final Thoughts
When facing the frustrating issue of Brother Printer not Printing, following the above troubleshooting methods can help you identify the root cause and fix the problem quickly. From basic checks like connections and print queue management to advanced solutions like driver updates and resets, resolving this error is often easier than it seems. With the right steps, your Brother printer will be back to delivering smooth, reliable printing in no time.