Having a Brother printer that won’t print can be frustrating, especially when you’re in urgent need of a printed document.
However, before you panic or consider replacing the printer, several potential issues can cause this problem.
In this troubleshooting guide, we’ll explore common reasons why your Brother printer may not be printing and provide step-by-step solutions to get your printer up and running again.
Brother Printer Not Printing: 7 Common Problems (Solved)
Brother printer not printing is commonly caused by connectivity issues, insufficient paper supply, an error message, or incorrect printer settings.
Now we have answered the main question, let’s dive into troubleshooting.
Inspect the Basic
Before diving into complex troubleshooting steps, let’s start with the basics to ensure everything is in order. Check the following:
a. Power and Connectivity
Make sure your Brother printer is properly connected to a power source and turned on. Verify that the power cord is securely plugged into both the printer and the power outlet.
Additionally, ensure that the printer is connected to your computer or network via USB or Ethernet cable, or wirelessly if applicable.
b. Paper and Ink/Toner
Ensure that there is an adequate supply of paper in the input tray and that the paper is properly loaded.
Also, verify that your ink or toner cartridges have sufficient levels of ink/toner and are correctly installed.
Low ink/toner levels may prevent your printer from printing.
Check for Error Messages or Warning Lights
Error messages and warning lights can provide valuable information about the underlying issue.
Look for any error messages or blinking lights on the printer’s control panel.
Consult the printer’s user manual or Brother’s online support for a list of error codes and their corresponding solutions.
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Verify Printer Settings
Incorrect printer settings can also lead to printing problems.
Take the following steps to verify and adjust your printer settings:
a. Default Printer
Ensure that your Brother printer is set as the default printer on your computer.
To do this, go to the “Devices and Printers” or “Printers & Scanners” settings in your operating system and select your Brother printer as the default.
b. Print Queue
Check if there are any pending print jobs in the printer queue.
Clear any stuck or paused print jobs to prevent them from blocking new print requests.
c. Offline Status
If your printer appears offline, right-click on its icon in the printer settings and select “Use Printer Online” to restore its connectivity.
Restart Printer and Computer
Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary glitches.
Turn off both your Brother printer and your computer. After a few minutes, turn them back on and attempt to print again.
Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers
Outdated or corrupted printer drivers can cause printing issues. Visit Brother’s official website and download the latest drivers specific to your printer model.
Install them on your computer following the provided instructions.
If you already have the latest drivers, consider uninstalling and reinstalling them to ensure a fresh installation.
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Clear Print Spooler
The print spooler is a service that manages print jobs.
Clearing the print spooler can help resolve issues related to stuck or corrupted print jobs. Follow these steps:
a. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
b. Type “services.msc” and press Enter.
c. Locate the “Print Spooler” service, right-click on it, and select “Stop.”
d. Once the service stops, navigate to the following directory: C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS. e. Delete all files in this folder.
f. Return to the Services window, right-click on “Print Spooler,” and select “Start.”
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Final Thoughts
By following the troubleshooting steps outlined above, you can resolve common issues that prevent your Brother printer from printing.
Remember to check the basics, inspect for error messages, verify printer settings, restart both the printer
Still need help? Best to connect with a qualified professional
Connect with an Appliance Repair Technician
Click here to use the chatbox to speak with one of our friendly technicians.
No in-home service calls. No appointments.
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References
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