Printers · Repair guide

How to fix a Brother printer that is not working

9 fixes, easiest first3 min readUpdated November 2026

Quick fix

Check the printer is on with covers closed and paper loaded, restart the router, and delete any stuck jobs. On Windows, run Brother's Network Connection Repair Tool from Brother Utilities to fix the printer's network settings.

What it means

A Brother printer that will not print or scan has usually lost its network connection, has the wrong IP address, has a failed job stuck in the queue, or is being blocked by security software. Brother provides its own tools for these, such as the WLAN Report, the Network Connection Repair Tool for Windows and the Brother iPrint&Scan app.

Common causes

  • The printer is not connected to the Wi-Fi network
  • The printer and computer have mismatched network (IP) settings
  • A failed print job is stuck in the queue
  • Firewall or security software is blocking printing or network scanning
  • Open covers, no paper, or an ink or toner message on the printer
  • Outdated or broken Brother drivers and software

How to fix it

Work down the list. Each fix is safe to try before moving on to the next.

01Check the basics on the printerEasy

  1. Make sure the printer and the router are on.
  2. Check that all packing material has been removed, ink or toner is installed, the covers are closed and paper is loaded.
  3. Read any message on the printer's screen and clear it first.

Why it helps: Brother lists these checks first, because the printer will not print while any of them are a problem.

02Restart the router and the printerEasy

  1. Turn the printer off.
  2. Unplug the router for about 30 seconds, plug it back in and wait until the internet works.
  3. Turn the printer back on, then restart the computer.
  4. Make sure the computer is on the same Wi-Fi network as the printer.

Why it helps: A restart gives the printer and computer a fresh connection to the network.

03Delete stuck print jobsEasy

  1. Windows: open Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, select the Brother printer, select Open print queue, then ... and Cancel all.
  2. If that window has a Printer menu instead, choose Cancel All Documents, and remove any check mark from Use Printer Offline and Pause Printing.
  3. Mac: open System Settings > Printers & Scanners, select the Brother printer, select Printer Queue, then select each waiting job and delete it.
  4. Try printing again.

Why it helps: Brother notes that a failed job left in the queue can stop all later jobs.

04Print a WLAN Report to check the Wi-Fi connectionEasy

  1. Print the WLAN Report from the printer's control panel. The menu steps differ by model and are in your printer's online user's guide.
  2. Check the connection status on the report.
  3. If it shows an error code, look up that code in the online user's guide for your model and follow its steps.

Why it helps: The WLAN Report tells you whether the printer is really connected to Wi-Fi and why not.

05Use Brother iPrint&Scan or Brother Mobile ConnectEasy

  1. On Windows, get Brother iPrint&Scan from the Downloads page for your model on Brother's support site. On a Mac, get it from the App Store.
  2. Open it and select your printer to print, scan and see the printer's status.
  3. On a Mac, if scanning stopped, select your machine again in Brother iPrint&Scan.
  4. On a phone, use the Brother Mobile Connect app to check the printer, print and scan.

Why it helps: These are Brother's own apps and show quickly whether the printer can be reached.

06If ink is not detected, reinstall the cartridge slowlyEasy

  1. Follow the cartridge replacement steps in the online user's guide for your model.
  2. Remove the cartridge named on the screen and reinstall it slowly until it locks into place.
  3. Do not touch the cartridge's contact area, as Brother says this can stop the machine detecting it.
  4. Brother recommends genuine Brother cartridges and says its warranty does not cover problems caused by unauthorized third-party ink.

Why it helps: A cartridge that is not fully locked in, or has a touched contact area, may not be detected.

07Run the Network Connection Repair Tool on WindowsMedium

  1. Make sure the printer is on and connected to the same network as the computer.
  2. Open Brother Utilities and choose your model from the drop-down list if it is not already selected.
  3. Select Tools in the left bar, then Network Connection Repair Tool, and follow the on-screen steps.
  4. Print a Network Configuration Report afterward to check the settings.
  5. If someone set a fixed (static) IP address for the printer on purpose, such as at an office, ask them first, because the tool may change it.

Why it helps: Brother's tool corrects the printer's IP address and subnet mask when they do not match the network.

08If you print or scan over a network, check firewall settingsAdvanced

  1. Security software can block network printing or scanning, sometimes without a warning.
  2. In your security software, allow the Brother software or follow Brother's firewall instructions for your model. For network scanning on Windows, Brother lists UDP port 54925, plus ports 137 and 161.
  3. If you are unsure how to change these settings, contact the security software maker.
  4. Do not leave your firewall turned off.

Why it helps: Blocked ports let the computer see the printer but stop scans or jobs from getting through.

09Reinstall the Brother drivers and softwareMedium

  1. Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find the Brother driver and Brother software, select More options (...) and choose Uninstall.
  2. Remove the Brother printer in Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners with Remove.
  3. Restart the computer.
  4. Download the latest driver and software for your exact model from the Downloads page on Brother's support site and install it.
  5. On a Mac, Control-click the printer in System Settings > Printers & Scanners, choose Remove Printer, then add it back.

Why it helps: Brother's last step for network printing and scanning problems is a clean reinstall of the latest software.

Check it's fixed

  • The WLAN Report shows the printer is connected.
  • The Brother printer shows as ready, not offline, on the computer.
  • A test page prints and a test scan reaches the computer.

When to get help

If the printer still will not connect after the Network Connection Repair Tool and a reinstall, or the screen shows a hardware error, contact Brother support with your model and serial number. In an office, your IT person may need to check the printer's network settings.

Questions

Why does my Brother printer say offline?

Usually it lost Wi-Fi or its IP address no longer matches the network. Restart the router, print a WLAN Report and run the Network Connection Repair Tool on Windows.

Why can my Brother printer print but not scan?

Security software often blocks network scanning. Allow the Brother software in your firewall and, on a Mac, select the machine again in Brother iPrint&Scan.

Which Brother app should I use?

On a computer, use Brother iPrint&Scan. On a phone, Brother offers Brother Mobile Connect and Brother iPrint&Scan.

Is the Network Connection Repair Tool for Mac?

No, it is for Windows. On a Mac, print the printer's Network Configuration Report to check its IP address, and see the network problems section of your model's online user's guide.

Related fixes

How to fix a printer that says offlineTurn the printer off, unplug it for 30 seconds, then turn it back on and restart your computer and router. Make sure the printer and computeHow to fix a printer that won't printCheck the printer for paper, ink, jams and error messages, then restart it and your computer. Make sure you picked the right printer, cancelHow to fix a printer that won't connect to Wi-FiRestart the printer and router, move the printer closer to the router, then run the wireless setup on the printer and pick your network and How to clear a stuck print queueCancel all jobs in the print queue and restart the printer and PC. If the job still won't delete, stop the Print Spooler in Services, dHow to fix a scanner that is not workingRestart the scanner and computer, make sure they are connected by a direct USB cable or to the same Wi-Fi network, then check that the scann

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