A Brother printer won’t scan +1-803-866-1601 can interrupt your work, especially when you need to digitize documents urgently. This problem can occur due to driver issues, connection problems, incorrect scan settings, or software conflicts. Fortunately, most Brother scanning issues can be resolved with simple troubleshooting. This guide explains the common causes and how to fix them effectively.

|--Click Here to Start a live chat with our support team --|

Common Reasons Why a Brother Printer Won’t Scan

Understanding the root cause helps you apply the right solution. The most common reasons include:

1. Scanner driver not installed or outdated

2. Brother scanner not detected by the computer

3. USB or WiFi connection problems

4. Brother ControlCenter software not working

5. Firewall or antivirus blocking scanner communication

6. Incorrect scan settings

7. Printer set to offline

8. Hardware or sensor issues

Let’s explore the solutions one by one.

1. Check Printer Power and Connections

First, ensure your Brother printer is powered on and shows no error messages. If you are using a USB connection, make sure the cable is securely connected to both the printer and the computer. Try switching to a different USB port if possible.

For wireless scanning, confirm that both the printer and computer are connected to the same WiFi network. Restart the printer, computer, and router to refresh the network connection. This simple step often resolves scanning detection issues.

2. Set Brother Printer as Default Device

If your computer is not communicating with the correct device, scanning may fail.

On Windows:

1. Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers

2. Right-click your Brother printer

3. Select Set as default device

On Mac:

1. Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners

2. Select your Brother printer and set it as default

After setting the default device, try scanning again.

3. Check If Brother Scanner Is Offline

An offline scanner cannot communicate with your system.

1. Open Devices and Printers

2. Right-click your Brother printer

3. Select See what’s printing

4. Click Printer and uncheck Use Printer Offline

Once the printer comes online, attempt scanning.

4. Install or Update Brother Scanner Driver

Outdated or missing scanner drivers are one of the main reasons a Brother printer won’t scan.

1. Uninstall the existing Brother printer and scanner drivers

2. Restart your computer

3. Install the latest Brother scanner driver compatible with your operating system

4. Reconnect the printer when prompted

After installation, test the scanner using the Brother ControlCenter software.

5. Use Brother ControlCenter Software

Brother scanners rely on ControlCenter software to perform scan tasks. If it’s not installed or not working correctly, scanning will fail.

1. Open Brother ControlCenter on your computer

2. Select scan type (PDF, image, email, or OCR)

3. Click Scan

If ControlCenter does not open, reinstall the software and try again.

6. Check Scan Settings and File Location

Incorrect scan settings can prevent scans from saving properly.

1. Verify scan resolution and file format

2. Confirm the destination folder exists

3. Check permissions for the selected save location

Sometimes the scan completes successfully but saves to an unexpected folder, making it appear as if scanning failed.

7. Disable Firewall or Antivirus Temporarily

Security software can block scanner communication, especially for network scanners.

1. Temporarily disable firewall or antivirus

2. Try scanning again

3. If successful, add Brother scanner software as an exception

Always re-enable security software after testing.

8. Test Scanning from Another App

Try scanning using:

1. Windows Fax and Scan

2. macOS Image Capture

If scanning works from another application, the issue is likely with Brother software rather than the scanner hardware.

9. Reset the Brother Printer

Resetting the printer can fix temporary software glitches.

1. Turn off the printer

2. Unplug the power cable

3. Wait for 1–2 minutes

4. Plug it back in and turn it on

For persistent problems, perform a factory reset from the printer menu and reconfigure scanning settings.

10. Check for Hardware Issues

If the scanner still doesn’t work:

1. Clean the scanner glass

2. Ensure the scanner lid is closed properly

3. Check for error codes or blinking lights

Unusual noises or repeated scan failures may indicate a hardware issue requiring service.

When to Contact Brother Support

If none of the above solutions work, the scanner hardware or internal components may be faulty. Contact Brother customer support or visit an authorized service center for professional diagnosis and repair.

Final Thoughts

A Brother printer won’t scan +1-803-866-1601 is usually caused by driver issues, connectivity problems, or software conflicts rather than hardware failure. By following the troubleshooting steps outlined above, you can restore scanning functionality quickly. Keeping drivers updated and maintaining stable connections will help prevent future scanning issues.