When your Brother printer not connecting to computer +1-803-866-1601, it can stop all printing and scanning tasks. This issue may occur on Windows or Mac and is usually caused by connection errors, incorrect settings, outdated drivers, or software conflicts. The good news is that most connection problems can be fixed easily without professional help. This guide explains the common reasons and effective solutions.
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Common Reasons Why a Brother Printer Won’t Connect to a Computer
Understanding the cause helps you resolve the problem faster. The most common reasons include:
Loose or faulty USB cable
Printer and computer on different WiFi networks
Printer set to offline
Outdated or missing Brother printer drivers
Firewall or antivirus interference
Incorrect default printer settings
Print spooler errors
Network configuration issues
Let’s go through the solutions step by step.
1. Check Power and Basic Connections
Start by ensuring your Brother printer is powered on and shows no error messages. If you are using a USB connection, unplug the cable from both ends and reconnect it firmly. Try a different USB port on your computer or use another cable if available.
For wireless printers, make sure the printer is connected to the same WiFi network as your computer. Restart the printer, computer, and router to refresh the connection. Many temporary connectivity issues are resolved with a simple restart.
2. Set Brother Printer as Default Printer
Sometimes the computer sends print commands to another device.
On Windows:
Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers
Right-click your Brother printer
Select Set as default printer
On Mac:
Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners
Choose your Brother printer and set it as default
After setting it as default, try connecting and printing again.
3. Check If Brother Printer Is Offline
An offline printer cannot communicate with your computer.
Open Devices and Printers
Right-click your Brother printer
Select See what’s printing
Click Printer and uncheck Use Printer Offline
Once the status changes to online, test the connection.
4. Update or Reinstall Brother Printer Driver
Outdated or corrupted drivers are a major reason a Brother printer won’t connect to a computer.
Uninstall the existing Brother printer driver
Restart your computer
Install the latest Brother printer driver compatible with your operating system
Reconnect the printer when prompted
After installation, print a test page to confirm the connection.
5. Add Brother Printer Manually
If the printer does not appear automatically, add it manually.
On Windows:
Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners
Click Add a printer
If not detected, choose Add manually
Select the correct port and driver
On Mac:
Open Printers & Scanners
Click the + icon
Select the Brother printer or add it using IP address
This method often fixes detection issues.
6. Restart Print Spooler Service (Windows)
Print spooler issues can block printer communication.
Press Windows + R, type
services.mscFind Print Spooler
Right-click and select Restart
After restarting the service, reconnect the printer.
7. Disable Firewall or Antivirus Temporarily
Security software may block printer communication, especially for wireless printers.
Temporarily disable firewall or antivirus
Try connecting the printer again
If successful, add the Brother printer software as an exception
Remember to turn security software back on afterward.
8. Check Network and IP Settings (Wireless Printers)
For network printers, ensure the IP address hasn’t changed.
Print the network configuration page from the printer
Verify the IP address matches the one on your computer
If needed, reconfigure WiFi settings on the printer
A stable IP connection ensures reliable communication.
9. Reset Brother Printer Network Settings
If connection issues persist, resetting network settings may help.
Open the printer menu
Select Network Reset or Factory Reset
Reconnect the printer to WiFi
Add it again to your computer
This removes incorrect configurations causing connection failures.
10. Check for Hardware Issues
Inspect the printer for:
Error lights or display messages
Damaged USB ports or cables
Paper jams or open covers
If the printer fails to connect to multiple computers, it may be a hardware problem.
When to Contact Brother Support
If your Brother printer still won’t connect to your computer after following all steps, the issue may be related to internal hardware or firmware. In such cases, contact Brother customer support or visit an authorized service center.
Final Thoughts
A Brother Printer Not Connecting to Computer +1-803-866-1601 is usually caused by driver issues, incorrect settings, or network problems. By following these troubleshooting steps, you can quickly restore the connection and resume printing. Keeping drivers updated and ensuring proper network setup will help prevent future connection issues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Why is my Brother printer not detected by my computer?
This usually happens due to outdated drivers, loose USB connections, incorrect WiFi network selection, or the printer being set to offline.
Q2. How do I reconnect my Brother printer to my computer?
Restart the printer and computer, check connections, reinstall the Brother printer driver, and add the printer again through system settings.
Q3. Why does my Brother printer show offline on my computer?
The printer may be disconnected from the network, paused, or affected by print spooler or driver issues.
Q4. Can firewall or antivirus software block my Brother printer connection?
Yes. Security software can block printer communication, especially for wireless printers. Adding the printer as an exception usually fixes this.
Q5. How do I connect my Brother printer to a new computer?
Install the latest Brother printer driver on the new computer, connect the printer via USB or WiFi, and complete the setup process.
Q6. Why does my Brother printer connect but not print?
This may be caused by stuck print jobs, low ink or toner, incorrect default printer settings, or driver problems.
Q7. Do I need to reset my Brother printer to fix connection issues?
A reset is recommended only if basic troubleshooting fails. Resetting clears incorrect network and software settings.
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