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Why Is My Brother Printer Not Printing? Easy Solutions Inside

 

 

Brother printers are known for their high performance, efficiency, and reliability. However, like all printers, they can run into issues—and one of the most frustrating problems is when your Brother printer stops printing altogether. Whether it's not responding to print commands, printing blank pages, or not printing at all, there are several common causes and simple fixes you can try.

This comprehensive guide explores why your Brother printer might not be printing and provides easy-to-follow solutions to get it working again.

 Common Reasons Why Your Brother Printer Isn’t Printing

Several factors can cause your Brother printer to stop printing. Understanding the root cause is the first step to resolving the issue:

1. Empty or Improperly Installed Ink/Toner

If your printer is out of ink or the toner cartridge isn’t properly seated, it may not print anything.

2. Paper Jam or Empty Paper Tray

A paper jam or no paper in the tray can halt all printing tasks.

3. Outdated or Corrupt Printer Driver

An outdated or faulty printer driver may prevent your computer from communicating with the printer.

4. Wrong Printer Selected

If another printer is selected by default, your print command may be going to the wrong device.

5. Print Queue Errors

A stuck print job or error in the queue can cause the printer to freeze and stop responding.

6. Connectivity Issues

For both USB and Wi-Fi models, poor or lost connection is a major culprit behind non-printing printers.

7. Offline Mode

If your Brother printer is set to "Use Printer Offline," it won't respond to new print commands.

 Easy Solutions to Fix Brother Printer Not Printing

Here are step-by-step troubleshooting methods to get your printer back in action:

1. Check Ink or Toner Levels

  • Open the printer software or check the printer's display panel to view ink/toner levels.

  • Replace empty cartridges.

  • Ensure cartridges are properly installed and clicked into place.

2. Check the Paper Tray and Remove Jams

  • Make sure the paper tray is loaded.

  • Remove any jammed paper from the printer carefully.

  • Restart the printer once the jam is cleared.

3. Verify the Correct Printer is Selected

  1. Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.

  2. Ensure your Brother printer is set as default (look for the green checkmark).

  3. If not, right-click the correct printer and choose Set as Default Printer.

4. Clear the Print Queue

  1. Open the print queue window (Control Panel > Devices and Printers > Right-click printer > See what's printing).

  2. Cancel all pending print jobs.

  3. Restart both your printer and computer.

5. Restart Print Spooler Service

  1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.

  2. Scroll to Print Spooler, right-click it, and click Restart.

  3. Try printing again after restarting the service.

6. Update or Reinstall Brother Printer Drivers

  1. Go to Brother's official support site.

  2. Download the latest driver for your specific printer model and operating system.

  3. Uninstall old drivers from your system.

  4. Install the new drivers and restart your computer.

Tip: Always keep drivers up to date to avoid compatibility issues.

7. Disable “Use Printer Offline” Mode

  1. Navigate to the printer queue window.

  2. Click Printer on the top menu.

  3. Make sure Use Printer Offline is not checked.

8. Check Network or USB Connection

  • For wireless printers: Ensure the printer and computer are on the same Wi-Fi network.

  • For USB printers: Make sure the cable is not loose or damaged.

  • Restart your router if using Wi-Fi and reconnect your devices.

9. Run Windows Troubleshooter

  1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.

  2. Click Additional Troubleshooters.

  3. Select Printer > Run the Troubleshooter.

The tool will automatically diagnose and fix common issues.

Additional Tips

  • Avoid using cheap or non-original ink cartridges as they may not be recognized by the printer.

  • Clean the printhead using the printer’s maintenance utility.

  • Check for firmware updates directly on the printer or Brother’s website.

  • Restart your printer and PC after any major change.

Final Thoughts

When your Brother printer is not printing, the problem could stem from a variety of sources, from connectivity issues to outdated drivers. Fortunately, most of these issues are relatively easy to fix using the steps above.

Taking a systematic approach—checking hardware first, followed by software—can save time and help you restore full printing functionality. If none of these methods work, it's best to contact Brother's technical support for expert assistance.

Last modified: 2025-05-29Powered by