Brother Printer Won’t Scan? Here’s How to Fix It

If your Brother printer won’t scan, there can be several underlying causes, including connection issues, outdated drivers, incorrect settings, or software glitches. This comprehensive guide will walk you through troubleshooting steps to help identify and resolve the issue so you can get your Brother printer scanning again.

Step 1: Check Connections

The first step is to verify that your printer is properly connected to the device you’re trying to scan from (computer, mobile device, etc.).

Ensure Power and Cable Connections: Make sure the printer is powered on and connected to the computer or network. If you’re using a USB connection, check that the cable is securely connected at both ends. If you’re using Wi-Fi, ensure that the printer is connected to the correct network and that the connection is stable.

Check Wireless Network Connection:

On the printer’s control panel, check the Wi-Fi status. If the printer isn’t connected to your network, it won’t scan.

To reconnect the printer to Wi-Fi, go to the Network Settings on the printer, select your network, and enter your Wi-Fi password.

Ensure that your computer or mobile device is on the same network as the printer.

Restart the Printer and Router: Sometimes, restarting your printer and router can resolve connectivity issues. Turn off the printer, unplug it for 30 seconds, then turn it back on. Do the same for the router.

Step 2: Check for Error Messages

If your Brother printer displays any error messages, it could give you clues as to why scanning isn’t working. Common error messages include paper jams, low ink, or connection issues. Address any error messages by following the printer's prompts or consulting the manual.

Step 3: Verify Printer Driver and Scanner Software

For scanning to work properly, the correct drivers and software need to be installed on your computer. Brother printers require specific scanning software, such as Brother iPrint&Scan or the Brother ControlCenter, in addition to the standard printer driver.

Install or Update Brother Printer Drivers: Go to the Brother website and download the latest drivers for your printer model. Make sure you’re selecting the drivers that are appropriate for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).

If the drivers are already installed, make sure they’re up to date. Outdated drivers can lead to scanning issues.

Install or Update Brother Scanning Software:Brother provides scanning utilities like Brother iPrint&Scan or Brother ControlCenter. Check the Brother website for the latest version of the software compatible with your printer and operating system. This software is essential for controlling scan functions, so ensure it’s installed and functioning properly.

Uninstall and Reinstall the Software: If you already have the software installed but scanning isn’t working, uninstall it and reinstall the latest version. This process can fix corrupted files or settings that may be preventing scanning.

Step 4: Configure Scanner Settings

Once the drivers and software are updated, ensure that the scanner settings are configured correctly.

Set the Brother Printer as Default: On Windows, go to Control Panel → Devices and Printers. Find your Brother printer, right-click on it, and select Set as default printer. You’ll also want to ensure that the printer’s scanner is the default device for scanning by going to Printers & Scanners in the Settings menu and selecting your Brother printer as the default scanner.

On Mac, go to System Preferences → Printers & Scanners, and make sure your Brother printer is set as the default device for scanning.

Check Scanner Preferences: Open your Brother scanning software (e.g., Brother iPrint&Scan or ControlCenter).

Go into Settings and verify that your printer model is selected for both printing and scanning. Check if there are any specific scanning preferences or settings that need to be adjusted.

Use Correct Scan Mode: Brother printers often have different scan modes such as scan to email, scan to file, or scan to image. Make sure you're selecting the correct scan mode based on what you’re trying to do.

Step 5: Test Scanning from the Printer’s Control Panel

Most Brother printers allow you to scan directly from the printer’s control panel, bypassing the need to initiate the scan from a computer or device.

Start a Scan: On the printer’s control panel, go to Scan and select where you want to send the scanned document (e.g., to a computer, email, or USB drive).If the printer starts scanning and successfully completes the job, the problem may be related to the software or connection on the computer.

Check Scan to Computer Settings: If you want to scan directly to a computer, ensure the Scan to PC feature is enabled on both the printer and the Brother scanning software on your computer.

Step 6: Resolve Scanner Not Detected Errors (Windows)

If your Brother printer is showing up as "not detected" when trying to scan from your computer, this indicates a communication problem.

Run the Windows Scanner Troubleshooter: Windows has a built-in troubleshooter for resolving scanner issues.

Go to Settings → Update & Security → Troubleshoot.

Select Printers and click Run the troubleshooter. This will automatically check for common problems and try to fix them.

Check for Conflicting Software: Sometimes, other scanning software or printer management tools can interfere with the Brother scanner. Uninstall any unnecessary scanning software or drivers that might be conflicting with your Brother printer.

Step 7: Resolve Scanner Not Detected Errors (Mac)

If you’re using a Mac and the scanner isn’t detected, follow these steps.

Reset the Printing System:

Go to System Preferences → Printers & Scanners.

Right-click on the printer list and select Reset printing system. This will remove all printers and scanners from your system.

Re-add your Brother printer by clicking the + button and selecting it from the list.

Ensure Full Disk Access for Brother Software: On macOS, some Brother software may require Full Disk Access to function correctly.

Go to System Preferences → Security & Privacy → Privacy.

Select Full Disk Access and ensure that the Brother scanning software is added to the list.

Step 8: Firmware Updates

Firmware issues can sometimes cause scanning problems.

Check for Firmware Updates: Visit the Brother support website to check for firmware updates for your printer. Install the update by following the instructions provided. New firmware can resolve bugs or compatibility issues that may be affecting the scanner.

Conclusion

If your Brother printer won’t scan, it’s important to systematically troubleshoot the problem by checking connections, updating drivers and software, configuring settings, and addressing any communication errors between the printer and your device. By following these steps, you should be able to identify and fix the issue, allowing you to scan documents without further problems. If the problem persists after trying all the steps, contacting Brother’s customer support for further assistance might be necessary.