Start here with the short answer: if your Brother printer doesn’t work in Windows 10, the problem is usually one of connection, drivers, services, or configuration — and most issues can be fixed with simple checks or a driver reinstall. This article explains common causes and walks you through practical, step-by-step fixes so you can get printing again.
You will learn why the printer appears offline, how to check cables and network settings, how to reinstall drivers correctly, how to restart the Windows Print Spooler, and when to update firmware or contact Brother support.
Key Takeaway
The quickest reliable fix is to confirm the physical/network connection, restart the Print Spooler service, and reinstall the correct Brother driver (downloaded from Brother’s website) — this resolves the majority of Windows 10 printing issues.
Quick Fix Guide
Quick Fix Guide
| Reason for the Problem | Quick Solution |
|---|---|
| Printer shows as Offline or Paused | Set the printer to Online and clear paused jobs in Devices > Printers & scanners. |
| Bad USB or network connection | Check cables, swap USB ports/cable or reconnect to the correct Wi‑Fi/Ethernet network. |
| Wrong printer selected or not set as default | Set your Brother device as the Default Printer in Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners. |
| Corrupt or missing driver | Uninstall the printer and install the latest driver from support.brother.com. |
| Windows Update installed incompatible driver | Roll back driver in Device Manager or download the correct driver from Brother. |
| Print Spooler stopped or stuck jobs | Restart the spooler using services.msc or commands net stop spooler / net start spooler. |
| Incorrect IP address/port for network printer | Verify printer IP on the device and update the port in Printer Properties > Ports. |
| Firewall or antivirus blocking communication | Temporarily disable firewall/AV or add exceptions for the printer IP and Brother software. |
| Printer hardware/firmware issue or software conflict | Update printer firmware and remove conflicting apps; contact Brother support if hardware fault suspected. |
Detailed Fixes for “Brother printer doesn’t work in Windows 10”
1. Printer shows as Offline or Paused
Why this happens
- Windows reports a network or local printer as Offline when it cannot communicate with the device or when someone manually set it to Use Printer Offline or Pause Printing.
Step-by-step fix
- Open Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.
- Select your Brother printer and click Open queue.
- In the queue window, click Printer in the menu and uncheck Use Printer Offline and Pause Printing if checked.
- Try printing a test page: right-click the printer in Devices > Printers & scanners and choose Manage > Print a test page.
Notes/tips:
- If the option is greyed out, continue to the Print Spooler steps below.
2. Bad USB or Network Connection
Why this happens
- A faulty USB cable, a loose connector, a wrong USB port, or a network disconnection prevents data from reaching the printer.
Step-by-step fix (USB)
- Turn off the printer and PC.
- Unplug the USB cable on both ends, inspect for damage, use a different USB cable and/or try a different USB port on the PC (preferably a rear port on desktops).
- Turn devices back on; Windows should detect the printer.
Step-by-step fix (Network)
- On the printer, print a network config/status page (consult the Brother manual; usually via Menu > Network > Print/Network Print).
- Confirm the printer’s IP address.
- From the PC, open Command Prompt (Start > type cmd) and run: ping 192.168.x.x (replace with the printer IP).
- If ping fails, reboot router, printer, and PC.
- If ping succeeds but printing fails, check firewall or port settings (see the firewall section).
Notes/tips:
- For Wi‑Fi, ensure the printer is on the same network SSID as your PC (avoid guest networks that block device-to-device traffic).
3. Wrong Printer Selected or Not Set as Default
Why this happens
- Users send jobs to a virtual printer or to an old/removed device. Applications may pick the wrong device automatically.
Step-by-step fix
- Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.
- Find your Brother printer, click it, then Manage.
- Click Set as default.
- In your app’s print dialog, confirm the Brother device is selected before printing.
Notes/tips:
- Disable Let Windows manage my default printer (in Settings > Devices) to keep your chosen default.
4. Corrupt or Missing Driver
Why this happens
- Drivers can become corrupt due to interrupted installs, disk errors, or deletion — leaving Windows unable to communicate properly with the printer.
Step-by-step fix
- Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners, select the printer, click Remove device.
- Open Device Manager (Right-click Start > Device Manager), expand Printers/Print queues, right-click the Brother entry and choose Uninstall device. If a checkbox appears to remove driver software, check it.
- Reboot the PC.
- Download the latest full driver & software package from https://support.brother.com (select your model and Windows 10).
- Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen prompts (choose USB or Network installation as applicable).
- After install, print a test page.
Notes/tips:
- Avoid using generic drivers from Windows Update if Brother provides a model-specific package.
5. Windows Update Installed an Incompatible Driver
Why this happens
- Windows Update may push a generic or older driver that doesn’t fully support your Brother model or advanced features.
Step-by-step fix
- Open Device Manager, locate your Brother printer under Print queues or Printers.
- Right-click > Properties > Driver tab > Roll Back Driver (if available).
- If Roll Back is not available, follow the uninstall steps in Reason 4 and then install the manufacturer driver from Brother’s site.
- To prevent automatic reinstallation: open Control Panel > System and Security > System > Advanced system settings > Hardware tab > Device Installation Settings and choose No (your device might not work as expected).
Notes/tips:
- Only disable automatic updates if necessary; remember to re-enable after driver install or use manual blocking techniques.
6. Print Spooler Stopped or Stuck Jobs
Why this happens
- The Print Spooler service handles print jobs; if it crashes or queues get corrupted, no jobs will print.
Step-by-step fix (Services)
- Press Windows + R, type services.msc, press Enter.
- Find Print Spooler, right-click and choose Restart.
- If it fails, right-click Stop, then navigate to C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS and delete all files in this folder (requires admin rights), then start the service again.
Step-by-step fix (Command Prompt)
- Open Command Prompt as administrator.
- Run:
- net stop spooler
- del /Q /F C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS*
- net start spooler
- Re-add the printer and attempt to print.
Notes/tips:
- Clearing the spooler removes stuck jobs and often fixes repeated failures.
7. Incorrect IP Address or Port for Network Printer
Why this happens
- If the printer’s IP changed (DHCP), Windows may still attempt to connect to the old IP/port.
Step-by-step fix
- Print the printer network config to find the current IP.
- In Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners, click the Brother printer and choose Manage > Printer properties (not the queue).
- Go to the Ports tab, select the port in use and click Configure Port; verify the correct IP is listed. If not, remove the old port and click Add Port > Standard TCP/IP Port and enter the printer’s current IP.
- Apply changes and print a test page.
Notes/tips:
- Consider setting a static IP or DHCP reservation on your router for the printer to avoid future IP changes.
8. Firewall or Antivirus Blocking Communication
Why this happens
- Security software can block network ports used by printing (like TCP 9100) or block Brother utilities.
Step-by-step fix
- Temporarily disable third-party antivirus/firewall and test printing.
- If printing works, re-enable the security software and add exceptions:
- Allow the Brother app executable and port 9100 (raw printing), 515 (LPD) or 631 (IPP).
- For Windows Firewall: open Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall > Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall, then allow File and Printer Sharing and Brother apps.
Notes/tips:
- Only disable protection briefly for testing; use targeted exceptions rather than leaving protections off.
9. Printer Firmware Issue or Hardware Fault
Why this happens
- Firmware bugs or failing hardware (heads, belts, connectors) can stop printing entirely or cause strange errors.
Step-by-step fix
- Check the Brother support site for firmware updates for your model.
- Download firmware and carefully follow Brother’s firmware update instructions (usually via the printer’s web interface or USB).
- If firmware update fails or the printer shows physical error codes (paper jam, hardware lights), consult the manual for error code meaning.
- If the printer is under warranty, contact Brother support or a local service center.
Notes/tips:
- Firmware updates can fix known bugs — always follow manufacturer instructions and don’t power off mid-update.
Maintenance & When to Contact Support
- Regularly update drivers and firmware, keep the printer on the same network, and use high-quality USB/network cables.
- Back up printer settings if your model supports configuration export.
- Contact Brother support if:
- The printer hardware shows consistent error codes after basic troubleshooting.
- Firmware update fails and the unit becomes unresponsive.
- Multiple PCs cannot reach the printer after you’ve tried the above steps.
Provide model, serial number, and a summary of steps already tried to speed up support.
FAQ
Q: Why does Windows 10 show my Brother printer but I still can’t print?
It can mean the printer driver is present but the Print Spooler is stuck, the device is offline, or the wrong port/IP is used — try restarting the spooler, clearing the queue, and verifying the port/IP.
Q: Can I use a universal or built‑in Windows driver for Brother printers?
Yes for basic printing, but manufacturer drivers support full features (scanning, duplex, status). Use Brother drivers for best results.
Q: How do I set a static IP for my Brother network printer?
Either set a static IP in the printer’s network settings (consult manual), or reserve its MAC address in your router’s DHCP settings (recommended).
Q: My Brother scanner works but not the printer — what’s different?
Scanner and printer functions can use different drivers/services. Reinstall the full Brother software package (including scanner drivers) or check that the correct device is installed for each function.
Q: Are there advanced diagnostics I can run?
Yes — Brother often provides diagnostic utilities on their support site, and Windows Event Viewer (Windows Logs > System) can show print/spooler-related errors. Use Brother’s remote support if needed.
Conclusion
Most causes of a Brother printer doesn’t work in Windows 10 are resolved by checking connections, restarting the Print Spooler, and reinstalling the correct Brother drivers and ports. Follow the step-by-step solutions above, and contact Brother support if hardware or firmware problems persist.
