Is your Brother printer not printing even though everything seems fine? Don’t worry—this is a common issue that many users face. Whether you're using Windows, macOS, or a wireless connection, there are several quick and easy solutions that can get your printer back in action.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most effective ways to fix a Brother printer that won't print.
🔍 Common Reasons Why Your Brother Printer Isn’t Printing
Before jumping into the fixes, it helps to understand what might be causing the problem. Here are some of the most frequent culprits:
Printer is offline or paused
Outdated or corrupted drivers
Empty or misaligned ink cartridges
Paper jams or hardware issues
Connectivity issues (USB/Wi-Fi)
Wrong printer set as default
✅ Fixes for Brother Printer Not Printing
1. Check the Basics First
Make sure the printer is turned on and connected properly.
Check the display panel for any error messages (like "no paper" or "low ink").
Ensure there’s enough paper in the tray and no paper jams.
2. Set Brother Printer as Default
Sometimes, your computer might be trying to send the print job to a different printer.
On Windows:
Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers
Right-click on your Brother printer and choose Set as default printer
On Mac:
Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners
Select your Brother printer and click Set as default
3. Clear the Print Queue
A stuck print job can block all others from printing.
On Windows:
Open Devices and Printers
Right-click on your Brother printer > See what’s printing
Cancel or remove all pending jobs
On Mac:
Go to Printers & Scanners
Click your Brother printer > Open Print Queue and clear pending tasks
4. Restart Devices
Restart your printer
Restart your computer
If you're using a Wi-Fi printer, restart your router too
5. Reinstall or Update Printer Drivers
An outdated or corrupt driver could be the root cause.
Visit the Brother Support Website
Download and install the latest drivers for your printer model and operating system
6. Check for Ink or Toner Issues
Make sure your ink or toner cartridges are not empty or dry
Reinstall the cartridges to ensure they're properly seated
For inkjet models, run a nozzle check or cleaning cycle from the printer menu
7. Try Printing from Another Device
To determine whether the problem lies with your printer or computer:
Try printing from a different device (e.g., smartphone or another PC)
If it works, the issue is likely with your original device or software
🛠️ Advanced Fix: Reset the Printer
If nothing else works, try resetting the printer to factory settings. This varies by model, so check your user manual or Brother’s support site for instructions.
💬 Brother Printer Still Not Printing?
If you’ve tried all of the above and your Brother printer still won’t print, it might be time to:
Contact Brother Customer Support
Get your printer inspected for hardware issues
Consider a firmware update from Brother’s official site
🔚 Conclusion
A non-responsive printer can be frustrating, especially when you're in a rush. Fortunately, most Brother printer not printing issues can be fixed with a few quick troubleshooting steps. From checking connections and print queues to updating drivers and resetting the system, you now have the tools to fix it fast.