Why Is My Brother Printer Not Connecting to My Computer? – Complete Fix

Why is my Brother printer not connecting to my computer? – This is common among printer owners.

There are many reasons why this can be happening. But whether it is a wired or wireless setup, you can easily fix the problem.

If your Brother Printer isn’t connecting to your computer, it means you have not established a connection correctly. To fix this, disconnect and reconnect the USB cables on both ends. Then, disconnect and reconnect your devices. Confirm that wires are attached properly to the port.  

If you don’t have a technical background, this guide will come in handy to troubleshoot your printer not connecting to your computer issue.

Usually, the issue is minor. But, in some cases, there can be major reasons that cause such issues.

Below are some of the possible causes of Brother Printer not connecting to a computer.

Why Is My Brother Printer Not Connecting to My Computer?

There are various reasons for Brother Printer not connecting to your computer.

If you know what causes the issue, you can apply the appropriate solutions to the problem.

Poor Connection

If your printer doesn’t connect to your computer, you may be dealing with a poor connection.

While you can connect Brother printers to any computer, you need to ensure that your device is properly connected. The USB cable must be a twisted pair, shielded, and not more than 6 feet.

Wrong Printer Settings

Verify the printer driver settings. The wrong settings can cause connection issues.

Also, make sure that you choose the correct port for your printer. If you did not set the printer driver settings correctly, your Brother Printer would not connect to your computer and print properly. 

Obsolete Printer Driver

Ensure you installed the correct printer driver for your Brother Printer model and that it is genuine.

If the driver of your printer is outdated, search for the latest update on the Brother website.

To update, double-click the P-touch Update Software icon. Then, click the Machine Update icon. Select your printer and tap OK.

Lastly, select the Language and check the firmware before you click Transfer.

Hardware Issue

If your Brother Printer is updated and properly set and connected, the reason why it is not linking to your computer may be hardware-related.

If this is the case, have your machine repaired. 

The most likely reason why your Brother Printer will not connect to your computer is a poor connection. This may happen as a result of incorrect printer settings or configuration.

How to Fix Brother Printer Not Connecting to My Computer

Now that you know the causes why a Brother Printer won’t connect to computer, it’s time to troubleshoot the issue.

Here are some simple solutions you can perform on your own. 

Solution #1: Make Sure Your Printer is Turned On

The first action you want to do is make sure your printer is turned ON. The On/Off switch is on the right side of the printer.

1. If the Brother Printer’s screen is blank, the machine may be OFF.
2. Press Start and Options simultaneously to check if it is in Sleep Mode.
3. Make sure you plugged the machine into a working socket.

Note: If you cannot power on your Brother Printer, there may be a hardware issue.

Solution #2: Check the Status of Your Printer

If you have verified that the printer is on, check the LCD for any error messages like Paper Jam or Ink/Toner Empty.

If the LCD shows an error, troubleshoot the problem to fix the issue indicated.

Paper Jam

1. Open the front cover and let the machine cool down for 10 minutes.
2. Take out the drum unit and toner cartridge.
3. Close the front cover.
4. Pull the paper tray out of the printer. 
5. Slowly pull out the jammed paper with both hands.

Note: If the error message shows Ink/Toner Empty, it means you need to replace the ink/toner cartridge because it has reached the end of its life.

Solution #3: Disconnect and Reconnect the Printer from the Computer

Make sure your Brother Printer is properly connected to your computer by disconnecting and reconnecting the USB cables on both ends.

Then, disconnect them and connect them again after some time.

1. Switch ON your computer and Brother Printer.
2. Insert the USB in the jack of the printer and computer.
3. On your computer, go to the Printer > Device Management.
4. Click Add Printer.
5. Follow the instructions on the screen.

Note: Confirm that the cables are properly attached to the USB port of your Brother Printer and not on any other port.

Solution #4: Check the Printer Settings on Your Computer

Suppose the connection isn’t the issue why your Brother Printer won’t connect to your computer, verify the printer driver settings. On your computer, open the printer folder.

1. Go to Control Panel.
2. Select Hardware and Sound.
3. Click Devices and Printers.
4. Find your device on the list of printers.
5. To change the printer driver settings, right-click your device and select Print Properties.

Note: If you can’t find your Brother machine from the printer’s list, the issue is with the printer driver. The next solution is the best way to solve the problem.

Solution #5: Update Your Printer with the Latest Drivers

Make sure you installed the correct printer driver for your Brother machine model. Also, ensure that it is genuine.

1. Make sure your Brother machine and computer are connected.
2. Download the firmware update tool.
3. Go to Downloads to see more information about the update.
4. Follow on-screen instructions to update.

Brother regularly improves the function of their products.

Note: Update the printer driver and firmware to the latest version to download bug fixes, security patches, and new features.

Solution #6: Reset Your Printer to Default Settings

If none of those mentioned above simple solutions work, reset your Brother Printer to default settings.

But before you do it, back up your documents, archives, passwords, and IP addresses.

1. Disconnect the cables and press Menu from the Control Panel.
2. Select Initial Setup, then OK.
3. Select Reset, then OK.
4. Select your preferred Reset Function, then OK.

Suppose prompted to reset all settings and the printer, Press 1. Suppose you want to exit without changing the settings or resetting the printer, press 2.

Note: You can’t undo resetting your Brother Printer to default settings, so make sure you create backup files. 

If your Brother Printer doesn’t connect to your computer, ensure it is ON and all cables are properly connected. Also, ensure you update your device to the latest version for bug fixes and improved function.

Read Next: Brother Printer Data Remaining in Memory?

Last Thoughts

If you are questioning yourself, “Why is my Brother printer not connecting to my computer, you’ve come to the right place.

This post helps you understand why the issue occurs and provides solutions you can do on your own.

If you have done everything in this article, but you are still experiencing issues with your Brother machine, reach out to their customer service for additional assistance.

If you think this post is useful but have another issue with your Brother Printer setup, you can explore our blog for answers and solutions. You will definitely find what you are looking for here.