You're not the only one experiencing issues when trying to install your Brother printer driver. During setup, many customers encounter problems, particularly while installing Brother Industries printer drivers on Windows or macOS.

Compatibility issues, out-of-date systems, corrupted files, or improper setup techniques are the most common causes of driver installation errors. The good news? The majority of these problems are simple to resolve.

We'll go over the typical reasons, workable fixes, actual user experience insights, and frequently asked questions in this comprehensive guide to help you install your Brother printer driver. 

Common Reasons Why Brother Printer Driver Installation Fails

1. Incompatible Operating System

One of the most common reasons for Brother printer driver installation failure is OS incompatibility. For example:

• Installing a Windows 10 driver on Windows 11

• Using an outdated macOS driver version

Always download the correct driver version from the official Brother website that matches your exact OS version.

2. Corrupted or Incomplete Driver Download

If your internet connection drops during download, the driver file may become corrupted. This leads to:

• “Installation Failed” error messages

• Setup freezing midway

• Missing DLL file errors

Solution: Delete the previous file and download a fresh copy.

3. Antivirus or Firewall Blocking Installation

Security software sometimes blocks printer driver installation, thinking it’s an unknown application.

Try temporarily disabling:

• Windows Defender

• Third-party antivirus programs

• Firewall settings

Then reinstall the driver.

4. USB Connection Issues

If you’re installing via USB:

• Faulty cable

• Loose connection

• Damaged USB port

These can interrupt driver detection.

Use a different USB port or cable before reinstalling.

5. Old Printer Drivers Already Installed

Existing outdated drivers can conflict with new ones.

Fix:

1. Open Device Manager

2. Remove old Brother printer drivers

3. Restart your PC

4. Install the new driver
   
   

6. Windows Update Missing

If your system lacks important updates, the driver may not install correctly.

Go to:
Settings → Windows Update → Check for Updates

Install pending updates and retry.

7. Admin Permission Issues

Some users try installing without administrator rights. This can cause silent installation failure.

Right-click the driver file → Select “Run as Administrator.”

Step-by-Step Fix for Brother Printer Driver Installation Failure

Follow this proven method:

1. Disconnect printer from computer

2. Uninstall all previous Brother printer drivers

3. Restart your system

4. Download the latest compatible driver

5. Disable antivirus temporarily

6. Run installer as Administrator

7. Connect printer only when prompted

This resolves most installation errors.

Advanced Troubleshooting Tips

If basic fixes don’t work:

✔ Use Driver Installation Tool

Brother provides utilities that automatically detect and install drivers.

✔ Clear Print Spooler

1. Press Win + R

2. Type: services.msc

3. Stop “Print Spooler”

4. Restart it

✔ Try Compatibility Mode (Windows)

Right-click installer → Properties → Compatibility → Select older Windows version.

Mac Users: Special Note

On macOS:

• Allow printer drivers in Security & Privacy settings

• Approve blocked system extensions

• Restart after installation

Some macOS versions require manual permission approval for third-party drivers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Why does the installation of my Brother printer driver keep failing?

Usually, outdated drivers, damaged downloads, or compatibility problems cause it to fail. Install the correct version of the drivers after removing the old ones.

Q2. Can the installation of Brother printer drivers be blocked by antivirus software?

Yes, driver files can occasionally be blocked by antivirus software. Turn them off for a while and try again.

Q3. How can I get rid of outdated Brother printer drivers entirely?

To get rid of outdated drivers before reinstalling, use Device Manager in Windows or Printer Settings in Mac.

Q4. Does installing Brother printer drivers require internet access?

If downloading from the official website, then the answer is yes. Offline driver packages, however, may function if they have already been properly downloaded. 

Although they can be annoying, Brother printer driver installation issues are typically simple to resolve. Outdated systems, incompatible driver versions, or residual old files are the main causes of problems.

You can quickly resolve the issue by carefully removing outdated drivers, obtaining the correct version, and following the installation instructions.

For model-specific assistance, it is recommended to contact Brother support if the issue persists.