How Do I Fix My Brother Printer Not Scanning: Causes & Fixes

A Brother printer that stops scanning or printing can be frustrating. Printers help make tasks easier, so when they stop working, it disrupts productivity and causes delays. There could be several reasons why your Brother printer is not scanning. This can happen due to weak connections, outdated drivers, incorrect printer settings, or hardware issues within the printer. However, you can resolve them all with some troubleshooting methods.

I’m a tech student who enjoys learning about gadgets and solving technical problems. Fixing a printer may seem difficult at first, but it’s actually quite simple once you know the steps. I was also initially intimidated by these technical aspects, but now I am very familiar with the methods. This is why I have listed the simple methods to resolve this issue.

Reason 1: Printer Connection Issues

When the printer is not properly connected to the USB or network, it won’t print or scan. If it’s not connected to your computer or device, it will also fail to work.

Solution: Verify the Connection

Make sure your printer is securely connected to the power supply, USB cable, or network connection. In case you are using an Ethernet cable, then check if it’s securely connected to the printer. Tighten the cables if the connection feels loose.

If you are using a wireless connection, then run a speed test on your device to check if the network speed is stable. Restart the router using the following steps if it's not within the required range.

1. Disconnect the router from the wall outlet.

2. Reconnect it to the power supply after 30 seconds.

After that, check if the Brother printer starts scanning. If not, move on to the next method.

Reason 2: Minor Technical Glitches in Devices

Sometimes, a small error in a printer or computer can cause big issues, such as stopping the printer from scanning or printing. In this condition, you can restart these devices using these steps.

Solution: Restart the Printer and Computer

Restarting both devices can help restore the Brother printer’s normal function. Here are the detailed steps to restart these devices.

Step 1: Restart the Printer

1. Disconnect your printer from the wall outlet.

2. Press and hold the power button to completely turn off the device.

3. Finally, reconnect the printer to the wall outlet.

Step 2: Restart the Computer

1. Click the Windows icon on the computer’s taskbar at the bottom.

2. After that, press the power icon and choose Restart from the options.

Wait for the Windows computer to restart.

Reason 3: Incorrect Scanner Settings

Your Brother printer won’t scan if the scanner settings are not configured correctly.

Solution: Enable the Scan to PC Option

As the name suggests, this option is essential for scanning from the printer to the PC. If this option is not ON on your computer, it won’t allow the printer to scan. Here are the step-by-step instructions on enabling this feature.

Step 1: Download & Install Printer Drivers

To enable this option, you need to get the Brother printer driver from its official website. Use these steps to install them:

1. Visit support.brother.com in your internet browser, and click on Downloads.

2. Type your printer model in the search bar and select it from the list.

3. Then, select your operating system from the options, and select the Full Driver & Software Package option.

4. Click Agree to the EULA and then select Download to get the drivers.

5. Go to the Downloads folder to check the driver’s file, and double-click on it to start the installation.

Step 2: Enable the Scan to PC Feature

Turn on the Scan to PC feature to let your Brother printer scan properly. Here are the steps to do it:

1. Search for ControlCenter4 from the Start menu on the computer.

2. Locate the Device Settings and select Device Scan Settings.

3. Ensure that your printer is listed under the ‘Scan to PC’ feature and is enabled.

Finally, save the settings to use your Brother printer.

Reason 4: Brother Printer Set to Offline

Sometimes, printers are accidentally set to offline mode, which stops them from printing or scanning. Use the steps below to bring it back online.

1. Click the Start icon located on the taskbar and type Settings in the search bar.

2. Select the Bluetooth & Devices option, and then select the Printers & Scanners option.

3. Select your printer’s name from the given list, and click Open Queue to open it.

4. Click on Printer on the next window, and uncheck the “Use Printer Offline” option.

That’s how you can bring the printer back online. Doing this usually fixes the scanning problem.

Final Words

I have shared the best methods "How to fix a Brother printer that isn’t scanning". I have also noticed that sometimes the Brother printer can print but not scan, and this often happens because of issues with the printer or scanner drivers. It can be frustrating when you can’t identify the exact cause of the problem, which is why I follow basic to advanced troubleshooting steps.

Here, you start with simple methods, such as checking the printer’s connection and restarting the devices, and then move on to advanced methods, including enabling the Scan to PC feature and setting the printer from offline to online. This way, you can fix the problem quickly and easily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question

Why Is My Brother Printer Not Scanning?

If your printer is not scanning, there are several reasons that could be causing this issue. For instance, the printer is not connected to the power supply, the internet, or the device. Out-of-date printer drivers, incorrect scanner settings, and technical issues with the printer also contribute to scanning errors in a Brother printer. 

Question

Why Won't My Brother Printer Print but Not Scan?

It’s not unusual for this to happen. Printing uses printer drivers, while scanning uses separate scanner drivers. If the scanner drivers are outdated or corrupted, your printer won’t be able to scan properly. In this case, you need to update them so your printer can function correctly.

Question

What to Do if My Brother Printer Is Not Scanning?

If your printer is not scanning, you should check its network and cable connections. You can also restart the wireless router and reinstall the printer drivers. You can also set the printer to online mode. Minor technical glitches might also cause this problem.

Source: How to Fix My Brother Printer Not Scanning