When your Brother printer refuses to respond to a print command, it can disrupt your workflow and cause frustration. Whether you’re printing from a Windows PC, Mac, or even wirelessly, this issue can stem from various sources like outdated drivers, connectivity problems, or print queue errors.

In this guide, we’ll explore the most effective solutions to fix the “Brother printer not responding to print command” issue — so you can get back to printing without delay.

Common Causes of Brother Printer Not Responding

Before diving into solutions, it's important to understand the common reasons behind the issue:

  • Outdated or incompatible printer drivers

  • Printer not set as default

  • Connectivity issues (USB, Wi-Fi, or network)

  • Print spooler errors

  • Printer offline or in error state

  • Pending print jobs clogging the queue

  • Firewall or antivirus interference

How to Fix Brother Printer Not Responding to Print Command1. Check Physical Connections

  • Ensure the printer is properly connected via USB or Wi-Fi.

  • Replug the USB cable or restart the Wi-Fi router.

  • Confirm that the printer is powered on and not showing any error lights.

2. Restart the Printer and Computer

  • Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary glitches.

  • Turn off both the printer and computer, wait for 30 seconds, then power them back on.

3. Set Brother Printer as Default

For Windows:

  • Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers

  • Right-click your Brother printer and select “Set as default printer.”

For macOS:

  • Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners

  • Choose the Brother printer from the default printer drop-down.

4. Clear the Print Queue

  • Cancel all pending print jobs.

  • On Windows: Open Devices and Printers > Brother Printer > See what’s printing > Cancel All Documents.

  • On Mac: Go to Printers & Scanners > Open Print Queue > Cancel.

5. Restart Print Spooler Service (Windows)

  1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.

  2. Locate Print Spooler, right-click, and choose Restart.

  3. This refreshes the printing service and often resolves unresponsiveness.

6. Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers

  • Visit the official Brother Support Website and download the latest drivers.

  • Uninstall the existing printer driver and reinstall the updated one.

  • For Windows: Use Device Manager to check for driver updates.

7. Disable Antivirus or Firewall Temporarily

  • Some security software might block printer communication.

  • Temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus and try printing again.

⚠️ Don’t forget to enable it after the test.

8. Use Brother’s Printer Diagnostic Tools

Brother provides utilities like:

  • Brother Print&Scan

  • Brother iPrint&Scan

These tools help detect and resolve printing issues automatically.

 

9. Check for Firmware Updates

  • Open the Brother Support Center.

  • Enter your model number and look for firmware updates.

  • Install the latest version to enhance compatibility and performance.

10. Reset Printer to Factory Settings

If all else fails:

  • Refer to your printer’s user manual for reset instructions.

  • Factory reset clears all settings, including Wi-Fi configurations.

FAQs – Brother Printer Not Responding to Print Command

Q1. Why is my Brother printer not responding to my computer?

Answer: This could be due to a faulty USB/Wi-Fi connection, outdated drivers, or the printer not being set as the default. Check connections and driver status.

Q2. How do I know if my Brother printer is offline?

Answer: On Windows, go to Devices and Printers, and see if your printer shows “Offline.” Right-click and select “Use Printer Online.”

Q3. My printer works sometimes but not always. What’s the issue?

Answer: Intermittent connection issues, driver corruption, or background print services failing can cause inconsistent performance. Restarting and updating drivers helps.

Q4. Can antivirus software block my Brother printer?

Answer: Yes, aggressive firewall or antivirus settings can block print jobs. Try disabling them temporarily to confirm.

Q5. How do I reinstall my Brother printer?

Answer:

  1. Uninstall the printer via Control Panel > Devices and Printers.

  2. Download the latest driver from Brother's official site.

  3. Install and reconnect the printer to your PC.

Conclusion

A Brother printer not responding to print commands can be fixed in most cases by following the above steps. Whether it’s a connectivity hiccup, driver issue, or a setting that’s gone rogue — a methodical approach usually gets you back on track. Always keep your firmware and drivers updated, and regularly check your printer queue for stuck jobs.