Running into trouble while trying to connect your Brother printer to your computer? Don’t worry—you’re not alone. Connection issues are common, whether you're using a USB, Wi-Fi, or Ethernet setup. In this guide, we’ll cover the most common reasons your Brother printer might not be connecting and offer simple, effective solutions for both Windows and Mac users.

🔍 Common Reasons Why Your Brother Printer Won’t Connect

Before diving into fixes, let’s identify some possible causes:

  • Outdated or missing printer drivers

  • Faulty USB cable or port

  • Wi-Fi connectivity issues

  • Firewall or antivirus blocking connection

  • Printer offline or not set as default

🛠️ Fix 1: Check Physical Connections (For USB Setup)

If you're using a USB connection:

  1. Ensure the USB cable is securely plugged into both the printer and your computer.

  2. Try a different USB port on your computer.

  3. Test the USB cable with another device to rule out a cable issue.

  4. Restart both the printer and the computer.

🌐 Fix 2: Reconnect to Wi-Fi (For Wireless Setup)

If your Brother printer connects via Wi-Fi:

  1. On the printer, go to Menu > Network > WLAN > Setup Wizard.

  2. Select your Wi-Fi network and enter the correct password.

  3. Make sure the printer and computer are on the same Wi-Fi network.

  4. Print a Network Configuration Report to check the connection status and IP address.

📥 Fix 3: Update or Reinstall Brother Printer Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers can prevent proper connection.

For Windows:

  1. Open Device Manager > expand Printers.

  2. Right-click your Brother printer and select Update driver.

  3. Or, uninstall it and download the latest driver from the Brother Support Website.

For macOS:

  1. Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners.

  2. Remove the existing Brother printer and add it again.

  3. If prompted, download the driver from Brother’s official site.

🔧 Fix 4: Set Your Brother Printer as the Default Printer

Sometimes, your computer may be sending the print job to a different printer.

On Windows:

  1. Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners.

  2. Click your Brother printer > select Set as default.

On Mac:

  1. Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners.

  2. Right-click the Brother printer > select Set as default printer.

🔐 Fix 5: Check Firewall or Antivirus Settings

Your firewall or antivirus may block communication between the printer and computer.

  • Temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus and try connecting the printer again.

  • If it works, add the Brother software to your firewall exceptions list.

📡 Fix 6: Use Brother iPrint&Scan Utility

Brother's official app can help identify and resolve issues automatically.

  1. Download iPrint&Scan from Brother's website.

  2. Launch the tool and let it scan for your printer.

  3. Follow the instructions to complete the setup.

🖨️ Fix 7: Check Printer Status and Error Messages

  • Ensure the printer is powered on and not in Sleep Mode.

  • Check for error messages or blinking lights on the control panel.

  • Clear any paper jams or low ink/toner warnings.

Still Not Working?

If none of the above methods work:

  • Try connecting the printer to a different computer.

  • Perform a factory reset on the printer and retry setup.

  • Contact Brother Customer Support for model-specific help.

✅ Final Thoughts

Connection problems can be frustrating, but in most cases, they’re easy to fix with a little troubleshooting. Whether you're using a USB or Wi-Fi connection, the steps above should help you reconnect your Brother printer to your computer and get back to printing smoothly.