Why Is my brother’s Printer Not Working? Complete Troubleshooting Guide

If your Brother printer suddenly stops working, prints blank pages, shows error codes, or refuses to connect to Wi-Fi, you’re definitely not alone. Many users experience printer problems that can be frustrating, especially when you need to print something urgently. The good news is that most Brother printer issues can be fixed with a few practical troubleshooting steps.

This guide will walk you through common reasons why your Brother printer may not be working, how to fix them, and what to do if you still can’t get it running. For additional help, you can also reach out to Brother Printer Support at +1-844-513-1589 / 1 844.513.1589 for expert assistance.

1. Common Reasons Why Your Brother Printer Isn’t Working

Before diving into the solutions, it helps to understand the root causes. Here are some of the most common reasons your Brother printer might not work properly:

1. Connectivity issues – The printer is not properly connected via USB, Ethernet, or Wi-Fi.
2. Outdated or corrupted drivers – Old or incorrect printer drivers can prevent your system from communicating with the printer.
3. Paper jams or hardware issues – Internal obstructions, worn-out rollers, or sensor problems can cause the printer to stop.
4. Ink or toner problems – Empty cartridges, dried ink, or clogged print heads may result in blank or streaked pages.
5. Printer set to offline mode – Sometimes, the printer appears “offline” even though it’s physically connected.
6. Firmware or software bugs – Occasionally, the printer’s internal software may glitch or require an update.
7. Queue overload – Too many stuck print jobs can freeze the printer.

Knowing which category your issue falls into can help you target the right fix.

2. Check Basic Connections First

One of the simplest but most effective troubleshooting steps is checking all connections.

For Wired (USB or Ethernet) Printers:

• Ensure the cable is securely connected to both the printer and computer.
• Try plugging the USB cable into a different port.
• Avoid using a USB hub—connect the printer directly to your computer.
• If using an Ethernet connection, confirm the cable is functional and connected to the same network.

For Wireless Printers:

• Make sure your printer and computer are on the same Wi-Fi network.
• Restart your router and printer.
• Check your printer’s display for the Wi-Fi signal indicator.
• Reconnect your Brother printer to the network using the Wi-Fi setup option in its menu.

If connectivity still fails, you might need to reinstall the Brother printer driver or reconfigure your network settings.

3. Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers

One of the leading causes of Brother printer issues is outdated or missing drivers. Your printer driver acts as a communication bridge between the printer and your operating system.

Steps to Update or Reinstall the Driver:

1. Uninstall the existing Brother printer driver:
   • On Windows, go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers, right-click your printer, and select Remove device.
   • On macOS, open System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, select your printer, and click Remove (-).
2. Download the latest driver from the official Brother website.
   • Visit the Brother Support page.
   • Enter your printer model (e.g., Brother HL-L2395DW).
   • Choose your operating system and download the latest driver package.
3. Install the new driver by following the on-screen instructions.

If the problem persists, you can contact Brother Support at +1-844-513-1589 / 1 844.513.1589 for personalized driver assistance.

4. Clear Print Queue and Reset the Printer

Sometimes, the issue lies in your computer’s print queue rather than the printer itself.

To clear the print queue:

1. Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
2. Right-click your Brother printer and choose See what’s printing.
3. Cancel all pending print jobs.
4. Restart your printer and computer.

If the printer still won’t respond, perform a hard reset:

• Turn off the printer.
• Unplug the power cord for about 60 seconds.
• Plug it back in and turn the printer on.

This simple reset often resolves frozen printer states or unresponsive behavior.

5. Fix “Printer Offline” Errors

A very common problem users face is the Brother printer showing as “Offline” even when it’s connected and powered on.

To fix the issue:

1. Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners (Windows).
2. Select your Brother printer and click Open queue.
3. Click Printer on the top menu and ensure “Use Printer Offline” is unchecked.
4. Restart the printer and try printing again.

If you’re on macOS:

• Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
• Remove and re-add the printer to refresh its connection.

If your printer still appears offline, call Brother Printer Support at +1-844-513-1589 / 1 844.513.1589 for guided troubleshooting.

6. Check Ink, Toner, and Paper

If your printer is turning on but not printing properly, inspect the consumables.

Inkjet Printers:

• Open the ink cartridge cover and check if cartridges are properly seated.
• Replace any empty or low cartridges.
• Run the “Print Head Cleaning” function from the printer’s maintenance menu.

Laser Printers:

• Shake the toner cartridge gently to redistribute toner powder.
• Replace the cartridge if the print quality is poor or faded.

Also, ensure there’s no paper jam. Remove any stuck paper and check the rollers for debris or wear.

7. Update Firmware and Software

Brother periodically releases firmware updates to improve performance and fix bugs.

To update:

• Visit the Brother Support website.
• Download the latest Firmware Update Tool for your model.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.

Keeping your firmware up to date ensures your printer remains compatible with the latest operating systems and devices.

8. Network Configuration Issues

If you’re using your Brother printer over Wi-Fi and it still won’t print, the issue could be network configuration.

Try the following:

• Print a Network Configuration Page from your printer’s menu to verify connection details.
• Make sure the IP address of your printer matches the one configured on your computer.
• Disable any firewall or antivirus software temporarily to check if they’re blocking the connection.

If you’re still unable to connect, reach out to Brother Printer Support at +1-844-513-1589 / 1 844.513.1589 for advanced network troubleshooting.

9. Error Codes and Messages

Brother printers display various error codes, such as E50, E51, or E32, which indicate specific problems.

Common ones include:

• E50 / Fuser Error – Printer overheating or fuser unit malfunction.
• E51 / Motor Error – Mechanical issue inside the printer.
• E32 / Scanner Error – Problem with the scanning mechanism.

Each model has unique error codes, so always check the printer’s manual or Brother’s support site for details.

10. When to Contact Support

If you’ve tried all the above steps and your Brother printer still won’t work, it might be time to get professional support.

The Brother support team can help with:

• Remote troubleshooting
• Firmware recovery
• Driver installation
• Network setup
• Hardware diagnostics

Brother Printer Support Number: +1-844-513-1589 / 1 844.513.1589

They can guide you step-by-step to identify and fix the issue quickly.

Conclusion

A Brother printer that suddenly stops working can be annoying, but in most cases, the fix is straightforward. Whether it’s a connection issue, an outdated driver, or a simple setting error, the above steps should help restore your printer to normal operation.

To summarize:

• Check your connections and ensure the printer is powered on.
• Update or reinstall drivers and firmware.
• Clear the print queue and reset the device.
• Verify ink, toner, and paper levels.
• If all else fails, don’t hesitate to call Brother Printer Support at +1-844-513-1589 / 1 844.513.1589 for immediate help.

With the right approach, your Brother printer should be back up and running in no time.