Follow the steps below to resolve this issue:

 

STEP A: Verify the Brother machine is powered on and there are no errors

1. If your Brother machine's screen (hereinafter called LCD) is blank or LED is off, the machine may not be powered on. Check the machine to see if it wakes from sleep mode.
   If it does not, then make sure it is plugged into a working socket and any power switches are turned ON.
   
   NOTE: If you are unable to power on the machine, then this solution does not apply. Go to Troubleshoot this hardware issue.
    
2. Check if the LCD or LED indication of your Brother machine is not showing some error. An example would be "Paper Jam" or "Ink/Toner Empty". If the LCD or LED shows an error, troubleshoot the error to clear the issue indicated.

 

STEP B: Make sure the printer is connected to the computer

• If using a USB cable, make sure the cable is connected to both the printer and computer.
  Try connecting it directly to the computer and not via a hub.
• If using an ethernet cable, make sure the cable is connected to both the printer and router/access point.
  Print the network configuration page to check the IP address.
• If using a wireless connection, print the network configuration page to check the IP address.

If the issue continues, go to STEP C.

 

 

STEP C: Check the following points applicable for your operating system

• (Windows)
• (macOS)

STEP C (Windows): Make sure your Brother machine is set as the default printer

Open the printer folder and make sure there is a check mark on your Brother machine's icon:

 

(Windows 11 or later)

Make sure your Brother machine is selected to print in your application.

 

(Windows 8, Windows 10)

1. Open the Control Panel. (Click here to see how to open the Control Panel.)
2. Click Hardware and Sound > Devices and Printers.
   
   

(Windows 7)

Click Start > Devices and Printers.

 

If the check mark is not on your Brother machine, right-click the icon for your Brother machine and select Set as default printer.

 

 

STEP D (Windows): Delete all printer jobs

(Windows 11 or later)

1. Click Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
2. Select your Brother machine, and then click Open print queue.
3. Click > Cancel all.
   

 

(Windows 10 or earlier)

Right-click the icon for your Brother machine > See what's printing > Printer > Cancel All Documents.

 

 

STEP E (Windows): Check the printer status in the Devices and Printers window

 

If the printer status is Offline

 

 

(Windows 10 or earlier)

Right-click the icon for your Brother machine > See what's printing > Printer > Use Printer Offline (removes the checkmark).

If the printer status is Paused

 

 

(Windows 10 or earlier)

Right-click the icon for your Brother machine > See what's printing > Printer > Pause Printing (removes the checkmark).

 

STEP F (Windows): If a copy of your Brother machine's icon (For example: Brother [model name] (Copy 1)) is listed in the printer list

A copy of your printer with the same printer name may be created if you:

• Changed the USB port on your computer which is connected to the Brother machine.
• Installed the same printer driver multiple times.

This may lead to some copies of your printer driver not working correctly. To print, select a printer driver that you know is working.

 

To check which printer driver is working, do the following:

• (Windows 11)
• (Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10)

(Windows 11)

 

1. Turn the Brother machine on. If any other machines are connected, only turn the Brother machine on that you want to use.
2. Click Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
3. Select your Brother machine.
4. Make sure the Brother machine's status.
   If the status is idle, it means the printer driver is working correctly. Select this printer driver when printing.
   

   (Optional) To change the printer name, do the following:

   1. Click Printer properties.
   2. Change the printer name in the Printer Properties window, and click OK.

 

(Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10)

 

1. Turn the Brother machine on. If any other machines are connected, only turn the Brother machine on that you want to use.
2. Open the printer folder:
   (Windows 8, Windows 10)
   Open the Control Panel. (Click here to see how to open the Control Panel.)
   Click Hardware and Sound > Devices and Printers.
   
   (Windows 7)
   Click Start > Device and Printers.
3. Hover the cursor over the printer icon until the printer status pop-up appears.
   
   
   
   If the status is Offline, the printer driver is not working. Select the printer driver that status is not Offline.

   (Optional) To change the printer name, do the following:

   (Windows 7 or later)

   1. Right-click the printer icon.
   2. Click Printer Properties.
   3. Change the printer name in the Printer Properties window, and click OK.
4. If you always want to print using this printer, right-click the icon of the machine and select Set as default printer. The check mark will appear on the machine's icon and when you next print, this printer driver will be selected automatically.
   
   

 

STEP G (Windows): If the issue still continues...

Check the solution applicable for your case:

 (For USB connection)
> Click here to see how to resolve cannot print using my Brother machine on a USB connection.

 

(For wired networks)
> Click here to see how to resolve cannot print using my Brother machine on a wired network (Windows/macOS).

 

(For wireless networks)
> Click here to see how to resolve cannot print using my Brother machine on a wireless network (Windows).

 

 

STEP C (macOS): If the issue still continues...

Check the solution applicable for your case:

 (For USB connection)
> Click here to see how to resolve cannot print using my Brother machine on a USB connection.

 

(For wired networks)
> Click here to see how to resolve cannot print using my Brother machine on a wired network (Windows/macOS).

 

(For wireless networks)
> Click here to see how to resolve cannot print using my Brother machine on a wireless network (Mac).