If your Brother printer not printing is preventing you from completing important tasks, you’re not alone. This is one of the most common issues Brother printer users experience, whether using a USB or wireless connection. The good news is that most printing problems can be resolved with a few simple troubleshooting steps.

In this guide, you’ll learn the most common reasons your Brother printer isn’t printing, how to fix the issue on Windows and Mac, and tips to prevent future printing problems.

What You’ll Learn

• Common reasons a Brother printer is not printing
• How to troubleshoot printing issues step by step
• Solutions for wireless and USB connection problems
• How to fix print queue and driver issues
• Ink and toner troubleshooting
• How to reset your Brother printer
• Preventive maintenance tips
• Frequently asked questions

Why Is My Brother Printer Not Printing?

Several hardware and software issues can prevent your Brother printer from printing properly. Identifying the root cause helps you apply the correct solution.

Common causes include:

• Printer is offline
• Empty or low ink/toner
• Paper jam
• Incorrect printer settings
• Outdated printer driver
• Corrupted print queue
• Poor Wi-Fi connection
• USB cable issues
• Incorrect default printer selection
• Firmware problems

How to Fix Brother Printer Not Printing

Follow these troubleshooting steps in order.

Check the printer power.

Ensure the printer is powered on and there are no warning lights displayed.

If the display shows an error message, resolve it before attempting to print.

Verify the Connection

If you’re using a USB connection:

• Disconnect and reconnect the cable.
• Try another USB port.
• Replace the USB cable if necessary.

For wireless printers:

• Confirm the printer is connected to your Wi-Fi network.
• Make sure your computer is connected to the same network.
• Restart your router if needed.

Restart Your Devices

Power off:

• Brother printer
• Computer
• Wi-Fi router (if applicable)

Wait one minute before turning everything back on.

Restarting often clears temporary communication issues.

Check the print queue.

A stuck print job can stop all future documents from printing.

Windows

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Printers & Scanners.
3. Choose your Brother printer.
4. Open the print queue.
5. Cancel all pending jobs.

Mac

1. Open System Settings.
2. Select Printers & Scanners.
3. Open the print queue.
4. Delete any stuck print jobs.

Try printing again.

Make Sure the Brother Printer Is Online

Sometimes Windows marks the printer as offline even when it’s connected.

To Bring the Printer Online

• Open Printers & Scanners.
• Select your Brother printer.
• Disable Use Printer Offline if it’s enabled.
• Ensure Pause Printing is unchecked.

Set Brother Printer as the default printer.

Your computer may be sending print jobs to another printer.

Windows

1. Open Printers & Scanners.
2. Select your Brother printer.
3. Click Set as Default.

This ensures all print jobs are sent to the correct device.

Update or Reinstall the Brother Printer Driver

Outdated or corrupted drivers frequently cause printing problems.

Update the Driver

• Download the latest driver for your printer model.
• Install the updated driver.
• Restart your computer.

If updating doesn’t help, uninstall the existing driver and perform a clean installation.

Check Ink or Toner Levels

Low or empty cartridges prevent proper printing.

Inspect:

• Ink levels (inkjet models)
• Toner cartridge (laser models)
• Drum unit (laser printers)

Replace any consumables that are empty or nearing the end of their life.

Resolve Paper Jam Issues

Even a small piece of paper inside the printer can stop printing.

Remove a Paper Jam

1. Turn off the printer.
2. Open all access covers.
3. Remove jammed paper carefully.
4. Check the rear tray and paper path.
5. Close all covers securely.
6. Restart the printer.

Never pull paper forcefully, as this can damage internal components.

Brother Printer Connected but Not Printing

If your printer appears connected but still doesn’t print, check the following:

• Correct printer selected
• No error messages on the display
• The print queue is empty
• Latest driver installed
• Stable Wi-Fi connection
• The firewall isn’t blocking communication

Running the built-in printer troubleshooter can also identify connection issues.

Brother Wireless Printer Not Printing

Wireless printing problems are often caused by network interruptions.

Reconnect the Printer to Wi-Fi

• Open the printer’s Network Settings.
• Select your wireless network.
• Enter the Wi-Fi password.
• Confirm the connection.

If your router has recently changed its password, reconnect the printer using the updated credentials.

Brother Printer Prints Blank Pages

Blank pages are usually caused by:

• Empty ink cartridge
• Protective tape left on a new cartridge
• Clogged print head
• Incorrect paper settings
• Faulty cartridge

Run the printer’s cleaning cycle and perform a nozzle check if available.

Brother Laser Printer Not Printing

For laser printers, also inspect:

• Toner cartridge
• Drum unit
• Fuser assembly
• Paper feed rollers

Replace worn components according to Brother’s maintenance recommendations.

How to Reset a Brother Printer

A reset can clear temporary errors.

Soft Reset

1. Turn off the printer.
2. Unplug the power cable.
3. Wait 60 seconds.
4. Plug it back in.
5. Turn the printer on.

Factory Reset

Open the printer menu.

Navigate to:

Settings > Initial Setup > Reset

Follow the on-screen instructions.

Note that a factory reset removes saved Wi-Fi settings and customized configurations.

Tips to Prevent Brother Printer Printing Problems

Regular maintenance improves reliability.

Best practices include:

• Keep printer drivers updated.
• Use genuine Brother ink or toner.
• Print at least once a week.
• Clean the printer regularly.
• Store paper in a dry location.
• Avoid overloading the paper tray.
• Update printer firmware periodically.

Preventive maintenance reduces unexpected downtime and extends the life of your printer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Brother printer not printing even though it is connected?

This is usually caused by an offline status, a stuck print queue, outdated drivers, incorrect printer settings, or network connectivity issues.

Why does my Brother printer print blank pages?

Blank pages may result from clogged print heads, empty ink cartridges, protective tape on new cartridges, or incorrect print settings.

How do I get my Brother printer back online?

Open your computer’s printer settings, disable “Use Printer Offline,” ensure the printer is connected to the correct network, and restart both the printer and your computer.

Should I reinstall the Brother printer driver?

Yes. Reinstalling the driver is recommended if updating the driver doesn’t resolve the problem or if the driver has become corrupted.

Can a firmware update fix Brother printer printing issues?

Yes. Firmware updates often improve printer performance, resolve software bugs, and enhance compatibility with newer operating systems.

Conclusion

If your Brother printer not printing is disrupting your workflow, don’t panic. Most printing issues are caused by simple problems such as connection errors, outdated drivers, paper jams, or low ink and toner levels. By following the troubleshooting steps in this guide, you can identify the root cause, restore normal printing, and keep your Brother printer running efficiently. Regular maintenance, updated software, and proper printer care will help minimize future printing problems and ensure reliable performance.