If your Brother printer’s scan-to-computer not working issue is preventing you from digitizing important documents, you’re not alone. Many Brother printer users encounter scanning problems due to outdated drivers, incorrect scanner settings, network connectivity issues, or software conflicts. The good news is that most scanning issues can be resolved without replacing your printer or contacting technical support.

Whether your Brother printer is connected via USB or Wi-Fi, this guide walks you through the most effective troubleshooting methods. You’ll learn how to identify the root cause, restore the scan function, and prevent similar problems in the future.

What You’ll Learn

• Common reasons why Brother printer scan-to-computer is not working
• How to troubleshoot scanning issues on Windows and Mac
• Fixes for network and USB-connected printers
• Driver and software solutions
• Brother iPrint&Scan troubleshooting
• Firewall and antivirus settings
• How to reset scanning functions
• Tips to prevent future scanning problems

Why Is Brother Printer Scan to Computer Not Working?

Scanning problems usually occur because of software, connectivity, or configuration issues rather than hardware failure.

Common causes include:

• Outdated Brother printer drivers
• Corrupted scanner drivers
• Windows updates causing compatibility issues
• Incorrect scanner selected as the default device
• Network communication failures
• USB cable problems
• Firewall blocking scanner communication
• Brother ControlCenter not running
• Scanner service stopped
• Incorrect scan destination settings

Identifying the exact cause makes troubleshooting much easier.

Check Basic Hardware Connections Before Troubleshooting

Before changing software settings, verify the physical connection.

For USB printers:

• Ensure the USB cable is securely connected.
• Try another USB port.
• Avoid using USB hubs.
• Test with another USB cable if available.

For wireless printers:

• Confirm the printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the computer.
• Restart the router.
• Move the printer closer to the router if the signal is weak.

A simple connection issue is often the reason scanning suddenly stops working.

Restart Your Brother Printer and Computer

Temporary communication glitches can interrupt scanning.

Follow these steps:

1. Turn off the printer.
2. Shut down the computer.
3. Restart your Wi-Fi router if using a wireless printer.
4. Wait one minute.
5. Turn everything back on.
6. Try scanning again.

This refreshes network communication and clears temporary software errors.

Update Brother Printer Drivers and scanner software.

Outdated drivers are one of the most common causes of scanning failures.

Update the following:

• Brother printer driver
• Brother scanner driver
• Brother ControlCenter software
• Brother iPrint&Scan application
• Printer firmware

Installing the latest software improves compatibility with Windows 11, Windows 10, and macOS.

Verify That the Correct Scanner Is Selected

Sometimes Windows or macOS selects another scanner as the default device.

On Windows

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Bluetooth & Devices.
3. Click Printers & Scanners.
4. Verify your Brother printer appears correctly.
5. Choose the Brother scanner when using scanning applications.

On macOS

1. Open System Settings.
2. Navigate to Printers & Scanners.
3. Select your Brother printer.
4. Confirm scanner functionality using Image Capture or Brother software.

Using the wrong scanner device often causes scan failures.

Fix Brother ControlCenter Not Working

Brother ControlCenter manages scan functions on many Brother printers.

If it isn’t running:

• Restart the application.
• Enable it during Windows startup.
• Reinstall ControlCenter if necessary.
• Update to the latest version.

Many “Scan to Computer” errors disappear once ControlCenter is functioning properly.

Troubleshoot Brother iPrint&Scan Problems

If you use Brother iPrint&Scan, try these fixes:

• Update the application.
• Remove and reconnect the printer.
• Restart the app.
• Ensure the printer and computer share the same network.
• Test scanning using another application.

If scanning works elsewhere, the problem is likely within iPrint&Scan rather than the printer.

Check Windows Firewall and Antivirus Settings

Security software may block scanner communication.

Temporarily disable:

• Windows Defender Firewall
• Third-party antivirus software

Then test scanning.

If scanning works, create an exception for:

• Brother ControlCenter
• Brother iPrint&Scan
• Brother scanner services

Avoid permanently disabling your security software.

Restart Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) service.

The Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) service is required for scanning.

To restart it:

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type services.msc.
3. Locate Windows Image Acquisition (WIA).
4. Right-click and choose Restart.
5. Set Startup Type to Automatic.

A stopped WIA service prevents scanners from communicating with Windows.

Fix Brother Printer Scan to Computer Not Working Over Wi-Fi

Wireless scanning depends on stable network communication.

Try these solutions:

• Assign a static IP address to the printer.
• Reconnect the printer to Wi-Fi.
• Remove duplicate printer installations.
• Restart your router.
• Disable VPN software during testing.
• Check for network isolation settings on the router.

A stable network connection is essential for wireless scanning.

Reset Brother Printer Scanning Settings

If nothing else works, resetting scanner settings can help.

Steps include:

1. Open printer settings.
2. Restore default scan settings.
3. Reconnect the printer.
4. Reconfigure Scan to Computer.
5. Test with a simple document.

This clears incorrect configurations that may be causing scanning errors.

Tips to Prevent Future Brother Scanner Problems

Follow these best practices:

• Keep printer drivers updated.
• Install Windows updates regularly.
• Update Brother software.
• Restart the printer occasionally.
• Clean the scanner glass.
• Use a reliable Wi-Fi connection.
• Avoid disconnecting the printer while scanning.
• Keep antivirus software properly configured.

Regular maintenance reduces future scanning issues.

Quick Answers

Why is my Brother printer scanning but not saving to my computer?

The scan destination may be incorrectly configured, or Brother ControlCenter may not be running.

Why can’t my computer detect my Brother scanner?

The problem is often caused by outdated drivers, network issues, disabled WIA services, or firewall restrictions.

How do I reconnect my Brother printer/scanner?

Reconnect the printer to the network or USB, reinstall the Brother drivers, restart ControlCenter, and verify the scanner is selected as the default device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Brother printer print but not scan?

Printing and scanning use different drivers and services. Your printer driver may work correctly while the scanner driver requires updating or reinstalling.

Can Windows updates stop Brother scanners from working?

Yes. Major Windows updates can affect driver compatibility, requiring updated Brother software.

Does Brother Control Center need to stay open?

For many Brother models, ControlCenter must be running for Scan to Computer features to work correctly.

Why is my Brother scanner offline?

Scanner offline errors are commonly caused by network interruptions, firewall settings, incorrect IP addresses, or disabled scanner services.

Should I reinstall my Brother printer?

If all troubleshooting steps fail, uninstalling and reinstalling the printer and scanner drivers often resolves persistent issues.

Conclusion

If your Brother printer scan-to-computer not-working issue persists, the solution is usually a combination of updating drivers, verifying scanner settings, restarting essential services, and checking network connectivity. By following the troubleshooting steps in this guide, you can restore your scanner quickly and avoid recurring problems. Regular software updates, proper network maintenance, and routine printer care will help ensure reliable scanning performance in the future.