Brother Printer Not Printing: Update Guide (2026)

Brother printers are widely used in homes and offices because of their reliable performance, wireless connectivity, and high-quality printing features. However, sometimes users experience frustrating issues when their Brother printer is not printing, even though the device is powered on and connected to a computer.

Whether your Brother printer is not printing black ink, printing blank pages, showing offline, or refusing to print wirelessly, several common problems could be responsible.

This troubleshooting guide explains why your Brother printer is not printing and how to fix it on Windows 10, Windows 11, and Mac computers.

Why Is My Brother Printer Not Printing?

There are several reasons why a Brother printer may stop printing unexpectedly. Some problems involve software settings, while others are related to hardware or connectivity.

Common causes include:

Connection problems: The printer is disconnected from WiFi or the computer.
Outdated printer drivers: Missing or incompatible drivers prevent communication.
Paper jams: Paper stuck inside the printer interrupts printing.
Low ink or toner: Empty cartridges can prevent documents from printing.
Print queue errors: Pending or corrupted print jobs block new requests.
Offline printer status: The computer incorrectly identifies the printer as unavailable.
Incorrect printer settings: Another printer is selected as the default device.
Printhead problems: Clogged nozzles affect inkjet printing.
Firmware issues: Software glitches can interfere with normal printer operations.

Identifying the cause makes troubleshooting easier.

How to Fix Brother Printer Not Printing: 10 Easy Solutions

1. Restart Your Brother Printer

Restarting the printer can resolve temporary software and communication problems.

Turn off your Brother printer using its power button.
Disconnect the power cable if the model's instructions permit it.
Wait approximately 30 seconds.
Reconnect the cable and turn the printer on.
Restart your computer.
Print a test document.

If your Brother printer still won't print, continue with the next solution.

2. Check the Printer Connection

A disconnected printer cannot receive printing commands.

For wireless printers:

Confirm the printer is connected to your WiFi network.
Make sure your computer uses the same local network.
Restart your router if necessary.
Check the printer's wireless signal indicator.
Print a network configuration report to verify connectivity.

For USB printers, reconnect the cable and try another USB port.

3. Set Brother as the Default Printer

Incorrect default printer settings may send documents to another device.

On Windows 10 or Windows 11:

Open Settings.
Navigate to Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, or the equivalent printer settings on your Windows version.
Select your Brother printer.
Disable automatic default printer management if necessary.
Set Brother as the default printer.

Try printing again.

4. Clear the Brother Printer Print Queue

A stuck printing job can prevent new documents from printing.

Follow these steps:

Open Printers & scanners.
Select your Brother printer.
Click Open print queue.
Cancel pending print jobs.
Restart your printer.
Send a new document.

If the queue remains stuck, restarting the Windows Print Spooler service may help.

5. Update or Reinstall Brother Printer Drivers

Outdated or corrupted printer drivers can cause communication errors.

To fix this:

Identify your exact Brother printer model.
Visit the official Brother support website.
Download the compatible driver for your operating system.
Install the driver following the instructions.
Restart your computer.
Print a test page.

Installing the correct driver can resolve many Brother printer not printing from computer problems.

6. Check Ink or Toner Levels

If your Brother printer is not printing black or color, inspect its ink or toner supplies.

Check cartridge levels using the printer display or software.
Replace empty cartridges.
Ensure cartridges are installed correctly.
Remove protective packaging from newly installed cartridges.
Check for toner or cartridge error messages.

For inkjet printers, run the built-in print quality check and cleaning function if necessary.

7. Fix Brother Printer Offline Problems

Sometimes the printer appears offline despite being powered on.

On Windows:

Open the printer queue.
Check whether Use Printer Offline is enabled.
Disable that setting if it is selected.
Verify the network connection.
Restart the printer and computer.

If the printer remains offline, remove and re-add it through the operating system's printer settings.

8. Fix Brother Printer Not Printing on Mac

Mac users may experience printing failures after network changes or macOS updates.

Try these solutions:

Open System Settings.
Select Printers & Scanners.
Choose your Brother printer.
Check for paused or failed jobs.
Clear the print queue.
Remove and re-add the printer if necessary.
Install compatible Brother software when required.

Make sure your Mac and wireless printer are connected to the same accessible network.

9. Check for Paper Jams and Hardware Errors

Paper jams, open covers, or incorrectly loaded paper can interrupt printing.

Inspect the printer carefully:

Remove jammed paper according to the model's instructions.
Check the paper tray.
Confirm that the paper guides are positioned correctly.
Close all printer covers securely.
Review error messages on the display.

Avoid pulling jammed paper forcefully, as this may damage internal components.

10. Run Printer Maintenance and Troubleshooting

If your Brother printer is connected but not printing, use its built-in diagnostic features.

For inkjet models, perform a print quality test and clean the printhead when indicated. For laser models, check toner, drum status, and displayed maintenance errors.

You can also run the Windows printer troubleshooter or use Brother's model-specific diagnostic utilities.

If the printer cannot produce its own internal test page, the issue may involve the printer hardware rather than the computer.

Why Is My Brother Printer Connected but Not Printing?

A Brother printer connected to WiFi may still fail to print because of an incorrect IP address, blocked print queue, driver problem, or network communication failure.

Try restarting the router and printer, clearing pending jobs, and re-adding the printer using its current network address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Brother printer not printing anything?

Common reasons include connection failures, empty cartridges, outdated drivers, paper jams, or incorrect printer settings. Check the printer display and print queue first.

Why is my Brother printer not printing black ink?

Low ink levels, clogged printhead nozzles, or cartridge installation problems may cause missing black text. Run a print quality test and follow the recommended maintenance procedure.

How do I reset my Brother printer when it won't print?

Restart the printer first. If necessary, use the model-specific reset options described in its manual. A factory or network reset should be a last resort because it can erase saved settings.

Why is my Brother printer not printing from my phone?

Ensure your smartphone and printer are on compatible networks. Verify that the printing app or AirPrint/Mopria service supports your printer model.

Conclusion

A Brother printer not printing problem can often be resolved by checking connectivity, clearing the print queue, updating drivers, and inspecting ink, toner, or paper-related errors.

Start with basic troubleshooting before changing advanced settings. If the printer still cannot print its internal test page, contact official Brother support for model-specific assistance.

Need Additional Assistance?

If you’ve tried the troubleshooting steps above and still need help (Dial +1-803-866-1601 USA), our independent technical support team can assist with printer troubleshooting. We are not affiliated with or authorized by Brother or any other printer manufacturer.