How to Scan from Brother Printer to Computer

Scanning documents from a Brother printer to a computer is a convenient way to save important paperwork, photos, receipts, and business records digitally. Most Brother all-in-one printers include scanning features that allow users to transfer documents directly to Windows or Mac computers.

If you are wondering how to scan from Brother printer to computer, the process is relatively simple. You can scan using Brother iPrint&Scan software, Windows Scan, or Mac's built-in scanning tools.

This guide explains how to scan documents from a Brother printer to a laptop or desktop computer using USB or WiFi connections.

What You Need Before Scanning

Before starting, make sure your Brother printer supports scanning and is properly connected to your computer.

Check the following requirements:

A Brother multifunction printer with scanning capabilities.
A Windows 10, Windows 11, or Mac computer.
A working USB cable or wireless network.
Compatible Brother scanner drivers or scanning software.
A document or photograph ready for scanning.

If you are using a wireless connection, ensure your Brother printer and computer are connected to the same network.

How to Scan from Brother Printer to Computer on Windows 10 and 11

Windows users can scan documents using compatible Brother software or the Windows Scan application.

Step 1: Turn On Your Brother Printer

Switch on your Brother printer and wait until it becomes ready. Check that no scanner-related error messages appear.

Step 2: Place Your Document

Open the scanner lid and place your document face down on the scanner glass, aligning it with the marked corner.

If your printer has an automatic document feeder (ADF), you can use it to scan multiple pages.

Step 3: Open Brother iPrint&Scan

Launch Brother iPrint&Scan on your Windows computer.

If the application is not installed, obtain the compatible version from Brother's official support resources.

Step 4: Select Your Printer

Choose your Brother printer from the available devices.

Make sure the printer is connected through USB or WiFi.

Step 5: Adjust Scanning Settings

Select your preferred scanning options:

Document type: Text, photo, or mixed content.
Resolution: 300 DPI for standard documents.
Color mode: Color, grayscale, or black and white.
File format: PDF, JPEG, or PNG, depending on software support.
Destination: Select where you want to save the scanned file.

Step 6: Start Scanning

Click Scan and wait for the process to finish.

Preview the scanned document, make adjustments if necessary, and save it to your computer.

How to Scan from Brother Printer to Computer on Mac

Mac users can scan documents using Brother-compatible software or macOS scanning tools.

Connect your Brother printer to your Mac.
Open System Settings.
Select Printers & Scanners.
Choose your Brother multifunction printer.
Open the scanner controls, if available.
Click Open Scanner.
Select your scanning preferences.
Click Scan.

You can also use the Image Capture application if your scanner is supported.

How to Scan from Brother Printer to Computer Using WiFi

Wireless scanning allows you to transfer documents without connecting a USB cable.

Follow these steps:

Connect your Brother printer to your wireless network.
Ensure your computer uses the same WiFi network.
Install compatible scanning software.
Open Brother iPrint&Scan.
Select your printer.
Choose the document settings.
Click Scan and save the file.

If your printer is not detected, restart both devices and verify the wireless connection.

How to Scan Using the Brother Printer Control Panel

Some Brother multifunction printers support scanning directly from their control panels.

Place your document on the scanner glass or in the ADF.
Press the Scan button.
Select Scan to PC or Scan to Computer.
Choose File, Image, or another available option.
Select your computer if prompted.
Press Start.

The scanned document should be transferred to the configured destination. This feature may require Brother software and scan-to-computer settings to be installed first.

Brother Printer Won't Scan to Computer? Try These Fixes

If your Brother printer is not scanning, several common problems may be responsible.

Check the Connection

Verify that the printer is connected correctly through USB or WiFi.

Update Scanner Drivers

Install the latest compatible scanner drivers from Brother's official support website.

Restart Your Devices

Restart the printer and computer to resolve temporary communication errors.

Check Firewall Settings

Security software may prevent wireless scanner detection. Review firewall permissions for trusted Brother scanning applications.

Reinstall Scanning Software

If the application is corrupted or unable to detect your printer, reinstall the compatible software.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I scan a document from my Brother printer to my laptop?

Place the document on the scanner glass, open Brother iPrint&Scan, select your printer, choose scanning settings, and click Scan.

Can I scan from a Brother printer without a USB cable?

Yes. Many Brother multifunction printers support wireless scanning through WiFi.

Why is my Brother printer not scanning to my computer?

Common causes include outdated scanner drivers, network connection problems, incorrect scanner settings, or incompatible scanning software.

How do I scan multiple pages into one PDF?

Use the automatic document feeder if available and select a multi-page PDF option in your scanning software. Flatbed users may also be able to add pages manually.

Conclusion

Learning how to scan from Brother printer to computer helps you digitize documents quickly and efficiently. Whether you use Windows 10, Windows 11, or Mac, scanning can usually be completed through Brother iPrint&Scan or built-in operating system tools.

If your Brother printer won't scan, checking the connection, updating drivers, and reviewing scanning settings can often restore normal functionality.

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.