Brother printer won’t scan: How to Fix it?

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When your Brother printer won’t scan, it can be due to several factors, ranging from simple connection issues to more complex software problems. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you troubleshoot and resolve the issue, ensuring that your printer’s scanning function works properly.

Step 1: Verify Basic Connections

  1. Power and Cable Connections:
  • Ensure the printer is turned on and connected to a power source.
  • If using a USB connection, check that the USB cable is securely connected to both the printer and your computer.
  • For network connections, ensure the printer is connected to your Wi-Fi network, or if it’s wired, that the Ethernet cable is firmly in place.
  1. Check for Error Messages:
  • Look at the printer’s display panel for any error messages. If an error is displayed, refer to the printer’s manual for specific troubleshooting steps related to that error.

Step 2: Check the Scanner Driver and Software

  1. Update or Reinstall the Scanner Driver:
  • Outdated or corrupted scanner drivers can cause scanning issues. Visit the Brother website, locate the latest scanner driver for your model, and download it.
  • Uninstall the existing driver through your computer’s device manager or control panel before reinstalling the new one.
  • Follow the installation instructions carefully to ensure the driver is correctly installed.
  1. Ensure the Correct Software is Installed:
  • Brother scanners typically use specific software such as ControlCenter, which manages scanning functions. Make sure you have the latest version installed.
  • Open the software to verify it detects the printer/scanner. If the software doesn’t recognize the scanner, you may need to reinstall it or update it.

Step 3: Check the Scanner Settings

  1. Default Scanner Settings:
  • On your computer, navigate to the “Devices and Printers” section (Windows) or “Printers & Scanners” in System Preferences (Mac).
  • Ensure that the Brother printer/scanner is set as the default device for scanning.
  1. Firewall or Antivirus Interference:
  • Sometimes, firewall or antivirus software can block the scanner’s communication with your computer. Temporarily disable these programs and try scanning again.
  • If the scanner works with the firewall or antivirus disabled, you’ll need to create an exception for the scanner in the software settings.

Step 4: Test the Scanner Functionality

  1. Use the Printer’s Control Panel:
  • Try initiating a scan directly from the printer’s control panel. This helps determine if the issue is with the printer itself or the computer connection.
  • Select the “Scan” option on the control panel and choose whether to scan to a computer, email, or other options available.
  • If the scan works from the control panel but not from the computer, the issue likely lies with the software or driver on your computer.
  1. Scan Using Different Software:
  • Try using different scanning software to test the scanner. Windows users can use the built-in “Windows Fax and Scan” application, while Mac users can use the “Preview” app.
  • Open the software, select “Scan,” and see if the scanner works. If it does, the issue might be with the Brother software rather than the scanner itself.

Step 5: Address Network Connection Issues

  1. Verify Network Connectivity:
  • If your printer is connected via Wi-Fi or Ethernet, ensure it’s properly connected to the network. Check the printer’s display panel or print a Network Configuration Page to verify.
  • If the printer is not connected, reconnect it to the network by going through the printer’s network setup process.
  1. Ping the Printer:
  • On your computer, open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac).
  • Type ping [IP address of the printer] and press Enter. If you receive replies, the printer is connected to the network. If not, there’s a network issue that needs to be addressed.
  • Ensure the IP address is correct, and that your computer and printer are on the same network.
  1. Check for IP Conflicts:
  • An IP conflict can prevent the scanner from functioning correctly. Assigning a static IP address to the printer can help avoid this issue.
  • Access your router’s settings, locate the DHCP section, and assign a static IP address to the printer.

Step 6: Check for Software Conflicts

  1. Close Conflicting Programs:
  • Sometimes, other applications running on your computer can interfere with the scanning process. Close all unnecessary programs and try scanning again.
  • Particularly look out for other scanning software or programs that might be using the scanner, as they can cause conflicts.
  1. Check Windows Image Acquisition (WIA):
  • WIA is a service in Windows that handles communication between your scanner and the computer. If this service isn’t running, your scanner may not work.
  • Open the Services application on Windows (search for “services.msc”), find “Windows Image Acquisition,” and ensure it’s running. If it’s stopped, start the service and set it to start automatically.

Step 7: Update Firmware

  1. Update the Printer Firmware:
  • Outdated firmware can cause various issues, including scanning problems. Check the Brother website for any available firmware updates for your printer model.
  • Follow the instructions to update the firmware, which may require a USB connection and a computer.

Step 8: Perform a Full Reset

  1. Reset Network Settings:
  • If you’re still having issues, try resetting the printer’s network settings to factory defaults and reconnect it to your network.
  • Access the network settings on the printer’s control panel, and look for an option to reset to factory settings. After resetting, go through the setup process again.
  1. Factory Reset:
  • As a last resort, you can perform a full factory reset on your Brother printer. This will erase all settings and restore the printer to its original state.
  • To do this, access the settings menu on the printer, locate the reset options, and choose to reset all settings. After the reset, you’ll need to set up the printer from scratch.

Step 9: Contact Brother Support

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it may be time to contact Brother’s customer support. They can provide specific guidance for your printer model and help you troubleshoot any hardware issues that may be causing the problem.

  1. Gather Information:
  • Before contacting support, gather relevant information such as your printer’s model number, serial number, and a detailed description of the issue.
  • Also, make note of any error codes or messages displayed on the printer.
  1. Support Channels:
  • Brother offers support through various channels, including phone, email, and live chat. Visit the Brother website to find the appropriate contact information for your region.

Conclusion

If your Brother printer won’t scan, there are multiple potential causes, from simple connection issues to more complex software or network problems. By methodically working through the troubleshooting steps outlined above, you should be able to identify and resolve the issue. Whether it’s updating drivers, checking network settings, or resetting the printer, these steps will help ensure your scanner is back up and running efficiently. If the problem persists, reaching out to Brother’s customer support can provide additional assistance.