How to resolve the brother printer scanner not scanning?

Brother printers have earned a reputation for their reliability and multifunctionality, combining printing and scanning capabilities in a single device. However, users occasionally encounter the frustration of a Brother printer working for printing but failing to initiate scanning. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the common reasons behind this issue and provide detailed solutions to help users seamlessly restore scanning functionality to their Brother printers.

Understanding the Issue:

When a Brother printer is working for printing tasks but fails to initiate scanning, several factors may contribute to this problem. The key is to identify the root cause and implement targeted solutions to resolve the issue.

Reasons Why Brother Printer Is Not Scanning:

Driver Issues:

Outdated, corrupt, or incompatible drivers can hinder the scanner's functionality.

Network Configuration Problems:

Issues with network settings or communication between the computer and the printer can affect scanning.

Firewall Restrictions:

Firewalls may block the Brother Network Scanner application, preventing it from communicating with the printer.

IP Address Conflict:

Incorrect or conflicting IP addresses can disrupt communication between the computer and the Brother printer.

Now, let's delve into the step-by-step solutions to address these issues and restore the scanner functionality.

How to Make Brother Printer Scanner Work Smoothly:

1. Run the Printer Troubleshooter

Running the printer troubleshooter is a built-in feature in both Windows and macOS that can automatically identify and fix common issues related to printers, including scanning problems. Here's how you can run the printer troubleshooter on both operating systems:

For Windows:

Open the Control Panel:

Click on the Start menu and select "Control Panel" from the list.

Navigate to Troubleshooting:

In the Control Panel, find the "Troubleshooting" option.

Select the Printer Troubleshooter:

Under "Hardware and Sound," locate and click on "Use a printer."

Run the Troubleshooter:

A new window will open. Click on "Advanced" and then click "Run as administrator."

The troubleshooter will automatically detect and attempt to fix any issues with your printer, including scanning problems.

Follow On-Screen Instructions:

Follow the on-screen instructions provided by the troubleshooter. It may ask you questions or suggest actions to resolve the scanning issue.

Apply Fixes:

If the troubleshooter identifies any problems, it will suggest fixes. Review and apply the suggested solutions.

Complete the Troubleshooting:

Once the troubleshooter has completed its process, restart your computer and check if the scanning issue is resolved.

For macOS:

Open System Preferences:

Touch the Apple emblem, then choose "System Preferences."

Go to Printers & Scanners:

Under "System Preferences," select "Printers & Scanners.

Select the Printer:

In the left-hand column, select your Brother printer.

Right-Click to Reset Printing System:

Right-click (or Control-click) on your Brother printer and choose "Reset printing system."

Re-Add the Printer:

After resetting, re-add your Brother printer to the system. Click the "+" button and select your printer from the list.

Check for Scanning Functionality:

Once the printer is re-added, attempt to scan a document or image to see if the issue has been resolved.

The built-in troubleshooter is a convenient tool for diagnosing and fixing common printer-related problems. 

2. Allow Brother Network Scanner in Firewall

Here's a guide on how to allow the Brother Network Scanner in your firewall for both Windows and macOS:

For Windows:

Open Windows Defender Firewall Settings:

Press the Windows key + S to open the search bar.

Enter "Firewall" and from the list of results, choose "Windows Defender Firewall."

Allow an App Through Firewall:

From the pane on the left, choose "Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall".

Change Settings (Administrator Access):

If prompted for administrator access, click "Change settings."

Locate Brother Network Scanner:

Scroll down the list to find "Brother Network Scanner." If it's not listed, you may need to add it.

Add Brother Network Scanner:

If not listed, click on "Allow another app...," then browse and add the Brother Network Scanner application.

Check Private and Public:

Ensure that both "Private" and "Public" are checked for the Brother Network Scanner.

Save Changes:

Click "OK" to save the changes and exit the firewall settings.

For macOS:

Open System Preferences:

Touch the Apple emblem, then choose "System Preferences."

Go to Security & Privacy:

Click on "Security & Privacy."

Navigate to the Firewall Tab:

In the Security & Privacy window, go to the "Firewall" tab.

Unlock to Make Changes:

If the settings are locked, click the lock icon in the bottom-left corner and enter your password to make changes.

Click on Firewall Options:

Click on the "Firewall Options..." button.

Locate Brother Network Scanner:

Look for "Brother Network Scanner" in the list of applications.

Allow Incoming Connections:

Ensure that "Allow incoming connections" is selected next to Brother Network Scanner.

Save Changes:

Click "OK" to save the changes and exit the firewall options.

After allowing the Brother Network Scanner through the firewall, attempt to scan a document to see if the issue is resolved.

3. Reinstall the Brother Printer’s Driver

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to reinstall the Brother printer's driver for both Windows and macOS:

For Windows:

Uninstall the Current Driver:

Press Windows key + X and select "Device Manager."

Locate your Brother printer under "Print queues" or "Printers," right-click it, and choose "Uninstall device."

Go through the given directions.

Disconnect the Printer:

If your Brother printer is connected via USB, disconnect it from the computer.

Download the Latest Driver:

Visit the official Brother support website

Get the most recent driver for your operating system by entering the model of your printer.

Run the Installer:

Launch the installer file when the driver has been downloaded.

Follow the on-screen instructions to install the new driver.

Connect the Printer:

If your Brother printer is connected via USB, reconnect it to the computer when prompted during the installation.

Complete the Installation:

Allow the installation process to complete, and restart your computer if prompted.

For macOS:

Remove the Current Printer:

Open "System Preferences" and go to "Printers & Scanners."

Select your Brother printer and click the - (minus) button to remove it.

Download the Latest Driver:

Visit the official Brother support website

Enter your printer model and download the latest driver for macOS.

Run the Installer:

Launch the installer file when the driver has been downloaded.

Follow the on-screen instructions to install the new driver.

Add the Printer:

After the installation, open "System Preferences" and go to "Printers & Scanners."

Click the + (plus) button to add your Brother printer.

Select the New Driver:

When adding the printer, make sure to select the newly installed driver from the list.

Complete the Installation:

Allow the installation process to complete.

Reinstalling the printer driver ensures that you have the latest, compatible software for both printing and scanning functions.

4. Install Drivers Directly from Brother’s Website

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to install drivers directly from Brother’s website for both Windows and macOS:

For Windows:

Visit the Official Brother Support Website:

Open your web browser and go to brother's website.

Enter Your Printer Model:

Enter your Brother printer model in the search bar and press Enter.

Select Your Operating System:

On the product page, choose your operating system (e.g., Windows) and version.

Download the Driver:

Locate the "Full Driver & Software Package" or a similar option.

To begin downloading the driver package, click the download link.

Run the Installer:

When the download is complete, open the installer file.

Installing the driver requires adhering to the on-screen directions.

Connect the Printer:

If your Brother printer is connected via USB, connect it to the computer when prompted during the installation.

Complete the Installation:

Allow the installation process to complete, and restart your computer if prompted.

For macOS:

Visit the Official Brother Support Website:

Open your web browser and go to brother's website

Enter Your Printer Model:

Enter your Brother printer model in the search bar and press Enter.

Select Your Operating System:

On the product page, choose your operating system (e.g., macOS) and version.

Download the Driver:

Locate the "Full Driver & Software Package" or a similar option.

To begin downloading the driver package, click the download link.

Run the Installer:

When the download is complete, open the installer file.

Installing the driver requires adhering to the on-screen directions.

Add the Printer:

After the installation, open "System Preferences" and go to "Printers & Scanners."

Click the + (plus) button to add your Brother printer.

Select the New Driver:

When adding the printer, make sure to select the newly installed driver from the list.

Complete the Installation:

Allow the installation process to complete.

Installing drivers directly from Brother’s website ensures that you have the latest features, bug fixes, and compatibility updates for your printer.

5. Manually Set the IP Address for the Printer

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to manually set the IP address for the printer, applicable to both Windows and macOS:

For Windows:

Print a Network Configuration Page:

On your Brother printer, navigate to the network settings or configuration menu.

Print a network configuration page to obtain the current IP address of the printer.

Access Printer Properties on Windows:

Press Windows key + S to open the search bar.

Type "Devices and Printers" and select it from the search results.

Find Your Brother Printer:

Locate your Brother printer in the list of devices.

Access Printer Properties:

Your Brother printer can be selected by right-clicking and choosing "Printer properties."

Go to the Ports Tab:

Navigate to the "Ports" tab in the Properties box.

Add a New Port:

After selecting "Standard TCP/IP Port," click "Add Port."

Enter the Printer’s IP Address:

Follow the wizard to add a new port. Enter the IP address obtained from the network configuration page.

Complete the Wizard:

Complete the wizard, and the new port should be added.

Apply Changes:

Choose "OK" or "Apply" in order to save the changes.

For macOS:

Print a Network Configuration Page:

On your Brother printer, navigate to the network settings or configuration menu.

Print a network configuration page to obtain the current IP address of the printer.

Open System Preferences:

Tap the Apple logo, then choose "System Preferences.

Go to Printers & Scanners:

In the System Preferences box, click on "Printers & Scanners."

Select Your Brother Printer:

In the left-hand column, select your Brother printer.

Click on Options & Supplies:

Click on the "Options & Supplies" button.

Go to the Utility Tab:

In the Utility tab, click on "Open Printer Utility."

Select Your Printer:

Select your Brother printer from the list.

Configure the IP Address:

Click on the "Configure Port" button.

Enter the IP address obtained from the network configuration page.

Save Changes:

Save the changes, and close the configuration window.

Check Scanning Functionality:

Attempt to scan a document to ensure that the scanning functionality is restored.

Manually setting the IP address helps establish a direct and stable connection between your computer and the Brother printer.

FAQs:

Q1: Why is my Brother printer not scanning?

A1: Several factors could contribute to your Brother printer not scanning. Common reasons include outdated drivers, network issues, firewall restrictions, or configuration problems. Determining the precise reason is essential to efficient troubleshooting.

Q2: How can I troubleshoot my Brother printer scanner?

A2: Follow these steps to troubleshoot your Brother printer scanner:

Run the printer troubleshooter on your computer.

Allow the Brother Network Scanner through your firewall.

Reinstall the Brother printer’s driver.

Install drivers directly from Brother’s official website.

Set the printer's IP address manually.

Perform an in-place upgrade for Windows systems.

Q3: What is the printer troubleshooter, and how do I run it?

A3: The printer troubleshooter is a built-in tool in Windows and macOS that can automatically identify and fix common printing and scanning issues. To run it:

For Windows, go to Control Panel > Troubleshooting > Use a printer.

For macOS, open System Preferences > Printers & Scanners > Reset printing system.

Q4: How do I allow the Brother Network Scanner in the firewall?

A4: To allow the Brother Network Scanner through the firewall:

For Windows, go to Windows Defender Firewall settings and add an exception for "Brother Network Scanner."

For macOS, go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Firewall, and ensure "Brother Network Scanner" is allowed.

Q5: Why should I reinstall the Brother printer’s driver?

A5: Reinstalling the driver ensures you have the latest, compatible software. Outdated or corrupt drivers can lead to scanning issues, and reinstalling them can resolve compatibility problems.

Q6: Can I install drivers directly from Brother’s website?

A6: Yes, installing drivers directly from Brother’s official website ensures you have the most up-to-date and compatible software. Visit support.brother.com, enter your printer model, and download the latest drivers.

Q7: How do I manually set the IP address for my Brother printer?

A7: To manually set the IP address:

Print a network configuration page from your Brother printer.

On your computer, go to printer settings and add a new port, selecting "Standard TCP/IP Port."

Enter the printer’s IP address obtained from the configuration page.

Q8: What is an in-place upgrade, and how can it resolve scanning issues?

A8: An in-place upgrade for Windows involves reinstalling the operating system while keeping files and apps. It can resolve system-related issues that may be affecting the communication between your computer and the Brother printer.

Q9: What should I do if the scanner not scanning issue persists?

A9: If the issue persists, consider the following:

Ensure your Brother printer is properly connected and powered on.

Check for any hardware issues, such as malfunctioning scanner components.

Contact Brother customer support for further assistance.

Q10: Are there any preventive measures to avoid scanning issues?

A10: To prevent scanning issues:

Regularly update printer drivers from the official website.

Check and adjust firewall settings to allow necessary communication.

Conclusion:

By following these step-by-step solutions, users can troubleshoot and resolve the issue of a Brother printer working for printing but not scanning. It's crucial to identify the specific cause of the problem and apply the appropriate solution. Regularly updating drivers, checking network settings, and ensuring firewall permissions are essential practices to maintain seamless printer and scanner functionality. If the issue persists, contacting Brother customer support for further assistance is recommended. With these troubleshooting steps, users can optimize their Brother printer's performance, ensuring both printing and scanning tasks are accomplished smoothly.