Is your Brother printer not connecting to computer even though it is turned on and ready to print? This common problem can occur when your computer cannot detect the printer through WiFi, USB, or a wired network connection.
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Whether your Brother printer won't connect to computer on Windows 10, Windows 11, or Mac, the issue may involve incorrect printer settings, outdated drivers, network errors, or USB connection problems.
This guide explains practical troubleshooting solutions to reconnect your Brother printer to your laptop or desktop computer.
Why Is My Brother Printer Not Connecting to Computer?
Several issues can prevent your computer from recognizing a Brother printer.
Common causes include:
Weak or disconnected WiFi connection.
Faulty or loose USB cable.
Outdated or missing printer drivers.
Printer and computer connected to different networks.
Incorrect printer IP address.
Printer showing offline in Windows.
Firewall blocking printer communication.
Incorrect printer installation settings.
How to Fix Brother Printer Not Connecting to Computer
1. Restart Your Brother Printer and Computer
Restarting both devices can resolve temporary communication errors.
Turn off your Brother printer.
Restart your computer.
Disconnect the printer's power cable.
Wait approximately 30 seconds.
Reconnect and turn on the printer.
Try connecting the printer again.
2. Check Your Brother Printer WiFi Connection
If your Brother printer is not connecting to computer via WiFi, verify the wireless network.
Make sure your printer and computer are connected to the same local network.
Open your printer's network settings and confirm that its wireless connection is active.
3. Check the USB Cable Connection
If your Brother printer is not connecting to computer via USB, inspect the USB cable.
Disconnect the USB cable.
Check for visible damage.
Connect it directly to another USB port.
Avoid using an unpowered USB hub.
Check whether your computer detects the printer.
Replace the cable if necessary.
4. Update Brother Printer Drivers
Outdated or incompatible drivers may prevent your computer from recognizing the printer.
Visit Brother's official website, locate your printer model, and install the compatible printer driver.
Restart your computer after installation.
5. Add Brother Printer Manually on Windows
If your Brother printer is not detected by Windows 11 or Windows 10, try adding it manually.
Open Windows Settings.
Select Printers & scanners.
Click Add device.
Wait for Windows to search for printers.
Choose the manual installation option if your printer is not listed.
Follow the instructions to add your printer.
6. Disable Brother Printer Offline Mode
An incorrect offline setting may prevent printing.
Open Control Panel and select Devices and Printers.
Open your Brother printer's print queue and uncheck Use Printer Offline if it is enabled.
Try printing a test page.
7. Restart the Print Spooler Service
The Windows Print Spooler manages communication between printing applications and printers.
Press Windows + R.
Type services.msc.
Find Print Spooler.
Right-click and select Restart.
Try connecting or printing again.
8. Check Firewall and Network Settings
Security software may block communication with network printers.
Ensure your printer and computer are connected to a trusted network.
Check whether firewall settings allow printer discovery and printing services.
Avoid permanently disabling your firewall.
9. Fix Brother Printer Not Connecting to Mac
If your Brother printer is not connecting to Mac, follow these steps:
Open System Settings.
Select Printers & Scanners.
Click Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax.
Select your Brother printer.
Choose a compatible driver or AirPrint option if supported.
Complete the installation.
Ensure your Mac and Brother printer are connected to the same network.
10. Reinstall Your Brother Printer
If your Brother printer still does not connect, remove the existing printer installation.
Restart your computer and install the printer again using the appropriate Brother software or operating system setup.
Verify the connection by printing a test page.
How to Prevent Brother Printer Connection Problems
Keep printer drivers updated, maintain a stable WiFi connection, and regularly inspect USB cables.
Avoid unnecessary changes to router settings and ensure your printer remains connected to the correct network.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Brother printer not showing up on my computer?
Your computer may not detect the printer because of network problems, missing drivers, USB connection errors, or incorrect printer settings.
How do I connect my Brother printer to my laptop?
Connect the printer through a compatible USB cable or WiFi network, then add it using your computer's printer settings.
Why is my Brother printer connected to WiFi but not detected?
Your printer and computer may be on different networks, or firewall restrictions and incorrect IP settings may prevent printer discovery.
Final Thoughts
If your Brother printer is not connecting to computer, begin by restarting your devices, checking WiFi or USB connectivity, and updating printer drivers.
If the issue continues, manually add the printer, restart the Print Spooler, or reinstall the printer.
Need Additional Assistance?
If you’ve tried the troubleshooting steps above and still need help with your Brother Printer Not Connecting to Computer issue, 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.