Is your Brother printer won't scan problem preventing you from scanning documents or photos? This common issue can occur when your Brother printer is connected to a computer but the scanner fails to respond.
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Whether your Brother printer is not scanning on Windows 10, Windows 11, or Mac, the problem may be caused by incorrect scanner settings, outdated drivers, connection errors, or scanning software problems.
This troubleshooting guide explains how to fix Brother printer scanning problems and restore normal scanning functionality.
Why Is My Brother Printer Not Scanning?
Several issues can prevent your Brother printer scanner from working correctly.
Common reasons include:
Outdated or missing scanner drivers.
Weak WiFi or USB connection.
Incorrect scanner settings.
Brother scanner not detected by computer.
Scanning software not responding.
Windows Image Acquisition service errors.
Firewall blocking network scanning.
Incorrect scan destination settings.
Temporary printer firmware problems.
How to Fix Brother Printer Won't Scan? 10 Easy Solutions
1. Restart Your Brother Printer and Computer
Restarting your devices can resolve temporary scanner communication errors.
Turn off your Brother printer.
Disconnect its power cable.
Wait approximately 30 seconds.
Reconnect and restart the printer.
Restart your computer.
Try scanning a document again.
If your Brother printer still won't scan, continue with the following solutions.
2. Check WiFi or USB Connection
If your Brother printer prints but won't scan, check the connection between the printer and computer.
For wireless scanning, ensure both devices are connected to the same network.
For USB scanning, inspect the cable and try another available USB port.
3. Update Brother Scanner Drivers
Outdated scanner drivers can prevent your computer from detecting the scanner.
Visit Brother's official website, search for your printer model, and install the appropriate scanner driver or software package.
Restart your computer after installation.
4. Check Brother Scanner Settings
Incorrect scanning settings may cause unsuccessful scans.
Open your scanning application and select the correct Brother scanner.
Verify the document source, file format, resolution, and destination folder before starting another scan.
5. Restart Windows Image Acquisition Service
The Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) service allows compatible scanning applications to communicate with scanners.
Press Windows + R.
Type services.msc.
Find Windows Image Acquisition (WIA).
Right-click and select Restart.
Try scanning again.
This may resolve Brother printer not scanning on Windows 10 or Windows 11.
6. Fix Brother ControlCenter Not Working
Brother ControlCenter software manages scanning features on supported printer models.
If the application is not responding, close it completely and reopen it.
Check for available updates or reinstall the compatible software package from Brother's official website.
7. Check Firewall and Security Settings
Firewall restrictions may prevent network scanning.
Verify that your security software allows the Brother scanning application to communicate over your trusted local network.
Avoid permanently disabling your firewall.
8. Fix Brother Printer Won't Scan to Computer
If your Brother printer won't scan to computer, check whether the correct computer is selected as the scan destination.
On supported models, open the printer's Scan menu, choose Scan to PC, and select the intended computer.
Ensure the required Brother scanning software is installed and running.
9. Fix Brother Printer Not Scanning on Mac
If your Brother printer won't scan on Mac, follow these steps:
Open System Settings.
Select Printers & Scanners.
Choose your Brother printer.
Open the scanner option, if available.
Try scanning using Image Capture.
Remove and re-add the device if necessary.
Verify that your printer model supports scanning with your installed macOS version.
10. Reinstall Brother Scanner Software
If the scanner still does not respond, uninstall the existing Brother scanner software.
Restart your computer and install the latest compatible software for your printer model.
Reconnect the printer and test the scanner again.
How to Prevent Brother Printer Scanning Problems
Keep your scanner drivers updated, maintain a stable network connection, and use compatible scanning applications.
Regularly clean the scanner glass and ensure documents are positioned correctly before scanning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Brother printer printing but not scanning?
Your printer may print successfully while scanning fails because of missing scanner drivers, incorrect scan settings, or scanning software problems.
How do I get my Brother printer to scan to my computer?
Connect your printer and computer, install compatible scanning software, select the correct scanner, and choose your preferred scan destination.
Why is my Brother scanner not detected?
Your computer may fail to detect the scanner because of connection errors, outdated drivers, or blocked network communication.
Final Thoughts
If your Brother printer won't scan, begin by restarting your devices, checking the connection, and verifying scanner settings.
If the problem continues, update scanner drivers, restart the Windows Image Acquisition service, or reinstall the scanning software.
Need Additional Assistance?
If you’ve tried the troubleshooting steps above and still need help with your Brother Printer Won't Scan 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.