Is your Brother wireless printer showing that it’s connected, but refuses to print? You’re not alone—and it’s incredibly frustrating when your device seems ready but won’t follow through.
Whether you’re trying to print important documents for work or school, this issue can bring everything to a halt. The good news? Most of the time, the problem is something you can fix quickly. You’ll discover simple, effective steps to get your Brother printer back to printing smoothly.
Keep reading, because the solution might be easier than you think—and you’ll be back to printing in no time.
Check Printer Connection
When a Brother wireless printer shows it is connected but does not print, the first step is to check the printer connection. Ensuring a stable connection between your printer and network is essential. Many printing problems come from simple connection issues. Follow these easy steps to verify and fix your printer’s connection.
Verify Wi-fi Network
Check if your printer is connected to the correct Wi-Fi network. Sometimes the printer may connect to a different or weak network. On your printer’s control panel, find the network settings. Confirm the Wi-Fi name matches your home or office network. If not, reconnect the printer to the right Wi-Fi network. This helps avoid communication errors between your device and printer.
Restart Router And Printer
Turn off your wireless router and the Brother printer. Wait about 30 seconds before turning them on again. Restarting refreshes the network and clears minor glitches. This simple step often resolves connectivity issues. After restart, check if the printer reconnects to Wi-Fi. Try printing a test page to see if the problem is fixed.
Confirm Printer Status
Look at the printer display or status light to confirm it is ready to print. The printer should not show error messages or be in offline mode. On your computer, open the printer settings and check the status. If the printer is paused or offline, change it to online and resume printing. Making sure the printer is ready prevents confusion during print jobs.
Clear Print Queue
Clearing the print queue is a key step to fix a Brother wireless printer that connects but does not print. The print queue holds all documents waiting to print. Sometimes, stuck or corrupted print jobs block the queue. This stops new jobs from printing. Clearing the queue removes these blocks and frees the printer to work again.
Two main ways to clear the print queue are canceling pending jobs and restarting the print spooler service. Both methods help reset the printer’s workflow.
Cancel Pending Jobs
Open the printer queue on your computer. You can do this by clicking the printer icon in the system tray or by searching for “Printers & Scanners” in the Control Panel. Select your Brother printer and open its queue.
Look for documents listed as “printing” or “pending.” Right-click each job and choose “Cancel” to remove it. This clears any stuck jobs that may block the printer.
After canceling, try printing a new document. The printer should now respond and print normally.
Restart Print Spooler Service
The print spooler manages all print jobs sent to the printer. Restarting it can clear errors and stuck jobs.
Press Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog. Type services.msc and hit Enter. In the Services window, find “Print Spooler” in the list.
Right-click “Print Spooler” and select “Restart.” This stops and then starts the spooler service again.
Close the Services window and try printing a document. Restarting the spooler often fixes queue issues and restores printing.
Update Printer Drivers
Updating printer drivers can solve many printing issues. Drivers act as the link between your computer and the Brother printer. Outdated or corrupted drivers cause the printer to connect but not print. Keeping drivers up to date ensures smooth communication and better performance. Follow these steps to update your Brother wireless printer drivers properly.
Download Latest Drivers
Visit the official Brother website to find the newest drivers. Enter your printer model and select your operating system. Download the latest driver version available. This helps fix bugs and improves compatibility. After downloading, run the installer and follow on-screen instructions. Restart your computer to apply changes. Try printing a test page to check if the issue is resolved.
Reinstall Printer Software
Uninstall the current printer software from your computer first. This removes corrupted files that might block printing. Go to Control Panel and select “Programs and Features.” Find the Brother printer software and uninstall it. Restart your computer to clear remaining files. Then, reinstall the software using the latest driver package downloaded earlier. This fresh installation often solves hidden software problems. Test the printer again to confirm it prints correctly.
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Adjust Printer Settings
Adjusting your Brother printer’s settings can often solve printing problems. Sometimes the printer connects to Wi-Fi but does not print. This can happen if the printer is not set as the default device or if it is in offline mode. Fixing these settings ensures your printer is ready to print any document.
Set Brother Printer As Default
Open the Control Panel on your computer. Click on “Devices and Printers.” Find your Brother printer in the list. Right-click on it and select “Set as default printer.” This tells your computer to send all print jobs to this printer first. Without this, print jobs may go to another device or get stuck in the queue.
Disable Offline Mode
Sometimes printers show as offline even when connected. Open “Devices and Printers” again. Right-click your Brother printer and select “See what’s printing.” Click on the “Printer” menu at the top. Make sure “Use Printer Offline” is unchecked. If it is checked, the printer will not print until you disable offline mode.
Reset Printer To Default
Resetting your Brother wireless printer to default settings can solve many printing issues. This step clears any wrong configurations that block printing. It returns the printer to its original state. You will need to set up the printer again after the reset. This process often fixes problems where the printer shows connected but does not print.
Follow the steps below to reset your printer and restore wireless printing function.
Perform Factory Reset
Turn on your Brother printer. Access the menu using the control panel. Look for the “Initial Setup” or “Settings” option. Select “Reset” or “Factory Reset” from the list. Confirm the reset action. The printer will erase current settings and restart. Wait for the printer to turn on again. This process clears all saved network and print settings.
Reconfigure Wireless Setup
After the factory reset, connect the printer to your Wi-Fi network. Use the control panel to start the wireless setup wizard. Choose your Wi-Fi network from the list. Enter the Wi-Fi password carefully. Confirm and wait for the printer to connect. Print a network report to check connection status. Your printer should now communicate with your device properly.
Check Firewall And Security
Firewall and security settings can block your Brother wireless printer from printing. These protections keep your computer safe. Sometimes, they stop printers from working correctly. Checking these settings helps find the problem fast. Adjusting them can allow your printer to communicate with your computer and print smoothly.
Temporarily Disable Firewall
Firewalls control data flow between devices and the internet. They can block printer signals by mistake. Turn off the firewall for a short time. This step tests if the firewall causes the issue. After disabling, try printing again. If it works, the firewall needs adjustment. Remember to turn the firewall back on to keep your system safe.
Allow Printer Through Security Software
Security software often blocks new devices automatically. Add your Brother printer to the allowed list. Open your security program settings and find device permissions. Add the printer’s name or IP address here. This action lets the printer send data without restrictions. Check if printing works after this change. This method keeps your security active while fixing printer blocks.
Run Printer Troubleshooter
Running the printer troubleshooter can help fix the issue of a Brother wireless printer connected but not printing. This tool checks for common problems and suggests solutions. It is easy to use and built into Windows, making it a quick first step.
Using the troubleshooter can save time and avoid manual fixes. It scans your system and printer settings automatically. This helps find hidden errors that stop printing.
Use Built-in Diagnostics
Windows has built-in diagnostics for printer problems. To access it, go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners. Select your Brother printer, then click on “Manage.” Choose “Run the troubleshooter.”
The tool will check the printer status, connection, and drivers. It looks for errors like offline mode or print queue jams. The diagnostics will highlight issues found during the scan.
Follow Automated Fixes
After diagnostics complete, the troubleshooter suggests fixes. Follow the on-screen instructions carefully. The fixes might restart the print spooler or update drivers.
Some problems resolve after applying these automated solutions. If the issue persists, the troubleshooter gives additional tips. Running it regularly helps keep your Brother printer working well.
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Verify Ip Address Settings
Verifying the IP address settings is a key step in fixing a Brother wireless printer that connects but does not print. The IP address allows the printer to communicate with your computer on the network. Incorrect IP settings can block print jobs, even if the printer shows as connected. Checking and correcting these settings helps ensure smooth printing.
Check Static Vs Dynamic Ip
Printers use either static or dynamic IP addresses. A static IP stays the same every time the printer connects to the network. A dynamic IP changes frequently. If the printer’s IP changes, your computer may try to print to the wrong address. Confirm if your printer uses static or dynamic IP. Static IP is better for consistent printing. You can find this setting on the printer’s control panel or in its network settings menu.
Update Printer Ip If Needed
If the IP address has changed, update it on your computer. Open the printer properties and look for the port settings. Enter the current IP address shown on the printer’s network report. This update tells your computer where to send print jobs. After updating, try printing again. This simple fix often solves connection without printing issues.
Contact Brother Support
Contacting Brother Support can help solve printing issues fast. They offer expert advice tailored to your printer model.
Direct support saves time and avoids guesswork. They can guide you through advanced fixes and troubleshooting steps.
Gather Printer Details
Before reaching out, collect your printer’s model number and serial number. Note any error messages displayed on the printer screen.
Have your computer or device details ready, including the operating system and connection type. This information helps support diagnose the problem quickly.
Use Official Help Channels
Use Brother’s official website or customer support phone number for reliable help. Avoid third-party sites that may offer incorrect advice.
Brother’s website provides FAQs, manuals, and live chat options. These resources often fix common wireless printing issues without delay.
Calling support directly connects you with trained technicians. They can walk you through the troubleshooting steps step-by-step.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why Is My Brother Printer Connected But Not Printing?
Your Brother printer may be connected but not printing due to offline status, incorrect default printer, or driver issues. Restart the printer and computer. Check the USB or network connection. Clear the print queue and disable any firewall blocking the printer.
Reinstall drivers if needed.
Why Is My Wireless Printer Connected But Not Printing?
Your wireless printer may not print due to network issues, offline status, print queue errors, or firewall blocking communication. Restart the printer and router. Ensure the printer connects to the correct Wi-Fi and is set as default. Clear print jobs and check for driver updates.
How To Reset Brother Printer To Print?
Press the Menu button on your Brother printer. Select “Initial Setup,” then “Reset. ” Choose “Factory Reset” and confirm. The printer will restart and reset to default settings.
How Do I Get My Brother Printer To Print Wirelessly?
Turn on your Brother printer and enable Wi-Fi. Connect it to your home network via the printer’s control panel. Install the Brother printer software on your computer. Select your printer during setup and print a test page to confirm wireless printing works.
Why Is My Brother Wireless Printer Connected But Not Printing?
A connection alone doesn’t guarantee printing. Check if the printer is set as default and not paused. Also, clear any stuck print jobs in the queue.
Conclusion
Troubles with a Brother wireless printer not printing can be frustrating. Check the Wi-Fi connection and ensure the printer is online. Restart both the printer and your router to refresh the network. Confirm the printer is set as the default device on your computer.
Clear any stuck print jobs and update drivers if needed. Following these steps usually fixes the issue quickly. Staying patient and methodical helps get your printer working again. Keep these tips handy for future problems.