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Before starting, make sure the Brother printer is turned on and that there are no error messages on its display. Also check whether the printer can print normally. If printing works but scanning does not, the problem may be related specifically to the scanner software or connection.
The first step is to check how your Brother printer is connected to your computer. If you use a USB cable, make sure the cable is firmly connected to both the printer and computer. Try another USB port if the computer does not recognize the scanner.
For wireless scanning, make sure the printer and computer are connected to the same WiFi network. If the computer is connected to one network while the printer is connected to another, scanning may not work correctly.
Restarting both devices can also help. Turn off the Brother printer and computer, wait for a short time, and then turn them back on. After restarting, try scanning again.
Temporary software or communication problems can prevent the scanner from responding. Restarting the printer and computer gives both devices an opportunity to establish a fresh connection.
Turn off the printer using its power button. If appropriate for your model, disconnect the power cable for a short period and reconnect it. Start the printer and wait until it finishes initializing. Then restart your computer and try the scanning function again.
Brother printers often require specific software and drivers for scanning. If the scanner software is missing, damaged, or outdated, the computer may be unable to communicate with the scanner.
Check whether the Brother scanning application is installed on your computer. Open the application and see whether your printer appears as an available scanner. If the printer is not listed, the scanner driver or software may need attention.
Installing the correct software for your exact Brother printer model can help restore scanning functionality.
An outdated or corrupted scanner driver can cause scanning problems. Drivers allow the operating system to communicate with the printer's scanner hardware.
If your Brother printer was working previously but suddenly stopped scanning, a driver problem may be responsible. Check the installed printer and scanner drivers and make sure they are appropriate for your operating system.
If updating does not help, uninstalling and reinstalling the scanner software may resolve corrupted installation files. Restart the computer after installation and then test the scanner again.
On Windows, open the printer and scanner settings and check whether the Brother device is recognized. If the printer appears but scanning applications cannot find it, there may be a software or configuration problem.
Make sure the Brother device is selected as the scanner when using your scanning application. If multiple printers or scanners are connected to the computer, the application may be trying to use another device.
You can also check whether Windows recognizes the scanner after restarting the computer.
Mac users should open the system's printer and scanner settings and check whether the Brother printer appears. Select the Brother device and look for available scanning options.
If the scanner is not available, remove the device from the printer list and add it again if necessary. Make sure the Brother software installed on the Mac is compatible with the printer model and macOS version.
Security software can sometimes prevent a computer from communicating with a network scanner. If your Brother printer is connected through WiFi and printing works but scanning does not, firewall settings may be affecting scanner communication.
Check whether your firewall or security software is blocking Brother scanning applications. Avoid disabling security features permanently. Instead, use appropriate settings to allow trusted printer and scanner software to communicate on your network.
If you are unsure which setting is responsible, consult the security software's documentation or support resources.
If the scanner is recognized but produces poor results or appears not to scan correctly, inspect the scanner glass and document feeder.
Clean dust, fingerprints, or marks from the scanner glass using a suitable soft, lint-free cloth. Make sure the document is positioned correctly according to the markings on the scanner glass.
If your Brother printer has an automatic document feeder, check that documents are inserted correctly and that there are no paper jams.
If Brother's scanning software does not work, try another compatible scanning application available on your computer. This can help determine whether the problem is with the scanner hardware or a particular software application.
If scanning works through another application, the original scanning program may need to be repaired, updated, or reconfigured.
For wireless Brother printers, network settings can sometimes cause scanning problems. If the printer and computer are not communicating correctly, restart the router and reconnect both devices to the same WiFi network.
If necessary, review the printer's network settings and confirm that it has successfully connected to your wireless network. A network reset may also help in some situations, although the exact procedure depends on the Brother printer model.
If the printer displays an error message when you attempt to scan, note the exact message or code. Different errors can indicate different problems, such as connection failures, paper feeder issues, software problems, or hardware faults.
Using the exact error message when troubleshooting can make it easier to identify the appropriate solution.
A Brother printer that won't scan can often be fixed by checking the connection, restarting the printer and computer, verifying scanner software, updating drivers, and confirming that the printer and computer are connected to the same network. You should also check firewall settings, scanner glass, document placement, and error messages.
If the scanner still does not work after these steps, the problem may require model-specific troubleshooting or professional assistance. Keeping the Brother printer's model information available can help identify the correct software, drivers, and troubleshooting procedure. By working through these steps carefully, you can often restore scanning functionality without replacing the printer.