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Why Is My Brother Printer Not Connecting to the Computer? Explained
Dial 1-888-966-6097 Are you frustrated because your Brother printer is not connecting to your computer? Whether you're setting it up for the first time or it's suddenly stopped working, connection issues between your Brother printer and computer are common — and fixable.
In this guide, we'll explain the reasons why your Brother printer may not be connecting to your PC or laptop, whether it's wired (USB) or wireless (WiFi), and provide step-by-step solutions to help you restore your printer’s functionality.
Common Scenarios When Brother Printer Won’t Connect to Computer
You might experience:
- Printer not showing up on your computer
- Computer says “Printer Offline”
- USB-connected printer not being detected
- Wireless printer not connecting via WiFi
- Errors like “Driver Unavailable” or “No Devices Found”
Top Reasons Why Brother Printer Is Not Connecting
Let’s break down the most common causes:
1. Loose or Faulty USB Cable Connection
If you're using a USB cable and the printer isn’t detected:
- Cable may be loose, damaged, or connected to the wrong USB port
- Printer driver may not be installed correctly
Solution:
- Try a different USB port or cable
- Restart both printer and computer
- Reinstall the driver (explained below)
2. WiFi Connection Problems (Wireless Models)
If you’re using a wireless printer:
- Printer might not be connected to the same network as your computer
- Router signal may be weak
- Wrong WiFi password entered
Solution:
- Reconnect your printer to WiFi via control panel:
Menu > Network > WLAN > Setup Wizard
- Ensure your computer is on the same network
- Restart your router and printer
3. Firewall or Antivirus Blocking Printer Connection
Some antivirus software or Windows Firewall settings can block communication.
Solution:
- Temporarily disable firewall/antivirus
- Add Brother software to your allowed list
- Try reconnecting the printer
4. Outdated or Corrupted Printer Driver
A missing, outdated, or incompatible driver can prevent your printer from connecting.
Solution:
- Visit Brother’s Official Support
- Search your model (e.g., HL-L2351DW, DCP-T420W)
- Download the latest Full Driver & Software Package for your OS
5. Computer Doesn't Recognize the Printer
This may occur due to OS issues or improper settings.
Solution (Windows):
- Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers
- Click Add a printer if not already listed
- Use “The printer I want isn’t listed” option and add it manually
Solution (Mac):
- Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners
- Click + to add the Brother printer
- Choose the correct model or AirPrint
6. Printer Is Set to Offline Mode
Even if everything’s installed properly, Windows or macOS might have set the printer to “Offline” by default.
Fix on Windows:
- Go to Devices and Printers
- Right-click your printer > See what’s printing
- Click Printer menu > Uncheck “Use Printer Offline”
7. Power or Sleep Mode Settings
Your printer or computer may go into sleep mode, preventing proper detection.
Solution:
- Make sure the printer is ON and not in sleep mode
- Restart your printer and computer
Bonus: Diagnostic Tools to Try
Brother’s Diagnostic Utilities
- Brother provides a "Printer Driver Information Cleanup Tool" and “Wireless Setup Wizard” on their support site.
- These can help clean conflicting installations or run fresh wireless configurations.
Quick Troubleshooting Recap
ProblemSolutionUSB not workingTry new cable, port, or reinstall driverWiFi issueReconnect via WLAN > Setup WizardDriver missingDownload latest driver from Brother.comPrinter offlineUncheck “Use Printer Offline”Mac not detecting printerAdd it from Printers & Scanners manuallyAntivirus blockAdd printer software to exceptions list
Final Thoughts
A Brother printer that won’t connect to your computer doesn’t mean your device is broken — it's usually a quick fix once you identify the root cause. By checking your USB/WiFi connections, updating the driver, adjusting firewall settings, and ensuring your devices are on the same network, you can resolve most issues in minutes.