brother printer driver for hl-l6400dw windows 10

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brother printer driver for hl-l6400dw windows 10

The Brother HL-L6400DW is a robust monochrome laser printer designed for demanding workgroups, offering fast performance and a low cost of ownership. To unlock its full potential and ensure seamless operation, installing the correct and official printer driver on your Windows 10 system is crucial. This article serves as your comprehensive guide to acquiring, installing, and troubleshooting the Brother HL-L6400DW driver for Windows 10, ensuring your printer performs optimally.

Why You Need the Right Driver

A printer driver acts as a translator between your Windows 10 operating system and your Brother HL-L6400DW printer. Without the correct driver, your computer cannot communicate effectively with the printer, leading to various issues such as printing errors, limited functionality, or the printer not being recognized at all. Installing the official driver ensures:

• Full access to all printer features (e.g., duplex printing, high-resolution output, paper tray selection).
• Improved print quality and performance.
• Enhanced stability and fewer printing errors.
• Compatibility with the latest Windows 10 updates.
• Access to Brother’s utility software for management and troubleshooting.

Brother HL-L6400DW Specifications

The Brother HL-L6400DW is engineered for efficiency and high-volume printing. Here are some of its key specifications and features:

• Print Speed: Up to 52 pages per minute (Letter size).
• Print Resolution: Up to 1200 x 1200 dpi for crisp, clear text and graphics.
• Duplex Printing: Automatic two-sided printing to save paper.
• Connectivity: Built-in Gigabit Ethernet, Wireless 802.11b/g/n, Hi-Speed USB 2.0, and NFC for flexible connection options.
• Display: 1.8-inch Color Touchscreen display for easy navigation and direct printing from cloud services.
• Paper Capacity: Comes with a 520-sheet capacity paper tray and a 50-sheet multi-purpose tray, expandable up to 2,650 sheets with optional trays.
• Toner: Supports super high-yield and ultra-high-yield toner cartridges for a low total cost of ownership.
• Mobile Printing: Compatible with Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, Mopria, Cortado Workplace, Wi-Fi Direct, and Brother iPrint&Scan.

Official Driver Download for Brother HL-L6400DW on Windows 10

For the best performance and full functionality, it is always recommended to download drivers directly from the official Brother support website. We recommend the ‘Full Software Package’ as it includes all necessary drivers and utilities for your printer.

Recommended Driver: Full Software Package

• Name: Full Software Package
• Version: 1.09
• Operating System: Windows 10 (64-bit)
• Size: 52.30 MB
• Official Download URL: https://support.brother.com/g/b/downloadtop.aspx?c=us&lang=en&prod=hll6400dw_us
  On the Brother support page, select ‘Windows’ as the OS Family, then ‘Windows 10 (64-bit)’ as the OS Version. Locate and download the ‘Full Software Package’.

Alternative Driver: Universal Printer Driver for BR-Script

If you prefer a lighter installation or manage multiple Brother devices, the Universal Printer Driver for BR-Script (PostScript language emulation) is an option. This driver supports a range of Brother devices and provides core printing functionalities.

• Name: Universal Printer Driver for BR-Script
• Version: 1.18.1
• Operating System: Windows 10/11 (64-bit)
• Size: 8.14 MB
• Official Download URL: https://support.brother.com/g/b/downloadtop.aspx?c=us&lang=en&prod=hll6400dw_us
  On the Brother support page, select ‘Windows’ as the OS Family, then ‘Windows 10 (64-bit)’ as the OS Version. Locate and download the ‘Universal Printer Driver for BR-Script’.

How to Install the Brother HL-L6400DW Driver on Windows 10

Follow these steps to install the driver package you downloaded:

Method 1: Using the Full Software Package (Recommended)

1. Download the Driver: Visit the official Brother support website provided above and download the ‘Full Software Package’ for Windows 10 (64-bit).
2. Run the Installer: Locate the downloaded file (e.g., ‘FSP-***.EXE’) and double-click it to start the installation. If prompted by User Account Control, click ‘Yes’.
3. Decompress Files: The installer will first decompress the necessary files. You might be asked to select a destination folder, usually your Downloads folder. Click ‘Decompress’.
4. Select Connection Type: Follow the on-screen instructions. The installer will ask you to select your connection type (e.g., Wireless Network Connection, Wired Network Connection, Local Connection (USB)). Choose the method that applies to your setup.
5. Follow Installation Wizard: Continue through the installation wizard, agreeing to the License Agreement when prompted. The wizard will search for your printer on the network or via USB.
6. Complete Installation: Once your printer is detected, select it from the list and complete the installation. A system reboot might be recommended to ensure all changes take effect properly.

Method 2: Manual Installation via ‘Add a Printer’ (for Network Connection)

If the automatic installation fails or you prefer a manual approach for a network-connected printer, you can add it via Control Panel:

1. Enable LPR/LPD Support (if needed): For some network configurations, you might need to ensure LPR/LPD printing is enabled in Windows features. Go to ‘Control Panel’ > ‘Programs’ > ‘Turn Windows features on or off’ and check ‘LPR Port Monitor’ and ‘LPD Print Service’.
2. Open Control Panel: Right-click the Start button and select ‘Control Panel’. Go to ‘Hardware and Sound’ > ‘Devices and Printers’.
3. Add a Printer: Click ‘Add a printer’ at the top of the window.
4. Printer Isn’t Listed: Select ‘The printer that I want isn’t listed’.
5. Add by TCP/IP Address: Choose ‘Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or hostname’ and click ‘Next’.
6. Enter Printer Details: Type the IP address of your Brother HL-L6400DW printer in the ‘Hostname or IP address’ field. Ensure ‘Query the printer and automatically select the driver to use’ is checked. Click ‘Next’.
7. Install Driver: If prompted, click ‘Have Disk’, navigate to the decompressed driver files (from step 3 in Method 1), and select the appropriate .inf file (e.g., BROHL15A). Otherwise, select ‘Brother’ from the manufacturer list and choose ‘Brother HL-L6400DW Series’. Click ‘Next’ to complete the installation.

Alternative Driver Installation Methods

Windows Built-in Drivers

Windows 10 often includes a basic, built-in driver for many Brother printers. When you connect your HL-L6400DW via USB or connect it to your network, Windows might automatically detect and install a functional driver. These drivers typically provide basic printing capabilities but might not offer the full suite of features or utilities found in Brother’s full software package.

To check or install built-in drivers:

1. Connect your Brother HL-L6400DW to your Windows 10 PC via USB or ensure it’s on the same network.
2. Windows should automatically detect the printer and attempt to install a driver.
3. If it doesn’t, go to ‘Settings’ > ‘Devices’ > ‘Printers & scanners’, then click ‘Add a printer or scanner’. Let Windows search for the device.
4. If found, select it and follow the prompts.

Troubleshooting Common Driver Issues

Even with the correct drivers, you might encounter issues. Here are common problems and their solutions:

• Printer Offline:
  Ensure the printer is powered on and connected to the network or computer. Check network cables or Wi-Fi connection. In ‘Devices and Printers’, right-click the HL-L6400DW, select ‘See what’s printing’, and ensure ‘Use Printer Offline’ is unchecked.
• Print Jobs Stuck in Queue:
  Clear all print jobs: Go to ‘Devices and Printers’, right-click the HL-L6400DW, select ‘See what’s printing’, then ‘Printer’ > ‘Open As Administrator’ > ‘Cancel All Documents’. Restart the printer and your computer.
• Driver Installation Failed:
  Temporarily disable your antivirus or firewall during installation. Ensure you have administrator rights on your computer. Download the driver package again to rule out a corrupted file. Try the ‘Uninstall Tool’ from the Brother support site to clean up previous installation attempts.
• Printer Not Found on Network:
  Verify the printer’s IP address (can be found on the printer’s network configuration report). Ensure your PC and printer are on the same network subnet. Restart your router, printer, and PC. Use Brother’s ‘Network Connection Repair Tool’.
• Limited Functionality After Installation:
  If only basic printing works, it’s likely a generic driver was installed. Re-install the ‘Full Software Package’ from the Brother website to gain access to all features.
• Print Quality Issues:
  This is often not a driver issue but related to toner, drum, or internal cleaning. Refer to your printer’s manual or Brother’s FAQs for print quality troubleshooting.

Conclusion

Installing and maintaining the correct Brother printer driver for your HL-L6400DW on Windows 10 is essential for a smooth and efficient printing experience. By following the steps outlined in this guide and utilizing the official resources, you can ensure your monochrome laser printer operates at its peak performance, handling all your business printing needs with reliability and speed.