brother printer not connecting driver

---

Brother Printer Not Connecting Driver: Your Ultimate Troubleshooting Guide

Experiencing a ‘Brother printer not connecting driver’ issue can be a frustrating roadblock in your workflow. This problem often arises from outdated, corrupted, or incorrectly installed printer drivers, preventing your computer from communicating effectively with your Brother device. As a hardware technical expert, SEO specialist, and content writer, this article provides a comprehensive guide to diagnose and resolve these connection issues, ensuring your Brother printer is back to seamless operation.

Understanding Brother Printer Drivers

A printer driver acts as a translator between your computer’s operating system and your Brother printer. It enables your computer to send commands and data that the printer can understand and execute. Without the correct and functioning driver, your printer won’t be recognized, leading to connection failures and inability to print. Regularly updating your Brother printer drivers is crucial for optimal functionality, accessing new features, and resolving bugs.

Common Causes of Driver Connection Issues

• Outdated or Missing Drivers: If your operating system has updated or if the initial driver installation was incomplete, your printer might not have the necessary software to connect.
• Corrupted Driver Files: Driver files can become damaged due to system errors, malware, or improper shutdowns, leading to communication breakdowns.
• Incorrect Printer Setup: Choosing the wrong connection type (USB vs. network) during installation or incorrect network settings can prevent connection.
• Windows Protected Print Mode (Windows 11): This security feature in Windows 11 can sometimes block third-party printer drivers, including some Brother drivers, from installing or functioning correctly.
• USB Cable or Port Issues: A faulty USB cable or a damaged USB port on either the computer or printer can interrupt the connection.
• Network Connectivity Problems: For wireless or Ethernet connections, issues with your Wi-Fi network, router, or incorrect IP address settings can be the culprit.
• Print Spooler Service Errors: The Windows Print Spooler service manages print jobs; if it’s stopped or malfunctioning, your printer won’t receive commands.
• Firewall or Antivirus Interference: Security software can sometimes mistakenly block printer communication.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting for Brother Printer Connectivity

1. Basic Checks and Reconnections

• Power Cycle: Turn off both your Brother printer and computer. Unplug them from the power source, wait a minute, then plug them back in and power them on.
• Check Physical Connections: For USB connections, ensure the cable is securely plugged into both the printer and the computer. Try a different USB port or cable. For network connections, ensure the Ethernet cable is firm, or that your printer is connected to the correct Wi-Fi network and has a stable signal.
• Printer Status: Check the printer’s display for any error messages or indicators.

2. Reinstalling or Updating Brother Printer Drivers

This is often the most effective solution for ‘driver not connecting’ issues. It ensures you have the latest and correct software for your printer.

• Uninstall Existing Drivers:
  1. On Windows, press Windows Key + R, type control, and press Enter to open the Control Panel. Navigate to ‘Devices and Printers’.
  2. Right-click your Brother printer and select ‘Remove device’ or ‘Uninstall device’.
  3. On Windows 11, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. Select your printer and click ‘Remove’.
  4. If prompted, open ‘Printer server properties’ from ‘Devices and Printers’, go to the ‘Drivers’ tab, select your Brother driver, and click ‘Remove’ (choose ‘Remove driver and driver package’ if available).
  5. Restart your computer.
• Download Official Full Driver & Software Package:
  1. Visit the official Brother support website.
  2. Enter your specific Brother printer model number (e.g., DCP-L2550DW) in the search bar.
  3. Navigate to the ‘Downloads’ section and select your operating system (Windows 11, Windows 10 64-bit, macOS, etc.).
  4. Download the ‘Full Driver & Software Package’. This comprehensive file is recommended for full functionality. Example for Brother DCP-L2550DW (Windows 11/10 64-bit): Brother DCP-L2550DW Full Driver & Software Package (approx. 488.71 MB)
• Install the Driver:
  1. Locate the downloaded executable file (e.g., DCPL2550DW-V600-W11-X64-NA.exe) and double-click to run it.
  2. Follow the on-screen instructions, agreeing to the license terms.
  3. When prompted, select your connection type (USB, Wireless Network, or Wired Network) and ensure your printer is connected and powered on.
  4. The installer will detect your printer and complete the installation.
  5. Perform a test print to verify successful installation.
  6. Restart your computer if recommended by the installer.

3. Addressing Windows 11 Specific Issues (Windows Protected Print Mode)

If you’re on Windows 11 and still facing issues after driver reinstallation, the ‘Windows protected print mode’ might be interfering.

• Go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
• Scroll down to ‘Printer preferences’ and click ‘Turn off’ under ‘Windows protected print mode’. Confirm with ‘Yes’ if a pop-up appears.
• Attempt to reinstall the driver again if needed, or try printing.

4. Check and Restart Print Spooler Service

The Print Spooler service is vital for managing print jobs.

• Press Windows Key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
• Find ‘Print Spooler’ in the list.
• Right-click it and select ‘Restart’. If it’s not running, select ‘Start’.
• Right-click again, go to ‘Properties’, and ensure ‘Startup type’ is set to ‘Automatic’.

5. Clear the Print Queue

Stuck print jobs can sometimes prevent new ones from processing.

• Go to ‘Devices and Printers’ (Control Panel).
• Right-click your Brother printer and select ‘See what’s printing’.
• In the print queue window, go to ‘Printer’ menu and select ‘Cancel All Documents’, then confirm.
• You can also navigate to %windir%\System32\spool\PRINTERS in File Explorer and delete all files in that folder after stopping the Print Spooler service.

6. Firewall and Antivirus Settings

Temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus software to see if it’s blocking the printer connection. Remember to re-enable it after testing. Consult your software’s documentation for specific instructions.

7. Set as Default Printer

Ensure your Brother printer is set as the default device.

• Go to ‘Devices and Printers’.
• Right-click your Brother printer and select ‘Set as default printer’.

Features of Brother Printers Enhancing Connectivity

Brother printers are designed with various features to facilitate easy connection and minimize driver-related issues:

• Wireless & Mobile Printing: Many Brother models support Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, and the Brother iPrint&Scan App, allowing printing from smartphones, tablets, and laptops without complex driver setups.
• Ethernet Connectivity: For stable network environments, built-in Ethernet interfaces provide reliable wired connections.
• Full Driver & Software Packages: Brother provides comprehensive software packages that include all necessary drivers and utilities for optimal printer performance and compatibility across various operating systems.
• Automatic Duplex Printing: A common feature that helps save paper by printing on both sides automatically.

When to Seek Professional Help

If you have followed all troubleshooting steps and your Brother printer is still not connecting due to driver issues, it might be time to contact Brother technical support. They can provide model-specific assistance and advanced diagnostics.

Conclusion

A ‘Brother printer not connecting driver’ problem is usually solvable with the right approach. By systematically checking connections, correctly installing the latest official drivers, and troubleshooting common software conflicts, you can restore your printer’s functionality. Remember to always download drivers from the official Brother support website to ensure compatibility and security.