Other possible reasons include issues with your firewall blocking the scanner, problems with the USB connection, or broken system settings. In this article, we’ve outlined simple solutions below to help you get your Brother scanner working again:
1. Update Printer Drivers
If you are using outdated or missing scanner drivers, your device may not function correctly. Sometimes, scanner drivers can also become corrupted, leading to issues with compatibility in Windows. Updating or reinstalling your scanner’s drivers is often the quickest way to solve this problem. Once the update process finishes, restart your computer and check if your Brother scanner is now working.
2. Verify the Brother Scanner Connection
A frequent reason your Brother scanner might not work is a loose or incorrect connection with your PC. Make sure the scanner is properly connected, whether by USB cable, over your network, or with Bluetooth. To check if your scanner and computer are on the same network, you can use Brother’s official iPrint&Scan app: If your device is not showing up, unplug the scanner from the power outlet, wait about 15 seconds, plug it back in, and then power the scanner on again.
3. Set Your Brother Scanner as the Default Device
If you have multiple printers or scanners, it’s a good idea to set the Brother scanner as your default device. After making this change, try using your scanner to see if the issue is fixed.
4. Update Windows
Using an outdated version of Windows may cause problems with device compatibility, including your Brother scanner. Updating Windows can help fix these types of issues.
5. Add Scanner to Firewall Exception List
Sometimes, Windows Security features like the firewall can block your scanner from communicating with your computer. Adding your scanner to the firewall exception list can often resolve this issue. If the problem continues, you can also try to turn off the Windows firewall temporarily and see if that makes a difference.
