Brother Printer Not Detected by Computer? Find the Problem
If your Brother printer not detected by computer, the issue is usually somewhere between the printer and the computer rather than with the document you’re trying to print. A USB cable, Wi-Fi connection, printer driver, Windows setup or even the selected printer can prevent the computer from seeing the machine.
The first step is to work out whether you’re dealing with a USB connection problem or a network connection problem. Once you know that, the troubleshooting becomes much more straightforward.
Quick Diagnosis: Start Here
| What you’re seeing | Start here |
|---|---|
| Brother printer does not appear after connecting USB | Go to Fix 1 |
| Printer appears briefly and then disappears | Go to Fix 2 |
| USB printer is connected but Windows cannot find it | Go to Fix 3 |
| Wireless Brother printer cannot be found | Go to Fix 4 |
| Printer is connected to Wi-Fi but computer cannot see it | Go to Fix 5 |
| Printer was working before but stopped being detected | Go to Fix 6 |
| Brother printer appears but will not communicate | Go to Fix 7 |
| Nothing works after checking the connection | Go to Fix 8 |
Why This Happens
A computer may fail to detect a Brother printer for several reasons:
- The USB cable is loose, damaged or connected through a hub.
- The printer is not fully powered on or is showing an error.
- The printer is connected to a different Wi-Fi network.
- The printer’s IP address has changed.
- Windows has an outdated or incorrect printer driver.
- Multiple copies of the same Brother printer have been installed.
- The printer was removed or disconnected after a Windows or network change.
- Security software is interfering with network communication.
The troubleshooting is different depending on whether the printer uses USB, Wi-Fi or a wired network connection.
Fix 1: Check the Printer Before Checking the Computer
Start with the Brother printer itself.
Make sure it is powered on and ready. If the display shows an error, deal with that first.
Also check whether the printer has gone into a sleep or deep-sleep state. On some Brother models, pressing a button can wake the machine.
If the printer is displaying an error or does not respond at all, the computer may not be able to communicate with it correctly.
Once the printer is ready, check whether Windows detects it again.
Fix 2: Reconnect the USB Cable
If you’re using a USB connection, start with the cable.
Disconnect the USB cable from both the Brother printer and the computer. Then reconnect it firmly.
If that doesn’t help:
- Connect the printer directly to the computer.
- Do not use a USB hub while troubleshooting.
- Try another USB port on the computer.
- Check that the cable is connected to the printer’s USB port.
- If possible, try another compatible USB cable.
Brother recommends a suitable USB interface cable and, for supported models, a cable no longer than about 2 metres.
If the printer suddenly appears after changing the USB port or cable, the original connection was likely the problem.
Fix 3: Check Windows Printer Settings
The printer may be physically connected but not properly registered in Windows.
On Windows 11, open:
Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners
Look through the installed printers for your Brother model.
If you see it, select the printer and check its status.
If you do not see it at all, use Add device and allow Windows to search for available printers.
If you’ve previously installed the same Brother printer several times, you may also see multiple entries. Make sure you’re working with the current printer rather than an old installation.
Fix 4: Check the Brother Printer’s Wi-Fi Connection
For a wireless Brother printer, first confirm that the printer is actually connected to Wi-Fi.
Check the printer’s wireless or network settings and confirm that it is connected to your current network.
If the printer cannot connect:
- Check that your router is working.
- Confirm the Wi-Fi name.
- Re-enter the current Wi-Fi password if necessary.
- Move the printer closer to the router temporarily.
- Restart the printer and router.
If the printer is not connected to Wi-Fi, your computer will not be able to find it over the network.
Fix 5: Make Sure the Computer and Printer Are on the Same Network
A Brother printer can be connected to Wi-Fi and still be invisible to your computer.
Check the network connection on both devices.
For example, your computer might be connected to your current home Wi-Fi while the printer is still connected to an old network. In that situation, the printer may appear perfectly normal but the two devices cannot communicate.
If the printer has a network configuration page or network information screen, check its current network details.
The printer and computer should be on the same network and have compatible network addresses.
Fix 6: Check Whether the Printer’s Network Address Changed
This is particularly useful if the Brother printer was working previously and suddenly stopped being detected.
A network printer uses an IP address to communicate across the network. That address can change after a router restart, network change or other configuration change.
If the printer is connected to Wi-Fi but Windows cannot find it, check the printer’s current network information.
For supported Brother printers, the Network Connection Repair Tool can help locate the printer and update its IP address in the installed printer driver.
This can restore communication without requiring you to completely reinstall everything.
Fix 7: Check the Brother Printer Driver
If the physical connection is working but the computer still cannot communicate with the printer, the driver may be the problem.
On Windows 11, go to:
Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners
Check whether the Brother printer is listed.
If the printer is listed but behaves incorrectly, installing the latest Brother printer software or driver for your exact model may help.
Be careful when choosing the driver. Brother has separate downloads depending on the printer model and operating system, so use the exact model number rather than installing a driver for a similar-looking printer.
If you’re using a Mac, the available setup method can differ by model and macOS version. Some Brother printers use AirPrint or Brother’s software rather than a traditional printer driver.
Fix 8: Restart and Set Up the Printer Again
If you’ve checked the connection, network and driver but the computer still cannot detect the printer, start fresh.
First:
- Turn off the Brother printer.
- Restart the computer.
- Turn the printer back on.
- Check the USB or network connection.
- Open the printer settings again.
If the printer still isn’t detected, remove the old Brother printer entry from Windows and add it again.
For a wireless printer, make sure it is already connected to your current Wi-Fi network before adding it.
If you’re using USB, connect the printer directly to the computer and avoid a USB hub during setup.
A clean setup can resolve problems caused by an old printer installation or a driver that is no longer communicating correctly.
How to Prevent Brother Printer Detection Problems
Once your Brother printer is working again, a few simple practices can make future problems easier to avoid:
- Keep the printer connected to a stable network.
- Avoid unnecessary changes to your Wi-Fi network.
- Use a direct USB connection when troubleshooting USB printing.
- Keep duplicate or unused printer installations to a minimum.
- Install software and drivers for the exact Brother model.
- If a network printer suddenly disappears, check its current IP address before reinstalling everything.
- Keep the printer firmware and software reasonably up to date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Brother printer not showing up on my computer?
The computer may not be detecting the printer because of a USB connection problem, network issue, incorrect printer setup or driver problem. Start by checking whether the printer is connected through USB or Wi-Fi.
Why does Windows not detect my Brother printer through USB?
Check the USB cable, try another USB port and connect the printer directly to the computer rather than through a USB hub. If Windows still does not detect it, check the printer installation and driver.
Why can I see my Brother printer on Wi-Fi but my computer cannot find it?
The printer may be connected to a different network, or its IP address may have changed. Check the network information on the printer and make sure the computer and printer can communicate on the same network.
Do I need to install a Brother driver?
The exact setup depends on the printer model and operating system. If Windows or macOS cannot communicate correctly with the printer, installing the appropriate Brother software or driver for that model can resolve the problem.
Why did my Brother printer disappear from Windows?
This can happen after a network change, driver problem, Windows update, printer removal or connection issue. Check whether the printer is still listed under Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners.
Can a changed Wi-Fi password make my Brother printer disappear?
Yes. If the printer is still configured with the old Wi-Fi credentials, it may no longer connect to your network. Reconnect the printer using the current Wi-Fi password.
Should I reinstall my Brother printer if my computer cannot detect it?
Not immediately. First check the printer’s status, USB or Wi-Fi connection, network and driver. If those checks do not resolve the problem, removing the old installation and adding the printer again can be the next step.
