Brother Printer Not Scanning? Troubleshoot Scanning Problems
If your Brother printer not scanning is the problem, the printer may still be able to print normally while scanning fails. That often means the issue is with the scanner connection, scanning software, driver or network communication rather than the printer itself.
Start by checking whether the scanner works directly from the computer. If it does, but pressing the Scan button on the Brother machine does nothing, the problem is likely related to the Brother scanning software or network setup.
Quick Diagnosis: Start Here
| What you’re seeing | Start here |
|---|---|
| Scanner does nothing when you press Scan | Go to Fix 1 |
| Computer cannot find the Brother scanner | Go to Fix 2 |
| USB-connected Brother printer won’t scan | Go to Fix 3 |
| Printer can print but cannot scan over Wi-Fi | Go to Fix 4 |
| Scanning software cannot find the Brother scanner | Go to Fix 5 |
| Brother scanner worked before but suddenly stopped | Go to Fix 6 |
| Scan starts but does not complete | Go to Fix 7 |
| Nothing works after checking the connection | Go to Fix 8 |
Why This Happens
A Brother printer can continue printing normally while scanning stops working because printing and scanning use different software and communication paths.
Common causes include:
- The scanner is not connected correctly.
- The Brother scanner driver is missing or not selected.
- Brother ControlCenter is not running.
- A wireless scanner is no longer communicating with the computer.
- The printer and computer are connected to different networks.
- A firewall or security application is blocking network scanning.
- The scanner software is using the wrong scanning source.
- The Brother software or driver needs to be reinstalled.
The quickest way to narrow it down is to determine whether the scanner is detected by the computer at all.
Fix 1: Check Whether the Brother Scanner Is Ready
Start with the printer itself.
Make sure the Brother machine is powered on and not displaying an error.
If your model has a scanner glass and document feeder, check that the document is positioned correctly and that the scanner cover or feeder is properly closed.
Then try scanning again.
If you are using the Scan button on the printer, pay attention to what happens:
- Does the printer react but nothing appears on the computer?
- Does it display an error?
- Does nothing happen at all?
- Does scanning begin and then stop?
If the printer does not respond to the Scan command, continue with the software and connection checks below.
Fix 2: Check Whether Your Computer Detects the Scanner
The printer being installed on your computer does not always mean the scanner component is configured correctly.
On Windows 11, open your scanning application and check whether your Brother scanner appears as an available device.
If you’re using a scanning application that allows you to select a source, look for the Brother TWAIN or WIA scanner driver.
If the Brother scanner does not appear as an available scanning source, the appropriate scanner driver may not be installed or selected.
This is especially important if the printer can print normally but scanning has never worked from this computer.
Fix 3: Check the USB Connection
If your Brother printer is connected to the computer through USB, start with the physical connection.
Disconnect the USB cable and reconnect it securely.
Then:
- Make sure the printer is switched on.
- Connect it directly to the computer.
- Avoid using a USB hub while troubleshooting.
- Try another USB port.
- Open your scanning application again.
- Check whether the Brother scanner now appears.
If printing works through USB but scanning does not, don’t assume the cable is automatically fine. Printing and scanning can use different parts of the printer software, so the scanner driver still needs to be checked.
Fix 4: Check the Network Connection
If your Brother machine scans over Wi-Fi or a wired network, confirm that the printer and computer can communicate with each other.
First check whether printing works.
If the printer cannot print over the same network either, troubleshoot the network connection before concentrating on scanning.
If printing works but scanning does not, check the scanner setup separately.
Make sure:
- The Brother machine is connected to your current network.
- The computer is on the same network.
- The printer has not been moved to another Wi-Fi network.
- Your router or Wi-Fi password has not recently changed.
A network printer can continue appearing installed on the computer even after its actual network connection has changed.
Fix 5: Check the Brother Scanner Driver and ControlCenter
If you are using Windows and the Brother machine is connected over a network, the scanner driver is an important part of the setup.
Brother scanners can use TWAIN or WIA drivers. Your scanning application needs to use the appropriate Brother scanner source.
If the Brother scanner does not appear in the application, reinstalling the appropriate Brother scanner driver or the full driver and software package for your exact model may restore the scanning function.
Also check Brother ControlCenter if your model uses it.
If pressing the Scan button on the printer does nothing, ControlCenter may not be running on the computer.
You can open it through Brother Utilities ā Scan ā ControlCenter on supported Windows installations.
Once ControlCenter is running, try pressing the Scan button on the printer again.
Fix 6: Check for a Changed Network or Scanner Address
If scanning worked previously but suddenly stopped, check whether anything changed on your network.
This can happen after:
- Replacing the router
- Changing the Wi-Fi password
- Changing the Wi-Fi network
- Resetting the router
- Moving the printer to another network
Your Brother printer may still be installed on the computer, but the scanner software may no longer be communicating with the machine at its current network address.
For supported Brother models, checking the printer’s network configuration can help identify its current IP address.
If the scanner software is configured with an outdated network address, updating the scanner setup or reinstalling the Brother software may restore communication.
Fix 7: Check Firewall or Security Software
If the Brother printer can print over the network but scanning fails, firewall or security software on the computer can sometimes interfere with scanner communication.
This is particularly relevant when:
- Network printing works.
- The Brother scanner is installed.
- Scanning from the computer fails.
- Scanning from the printer’s control panel does not reach the computer.
Check your computer’s firewall and security software to make sure Brother’s scanning software is allowed to communicate across the network.
Avoid permanently disabling your security software just to test the scanner. If you need to test whether it is responsible, use the security software’s supported temporary troubleshooting option and restore the protection afterward.
If the problem started after installing or changing security software, that is a useful clue.
Fix 8: Reinstall the Brother Scanner Software
If the scanner still does not work after checking the connection, driver and firewall, reinstall the Brother software for your exact printer model.
Before reinstalling:
- Close your scanning applications.
- Remove the existing Brother printer/scanner software if necessary.
- Restart the computer.
- Install the appropriate Brother driver and software package.
- Follow the setup instructions for your connection type.
- Try scanning again.
For a network-connected printer, make sure the printer is already connected to the correct network during setup.
If possible, also test scanning from another computer on the same network.
If scanning works from another computer, the problem is likely specific to the original computer’s software, driver or security configuration.
How to Prevent Brother Printer Scanning Problems
A few simple checks can help prevent scanning issues:
- Keep the Brother machine connected to a stable network.
- Avoid changing your Wi-Fi network without reconnecting the printer.
- Keep the appropriate Brother scanner software installed.
- Make sure ControlCenter is running if your model relies on it for scans initiated from the printer.
- Keep your computer’s security software configured to allow trusted Brother scanning software.
- If scanning suddenly stops after a network change, check the printer’s network information before reinstalling everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can my Brother printer print but not scan?
Printing and scanning use different software and communication components. The printer may therefore continue printing even when the scanner driver, ControlCenter, network connection or scanning software has a problem.
Why does my Brother printer not scan when I press the Scan button?
On supported models, the Scan button can depend on Brother ControlCenter running on the computer. Check that ControlCenter is active and that the scanner is correctly configured.
Why is my Brother scanner not showing up on Windows?
The scanner driver may be missing, incorrectly installed or not selected by your scanning application. Check whether the Brother TWAIN or WIA scanner source is available.
Why can I print over Wi-Fi but not scan?
Network scanning uses additional software and communication that may be blocked even when network printing works. Check the scanner driver, Brother scanning software and firewall settings.
Why did my Brother scanner stop working after changing my router?
The printer may have received a new network address or may no longer be connected to the same network. Check the printer’s current network connection and scanner configuration.
Do I need to reinstall the Brother printer driver to fix scanning?
Not always. Check the network or USB connection and scanner source first. If the Brother scanner driver is missing or corrupted, reinstalling the appropriate Brother software can restore scanning.
How can I tell whether the problem is my computer or the Brother printer?
If possible, try scanning from another computer connected to the same network. If scanning works there, the problem is likely related to the original computer’s driver, scanning software or security settings.
