How to Fix Slow Scanning Speed on Brother Printer?

Brother printers and multi-function devices are widely known for their durability, efficiency, and versatile features, especially scanning. However, many users often report that their Brother printer scans extremely slowly, taking much longer than expected to digitize documents. This can be frustrating, especially in busy office environments where productivity is essential.

Fortunately, slow scanning issues are usually caused by settings, connection types, or software-related glitches—and can be fixed with the right troubleshooting steps.

Why Is My Brother Printer Scanning So Slowly?

Before applying fixes, it’s important to understand the root causes of slow scanning speed. Common reasons include:

High Resolution Settings
- Scanning at 600 dpi or higher creates large files, slowing down the process.
Color Mode Selection
- Scanning in full color is much slower than black-and-white or grayscale.
File Format and Compression
- Scanning to uncompressed formats (like TIFF) produces large files that take longer to process.
Connection Type
- USB 1.1 or unstable Wi-Fi connections can slow down data transfer.
Outdated Drivers/Software
- Using old versions of Brother ControlCenter4, iPrint&Scan, or drivers may impact performance.
PC or Network Performance Issues
- Limited RAM, slow storage drives, or heavy background tasks on your computer can delay scanning speed.
Large Batch Jobs
- Scanning hundreds of pages at once will naturally take more time if settings are not optimized.
Firmware Limitations
- Older printer firmware may not handle newer scanning protocols efficiently.

Step 1: Check Scanner Resolution and Settings

The higher the resolution, the slower the scan.

For everyday document scanning, 150–200 dpi is sufficient.
For images or detailed graphics, use 300 dpi.
Avoid 600 dpi or higher unless absolutely necessary.

How to adjust resolution:

In Brother ControlCenter4 (Windows): Go to Scan > File > Settings and adjust resolution.
In iPrint&Scan (Mac/Windows): Select Scan Settings and choose the appropriate DPI.

Step 2: Switch to Black & White or Grayscale

Full-color scanning processes much more data.

Use black-and-white (text documents) → fastest option.
Use grayscale (mixed content documents) → balance between quality and speed.

Switching to these modes can double scanning speed compared to full-color.

Step 3: Optimize File Format and Compression

File type matters.

PDF (compressed): Best for multi-page documents.
JPEG: Faster for single-page image scans.
TIFF (uncompressed): Slowest and largest file size.

Tip: Enable "Small File Size" or "Compress PDF" option in the scan settings.

Step 4: Improve Connection Type

A weak connection between your Brother printer and computer can slow down scanning.

USB Connection (Preferred for Speed):
Use USB 2.0 or later. Avoid hubs or extenders.
Ethernet (Stable for Offices):
Wired Ethernet ensures faster data transfer than Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi (May Be Slower):
- Ensure printer and computer are on the same strong Wi-Fi network.
- Avoid 2.4GHz if possible; 5GHz Wi-Fi is faster.

Step 5: Update Brother Printer Drivers and Software

Outdated drivers or Brother utilities can cause compatibility issues.

For Windows:

Go to Brother Support Website.
Search for your printer model.
Download the latest Full Driver & Software Package.
Uninstall old drivers via Control Panel > Programs and Features.
Install the new package.

For Mac:

Visit Brother support and download the latest iPrint&Scan app.
Remove old drivers from System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
Add the printer again with the updated software.

Step 6: Update Printer Firmware

Firmware updates improve communication between the scanner and computer.

Visit the Brother support website.
Download the Firmware Update Tool for your printer model.
Run the installer with the printer connected.
Follow prompts to complete the update.

Step 7: Check Computer Performance

Sometimes, the bottleneck isn’t the printer but your computer.

Close unnecessary applications before scanning.
Ensure at least 4GB RAM (8GB recommended) for smooth scanning.
Save scanned files to an SSD instead of a slow hard drive.

Step 8: Use Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) Efficiently

If your Brother printer has an ADF, use it for multi-page scanning.

Ensure pages are aligned properly.
Do not overload beyond capacity (usually 30–50 sheets).
Clean the ADF rollers regularly to avoid jams that slow down scanning.

Step 9: Adjust Brother ControlCenter4/iPrint&Scan Settings

Advanced settings can impact speed.

Disable “Skip Blank Page Detection” if not needed.
Turn off “OCR” (Optical Character Recognition) if you don’t need searchable text—it slows down scanning.
Enable Quick Scan mode if available.

Step 10: Perform Printer Maintenance

Sometimes physical issues can slow scanning.

Clean the scanner glass with a microfiber cloth.
Remove dust or smudges that may cause re-scans.
Ensure the lid closes completely during scanning.

Step 11: Reset Network Settings (If Using Wi-Fi)

If scanning is slow only over Wi-Fi:

On the printer, go to Menu > Network > Network Reset.
Reconnect the printer to Wi-Fi using updated settings.
Re-add the printer on your computer.

Step 12: Advanced Troubleshooting

Reinstall Brother Utilities:
If ControlCenter4 or iPrint&Scan is corrupted, uninstall and reinstall.
Use Brother Online Solutions Center:
Check for firmware patches specific to scanning issues.
Check Firewall/Antivirus Settings:
Sometimes security software interferes with scanning speed. Add Brother apps to the whitelist.
Scan Directly to USB/Email:
If scanning to PC is slow, try scanning directly to USB drive or email from the printer.

Preventive Tips to Maintain Fast Scanning Speed

Keep drivers and firmware updated regularly.
Use genuine Brother utilities (avoid third-party scanning apps).
Maintain stable power and network connections.
Periodically clean scanner glass and ADF rollers.
Store scanned files on fast storage (SSD/USB 3.0).

FAQs

1. Why is my Brother printer scanning so slowly?

It’s usually due to high resolution, full-color settings, slow connections, or outdated drivers/software.

2. How can I speed up my Brother scanner without losing quality?

Set resolution to 200–300 dpi, use grayscale instead of color, and save in compressed PDF or JPEG format.

3. Does Wi-Fi affect scanning speed?

Yes. USB or Ethernet connections are faster. If using Wi-Fi, ensure a strong 5GHz connection.

4. Will updating Brother firmware fix slow scanning?

In many cases, yes. Firmware updates improve compatibility and performance.

5. Can scanning software make a difference?

Yes. Using the latest Brother ControlCenter4 (Windows) or iPrint&Scan (Mac/Windows) ensures faster, optimized scanning.

Final Thoughts

A slow Brother scanner doesn’t always mean your printer is faulty. In most cases, it comes down to settings, drivers, or connections. By lowering resolution, switching to grayscale, using faster file formats, updating drivers/firmware, and optimizing computer/network performance, you can significantly improve scanning speed.

Regular maintenance and preventive steps—like cleaning the scanner glass and keeping software updated—will help your Brother printer deliver fast, reliable scans for years to come.