How to Fix USB Not Recognized for Brother Printer?

Brother printers are designed to work seamlessly with computers via both USB and wireless connections. However, many users encounter a frustrating issue where their computer fails to detect the printer when connected via USB. The dreaded error “USB not recognized” can disrupt your work, especially when you need urgent printing.

Understanding the “USB Not Recognized” Error

When you connect a Brother printer to a computer via USB, the operating system should automatically detect the printer and install the necessary drivers. If the system fails, you may see messages like:

“USB Device Not Recognized”
“Unknown Device”
“Driver Not Installed”
“Cannot Communicate with Printer”

This means that the USB handshake between the printer and computer has failed.

Common Causes of Brother Printer USB Not Recognized

Several reasons may cause this issue, including:

Faulty USB Cable – A damaged or low-quality cable may prevent proper communication.
Loose or Improper Connections – USB not firmly seated in the port.
Driver Issues – Missing, outdated, or corrupted Brother printer drivers.
USB Port Problems – Defective or disabled USB ports on your computer.
Operating System Conflicts – Windows/macOS updates may disrupt USB recognition.
Power Supply Issues – Insufficient power to USB ports on laptops or hubs.
Printer Firmware Problems – Outdated firmware may fail to communicate properly.
Hardware Failure – Printer USB port damage or internal board malfunction.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Fix USB Not Recognized for Brother Printer

Let’s go through a structured troubleshooting process.

Step 1: Restart Devices

Turn off your Brother printer.
Restart your computer.
Power on the printer again.
Reconnect the USB cable.

A simple reboot often resolves temporary glitches.

Step 2: Inspect the USB Cable

Ensure the USB cable is firmly connected to both printer and computer.
Try another cable, preferably the original Brother-supplied cable.
Avoid using excessively long or cheap third-party USB cables.

Step 3: Test Different USB Ports

Connect the printer to a different USB port on your computer.
Preferably use ports directly on the computer’s motherboard (rear panel) rather than front ports or hubs.
If using a laptop, avoid USB-C adapters unless necessary.

Step 4: Reinstall Printer Drivers (Windows)

Disconnect the USB cable.
Go to Control Panel → Devices and Printers.
Right-click on your Brother printer and remove/uninstall.
Visit the official Brother Support website.
Enter your printer model and download the latest drivers.
Install the drivers first.
Reconnect the USB cable when prompted.

Step 5: Reinstall Printer Drivers (Mac)

Disconnect the USB cable.
Go to System Preferences → Printers & Scanners.
Select your Brother printer and click the minus (-) button to remove it.
Download the latest macOS driver from Brother’s official website.
Install the driver package.
Reconnect your Brother printer via USB.

Step 6: Update Operating System

Install the latest Windows Updates or macOS updates.
Outdated systems sometimes fail to recognize newer printer drivers.

Step 7: Check Device Manager (Windows Only)

Press Windows + X and open Device Manager.
Look under Universal Serial Bus Controllers.
If you see “Unknown Device” or yellow warning icons, right-click and uninstall the device.
Disconnect and reconnect the printer to reinstall drivers automatically.

Step 8: Disable USB Selective Suspend (Windows)

Go to Control Panel → Power Options → Change plan settings.
Click Change advanced power settings.
Expand USB settings → USB selective suspend setting.
Set it to Disabled.
Save and reconnect your printer.

This ensures your USB ports don’t power down automatically.

Step 9: Update Printer Firmware

Go to Brother’s official support page.
Download and install the latest firmware update tool for your model.
Follow on-screen instructions to update via USB.

Step 10: Check Printer Hardware

If none of the above works:

Test your printer on another computer.
If it still fails, the printer’s USB port may be faulty.
Contact Brother support for repair or replacement.

Preventive Measures

Once you’ve resolved the issue, here’s how to avoid it in the future:

Always Use Genuine Drivers – Download only from Brother’s official site.
Avoid USB Hubs – Connect directly to your computer.
Keep Firmware Updated – Install Brother’s firmware updates regularly.
Use Quality Cables – Stick to original or certified USB cables.
Regular System Updates – Keep your OS updated to avoid compatibility issues.
Power Off Properly – Shut down printer and computer properly before unplugging USB.

Advanced Troubleshooting

For persistent issues, try:

BIOS/UEFI Update (PC Users) – Some motherboards require USB fixes.
Reset NVRAM/SMC (Mac Users) – Helps fix hardware recognition issues.
Brother Printer Reset – Factory reset your printer from the control panel menu.

When to Contact Support

If your Brother printer is still not recognized via USB after trying all the steps, the issue may be hardware-related. You should contact Brother technical support or visit an authorized service center for diagnostics.

FAQs

1. Why won’t my Brother printer connect via USB?

This usually happens due to faulty cables, outdated drivers, or disabled USB ports. Reinstall drivers and test a new cable to fix it.

2. Can a faulty USB port on the printer cause this problem?

Yes. If the printer’s USB port is damaged, the computer won’t recognize it. Testing on another computer helps confirm this.

3. Do I need to install drivers before connecting my Brother printer?

Yes, especially on Windows. Install the latest drivers first, then connect the USB when prompted.

4. Why does my printer work wirelessly but not via USB?

This suggests a USB-specific problem, such as a defective cable, disabled port, or corrupted USB drivers.

5. Should I use a USB hub to connect my Brother printer?

It’s not recommended. Always connect directly to the computer’s USB port for better stability and recognition.

Final Thoughts

If your Brother printer is not recognized via USB, don’t panic—most of the time, the issue comes down to simple causes like faulty cables, incorrect drivers, or USB port conflicts. By following the step-by-step troubleshooting guide—restarting devices, reinstalling drivers, checking ports, and updating firmware—you can solve the issue in most cases.

For more persistent problems, deeper fixes like disabling USB selective suspend, updating BIOS/firmware, or resetting the printer may be needed. However, if the USB port itself is damaged, professional repair is the only solution.

By applying these fixes and preventive tips, you’ll ensure your Brother printer maintains smooth and reliable USB connectivity for years to come.