How to Scan Using Brother Printer?

Brother printers are known for their efficiency, reliability, and multi-function capabilities. Many Brother models come with built-in scanning features, allowing users to digitize documents, photos, and receipts with ease. However, scanning can sometimes feel confusing, especially if you’re unsure which method works best for your device and computer.

Whether you’re using Windows, macOS, Chromebook, or mobile devices, this guide will show you how to scan using a Brother printer step by step. We’ll also cover troubleshooting tips to solve common scanning issues.

Why Scanning with Brother Printers is Convenient

All-in-One Functionality – Print, scan, copy, and fax in one machine.
Multiple Connection Options – USB, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or Wi-Fi Direct.
High-Resolution Scanning – Capture clear text and images.
Cloud Integration – Save scans directly to Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, and more (on select models).
Mobile Accessibility – Scan directly to smartphones or tablets.

Different Scanning Methods on Brother Printers

Brother printers offer multiple ways to scan depending on your setup:

Control Panel (Direct Scanning) – Start scanning directly from the printer.
Brother iPrint&Scan Software – Works with Windows, macOS, and mobile devices.
Built-in OS Utilities – Such as Windows Fax & Scan or macOS Image Capture.
Network Scanning – Scan over Wi-Fi or Ethernet to a connected computer.
Mobile Apps – Brother iPrint&Scan app for iOS and Android.
Scan to Cloud / Email – Available on advanced models.

Step 1: Prepare Your Brother Printer for Scanning

Before scanning, check the following:

Power On the Printer – Make sure your printer is turned on.
Connection Type – Ensure it’s connected via USB or Wi-Fi.
Install Required Software – Download Brother iPrint&Scan or ControlCenter4 (Windows) if needed.
Place Document Correctly –
- On flatbed: Place the document face down on the scanner glass.
- On ADF (Automatic Document Feeder): Place multiple pages face up in the feeder tray.

Step 2: Scan Using Brother Printer Control Panel

Many Brother printers allow scanning directly from the device’s control panel.

To scan from the control panel:

Press the Scan button on your printer.
Choose the Scan to PC or Scan to Email option.
Select your computer from the list (if connected over Wi-Fi).
Choose file type (PDF, JPEG, TIFF, PNG).
Press Start to begin scanning.

The scanned file will appear on your selected computer or cloud service.

Step 3: Scan Using Brother iPrint&Scan (Windows & Mac)

Brother’s iPrint&Scan software makes scanning simple and customizable.

Install the software:

Download from Brother Support website.
Install and connect to your printer.

To scan:

Open Brother iPrint&Scan on your computer.
Select Scan.
Place your document on the scanner glass or ADF.
Choose settings (file format, resolution, color/black & white).
Click Scan.
Save or share the scanned document.

Step 4: Scan Using Windows Fax & Scan

If you don’t want extra software, you can use Windows’ built-in tool.

Connect your Brother printer via Wi-Fi or USB.
Open Windows Fax and Scan (search in Start menu).
Click New Scan.
Choose your Brother printer from the list.
Adjust scan settings (file type, resolution, brightness).
Click Scan.

Step 5: Scan Using macOS Image Capture

For Mac users, Image Capture makes scanning easy.

Open Image Capture from Applications.
Select your Brother printer from the devices list.
Place your document in the scanner.
Choose scan format (JPEG, PDF, TIFF, PNG).
Click Scan.

Step 6: Scan Using Brother iPrint&Scan Mobile App

Brother’s mobile app works on both iOS and Android.

Download Brother iPrint&Scan from the App Store or Google Play.
Connect your phone to the same Wi-Fi network as your printer.
Open the app and select Scan.
Choose resolution, size, and file format.
Save the scanned file to your phone or cloud storage.

Step 7: Scan to Cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive)

Some advanced Brother models allow direct scanning to cloud services.

On your printer’s control panel, select Scan > Scan to Cloud.
Log into your cloud account (set up via Brother’s web portal if needed).
Place the document in the scanner.
Choose file type and destination folder.
Press Start to upload directly.

Step 8: Scan to Email

Brother printers can scan documents and send them as email attachments.

From the control panel, select Scan > Scan to Email.
Enter the recipient’s email address (or choose from contacts).
Adjust settings (PDF, JPEG, etc.).
Press Start to send the email with the scanned document.

Step 9: Troubleshooting Common Scanning Problems

1. Brother Printer Not Detected by Computer

Ensure printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Restart both printer and computer.
Update printer drivers and iPrint&Scan software.

2. Scanner Not Working on Windows

Run Windows Update.
Reinstall the Brother driver.
Use Windows Troubleshooter for devices.

3. Scanned Images are Blurry or Crooked

Clean the scanner glass.
Align documents properly.
Use higher resolution settings.

4. Brother Scanner is Offline

Ensure Wi-Fi is connected.
Assign a static IP address to the printer.
Re-add the printer manually on your computer.

5. Can’t Scan Over Network

Disable firewall temporarily.
Make sure network scanning is enabled in printer settings.
Try using USB scanning as a backup.

Step 10: Tips for High-Quality Scans

Use 300 DPI (dots per inch) for text, 600 DPI or higher for images.
Save in PDF for documents and JPEG/PNG for photos.
For multiple pages, use ADF instead of scanning each page separately.
Regularly clean the scanner glass and ADF rollers.
Store scanned files directly in organized folders or cloud services.

Benefits of Scanning with Brother Printers

Paperless Workflow – Store everything digitally.
Easy Sharing – Send documents via email or cloud instantly.
Data Security – Some models allow password-protected PDFs.
Productivity Boost – Scan multi-page documents in seconds.
Eco-Friendly – Reduce physical paperwork and storage.

FAQs

1. Can I scan wirelessly with my Brother printer?

Yes, if your Brother printer supports Wi-Fi, you can scan wirelessly to your computer, phone, or cloud service.

2. Why is my Brother printer not scanning to my computer?

This usually happens due to connectivity issues or outdated drivers. Ensure the printer is on the same network and update iPrint&Scan software.

3. Can I scan multiple pages into one PDF with Brother printer?

Yes. Use the ADF feeder or select “Combine into single PDF” in iPrint&Scan software.

4. Does Brother iPrint&Scan app work on Chromebooks?

Yes, if your Chromebook supports Android apps, you can install Brother iPrint&Scan and scan directly.

5. What is the maximum resolution I can scan on Brother printers?

Most models support up to 1200 DPI, while advanced models can go up to 2400 DPI for high-quality scans.

Final Thoughts

Scanning with a Brother printer is straightforward once you know the available options. Whether you prefer scanning from the control panel, using iPrint&Scan software, OS tools like Windows Fax & Scan or macOS Image Capture, or mobile/cloud apps—Brother provides flexibility to fit your workflow.

By following the methods and troubleshooting steps outlined here, you can digitize your documents quickly, share them effortlessly, and maintain a paperless, organized system.