How to Set Brother Printer as Default?

In today’s digital-driven world, printers are an indispensable part of our professional and personal lives. Brother printers, known for their reliability, advanced features, and affordability, are one of the most widely used brands. However, many users encounter a recurring problem: even after installing a Brother printer, their computer doesn’t always recognize it as the default printer. This can cause unnecessary frustration because print jobs may either not go through, or they get directed to the wrong device.

If you are struggling with the same issue and asking, “How to set Brother printer as default?”, you’re in the right place. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything about default printer settings—why they matter, the step-by-step methods to set a Brother printer as the default on Windows and Mac, troubleshooting techniques for common issues, and tips to prevent such errors in the future.

What Does “Default Printer” Mean?

Before jumping into the steps, it’s important to understand the concept. A default printer is the printer your computer chooses automatically whenever you try to print a document, photo, or webpage—unless you manually select another device.

If your Brother printer is not set as the default, your computer might attempt to send print jobs to another installed device (such as a PDF creator, fax machine, or another printer), leaving you confused about why nothing is printing.

Thus, setting your Brother printer as the default ensures:

Seamless printing without manual selection.
Time savings, especially in busy office setups.
Reduced chances of errors like “Printer not responding” or “Print job sent to wrong device.”

Why Should You Set Brother Printer as Default?

Convenience: Every time you hit “Print,” it automatically goes to your Brother printer.
Avoids Errors: Prevents jobs from going to unintended printers.
Saves Time: Especially useful in offices with multiple devices.
Consistency: Ensures all tasks route to the correct printer by default.
Better Troubleshooting: When your Brother printer is set as default, diagnosing other issues becomes easier.

How to Set Brother Printer as Default on Windows

The process varies slightly depending on your Windows version (10, 11, or older), but the general idea remains the same.

Method 1: Using Control Panel

Press Windows + R, type control, and hit Enter.
Go to Devices and Printers.
You’ll see a list of all installed printers.
Locate your Brother printer.
Right-click it and select Set as default printer.
A green checkmark will appear on the Brother printer icon, indicating it is now the default.

Method 2: Using Windows Settings (Windows 10/11)

Press Windows + I to open Settings.
Navigate to Devices > Printers & Scanners.
Find your Brother printer in the list.
Click on it, then select Set as default.
Make sure the option Let Windows manage my default printer is turned off, otherwise Windows may switch defaults automatically.

Method 3: From Print Dialogue Box

Whenever you try to print a file (Word, Excel, or PDF):

Press Ctrl + P.
Select your Brother printer from the dropdown list.
Check the option Set as default printer (if available).

How to Set Brother Printer as Default on Mac

If you’re a macOS user, follow these steps:

Click the Apple menu and go to System Preferences.
Select Printers & Scanners.
A list of printers will appear on the left.
From the Default Printer dropdown, choose your Brother printer.
Close the window. Your Brother printer will now be the default option whenever you print.

How to Set Brother Printer as Default on a Network

In offices where Brother printers are shared over a network, you need to ensure:

The printer is installed properly on your PC or laptop.
You have permission to access the shared device.
Once installed, go to Devices and Printers (Windows) or Printers & Scanners (Mac).
Set the shared Brother printer as the default using the same steps as above.

Troubleshooting Issues When Setting Brother Printer as Default

Sometimes, users face problems even after setting the printer as default. Here’s how to fix them:

1. Brother Printer Not Showing in the List

Reinstall the printer driver from the Brother Support website.
Ensure the printer is turned on and connected to the same network.
Try a different USB port if using a wired connection.

2. Default Printer Keeps Changing

Disable the Windows feature “Let Windows manage my default printer.”
- Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners.
- Toggle the option off.

3. Brother Printer Shows Offline

Right-click the printer and choose See what’s printing.
Ensure Use Printer Offline is unchecked.
Restart both printer and computer.

4. Printer Driver Issues

Download the latest drivers from Brother’s official site.
Uninstall old or corrupted drivers before reinstalling.

5. Firewall or Antivirus Blocking Connection

Temporarily disable firewall/antivirus.
Add your Brother printer as an exception.

Advanced Fixes

If the above steps don’t work, try these advanced methods:

Resetting Print Spooler Service (Windows)

Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
Locate Print Spooler.
Right-click → Restart.

Resetting Printing System (Mac)

Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
Right-click the printer list → Reset printing system.
Re-add the Brother printer and set it as default.

Assigning a Static IP (For Wi-Fi Printers)

Access router settings.
Assign a static IP to your Brother printer.
Update the printer port settings on your PC.

Best Practices to Avoid Default Printer Issues

Keep Drivers Updated – Regularly update Brother drivers and firmware.
Avoid Multiple Virtual Printers – Remove unnecessary printers like “Microsoft XPS Document Writer” or “OneNote Printer.”
Stable Wi-Fi Connection – Ensure your wireless printer is connected to a strong, stable network.
Disable Windows Auto-Management – Prevent Windows from changing defaults.
Routine Restarts – Restart printer and PC periodically to refresh connections.

Conclusion

If you’ve been wondering “How to set Brother printer as default?”, now you have a complete step-by-step guide. Whether you’re using Windows, Mac, or a shared network, the process is simple once you know the right menus to navigate.

By setting your Brother printer as the default, you save time, minimize printing errors, and ensure a smoother workflow. In case you still face issues, reinstalling drivers, resetting the print spooler, or contacting Brother support are the next best steps.

FAQs

1. Why does my Brother printer keep losing default status?

This usually happens if the Windows option “Let Windows manage my default printer” is enabled. Turn it off in Settings > Printers & Scanners.

2. How do I set Brother printer as default on Windows 11?

Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, select your Brother printer, and click Set as default.

3. Can I set my Brother printer as default on multiple computers?

Yes, but you need to repeat the process individually on each computer.

4. Why is my Brother printer not appearing in the printer list?

It could be due to missing drivers, poor connection, or firewall blocking. Reinstall drivers and reconnect the device.

5. How do I check if my Brother printer is the default?

On Windows, look for a green checkmark on the printer icon in Devices and Printers. On Mac, check the Default Printer dropdown in Printers & Scanners.