Why Does Brother Printer Say Driver Unavailable?

Brother printers are widely used for their durability, affordability, and high-quality printing. However, like any device, they may sometimes display frustrating errors. One common issue faced by many users is when the system shows “Driver Unavailable” while trying to print.

This error usually appears on Windows and macOS devices and prevents users from printing or scanning. Understanding the root causes and knowing how to fix them will help you get your Brother printer running smoothly again.

What Does “Driver Unavailable” Mean?

A driver is software that allows your computer and printer to communicate. Without it, your printer cannot understand the commands from your computer.

When your Brother printer shows “Driver Unavailable”, it means:

The printer driver is missing, outdated, or corrupted.
Your computer cannot recognize the printer properly.
There is a conflict between your operating system and the printer driver.

Common Reasons Behind the Error

Several issues can trigger this error. Below are the most common ones:

Outdated or Missing Drivers – Drivers not updated after OS upgrades.
Corrupted Printer Driver – Caused by incomplete installations or malware.
Windows Update Conflicts – New updates may cause driver incompatibility.
Incorrect Installation – Driver not installed correctly.
Connectivity Issues – USB/Wi-Fi not properly connected.
Firmware Issues – Outdated printer firmware may not sync with your system.
Registry Errors – Incorrect registry entries related to printer drivers.

Step 1: Check Basic Setup

Before diving into advanced solutions, ensure:

The Brother printer is powered on.
USB or Wi-Fi connection is stable.
The printer is properly added to your system.

Sometimes, a simple restart of the printer and computer resolves the issue.

Step 2: Update Printer Drivers Manually

The most reliable fix for this error is to install or update the correct driver.

On Windows:

Press Win + R, type devmgmt.msc and press Enter.
In Device Manager, expand Printers.
Right-click your Brother printer > Update Driver.
Choose Search automatically for drivers.
If Windows can’t find one, visit the Brother Support Website and download the driver for your model.

On Mac:

Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
Select your Brother printer > Remove.
Click the + Add Printer button.
Your Mac should automatically install the correct driver.
If not, download drivers directly from Brother’s website.

Step 3: Use Brother Printer Driver Installer Tool

Brother offers a Printer Driver Information Cleanup Tool and automatic driver installers.

Visit the Brother Official Support Page.
Enter your printer model.
Download the Full Driver & Software Package.
Run the installer and follow on-screen instructions.

Step 4: Remove and Reinstall the Printer

Sometimes, reinstalling helps fix corrupted drivers.

On Windows:

Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners.
Select your Brother printer > Remove Device.
Disconnect and reconnect the printer.
Click Add a printer or scanner and let Windows reinstall it.

On Mac:

Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
Remove the Brother printer.
Re-add it manually using + Add Printer.

Step 5: Run Windows Troubleshooter

Windows has built-in troubleshooters that can automatically fix driver problems.

Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
Select Additional troubleshooters.
Choose Printer > Run the troubleshooter.
Follow on-screen instructions.

Step 6: Install Generic Printer Drivers

If Brother drivers fail, you can try installing a generic driver:

Open Device Manager.
Right-click your printer > Update Driver.
Select Browse my computer for drivers > Let me pick from a list.
Choose Generic Printer Driver or Microsoft IPP Class Driver.

This may not give access to all advanced features but will allow basic printing.

Step 7: Update Windows or macOS

Outdated operating systems can cause driver conflicts.

On Windows: Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates.
On macOS: Apple Menu > About This Mac > Software Update.

Step 8: Reset Print Spooler Service

The print spooler manages print jobs. If it’s corrupted, it can cause driver issues.

On Windows:

Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
Find Print Spooler.
Right-click > Restart.

Step 9: Update Brother Printer Firmware

Sometimes outdated firmware prevents the printer from communicating properly.

Visit Brother Support Page.
Download the Firmware Update Tool for your model.
Connect printer and run the update.

Step 10: Try Different Connection Methods

If the driver error persists, try switching connection types:

If using Wi-Fi, try USB connection.
If using USB, switch to Wi-Fi/Ethernet.
Make sure you’re using the original Brother USB cable.

Step 11: Advanced Solutions

If the problem continues:

Use Brother Printer Driver Cleanup Tool to remove old drivers.
Reinstall using a fresh download.
Disable firewall/antivirus temporarily to allow installation.
Check registry for leftover driver entries (advanced users only).

Preventive Measures

Always install the latest Brother driver for your OS.
Keep your system updated.
Avoid third-party driver software.
Restart the printer after major updates.
Regularly update firmware.

FAQs About “Driver Unavailable” on Brother Printers

1. Why does my Brother printer say driver unavailable on Windows 10/11?

This usually happens when the printer driver is missing, outdated, or incompatible with your current Windows update. Updating or reinstalling the driver fixes the issue.

2. How do I fix driver unavailable error on Brother printer quickly?

Uninstall the printer, restart your computer, and reinstall using the Brother Support website’s Full Driver & Software Package.

3. Can I use my Brother printer without installing drivers?

On Windows and macOS, basic printing may work using generic drivers, but advanced features like scanning or duplex printing require official Brother drivers.

4. Does Windows Update automatically fix driver issues?

Sometimes yes, but not always. Windows Update may install generic drivers, which may not support all Brother printer functions. It’s best to download from Brother’s official site.

5. Why does the error keep coming back after fixing?

If the driver keeps disappearing, it may be due to Windows update conflicts, registry errors, or corrupted installations. Assigning a static driver version and disabling automatic driver updates may help.

Final Thoughts

When your Brother printer says “Driver Unavailable”, it can be frustrating, but it’s not a permanent problem. In most cases, the issue is caused by outdated, missing, or corrupted drivers. By following the methods above—updating drivers, reinstalling the printer, running troubleshooters, resetting spooler services, or updating firmware—you can restore smooth communication between your printer and computer.

To prevent future issues, keep your drivers and system up-to-date, use only official Brother software, and maintain stable connections. With these best practices, your Brother printer should function reliably without recurring driver problems.