Why Is My Brother Printer Not Waking from Sleep Mode?

Brother printers are known for their reliability, cost-efficiency, and professional print quality. However, like all electronic devices, they are not free from occasional glitches. One issue users frequently report is that their Brother printer doesn’t wake up from sleep mode.

This can be frustrating, especially when you need to print something urgently. Luckily, the problem is usually easy to fix once you understand the causes.

What Is Sleep Mode in Brother Printers?

Sleep mode is a power-saving feature. When the printer is idle for a set amount of time, it automatically goes into sleep mode to reduce energy consumption.

On LCD panel models, you might see “Sleep” on the display.
On LED-only models, the Power LED might dim or blink.

The printer is designed to wake up automatically when:

You send a print job.
You press a button on the control panel.
You open the cover or load paper.

If the printer doesn’t respond in these situations, something is wrong.

Common Reasons Why Brother Printer Won’t Wake Up

Several factors can cause this issue. The most common ones include:

Firmware Issues
- Outdated firmware may prevent proper wake-up responses.
Driver or Software Problems
- Corrupted or outdated drivers may stop communication between the printer and computer.
Connection Failures
- Weak Wi-Fi signals, disconnected Ethernet, or faulty USB cables.
Incorrect Sleep Mode Settings
- Timer set too aggressively or “Deep Sleep” mode enabled.
Power Supply Issues
- Unstable voltage or faulty power cables may keep the printer stuck.
Hardware Malfunctions
- In rare cases, control panel or internal components may fail.

Step 1: Check Basic Power and Button Response

Before diving into technical fixes, ensure:

The power cord is securely plugged in.
The printer’s control panel buttons respond.
The display screen lights up when pressed.

If not, try unplugging the printer, wait 1–2 minutes, and plug it back in.

Step 2: Wake the Printer Manually

Try these methods to manually wake your printer:

Press the Power or Go button.
Open the paper tray or front cover briefly.
Insert or remove paper.
Send a test print job from your computer.

If the printer still doesn’t respond, move to driver and firmware checks.

Step 3: Check Sleep Mode & Deep Sleep Settings

Brother printers have two levels of energy-saving modes: Sleep and Deep Sleep.

Sleep Mode: Standard low-power state, easy to wake from.
Deep Sleep Mode: Saves more power but may sometimes prevent automatic wake-up.

To Adjust Settings (on printers with control panel):

Press Menu.
Navigate to General Setup > Ecology > Sleep Time.
Set a longer sleep timer (e.g., 30 minutes).
Go to Deep Sleep and set it to Off or Auto.

This prevents the printer from getting “stuck” in deep sleep.

Step 4: Update Printer Firmware

Firmware updates often fix sleep/wake issues.

Go to Brother Support Website.
Enter your printer model.
Download the Firmware Update Tool.
Run it with your printer connected via USB or Wi-Fi.

Step 5: Reinstall or Update Printer Drivers

A corrupted or outdated driver may prevent your computer from “waking” the printer when sending jobs.

On Windows:

Press Win + R, type devmgmt.msc, and hit Enter.
Expand Printers.
Right-click your Brother printer > Uninstall Device.
Restart your PC.
Reinstall drivers from Brother’s official website.

On Mac:

Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
Select your Brother printer > Remove.
Re-add it via the + Add Printer option.
If needed, download the latest driver package.

Step 6: Check Printer Connection

USB Users: Use a different port or replace the cable.
Wi-Fi Users: Ensure the printer is connected to the same network as your computer.
Ethernet Users: Confirm the cable is securely connected.

Tip: If the printer wakes via USB but not Wi-Fi, the issue may be with the network driver or router.

Step 7: Disable IPv6 and Adjust Network Settings

Some users report that disabling IPv6 helps the printer wake up properly.

Access your printer’s Network Settings from the control panel.
Disable IPv6.
Ensure WLAN or Ethernet is enabled correctly.

Step 8: Run Windows Troubleshooter

Windows has a built-in troubleshooter that detects communication issues.

Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
Click Additional troubleshooters.
Select Printer > Run Troubleshooter.

Step 9: Factory Reset Printer

If nothing works, reset your printer to factory defaults.

Press Menu > Initial Setup > Reset > Machine Reset.
Confirm by pressing Yes.
Reconfigure Wi-Fi or network settings.

Warning: This will erase all custom settings.

Step 10: Test Printer with Another Device

To confirm if the issue is with the printer or your computer:

Connect the printer to another computer or smartphone.
Try sending a print job.

If the printer wakes up normally, the problem lies in your computer’s drivers or settings.

Preventive Measures

Regularly update firmware and drivers.
Keep your printer plugged into a stable power source.
Avoid enabling Deep Sleep mode unless necessary.
Restart both printer and router periodically if using Wi-Fi.
Clean printer fans and vents to prevent overheating.

FAQs

1. Why does my Brother printer stay in sleep mode even when I press buttons?

This often happens due to Deep Sleep mode, outdated firmware, or power supply issues. Adjusting the sleep settings and updating firmware usually helps.

2. How do I stop my Brother printer from going into deep sleep?

On the control panel, go to Menu > General Setup > Ecology > Deep Sleep and turn it Off.

3. Will reinstalling drivers fix sleep mode issues?

Yes, if the issue is due to communication errors between your computer and printer, reinstalling drivers can restore proper wake-up functionality.

4. Can network settings cause my Brother printer to not wake?

Yes. If the printer is not correctly connected to your Wi-Fi or Ethernet, it may not wake when you send a print job. Ensuring correct network settings resolves this.

5. What if my Brother printer still doesn’t wake after all fixes?

If firmware, drivers, and settings don’t help, the issue may be hardware-related. In that case, contact Brother Customer Support for repair or replacement.

Final Thoughts

A Brother printer stuck in sleep mode can feel like a major inconvenience, but in most cases, the issue is software- or settings-related rather than hardware failure.

By checking power supply, adjusting sleep settings, updating firmware, reinstalling drivers, and ensuring proper connections, you can usually fix the issue and prevent it from recurring.

Maintaining your printer with regular updates, stable connections, and proper energy-saving settings will ensure that it wakes up reliably whenever you need to print.