Why is My Brother Wireless Printer Not Responding?

Brother printers are trusted by millions worldwide for their efficiency, affordability, and reliable performance. With the increasing popularity of wireless printing, Brother’s Wi-Fi-enabled printers offer the convenience of printing from multiple devices without being tethered by cables.

But sometimes, users face the frustrating issue of a Brother wireless printer not responding. This means the printer doesn’t accept or process print commands, leaving documents stuck in the queue or displaying error messages.

What Does “Not Responding” Mean?

When your Brother wireless printer shows as “not responding”, it typically means the printer cannot communicate with your computer or mobile device. This may present in different ways:

The printer appears “offline” in your device’s settings.
Print jobs remain stuck in the queue.
Error messages pop up saying “Printer not responding”.
The printer doesn’t wake up or react to commands.
Mobile devices cannot detect the printer over Wi-Fi.

Common Causes of Brother Wireless Printer Not Responding

There are several reasons why your Brother printer may stop responding wirelessly:

1. Wi-Fi Connectivity Issues

Weak signals, router interference, or incorrect Wi-Fi setup can prevent communication.

2. Printer Offline Mode

Sometimes, the printer is mistakenly set to “Offline” in your system settings.

3. IP Address Conflicts

If the printer’s IP address changes or conflicts with another device, the computer may not detect it.

4. Outdated or Corrupted Drivers

Old or faulty printer drivers often block proper communication between devices.

5. Firewall or Antivirus Restrictions

Security software can block wireless printing requests.

6. Firmware Glitches

Bugs in the printer’s firmware may disrupt connectivity.

7. Printer Sleep Mode

Some printers don’t respond quickly if in deep sleep or eco mode.

8. Spooler Service Issues (Windows)

The print spooler manages print jobs. If it crashes, the printer won’t respond.

9. Incorrect Default Printer

If another printer is set as default, print jobs may never reach your Brother printer.

Step-by-Step Solutions: Fix Brother Wireless Printer Not Responding

Here are tried-and-tested methods to fix the issue.

Step 1: Restart Devices

Turn off the Brother printer, router, and computer/mobile device.
Wait 1–2 minutes before turning them back on.
Restarting often clears temporary glitches.

Step 2: Check Wireless Connection

Ensure the printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your device.
On the printer, print a Network Configuration Page to verify Wi-Fi status.
If disconnected, reconnect using the control panel:
- Go to Settings > Network > WLAN > Setup Wizard.
- Select your Wi-Fi and enter the password.

Step 3: Ensure Printer is Online

Windows:

Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
Right-click your Brother printer > See what’s printing.
If “Use Printer Offline” is checked, uncheck it.

Mac:

Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
Select your printer and ensure it is “Idle” and not “Offline.”

Step 4: Set Brother as Default Printer

On Windows, go to Devices and Printers.
Right-click your Brother printer > Set as Default Printer.
On Mac, select the printer under Printers & Scanners and make it default.

Step 5: Assign a Static IP Address

Dynamic IP addresses often cause conflicts.

Steps:

Log in to your router’s admin panel.
Locate your Brother printer under connected devices.
Assign a static IP to prevent future conflicts.

Step 6: Update or Reinstall Drivers

Visit the Brother Support Website.
Download the latest drivers for your model.
Uninstall old drivers before reinstalling new ones.

Step 7: Restart Print Spooler (Windows Only)

Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
Locate Print Spooler.
Right-click > Restart.
Try printing again.

Step 8: Disable Firewall/Antivirus Temporarily

If print jobs are blocked, disable firewall or antivirus temporarily to test.

If printing works, add exceptions for Brother printer services.

Step 9: Update Printer Firmware

Go to Brother Support.
Download the latest firmware updater for your model.
Run the update to patch bugs and improve connectivity.

Step 10: Wake the Printer from Sleep Mode

Press any button on the control panel to wake it.
Disable deep sleep in printer settings if frequent unresponsiveness occurs.

Step 11: Try USB or Ethernet Connection (Test)

If wireless still doesn’t work:

Connect via USB or Ethernet to test if the issue is only Wi-Fi related.
If USB works fine, the issue is likely network-related.

Step 12: Reset Network Settings

If none of the above works, reset the printer’s network:

On the printer, go to Settings > Network > Network Reset.
Reconnect Wi-Fi after reset.

Fixing Brother Wireless Printer Not Responding on Mobile Devices

Many users print from smartphones or tablets using Brother’s iPrint&Scan app or AirPrint (iOS).

For iOS Users:

Ensure both printer and iPhone are on the same Wi-Fi.
Forget and reconnect to Wi-Fi if necessary.

For Android Users:

Use Brother iPrint&Scan app.
Ensure location permissions are enabled (some apps need this for Wi-Fi discovery).

Preventive Measures to Avoid Future Issues

Keep Firmware and Drivers Updated – Reduces chances of bugs.
Use a Strong Wi-Fi Network – Place the printer near the router.
Assign a Static IP – Avoids IP conflicts.
Restart Regularly – Prevents temporary glitches from building up.
Check for Offline Mode – Before printing, confirm the printer is set to online.
Clean Network Cache – Restart router monthly for best performance.

When to Contact Brother Support

Seek professional help if:

The printer does not connect to Wi-Fi even after resets.
Hardware issues like broken Wi-Fi modules are suspected.
Frequent errors persist after driver/firmware updates.
Printer is under warranty and needs servicing.

Why Wireless Responsiveness Matters

Wireless printing saves time, reduces clutter, and improves flexibility in both homes and offices. But when the printer is unresponsive, it halts productivity. By fixing this issue quickly, you ensure smooth workflows and avoid unnecessary frustration.

Conclusion

A Brother wireless printer not responding is a common but solvable issue. The main causes are connectivity problems, offline mode, driver issues, IP conflicts, or firmware glitches.

By restarting devices, checking Wi-Fi settings, updating drivers, assigning static IP addresses, and troubleshooting spooler services, most users can restore their printer’s responsiveness.

If all else fails, a network reset or contacting Brother support may be necessary. With proper preventive maintenance, your Brother printer can continue providing seamless wireless printing for years to come.