Dial 1-888-966-6097 to Fix Brother Printer Won't Print. Is your Brother printer connected but not printing? You’re not alone. This is a common issue that can happen even when the printer shows it's online or connected via USB or WiFi. Whether you're using Windows, macOS, or a mobile device, there are several reasons your printer may stop responding to print commands—and several quick ways to fix it.
In this article, we’ll walk you through step-by-step solutions to get your Brother printer printing again.
🛠️ Why Is My Brother Printer Not Printing Even When Connected?
Before diving into the fixes, here are some of the most common causes:
Printer is set to offline mode
Print queue is stuck
Outdated or corrupt drivers
Wrong default printer selected
Connection issues despite “connected” status
Low or empty ink/toner
Paper jams or hardware errors
✅ How to Fix Brother Printer Not Printing (Even When It’s Connected)
🔹 1. Restart Everything
Start with the basics:
Turn off your printer, computer, and router (if wireless)
Unplug and wait 30 seconds
Plug back in and turn them all on again
Try printing a test page
🔹 2. Check Printer Status (Offline or Paused)
On Windows:
Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers
Right-click your Brother printer > click See what's printing
Make sure "Use Printer Offline" is NOT checked
Cancel any stuck print jobs
On Mac:
Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners
Select your Brother printer
Click Open Print Queue and clear paused or stuck jobs
🔹 3. Set Your Brother Printer as the Default Printer
On Windows:
Go to Devices and Printers
Right-click your Brother printer > Select Set as Default Printer
On Mac:
Go to Printers & Scanners
Choose your Brother printer as Default
🔹 4. Update or Reinstall the Printer Driver
Outdated or corrupt drivers often cause printing issues:
Visit the official Brother Support Website
Enter your model number (e.g., HL-L2350DW, MFC-L2710DW)
Download and install the latest driver for your OS
Restart your computer and try printing again
🔹 5. Check the Connection Type
Even if it says "connected," the connection might be unstable.
WiFi: Run a wireless test from the printer's settings menu
USB: Try a different USB port or cable
Ethernet: Check if the cable is securely connected and lights are blinking
💡 Tip: Print a network configuration page from your printer to see IP address and connection status.
🔹 6. Check for Ink, Toner, or Paper Issues
Make sure there’s enough ink or toner (check the levels)
Remove and reload paper properly
Open the printer and check for paper jams or error lights
🔹 7. Reset the Printer
If all else fails:
Turn off the printer
Hold the Go button or Menu + Power (depends on the model)
Wait until all lights flash or screen shows reset option
Reconnect the printer to your WiFi or USB
⚠️ Resetting will clear saved settings – reconfigure after reset.
🙋 Frequently Asked Questions
Q: My Brother printer shows "Ready" but nothing prints. Why?
A: The print job may be stuck or paused. Clear the queue and restart your devices.
Q: Why does my printer say it's connected but stays idle?
A: This can be a driver issue or the printer is not set as the default printer.
Q: How do I know if the driver is the problem?
A: If your OS can't detect the printer, or print jobs disappear after sending, reinstall the driver from Brother's website.
🧠 Final Thoughts
If your Brother printer won’t print even though it’s connected, don’t panic. In most cases, the problem is something simple like a paused print job, an outdated driver, or a missed default printer setting. Follow the steps above and you’ll be printing again in no time.
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