Brother Printer Not Scanning: Causes & Easy Fixes

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If your Brother printer prints fine but won’t scan, that’s frustrating. You’re not alone. Lots of people hit this problem, especially with Windows. Here’s a simple guide that explains why it happens—and what you can do to fix it.

What’s the Problem?

Your printer prints okay, but scanning fails—either the software doesn’t see it, or the scanner buttons don’t work. The computer may show errors or just sit there without scanning anything. Sometimes nothing happens at all.

Here are common causes:

  • Software or driver issues
  • Firewall or antivirus blocking scan service
  • Windows update breaking scanner compatibility
  • Network or USB connectivity problems
  • Scanner service or TWAIN/WIA driver not working
  • Scanner app or control center misconfigured

1. Restart & Reconnect

Before diving deep, try this:

  1. Turn off the Brother printer and unplug it for about 30 seconds.
  2. Restart your computer.
  3. Plug the printer back in and power it on.
  4. Open your scan app and try again.

This simple reset often clears minor glitches. It’s surprisingly powerful.

2. Check Connections

If using a USB cable, make sure it’s firmly plugged into both devices. Try a different USB port or cable if you suspect damage. For Wi‑Fi or Ethernet scan, ensure both the printer and PC are on the same network.

You can print a network config sheet from the printer menu to check its IP address—if it shows something like 0.0.0.0, the printer may not be connected properly :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.

3. Update or Reinstall Drivers & Software

Outdated or corrupted drivers are top causes of scan failures. Here’s how to fix it:

  • Visit Brother’s official support website and search for your printer model.
  • Download the **Full Driver & Software Package**, including scanner and ControlCenter or iPrint&Scan software.
  • Uninstall any existing Brother scanner software via Control Panel or system settings.
  • Restart your PC, then install the new drivers and software.
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Once done, restart again and test the scan :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.

4. Use the Right Scan App

Brother provides two main apps: **ControlCenter / Brother Utilities** and **iPrint&Scan**. Sometimes one works better than the other. In Windows 11 especially, Brother’s older ControlCenter may stop working.

Many users have found success switching to a free third‑party app called **NAPS2** (Not Another PDF Scanner 2):

“I used it on a Brother MFC when Win 11 broke the Scanning ability on it. Works great.” :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
“Don’t use the crappy Brother iPrint&Scan… I downloaded a generic scan solution (naps2)… and it just works.” :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

So if Brother’s software fails, install NAPS2 and test scanning again—it often works right away, even with Wi‑Fi scanners :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.

5. Windows Update Problems

Some Microsoft updates—especially Windows 10 KB5025221 and Windows 11 24H2—have broken Brother scanning drivers. Many users report their scanners died after those updates:

“Windows update 24H2 has broken brother scanner software… use NAPS2 which is free.” :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
“KB5025221 seems to interfere with Brother’s DCP‑L2540DW scanner functionality.” :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

If you suspect a Windows update caused the issue, uninstalling that update (if possible) or using NAPS2 can be a workaround. A future patch from Microsoft may fix it.

6. Firewall or Security Blocking the Scanner

Sometimes Windows Firewall blocks the “Brother Network Scanner” service—even if printing works fine.

One user shared this fix:

“I noticed ‘Brother Network Scanner’ was blocked in private networks. Changing settings and allowing it… got it back working.” :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

To fix:

  • Open Control Panel → Windows Defender Firewall → Allow an app through the firewall.
  • Make sure **Brother Network Scanner**, **iPrint&Scan**, or **ControlCenter** are allowed for **Private** networks.
  • If you want to test, temporarily disable firewall—but re-enable it after testing.
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You may also need to restart the Brother Scan Service by going to services.msc and restarting that service manually :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.

7. Default Scanner Device & WIA Settings

Make sure your Brother scanner is set as default:

  • In Windows: go to Control Panel → Devices and Printers, right-click your Brother printer and choose Set as default scanner :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
  • Check that **Windows Image Acquisition (WIA)** service is running and set to automatic startup.

8. Network IP & Naming Setup

For network scanning, you might need to manually set the printer’s IP address in the software:

  • Print a **Network Configuration** page from the printer menu to get the IP address.
  • In the scanner app or device properties → Network Settings → choose “Specify your machine by address” and enter that IP.

This ensures the PC knows exactly where to send scan requests :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.

9. Clean Scanner Glass / ADF

Dirt, smudges, or debris can trigger scan errors or poor scans. Use a lint‑free cloth and a mild cleaner (not alcohol) to gently clean the flatbed glass and ADF rollers. Make sure nothing is jammed inside before testing again :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.

10. Test on Another Device

Try installing the printer and scanning setup on a different computer or mobile device:

  • If scanning works there, the issue is with your original PC setup.
  • If it fails on both, the problem could be in the printer hardware or network.

This step helps narrow down where the problem lies :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.

11. Reset Printer to Factory Settings

If everything fails, you can reset the printer to factory defaults:

  • Go to printer Menu → Initial Setup → Reset → Factory Reset;
  • After reset, reconnect and reinstall the driver and software;
  • Re-test scanning functionality.
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This clears corrupted configuration data and can help resolve persistent issues :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.

Troubleshooting Checklist

  1. Restart printer and computer.
  2. Check USB or Wi‑Fi connection.
  3. Reinstall latest Full Driver & Software Package.
  4. Use Brother iPrint&Scan or ControlCenter, or try NAPS2.
  5. Check Windows update compatibility (especially Win 10 KB5025221 or Win 11 24H2).
  6. Allow Brother scan services through Windows Firewall.
  7. Make Brother scanner the default device and ensure WIA service is running.
  8. Configure printer’s IP address manually if network scanning.
  9. Clean scanner glass and ADF.
  10. Try scanning from another device.
  11. If needed, factory reset the printer and reinstall everything.

If Nothing Helps…

If your Brother printer still won’t scan after these steps, and you’ve tried multiple PCs or software, it could be a hardware issue or deeply embedded driver problem. At that point, contacting Brother Support with your model number and what you’ve tried is a smart move.

Real‑World User Tips

“Go to Bluetooth and devices… add your device… close the iPrint&Scan app… reopen the app. It should work.” :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
“Windows update 24H2 completely destroyed the driver compatibility.” :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}

Final Thoughts

So yeah, Brother scanner problems can feel maddening. But most of the time, it’s a software glitch, a driver conflict, or a firewall issue—not broken hardware. If you follow the steps above, you’ll fix most scan issues at home. And if not, you’ll at least know what info to share with support to get help.

Take your time, try things step by step, and don’t give up. You’ve got this—and hopefully, your scanner will be back to working smooth again soon!


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