Why Brother Wireless Printer Won't Print: Easy Solutions

Printer Connectivity Issues

Having trouble with your printer being all moody? It’s a surprisingly common predicament. If your Brother wireless printer decides to play hard to get and won’t print, the issues typically start with that pesky WiFi connection or a cryptic error message.

Troubleshooting Wireless Connection

Nailing down a solid wireless connection for your Brother printer is pretty much the name of the game. Your printer might throw a “printer is busy” fit because it’s lost track of the WiFi or has had a bit of a meltdown. A simple trick involves unplugging both the printer and your router/modem and counting to 120 before plugging back in. Yeah, it’s like giving them a little timeout (JustAnswer).

Step	Action
1	Unplug printer and router/modem for 2 minutes
2	Plug them back in and wait for them to settle
3	Connect them again to the WiFi network you know and love

Be sure the computer is lurking on the same WiFi wave as your printer. If this doesn’t do the trick, Brother’s got a little Network Connection Repair Tool that might come to the rescue (Brother Support).

Still frazzled? Our guide on how the Brother printer gives the cold shoulder to an iPhone might just speak to you: why brother printer can’t connect to iPhone.

Checking Error Messages

Error messages aren’t just annoying, they’re actually trying to tell you something. Make sure this machine is up and running without any “oops” notes on its screen (Brother Support). Things like “Paper Jam” or another “Printer Busy” notification might pop up.

If the printer whispers that there’s a paper jam when there’s completely clear rails, it might just be a dirty trick by a used-up pickup roller. A little TLC with dish soap and a damp washcloth might do the trick (HP Community). For some more juicy details, check our page on clearing paper jams.

Oh, and if print jobs are sitting stubbornly in the queue, that won’t help matters. Clear out those print jobs to set things right (Brother Support).

Step	Action
1	Open ‘Devices and Printers’
2	Right-click on your Brother printer icon
3	Hit ‘See what’s printing’, then go mad with the cancel button

For the nitty-gritty steps, our article on what makes your printer go reboot-crazy is worth a peek: why does printer keep rebooting.

Solving wireless mess-ups and decoding error messages doesn’t just soothe your nerves, it makes your Brother wireless printer a whole lot friendlier. More of a problem-solver? Peep our troubleshooting guide on why printers might feel artsy and print out weird symbols: why does printer print weird random symbols.

Network Configuration Problems

Ever wondered why your Brother wireless printer refuses to print, even though it’s connected? You might be facing some network hiccups. Getting that printer back in line with your network is key.

Reconnecting to New Settings

Tweaked your wireless router or access point lately? That could be why there’s a hiccup between your Brother printer and the network. Don’t panic—it’s fixable. Here’s how to reconnect your printer:

Hit the Menu on your Brother printer.
Dive into Network settings.
Pick WLAN, then hop into Setup Wizard.
Follow the friendly prompts to grab your network and punch in the password.
Confirm and let it connect.

Make sure you’ve got a steady network, and both printer and computer are partying on the same Wi-Fi. Moving house? You might need to redo this dance.

Enabling Wireless Interface

Your Brother wireless wonder can’t work if the wireless interface is playing hard to get. Make sure it’s switched to ‘yes, I’m on’:

Press Menu on the Brother printer.
Head over to Network settings.
Scroll to WLAN.
Check that Enable WLAN is switched ‘On’.

Sometimes, security settings—like firewalls—can be overprotective, blocking your network. For fixing these barricades, check out firewall and antivirus tweaks.

If all else crashes and burns, you might need to reset network settings back to square one. Don’t hesitate to ring up network pros or your Internet provider if things get tricky.

Having more printer tantrums? Check our guides on Brother printer keeps losing Wi-Fi love and Brother printer shunning iPhone connections for a deeper dive.

Software Security Settings

Messing with software security settings can sometimes send your Brother wireless printer into a frenzy. Let’s puzzle out managing your firewall and antivirus so they don’t make your printer go on strike.

Firewall and Antivirus Adjustments

Firewalls and antivirus programs are like the security guards of your computer, keeping out the bad stuff. But every now and then, they’ll block your printer for no good reason.

Turn Off Security Stuff Temporarily: Just to test, switch off your firewall or antivirus for a bit and try to print. If it works, you know where the problem is! Make sure to put in a good word for your printer in the software settings so it won’t get blocked again.
How to Get Your Printer on the List:

Pull up your computer’s firewall settings.
Head to the “Allow a program through the firewall” section.
Add your printer’s software to the gang of allowed programs.

Unlocking Essential Ports: Make sure doors (or ports) numbered 137, 138, 139, and 445 are open so your printer can do its thing. Check your firewall guide to learn how to handle these gates.

If alerts start popping up from your firewall, tweaking your computer’s security settings temporarily can help sort out the thirsty printer connection (Brother Support).

Network Communication Blocks

Sometimes, those annoying network gremlins stop your Brother printer from chatting happily with your computer. Usually, it’s a hitch in the network settings or something iffy with the drivers.

Device Manager Troubles:

Open up the Device Manager on your computer.
Keep an eye out for any yellow signs or elusive devices.
Update or reinstall drivers that look dodgy.

Back to Factory Defaults: If nothing else works, hit the big reset on your network settings but make sure you can still print or scan from other devices first (Brother Support).
Getting Your DNS and IP Right:

Check that the printer’s IP plays nice with your network settings.
Sort out the DNS so your printer can swap notes with your computer properly.

By tweaking these software settings, you’ll get your Brother wireless printer back to printing like a champ. If you need a bit more help, dive into our other bits on why Brother printer won’t befriend your iPhone and why Brother printer can’t stay on the WiFi train.

Printer Operation Problems

If your Brother wireless printer is being as useful as a chocolate teapot, don’t worry—you’re not alone. It’s usually some surprise gremlin causing the mischief. Fixing these issues can bring your printer back from the dead.

Clearing Error Status

Your Brother wireless printer could be throwing a fit due to an error it can’t shake off, like a paper jam or low ink. Here’s how to smooth things over:

Check the Printer Display: This magical screen will usually spill the beans with error messages or codes. Grab your printer’s manual and look up how to make those errors disappear.
Restart the Printer: Turn it off, twiddle your thumbs for a moment, and then fire it back up. It sounds too simple, but sometimes it really is just as easy as that.
Printer Software and Drivers: Make sure everything is up-to-date in the tech department. If things are still wonky, reinstall the driver using the Big Cheese of software packages (Brother Support).

Error Type	Suggested Action
Paper Jam	Open every door and drawer until you free the pages.
Ink Cartridge	Listen to the low ink alerts, give it a refill.
Connection Error	Reset wireless settings, maybe even your router.

For more on deciphering weird printer tantrums, check our why does printer keep rebooting section.

Setting Default Printer

Sometimes your Brother wireless printer just needs a little nudge to remind it who’s boss. Telling your computer which printer is default can set things straight:

Access Control Panel:
- On Windows, swagger on over to “Control Panel” > “Devices and Printers.”
- On macOS, holler at “System Preferences” then pick out “Printers & Scanners.”
Set as Default:
- Right-click your Brother printer and claim “Set as default printer” on Windows.
- On macOS, do the same by right-clicking and choosing “Set default printer.”
Printer Queue: Dive into the print queue and throw out anything that’s been gathering dust, stopping new tasks.

For a step-by-step on dodging set-up snags, see our piece on why printer says no paper.

Sorting out the default printer setting and brushing away those error cobwebs often makes magic happen, preventing why Brother wireless printers connected but not printing. These tricks can keep the gears greased, chopping down downtime and the stress that usually rolls with printer problems. For ongoing good habits and maintenance know-how, peek at our printer maintenance tips.

Paper Jam Solutions

Causes of Paper Jams

Printers can be temperamental beasts, and there’s not much that can ruin your day quicker than a dreaded paper jam. Here’s why these pesky problems pop up:

Paper Loading Woes: Got a lean or overstuffed paper tray? Not paying attention to alignment? These little mishaps are frequent troublemakers in paper jams.
Grubby Rollers: If your rollers are gunked up or seen better days, they might refuse to grab paper properly, causing a whole lot of chaos.
Paper Remnants: Little shreds from past paper jams left in your printer can muck up the works.
Cheap Paper: Trying to cut corners with crummy paper? It’ll betray you with constant jams.
Bad Maintenance Habits: Skipping on cleaning? Dust bunnies inside your printer are just waiting for their chance to wreak havoc.

Clearing Paper Jams

Follow these simple steps to wrestle those paper jams into submission and get back to printing bliss:

Hit the Switch and Pull the Plug: First things first, turn off the printer and unplug it from the wall. Safety first, folks.
Purge Paper from the Tray: Remove every single sheet from the tray. Double-check that nothing’s hiding in there.
Snoop for Snags: Open the printer, poke around for any evidence of paper mischief. Be gentle—a ripped scrap could hide and cause more pain later.
Re-stack Your Paper Soldiers: Once all’s clear, load up the tray with a neat stack of paper. Make sure they’re aligned like soldiers in parade, no leaning towers.
Give Rollers a Good Wipe: Take a clean, slightly damp cloth and shine up those rollers. A little TLC goes a long way in keeping your print jobs rolling smoothly.

For more wisdom on taming tech troubles, check out our handy guides like why brother printer keeps dropping off wifi network or why printer says no paper.

Grasp the causes and tackle them with these steps to ensure your printer stays jam-free. A little care and attention help you stay in the good graces of your printer—and keep your print queue moving smoothly.

Printer Maintenance Tips

Keeping your Brother wireless printer in good working order is key to avoiding any bumps in the road. Here’s how you can keep your printer running like a champ.

Regular Printing to Prevent Issues

Printheads are notorious for getting bunged up with dry ink gunk. This can lead to your trusty Brother printer deciding it won’t print anything at all. To avoid this, make it a habit to print a little each month. Regular use keeps the ink from petrifying in the cartridges, saving you a headache later on.

Maintenance Task	How Often?
Print a test page	Monthly
Check for error codes	All the time
Update the printer software	Every three months

Don’t skip this step, or you might be greeted with pesky warnings like “Ink/Toner Empty,” blocking your ability to print (Brother Support). If your printer throws a tantrum and doesn’t print, check out our article on why Brother wireless printer connected but not printing.

Cleaning Printer Components

A little cleaning goes a long way in keeping things running smoothly. Dust and little bits can mess up your printer’s mojo by causing paper jams and other hiccups. Here’s how to clean it right:

Switch off and unplug: Always flick the switch and unplug when you’re going to clean.
Wipe the outside: Use a damp cloth to swipe away dust and random smudges.
Tidy up the inside: Grab a soft, lint-free cloth for a gentle wipe down. Focus on the printhead and rollers.
Clear the printhead: A clean printhead steers clear of ink clogs. Check the manual for specific instructions for your model. Need help? See our guide on why Brother printer keeps dropping off wifi network.

Component	What to Use	How Often?
Outside	Damp cloth	Monthly
Inside	Lint-free cloth	Twice a month
Printhead	Follow the manual	As needed
Rollers	Lint-free cloth	Every three months

By sticking to regular maintenance, you’re not just extending your printer’s life but sidestepping annoying issues too, making everything a bit less stressful. For more savvy advice on keeping printers happy, have a peep at related articles like why does printer keep rebooting and why does printer print weird random symbols.

Why Brother Wireless Printer Won’t Print: Easy Solutions