Resolve Brother Printer In Error State: Easy Fixes
How frustrating it is when you need to print an important document, but you see your Brother printer In Error State. This message can leave users in a dilemma. You get confused when the issue is not immediately clear. Are you using Windows or Mac? Don’t you want your productivity to be affected? If yes, the good news is that we have mentioned the list of all issues, so that it will be easier for you to address these issues shortly.
Once you walk through this guide, you will understand why is my brother printer in error state? The most significant part is that we will also let you know the reliable tips to troubleshoot the issues with your Brother printer. Simply put, it is the golden opportunity for you that you should not miss to grab.
Without much delay, you need to go ahead and dive into the key details given below….
Why Is My Brother Printer In Error State
The Brother Printer In Error State is an alert that indicates your device is not able to print due to one or more technical glitches. Here is a list of common causes that have been mentioned following –
1. Loose or Faulty Connections
A disconnected USB cable, a faulty power cord, or an unstable wireless connection can be responsible for triggering an error.
2. Outdated or Corrupt Printer Drivers
Your system may fail to communicate with the printer if the printer drivers are outdated or corrupted.
3. Software or Firmware Conflicts
Recent Windows or macOS updates can create conflicts with your printer software. It puts it into an error state.
4. Paper Jam or Ink Issues
Even due to a paper jam or low ink levels, your printer can stop functioning and display an error.
5. Print Spooler Problems
The spooler service helps you manage print jobs. If it crashes or becomes unresponsive, your Brother printer may go into error mode.
Note: By understanding these causes, you can get to the root of the issue quickly.
How To Fix Brother Printer In Error State
After identifying the possible reasons for the Brother Printer in Error State, you need to walk through the most effective and easy-to-follow troubleshooting steps. Every step mentioned below is designed to address both hardware and software-related issues. It will be helpful to you to restore normal functionality without stress. Let’s have an eye on the key resolutions mentioned as follows –
1. Restart Your Brother Printer and Computer
Just a simple restart can help you resolve the complex printer issues. Here are the steps that you need to follow for the same –
- At the beginning of the restarting process, you need to turn off the Brother printer. You can do it successfully with the use of the power button.
- In the next step, you have to unplug the power cable from the wall outlet. Then, plug it back into the printer.
- Later on, you need to wait for at least 60 seconds so that you can let the internal memory reset.
- In the meantime, you can restart your computer device so that you can clear all temporary software glitches.
- After a few minutes, you need to plug in the printer and turn it on. Then, wait for it to fully initialize.
- In this step, you have to try to print a test page so that you can easily check if the issue still persists or not.
Note: This step will surely help you to resolve minor firmware freezes. Apart from that, you can also troubleshoot communication errors between your printer and computer device.
2. Check All Cable and Network Connections
Due to the loose or defective connections, you have to confront the culprits.
For wired connections, you need to ensure that the USB cable is securely connected to both the printer and the computer. Now, try a different port or cable if needed.
For wireless printers, you have to make sure that the printer is connected to the correct Wi-Fi network. In the next step, it is essential for you to cross-check that the Wi-Fi signal is strong and stable. After that, you have to ensure that your computer is on the same network as your Brother printer.
Note: You can cross-check the network connection status via the printer’s control panel. Or you can use the Brother Printer Software that is already installed on your PC or Mac.
3. Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers
An obsolete driver can lead to several compatibility issues. It can annoy you, especially just after the OS updates. So, all you need to do in this situation –
- Initially, visit the official Brother Support Website.
- Now, you need to enter your printer model and then download the latest drivers for your operating system. It can be – Windows/macOS.
- On your computer device, you need to go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers > Right-click the printer > Remove device.
- Then, uninstall the existing driver/software from Programs and Features.
- Last, you have to install the freshly downloaded drivers and restart your computer.
Note: By keeping drivers up-to-date, you can confirm seamless communication between the OS and the printer.
4. Clear the Print Queue and Restart the Print Spooler Service
Due to a stuck or corrupted print job in the queue, there can be barricades on the way to new jobs from processing.
- To kick-start the process, you have to open Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
- Then, you need to find your Brother printer, right-click it.
- In this step, you have to choose “See what’s printing.”
- If there are stuck jobs, you need to click Printer in the top menu > Select Cancel All Documents.
- Now, it’s time to reset the print spooler, and for this, you need to press Windows + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
- After that, you need to press Windows + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
- In the last step, you have to scroll down to Print Spooler, right-click it, and select Restart.
Note: It will help you to clear temporary print jobs and reset the Windows print system.
5. Run the Windows Printer Troubleshooter
Windows OS comes with a built-in tool that automatically detects and fixes common printer issues.
- In the first step, you need to go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners.
- Now, choose your Brother printer from the list.
- After that, you have to click “Manage” > “Run the Troubleshooter.”
- In the last step, you need to follow the prompts and apply any suggested fixes.
Note: With the help of the troubleshooter, you can check connectivity, driver compatibility, and service-related issues automatically.
6. Reset Your Brother Printer (Use Only if Necessary)
If none of the troubleshooting steps given above work, you can reset your printer to its factory default settings. It may help you a lot in resolving all issues. You need to do it only after backing up any custom configurations.
- First of all, you have to access your printer’s control panel or settings menu.
- Now, you need to look for the “Reset” or “Factory Reset” option.
- Then, it is essential for you to choose the appropriate reset type:
- Network Reset (for Wi-Fi issues)
- All Settings Reset (to restore complete defaults)
Note: You can also refer to the model-specific user manual. Or you can achieve success in completing the task through the Brother’s official website. It will enable you to be aware of the exact reset instructions. Once you complete the reset process, it will erase Wi-Fi settings, stored profiles, and custom preferences. Afterward, reconfiguration will be required.
Conclusion
So, it is damn sure that by staying ahead of issues such as – the Brother printer in error state, you can confirm smoother printing, fewer disruptions, and better performance. The Regular updates, good maintenance practices, and quick troubleshooting can keep your device running at its best. If these steps don’t work, you can contact Brother support, or a certified technician may be your next best option.
FAQs
Why is my Brother printer in an error state even when connected properly?
Your Brother printer can be in an error state due to an improper connection, issues such as driver corruption, software conflicts, or spooler errors.
How do I reset a Brother printer in an error state?
To kick-start the process of resetting your Brother printer, you need to unplug the printer. You have to wait for 60 seconds. Then, you can reconnect it. If it is essential for you, you can perform a factory reset via the control panel or settings. But you need to keep this thing in mind that the steps may vary by model.
Can outdated drivers trigger the Brother printer error state?
Yes, due to incompatible or outdated drivers, you have to encounter several communication issues. These issues may be between your system and the printer. It will later lead to error messages.
What should I do if my Brother printer is in an error state after a Windows update?
In this situation, you need to reinstall the latest drivers from the official website of your Brother printer. Then, you need to restart the print spooler. Also, you need to ensure Windows is not using a generic printer driver.