Troubleshooting Guide to Addressing Brother Printer in Error State

Our mission at Ikalor does not stop at supplying quality compatible cartridges. We also strive to provide solutions to frustrating printing problems.

Today’s guide focuses on strategies to fix Brother Printer in an error state. We feature the common causes and actionable solutions.

Let’s dive right in:

Common Causes of Brother Printer Errors

1. USB cables not connected correctly
2. Communication errors between the computer and printer
3. Faulty or outdated printer drivers
4. Slow internet connection
5. Virus or malware attack

Ways to Fix Brother Printer in Error State

1. Eliminate All the Basics Causes  

Some basic factors might be making your printer be in an error state. Before you get to the complex solutions, it’s a good idea to rule out the following:

Printer connections to computer: Loose cables are the chief cause of printer errors. Confirm that the cables are working and that they are tight.

You should ensure that your router works if you’re printing on the network. Search the control panel and click to open printers and devices. You can then check if your printer is listed there.

Check your ink or toner levels. Printer errors might be caused by straightforward issues such as low ink or toner. There is a chance that the cartridges are not correctly inserted. Check your cartridges to rule out this possible cause.

Check if there is a paper jam: Could there be paper remnants inside your printer? Remove them gently and ensure that no pieces are remaining.

Restart your devices. Shut down your printer and computer for five minutes, and restart them. Restarting may sort the device’s internal issues and could start working correctly. Your printer might have faced a mishap while booting, and restarting might resolve.   

Have you resolved the issue by now? The problem could be a little complex if correcting those basics have not helped. Let’s get to the core of the matter.

2. Ensure that the Printer is Online

Your printer could be in an error state because it’s offline. Getting it back online should fix the problem. Confirm the status of the printer icon in your computer’s taskbar. Alternately, you can try printing a document and check the printer properties section. The printer might be offline for reasons, such as low internet connection. Driver automatic updates could also make your printer offline.

Are you wondering how to fix it?

1. Access the Control Panel on your computer
2. Go to the printers and devices
3. Right-click on the Brother icon and select it as the default printer.
4. Once you have set it, right-click it again and check what your printer is printing

It will open a printer tab

• Uncheck the options for Use Printer Offline and Pause Printing
• Then restart your computer

Is your printer still in an error state? Proceed to solution three

3. Restart the Print Spooler Services

The printer spooler coordinates printing jobs between your computer and printer. The Spooler might get overloaded when you send a series of printing jobs. When overwhelmed, the Spooler will not submit the files to the printer. This often results in printing errors.

Here are the steps to fix it:

1. Meanwhile, press the Windows and R keys. It will open a dialogue box to accept commands
2. Type the letters “CMD”, which will open the command prompt

• Right-click and choose “Run as Administrator” and click “Yes” to confirm your request
• On the Command Prompt, type the command “net stop spooler” and press the Enter key
• You will see a notification that the Spooler has successfully stopped
• Then type “net start spooler”, and press Enter again
• You will see the message that the Spooler has successfully started

• Restart your printer and try printing

Is your printer now working correctly? If not, then we proceed to the next solution

4. Clear All Pending Print Jobs in the Spooler

Errors in the Spooler could also be corrected by clearing all the printing jobs.

This can be done by accessing the Spooler manually or clicking the printer icon on the taskbar

Let’s explore these options:

1. Press the Windows and R keys at the same time.
2. Type “C:\Windows\System32\Spool\Printers” on the dialogue box
3. Find the files on the Spooler and delete them

Then restart the Spooler by following these instructions:

• Open the Run box (Windows + R key) and type the commands “Services.msc”
• Press the enter key and look for the Spooler on the services listed
• Right-click the Spooler and choose to restart
• Then go ahead and restart your computer and printer

Proceed to the next solution if you still find the errors.

5. Reactivate the PnP Detection

Activating the PnP or Plug and Play detection can also help correct the errors. Before you proceed, you’d need to first restart your printer.

Here are the steps to activating it:

1. Locate the Device Manager. You can search it and click to open
2. Once it opens, click on the view tab to expand the display list
3. Locate the COM & LPT ports and expand the list of options
4. Look for ECP Printer Port (LPT1) and right-click to open the properties
5. Open the Port Settings
6. Select the Use any interrupt that is assigned to the port
7. Then look for the plug-and-play detection option and click to enable it
8. Then click Ok
9. Restart your printer and computer and check if the printer is still in an error state

Is the printer still in an error state? Well, proceed and update your printer drivers

6. Update Brother Printer Drivers

Updating the printer device will fix the bugs possibly affecting your printer. You can choose automatic updates or update them manually.

Here is how you can work on the updates:

1. Connect your printer to the internet and open your printer
2. Visit the Brother’s support page and navigate to the download page
3. Look for search by category and choose the driver for your specific printer brand
4. Choose the driver that matches your operating system. First, check whether you are using 32-bit or 64-bit.
5. Click to download, and agree to the terms and conditions if prompted
6. Choose where your download will be stored in your printer and proceed with the download
7. Click to install it, and follow the steps as prompted. It would help connect your printer to the computer while installing the drivers.
8. Restart your printer and try printing

Do you still face the unsettling error state? Proceed and uninstall your printer on the computer

7. Uninstall and then Reinstall Your Printer Software on Your Computer

Uninstalling and reinstalling your printer software on your printer may also help. This is the last possible solution in this guide.

Follow the steps below:

1. Go to the control panel and search for printers and scanners
2. Choose the Brother icon, and click to remove the device
3. Click “Yes” when prompted to confirm the removal of the device
4. Then reinstall your printer

Here is how:

• Locate the search section and type “printers,” and hit enter
• Click the “+” symbol to add your printers and scanners
• Find Brother Printer and click to add it

Did it fail to add the printer? Click on the section which says that your printer is not appearing on the list

• Then choose to add through network or Bluetooth and install it
• Restart your printer and computer once the installation is complete

Still in Error State?

Your printer might be having complex hardware challenges if it’s still in an error state. You may want to call a local technician to assess and address the issue.

Have you exhausted your Brother printer cartridges? Why not order your next batch from us and enjoy factory-direct pricing? Talk to us when ready.