Brother Scanner Not Working — Fix Scan to Computer
By Ryan Green · Updated August 2026 · Independent guide · PrinterCare USA LLC (not affiliated with any printer manufacturer)
Brother all-in-one printers that print perfectly but refuse to scan are frustrating because the hardware is clearly working—the issue is always in the communication chain between the scanner module and your computer. This usually points to driver problems, USB connection issues, or a service that has stopped responding rather than hardware failure.
The good news is that this fix rarely requires parts replacement. Most users solve this within thirty minutes by walking through the steps below in order, starting with the simplest restart and moving through driver updates. If you've already tried restarting, we'll get you to the real solution fast.
How to fix it — step by step
- Power cycle the entire device for two minutes. Turn off the Brother all-in-one using the power button, then unplug it from the electrical outlet completely. Wait for two full minutes while it sits powered down—this clears the scanner service memory. Plug it back in, power it on, and wait for all lights to stabilize before proceeding.
- Check the USB cable and ports for damage or loose connections. Examine both ends of the USB cable connecting the Brother device to your computer for bent pins, cracks, or debris. Disconnect and reconnect the cable firmly into both the printer and a different USB port on your computer—avoid USB hub connections if possible. If you see visible damage to the cable, replace it with a standard Brother USB cable or a high-quality alternative rated for printing devices.
- Verify the scanner is enabled in device settings on Windows or macOS. On Windows 11, open Settings, go to Devices, then Printers and Scanners, find your Brother model, select it, and click Manage. Look for any error messages or disabled status. On macOS, open System Settings, Printers and Scanners, select your Brother device, and confirm the scanner function shows as available. If you see an error icon, select the device and click the reset or reconnect option.
- Uninstall the current driver completely and reinstall the latest version. On Windows 11, open Settings, Apps, Apps and Features, search for your Brother model name, select it, and click Uninstall—then restart your computer. On macOS, download the Brother driver installer, run it, and select the full removal option before reinstalling. After restarting, download the latest driver directly from Brother's official support website using your exact model number, install it, and restart once more.
- Run the Brother scanning utility or ControlCenter application. The Brother ControlCenter application (included with most driver packages) provides direct access to scanning functions and often displays specific error codes. Open ControlCenter, navigate to the Scanner section, and attempt a test scan to a local folder. If it fails here, note the exact error message displayed—this tells you whether the problem is the driver, USB connection, or the scanner module itself.
- Check for firmware updates specific to your Brother model. Visit Brother's support website, enter your exact model number, and download any available firmware updates. These updates often fix scanning communication bugs that drivers alone cannot resolve. Follow the on-screen installation instructions carefully—do not turn off the device during the update process, as this can cause permanent scanning failure.
- Test scanning using a different computer or device if available. Connecting the Brother all-in-one to a different Windows computer or Mac will immediately tell you whether the problem is the printer or your original computer's configuration. If scanning works on another device, the issue is software-related on your original machine. If scanning fails on every device you try, the scanner hardware or main circuit board likely needs professional service.
- Contact remote support or schedule an in-person technician visit. If none of the steps above restore scanning, professional diagnosis is required because the scanner sensor, motor, or main logic board may have failed. Remote support technicians can access your device, run diagnostic software, and identify the exact component failure—remote assistance typically costs forty-nine dollars and includes a repair quote. In-person service usually runs seventy-five to one hundred twenty dollars plus parts if hardware replacement is needed.
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Frequently asked questions
Why does my Brother all-in-one print perfectly but the scan function will not work?
Printing and scanning use completely different circuit paths and drivers even though they share the same device. A failed scanner driver, corrupted USB communication, disabled scanning service, or a faulty scanner motor can block all scanning while leaving printing untouched. The print engine and scan engine are electrically separate, so one can fail independently of the other.
Should I try scanning to a USB drive directly from the Brother touch screen instead of through my computer?
Yes, this is an excellent troubleshooting step that many users skip. If the Brother device scans successfully to a USB drive inserted in its front panel while the computer-based scanning fails, the problem is definitely your computer's driver or USB connection rather than the scanner hardware. This test takes thirty seconds and instantly narrows the diagnosis.
I see a scanning error that says the device is in use or locked—what does that mean?
This message usually means another application is holding the scanner connection or the driver service crashed and didn't release the lock. Close all applications using the Brother device including ControlCenter, your antivirus scanner, and any backup software. Then restart your computer fully—a simple restart releases hardware locks that a driver reset cannot remove.
Is it worth fixing my Brother all-in-one if the scanner is broken, or should I buy a new device?
Most scanning failures are driver and software problems, not hardware failures—the actual fix costs forty-nine to ninety-nine dollars in remote or local technician time. Only if diagnostics confirm a failed scanner sensor or main circuit board would replacement become necessary, usually running one hundred fifty to three hundred dollars. Before replacing the device, have a technician run diagnostics to know the true cost of repair.