# 1-866-203-7571 How to Fix Driver Unavailable for Brother Printer?
**1-866-203-7571**
**(1-866-203-7571)**
Printers are essential for homes, schools, and businesses, but when your **Brother printer shows a “Driver Unavailable” error**, it can be frustrating. This issue prevents your printer from communicating with your computer — making printing, scanning, or copying impossible. Fortunately, fixing this problem is straightforward once you understand what’s causing it.
This guide explains **why the Brother printer driver becomes unavailable**, how to **fix it step-by-step**, and how to prevent future issues. If you’re still facing issues after following these methods, you can also **call the Brother Printer Support Number 1-866-203-7571** for expert assistance.
## **Table of Contents**
1. What Does “Driver Unavailable” Mean on Brother Printer?
2. Causes of the “Driver Unavailable” Error
3. Quick Checks Before Troubleshooting
4. Method 1: Restart Your Devices
5. Method 2: Update Windows or macOS
6. Method 3: Reinstall Brother Printer Drivers
7. Method 4: Use Brother Printer Driver Installation Tool
8. Method 5: Update Drivers Manually via Device Manager
9. Method 6: Download Drivers from Brother’s Official Website
10. Method 7: Use Windows Troubleshooter
11. Method 8: Set Brother Printer as Default
12. Method 9: Fix Corrupted Printer Spooler Files
13. Method 10: Check USB or Wi-Fi Connectivity
14. Method 11: Remove Old Printer Entries
15. Method 12: Update Firmware of Brother Printer
16. Method 13: Use Compatibility Mode (for older models)
17. Method 14: Reinstall Windows Printer Port
18. Method 15: Contact Brother Printer Support (1-866-203-7571)
19. How to Prevent “Driver Unavailable” Errors in the Future
20. Conclusion
## **1. What Does “Driver Unavailable” Mean on Brother Printer?**
When your computer displays **“Driver Unavailable”** for your Brother printer, it means the **system cannot find, access, or use the required printer driver**.
Printer drivers are software programs that allow your operating system (like Windows or macOS) to communicate with your printer. If these drivers are missing, outdated, corrupted, or incompatible, your printer won’t function properly.
In simple terms, this message means your **Brother printer and computer aren’t speaking the same language.**
## **2. Causes of the “Driver Unavailable” Error**
There are several common reasons your Brother printer might display a driver error:
* ❌ **Outdated or corrupt driver files**
* ⚙️ **Recent Windows or macOS updates** that replaced or removed the printer driver
* 🖨️ **Incomplete or interrupted driver installation**
* 🔌 **Connectivity issues** (USB, Wi-Fi, or network)
* 🧩 **Conflict between old and new printer drivers**
* 📁 **Damaged printer spooler service**
* 🔒 **Permission or registry errors in Windows**
Understanding these causes helps you choose the right fix quickly.
## **3. Quick Checks Before Troubleshooting**
Before diving into complex fixes, perform these **basic checks**:
* ✅ Ensure your **Brother printer is powered ON** and has no error lights.
* ✅ Check that the **USB cable or Wi-Fi connection** is stable.
* ✅ Make sure your **computer and printer are on the same network** (for wireless models).
* ✅ Restart both your **computer and printer** to refresh system memory.
* ✅ Disconnect and reconnect the printer to ensure Windows recognizes it.
If the error persists, move on to the detailed fixes below.
## **4. Method 1: Restart Your Devices**
This simple step resolves many driver-related glitches.
**Steps:**
1. Turn off your **Brother printer** and **computer**.
2. Unplug the printer’s power cord for **30 seconds**.
3. Plug it back in and turn both devices ON.
4. Check if your printer is now recognized by the system.
Sometimes, restarting forces the OS to reload the printer configuration and fix temporary conflicts.
## **5. Method 2: Update Windows or macOS**
Operating system updates often include new printer driver versions. Running outdated software can lead to compatibility problems.
### **For Windows:**
1. Press **Windows + I** → go to **Update & Security**.
2. Click **Check for updates**.
3. Download and install all available updates.
4. Restart your PC and try printing again.
### **For macOS:**
1. Click the **Apple menu** → **System Preferences** → **Software Update**.
2. Install all available updates.
3. Restart your Mac.
If your OS update includes a printer driver, the issue might automatically resolve.
## **6. Method 3: Reinstall Brother Printer Drivers**
Sometimes, reinstalling the printer driver from scratch is the most effective fix.
### **Steps to Reinstall:**
1. Press **Windows + R**, type `control printers`, and hit **Enter**.
2. Right-click your **Brother printer** and choose **Remove device**.
3. Go to **Control Panel → Programs and Features** and uninstall all Brother printer software.
4. Restart your computer.
5. Visit the [Brother Support website](https://support.brother.com).
6. Search your **printer model** (e.g., Brother HL-L2395DW).
7. Download and install the latest **Full Driver & Software Package**.
8. Restart again and test printing.
Reinstalling ensures any corrupt or outdated driver files are replaced.
## **7. Method 4: Use Brother Printer Driver Installation Tool**
Brother offers a **Driver Installation Tool** that automatically detects your printer and installs the correct drivers.
### **Steps:**
1. Go to the official Brother support site.
2. Search for your printer model.
3. Download the **“Driver Installation Tool”** or **“Full Driver & Software Package.”**
4. Run the installer as **Administrator**.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions.
6. Restart your PC when prompted.
This tool is particularly useful if you’re unsure which driver version is right for your model.
## **8. Method 5: Update Drivers Manually via Device Manager**
If Windows recognizes your printer but the driver is missing, manually update it.
### **Steps:**
1. Press **Windows + X** → select **Device Manager**.
2. Expand **Printers** or **Other devices**.
3. Right-click your **Brother printer** → choose **Update driver**.
4. Select **Search automatically for updated driver software**.
5. Wait for Windows to install it.
If Windows cannot find the driver, download it manually from Brother’s site and choose **Browse my computer for drivers** instead.
## **9. Method 6: Download Drivers from Brother’s Official Website**
To ensure compatibility and security, always download drivers from Brother’s official site — not third-party websites.
**Steps:**
1. Visit [support.brother.com](https://support.brother.com).
2. Enter your printer model in the search box.
3. Select your operating system (Windows 10, 11, macOS, etc.).
4. Download the latest **Full Driver Package**.
5. Open the installer and follow the steps to complete installation.
This guarantees you have the most up-to-date, verified drivers.
## **10. Method 7: Use Windows Troubleshooter**
Windows includes built-in troubleshooting tools that can automatically fix printer driver issues.
### **Steps:**
1. Press **Windows + I** → open **Settings**.
2. Go to **Devices → Printers & scanners**.
3. Select your **Brother printer** → click **Manage** → **Run the troubleshooter**.
4. Follow the on-screen recommendations.
The troubleshooter often reinstalls missing or broken drivers and restarts related services.
## **11. Method 8: Set Brother Printer as Default**
If another printer is set as default, your Brother printer may not function properly.
### **Steps:**
1. Open **Control Panel → Devices and Printers**.
2. Right-click your **Brother printer** → choose **Set as default printer**.
3. Print a test page to confirm functionality.
This step ensures your computer routes print jobs correctly.
## **12. Method 9: Fix Corrupted Printer Spooler Files**
A corrupted printer spooler can cause driver issues.
### **Steps to Reset Spooler:**
1. Press **Windows + R**, type `services.msc`, and hit **Enter**.
2. Scroll down to **Print Spooler**.
3. Right-click it → **Stop**.
4. Go to **C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS** and delete all files.
5. Return to **Services**, right-click **Print Spooler**, and choose **Start**.
6. Restart your computer.
Now try reinstalling your printer driver again.
## **13. Method 10: Check USB or Wi-Fi Connectivity**
A loose cable or weak wireless signal can cause your PC to lose communication with the printer.
### **For USB printers:**
* Ensure the cable is securely connected.
* Try a different USB port.
* Avoid using USB hubs or extensions.
### **For wireless printers:**
* Ensure the printer and computer are on the **same Wi-Fi network**.
* Reconnect your printer to Wi-Fi using the control panel.
* Print a **network configuration page** to verify connectivity.
## **14. Method 11: Remove Old Printer Entries**
Multiple old printer profiles can confuse Windows.
### **Steps:**
1. Open **Control Panel → Devices and Printers**.
2. Right-click any old or duplicate **Brother printers** → choose **Remove device**.
3. Restart your computer.
4. Reinstall your printer using the **Add Printer** option.
## **15. Method 12: Update Firmware of Brother Printer**
Outdated firmware can cause driver mismatches or communication failures.
### **Steps:**
1. Visit [Brother Firmware Update Tool](https://support.brother.com).
2. Download the **Firmware Update Tool** for your model.
3. Connect your printer via USB or ensure it’s on the same network.
4. Run the tool and follow on-screen prompts.
5. Restart the printer once complete.
Firmware updates often improve compatibility with the latest OS versions.
## **16. Method 13: Use Compatibility Mode (for Older Models)**
If you’re using an older Brother printer on a newer Windows version, install drivers in compatibility mode.
### **Steps:**
1. Right-click the downloaded **driver setup file**.
2. Select **Properties → Compatibility tab**.
3. Check **Run this program in compatibility mode for:** and choose an older version (e.g., Windows 8).
4. Click **Apply** → **OK**, then run the installer.
This ensures smooth driver installation for legacy models.
## **17. Method 14: Reinstall Windows Printer Port**
If the printer port is misconfigured, reinstalling it can help.
### **Steps:**
1. Open **Control Panel → Devices and Printers**.
2. Right-click your Brother printer → choose **Printer Properties**.
3. Go to **Ports tab** → select the correct **USB** or **TCP/IP** port.
4. If missing, click **Add Port** → choose **Standard TCP/IP Port** → follow the wizard.
5. Restart your printer and test print.
## **18. Method 15: Contact Brother Printer Support (1-866-203-7571)**
If none of the above solutions fix the issue, don’t worry — Brother’s dedicated support team can help.
Their certified technicians can:
* Diagnose driver conflicts remotely
* Install the correct software package
* Configure printer settings for your OS
* Resolve wireless or network connection issues
* Offer step-by-step repair guidance
📞 **Call Brother Printer Support at 1-866-203-7571** for 24/7 professional assistance.
## **19. How to Prevent “Driver Unavailable” Errors in the Future**
Follow these best practices to keep your Brother printer working smoothly:
* 🔄 **Regularly update drivers and firmware** from the official Brother website.
* 💻 **Keep your operating system up to date** with the latest patches.
* 🔌 **Avoid abruptly disconnecting** your printer during installation or printing.
* 📶 **Ensure stable Wi-Fi or USB connection** at all times.
* 🧹 **Remove old or duplicate printer entries** regularly.
* 🧰 **Use official Brother tools** instead of third-party software.
* 🛡️ **Install antivirus software** to prevent malware corrupting driver files.
These proactive steps can prevent driver errors and ensure seamless printing.
## **20. Conclusion**
When your **Brother printer shows a “Driver Unavailable” error**, it’s a clear sign of a communication gap between your system and printer. Thankfully, the problem is often easy to fix by **updating, reinstalling, or repairing the printer drivers**.
You can:
* Reinstall drivers from Brother’s official site
* Use the built-in Windows troubleshooter
* Reset the printer spooler
* Update firmware and system software
* Ensure stable connections
If you’ve tried everything and your Brother printer still displays the same error, **contact expert Brother Printer Support at 1-866-203-7571**. Their professionals are available around the clock to help you restore full functionality and get your printer back online quickly.
Your Brother printer is built to last — with the right drivers and updates, it will continue serving you for years without interruption.
**Need help now?**
📞 **Call Brother Printer Support at 1-866-203-7571** for instant assistance from certified printer experts.
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