# 1-866-203-7571 How to Fix Driver Unavailable for Brother Printer?
**Call Brother Printer Support: 1-866-203-7571**
A Brother printer is known for its quality, durability, and reliable printing output. But like any printer, it may occasionally run into technical issues—one of the most frustrating being the **“Driver Unavailable”** error. This error prevents your computer from communicating with the printer and stops printing entirely.
The good news is that this is a **software-related issue**, not a hardware failure, and it can be fixed with the right steps.
This in-depth guide covers:
✔ What “Driver Unavailable” means
✔ Why it occurs
✔ Step-by-step solutions for Windows & Mac
✔ Advanced troubleshooting
✔ Network printer driver fixes
✔ Brother driver installation methods
✔ Preventive tips
✔ When to call support at **1-866-203-7571**
Let’s dive in.
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# **1. What Does “Driver Unavailable” Mean on a Brother Printer?**
A printer driver is the software that allows your computer and printer to communicate. When your system displays **Driver Unavailable**, it means:
* The driver is **corrupted**
* The driver is **missing**
* The driver is **outdated**
* The installed driver is **incompatible** with your OS
* Windows or macOS cannot recognize the printer
In some cases, the issue may appear after:
* A Windows update
* A macOS upgrade
* Printer firmware update
* Switching USB ports
* Reinstalling applications
* System file damage
Regardless of the cause, the fix is almost always possible by reinstalling or repairing the correct Brother driver.
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# **2. What Causes Brother Printer “Driver Unavailable” Error?**
Understanding the cause helps ensure the fix works smoothly. The main causes include:
### ✔ **1. Outdated or missing drivers**
If your printer driver has not been updated for a long time, it might fail after a system update.
### ✔ **2. Corrupted driver installation**
This can happen due to improper installation, power failure, or malware.
### ✔ **3. Unsupported operating system version**
Newer OS versions require updated drivers.
### ✔ **4. Faulty or loose USB cable connection**
### ✔ **5. Windows Update conflicts**
Some updates remove old driver packages.
### ✔ **6. Brother software removal**
Uninstalling related applications might remove key components.
### ✔ **7. Printer firmware mismatch**
### ✔ **8. Incorrect printer settings**
Wrong port or configuration can break communication.
### ✔ **9. Network or Wi-Fi connection errors**
Network printers require proper network drivers.
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# **3. How to Fix Brother Printer “Driver Unavailable” Error – Step by Step**
Below are the **most effective troubleshooting methods** for Windows and Mac. Follow them in order for best results.
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# **4. Basic Checks Before Advanced Troubleshooting**
Before you begin installing or repairing drivers, verify these:
## ✔ **1. Restart Printer and Computer**
A quick restart often refreshes driver communication.
## ✔ **2. Check USB Cable or Wi-Fi Connection**
If using USB:
* Use the original cable
* Avoid USB hubs
* Try a different USB port
If using Wi-Fi:
* Connect printer and computer to the same Wi-Fi network
* Restart your router
## ✔ **3. Ensure Printer is ON and Not in Error Mode**
Check the display screen for warnings or errors.
If everything looks normal, proceed to driver troubleshooting.
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# **5. Fix Driver Unavailable on Windows (Complete Guide)**
Let’s fix the error on Windows step-by-step.
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# **5.1 Method 1: Uninstall and Reinstall Brother Printer Driver (Most Effective)**
This is the most successful fix for the “Driver Unavailable” message.
### **Step 1: Open Control Panel**
Go to:
**Control Panel → Programs & Features → Uninstall a Program**
### **Step 2: Remove Brother Software**
Uninstall:
* Brother Printer Driver
* Brother Utilities
* Brother Printer Management Tool
### **Step 3: Remove Printer from Devices**
Go to:
**Settings → Bluetooth & Devices → Printers & Scanners**
Select your Brother printer and click **Remove Device**.
### **Step 4: Restart your computer**
### **Step 5: Download the latest Brother driver**
Visit Brother’s official support page and download:
✔ Full Driver & Software Package
✔ Printer Driver
✔ Scanner/ControlCenter4 (if applicable)
### **Step 6: Install the driver**
Run the installer and follow on-screen prompts.
After installation, check if the error is gone.
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# **5.2 Method 2: Use Windows Update to Install the Driver Automatically**
Sometimes Windows automatically finds the correct driver.
### Steps:
1. Go to **Settings → Windows Update**
2. Click **Check for updates**
3. Under **Optional Updates**, check for printer drivers
4. Install the Brother driver update
Restart your PC.
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# **5.3 Method 3: Install Driver via Device Manager**
If installation fails, try manually installing through Device Manager.
### Steps:
1. Right-click Start → **Device Manager**
2. Expand **Printers** or **Unknown Devices**
3. Right-click your Brother printer
4. Select **Update Driver**
5. Choose **Search automatically for drivers**
If Windows finds one, install it.
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# **5.4 Method 4: Install Generic Printer Driver**
This can temporarily resolve the issue.
### Steps:
1. Open **Device Manager**
2. Right-click your printer
3. Choose **Update Driver**
4. Select **Browse my computer**
5. Click **Let me pick from a list**
6. Select **Generic Printer** or **Generic Text-Only**
This allows printing until the correct driver is installed.
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# **5.5 Method 5: Restart Print Spooler Service**
The print spooler manages all printer communication. Resetting it often resolves driver issues.
### Steps:
1. Press **Windows + R**
2. Type **services.msc**
3. Find **Print Spooler**
4. Right-click → **Restart**
If it doesn’t start, click **Properties → Startup Type → Automatic**.
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# **5.6 Method 6: Check for System File Corruption**
Corrupted system files can cause driver malfunction.
### Run SFC Scan:
Open CMD (Admin) and run:
```
sfc /scannow
```
### Run DISM commands:
```
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
```
Restart your PC afterward.
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# **5.7 Method 7: Install Brother Printer Using Add Printer Wizard**
### Steps:
1. Open **Settings → Printers & Scanners**
2. Click **Add Device**
3. Select **Brother Printer**
4. Follow the prompts to install
If your printer isn’t listed:
* Select **Add manually**
* Choose **Add via TCP/IP address**
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# **6. Fix Driver Unavailable for Brother Printer on macOS**
Mac users may also experience this issue. Here’s how to fix it.
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# **6.1 Method 1: Reset Printing System (Highly Effective)**
This is the most successful fix on Mac.
### Steps:
1. Click Apple Menu → **System Settings**
2. Go to **Printers & Scanners**
3. Right-click anywhere in the printer list
4. Select **Reset Printing System**
5. Remove all printers
6. Add your Brother printer again
7. macOS automatically installs the latest driver
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# **6.2 Method 2: Download the latest macOS Driver**
Visit Brother Support and download:
✔ Full Software Package
✔ Printer Driver
✔ Scanner Driver
Install all packages and restart your Mac.
**Call Brother Printer Support: 1-866-203-7571**
# **6.3 Method 3: Remove Old Driver Files**
Mac sometimes keeps corrupted old driver versions.
### Steps:
1. Go to **Library/Printers**
2. Delete **Brother** folder
3. Empty Trash
4. Reinstall drivers from Brother.com
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# **6.4 Method 4: Update macOS**
Some macOS versions break older printer drivers.
### Steps:
1. Go to **Apple Menu → System Settings → Software Update**
2. Install all pending updates
This restores printer compatibility.
**Call Brother Printer Support: 1-866-203-7571**
# **7. Fix “Driver Unavailable” for Wireless Brother Printers**
Network printers require additional network configuration.
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# **7.1 Method 1: Reconnect Printer to Wi-Fi Network**
Use these steps:
1. Press **Menu** on the printer
2. Go to **Network → WLAN → Setup Wizard**
3. Select your Wi-Fi
4. Enter password
5. Wait for **Connected** message
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# **7.2 Method 2: Reinstall Wireless Driver**
Wireless models require:
* Wireless LAN Driver
* Network Connection Repair Tool (Brother Utility)
Install from Brother’s official website.
**Call Brother Printer Support: 1-866-203-7571**
# **7.3 Method 3: Add Printer by IP Address on Windows**
### Steps:
1. Settings → Printers & Scanners
2. Add Device
3. Select **Add manually**
4. Choose **Add printer via IP address**
5. Enter the printer IP (found on printer network report)
Windows will install a compatible driver.
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# **7.4 Method 4: Add Printer by IP on Mac**
### Steps:
1. System Settings → Printers
2. Click **+**
3. Select **IP**
4. Enter IP address
5. Choose **AirPrint** or **Brother driver**
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# **8. Update Brother Printer Firmware (Optional but Helpful)**
Outdated firmware may cause driver problems.
### Steps:
1. Open **Brother Utilities**
2. Select your printer
3. Choose **Tools → Firmware Update Tool**
4. Install update
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# **9. Brother Driver Installation Tools You Should Know**
Brother offers helpful utilities:
### ✔ **Brother Printer Driver Information Cleanup Tool**
Removes corrupted drivers.
### ✔ **Brother Network Connection Repair Tool**
Fixes Wi-Fi/network driver issues.
### ✔ **Brother Software/Driver Installer**
Automatically detects model and installs correct drivers.
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# **10. Prevent “Driver Unavailable” Issue – Long-Term Tips**
To avoid this issue in the future:
### ✔ Keep your OS updated
### ✔ Keep your Brother printer firmware updated
### ✔ Avoid third-party driver download sites
### ✔ Use original USB cable
### ✔ Never interrupt driver installation
### ✔ Restart PC after large system updates
### ✔ Clean uninstall old drivers before upgrading printers
These simple steps prevent 90% of driver-related errors.
**Call Brother Printer Support: 1-866-203-7571**
# **11. When to Call Brother Printer Support**
If you still face the “Driver Unavailable” error after trying all steps, the issue may involve:
* Deep system corruption
* Hidden registry errors
* Network firewall blocking printer
* Incomplete OS installation
* Printer firmware conflict
In such cases, professional help is recommended.
📞 **Call Brother Printer Support: 1-866-203-7571**
Experts are available to assist with driver repair, setup, and advanced troubleshooting.
**Call Brother Printer Support: 1-866-203-7571**
# **Conclusion**
The **“Driver Unavailable”** issue on a Brother printer is very common but fully fixable. In most cases, reinstalling the correct driver or resetting the printing system resolves the issue instantly.
By following the step-by-step solutions provided in this guide—whether on Windows or macOS—you can quickly restore your printer to full functionality.
If you need expert assistance or cannot resolve the issue after trying everything, contact:
📞 **1-866-203-7571** for immediate support.
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