If you’ve already upgraded to Windows 11 and own a printer from brother, then it is possible that you’re unable to connect your machine via USB connection. Fret not, you’re not alone.
The same information is confirmed by the company on one of the help articles on Brother’s forums. Due to this bug, more than 92 models are affected. The list includes:
DCP-B7500D, DCP-B7535DW, DCP-J1050DW, DCP-J1100DW, DCP-J1140DW, DCP-J1200W(XL), DCP-J572DW, DCP-L2531DW, DCP-L2535D , DCP-L2535DW, DCP-L2550DW, DCP-L3510CDW, DCP-L3551CDW, DCP-L5500D, DCP-L5600DN, DCP-T220, DCP-T310, DCP-T420W, DCP-T510W, DCP-T520W, DCP-T710W, DCP-T720DW, DCP-T820DW, DCP-T825DW, HL-B2000D, HL-B2080DW, HL-L2310D, HL-L2335D, HL-L2350DW, HL-L2351DW, HL-L2370DN, HL-L2375DW, HL-L2376DW, HL-L2385DW, HL-L2386DW, HL-L2395DW, HL-L3210CW, HL-L3230CDN, HL-L3230CDW, HL-L3270CDW, HL-T4000DW, MFC-B7715DW, MFC-J1010DW, MFC-J1300DW, MFC-J2330DW, MFC-J2730DW, MFC-J3530DW, MFC-J3930DW, MFC-J4340DW(XL), MFC-J4440DW, MFC-J4540DW(XL), MFC-J491DW, MFC-J5330DW, MFC-J5730DW, MFC-J5845DW, MFC-J5930DW, MFC-J5945DW, MFC-J6530DW, MFC-J6545DW, MFC-J6730DW, MFC-J690DW, MFC-J6930DW, MFC-J6935DW, MFC-J6945DW, MFC-J890DW, MFC-L2710DW, MFC-L2713DW, MFC-L2715DW, MFC-L2716DW, MFC-L2730DW, MFC-L2750DW, MFC-L2751DW, MFC-L2770DW, MFC-L2771DW, MFC-L3710CW, MFC-L3735CDN, MFC-L3745CDW, MFC-L3750CDW, MFC-L3770CDW, MFC-L5700DN, MFC-L5755DW, MFC-L5900DW, MFC-L6700DW, MFC-L6900DW, MFC-L8690CDW, MFC-L8900CDW, MFC-L9570CDW, MFC-T4500DW, MFC-T810W, MFC-T910DW, MFC-T920DW, MFC-T925DW
Apart from that users might see a USB Connection Repair Tool dialog box with an error message that reads “Cannot print to the USB printer“. Although ignoring the error message will print the document without a fuss.
According to another thread on Brothers forum, when the printer is connected via USB, it’s unable to communicate with other printing tools in Windows 11. The list includes:
• Device Settings Tool
• Paper Size Setup Tool
• Distributed Print Tool
• Special ID Setting Tool
• Wireless Setup Wizard
• P-Touch Editor 5.4
• Update Software
• Transfer Manager
• Transfer Express
• Template Settings
• Printer Setting Tool
Fix – Unable to Connect Brother Printers to Windows 11 PC via USB
According to Brothers, affected users must make use of different connection methods to connect the machine with Windows 11 PC like wired network connection or wireless connection as a temporary solution.
As per Brothers, the issue is under investigation and soon they will rollout the fix. On the other hand, Microsoft has not made any confirmation if they are aware of this printing issue.
If we get any update either from Brothers or Microsoft will definitely update this blog post.
Are you affected by “Unable to Connect Brother Printers to Windows 11 PC via USB”? Is the temporary solution mentioned in this blog post fixed the issue? Do you know any other working solution, then feel free to share with us in the comments.
