Installing the correct printer drivers for your Brother printer on a Mac is crucial to ensuring smooth functionality. Printer drivers act as the communication link between your printer and your computer. Without the correct drivers, you may encounter issues such as your printer not responding, printing errors, or poor print quality.

In this blog, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to install Brother printer drivers on your Mac, along with some troubleshooting tips and frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help you along the way.

Why You Need the Correct Printer Drivers

The correct printer drivers ensure that your Brother printer can communicate effectively with your Mac. With the right drivers, your printer can interpret the commands from your Mac and execute them efficiently. Additionally, having the latest drivers installed can help prevent or resolve issues like:

Printer not responding

Print jobs getting stuck in the queue

Poor print quality

Incompatibility with new macOS updates

Step-by-Step Guide to Installing Brother Printer Drivers on Your Mac

Step 1: Identify Your Brother Printer Model

Before you begin the installation process, you need to know the exact model number of your Brother printer. Having the correct model number ensures that you download the right driver.

Step 2: Download the Driver from the Brother Website

Visit the Brother Support Website: Open your web browser and navigate to the Brother Support page.

Enter Your Printer Model: In the search bar, enter your printer's model number and press Enter.

Select Drivers & Downloads: Once on your printer's support page, navigate to the "Drivers & Downloads" section.

Choose Your Operating System: Ensure that macOS is selected as the operating system. If it’s not, select it manually from the dropdown menu.

Download the Driver: Look for the latest printer driver available for your model and click on the download button. Usually, the file is in the.dmg format.

Step 3: Install the Driver

Locate the Downloaded File: Once the download is complete, go to your "Downloads" folder or wherever you saved the file.

Run the Installer: Double-click the downloaded .dmg file to open the installer.

Follow On-Screen Instructions: The installation wizard will guide you through the setup process. Follow the on-screen instructions carefully.

Connect Your Printer: During the installation, you may be prompted to connect your printer to your Mac via USB or set it up over a wireless network. Follow the prompts to connect your printer.

Complete Installation: Once the installation is complete, you may need to restart your Mac. You should be able to use your printer after the restart.

Step 4: Link Your Mac to the Printer

Accessible System Preferences: Click on the Apple menu, then choose "System Preferences."

Select Printers & Scanners: In the System Preferences window, click on "Printers & Scanners."

Add Your Printer: Click the "+" button at the bottom of the list of printers. The list that shows can be used to choose your Brother printer. If your printer is connected via USB, it should appear automatically. If it's a wireless printer, make sure it’s connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac.

Install the Printer: Follow any additional prompts to complete the setup process.

Test Your Printer: Print a test page to ensure that everything is working correctly.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter issues during or after the installation, here are some troubleshooting tips:

Ensure Compatibility: Double-check that the driver you downloaded is specifically for macOS and matches your printer model.

Restart Your Printer and Mac: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve installation issues.

Check Connections: Make sure your printer is properly connected to your Mac, either via USB or Wi-Fi.

Update macOS: Ensure your Mac is running the latest version of macOS, as updates may include fixes for printer compatibility issues.

Run the Brother Printer Driver Uninstaller: If you encounter persistent issues, you can uninstall the driver and reinstall it. Brother provides an uninstaller tool on their website.

FAQs

Q1: Do I need to uninstall old drivers before installing new ones?

Yes, it’s recommended to uninstall any old or incompatible drivers before installing new ones to avoid conflicts.

Q2: Can I install the driver without internet access?

You’ll need internet access to download the driver from the Brother website. Once downloaded, offline installation is possible.

Q3: What if my printer isn’t recognized after installation?

Make sure the printer is turned on and that all connections are tight. If the issue persists, try reinstalling the driver or adding the printer manually in the Printers & Scanners settings.

Q4: Can I use AirPrint instead of installing a driver?

Yes, if your Brother printer supports AirPrint, you can print wirelessly from your Mac without installing a driver. However, installing the driver may provide additional features and functionality.

Q5: How frequently should my printer drivers be updated?

It’s a good practice to check for driver updates periodically, especially after major macOS updates or if you experience issues.

Conclusion

Installing Brother printer drivers on your Mac is a straightforward process if you follow the correct steps. By ensuring you have the right driver for your printer model and operating system, you can avoid common issues and enjoy smooth printing. If you encounter any difficulties, Brother’s support resources are always available to help.