How To Scan From Brother Printer To Computer: Full Guide

Scanning documents is done for personal or professional use. You may want to digitize paperwork or send signed contracts; scanning is always a valuable feature.

A Brother printer, any model, comes with built-in scanning functions. It may be easy for professionals to do the scanning from it, but it may be confusing for beginners. When you try to scan from your Brother printer, you might encounter a scan error. The error may say: “Make sure the settings are correct.”

If you want to learn ‘How to scan from Brother printer to computer’, you are at the right place. Read on to explore in detail.

Why Scanning Is Important?

Scanning helps organize and share documents professionally. Digitizing paper documents through scanning lessens physical clutter and confirms that crucial data or information is kept securely in digital formats. It also becomes easier to search and access files.

Scanners also protect information from being lost or damaged. In business environments, scanning elevates productivity by simplifying document workflows, enabling fast sharing through email or cloud storage, and supporting paperless practices.

Whether for communication, recordkeeping, or archiving, scanning is a valuable function for staying organized and efficient. 

What to Consider When Scanning From a Brother Printer?

Scanning from a Brother printer involves important documentation, such as medical records, legal documents, contracts, etc. Any error during the scanning process can result in misinterpretation, missing information, or compliance issues.

Scanning is important, and for a smooth process, consider the following factors: 

Operating System

You must know that there are slightly differing processes for different operating systems (Windows, macOS). 

Network Connection

Check whether the printer is connected properly and recognized by the computer when you scan over a network.

Driver Compatibility

The printer drivers must be updated and compatible with your operating system. Visit the official Brother support website to download and install the latest printer drivers.

Security Settings

The firewall settings on your device must not block communication between your computer and the printer. So, you must monitor this regularly. 

Scanning From a Brother Printer for Windows Users

Brother printers can scan documents directly onto any Windows computer. Below, we have explained the steps to scan from a printer if you are a Windows user:

Step 1: First, install the Brother Printer Driver and ControlCenter4 on your Windows computer.

Step 2: Download them from the official Brother Support website.

Step 3: Next, connect your printer to your PC via Wi-Fi or USB. Turn on the printer and ensure it is ready.

Step 4: On your system, go to Start, select Brother, and then click on ControlCenter4.

Step 5: Select from Home Mode or Advanced Mode.

Step 6: Now, open the scanner lid or use the ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) if available.

Step 7: Place your document face-down on the scanner glass or face-up in the ADF.

Step 8: In ControlCenter4, click on Scan.

Step 9: Choose your scan type (Image, File, OCR, or Email).

Step 10: Adjust settings like resolution, file format (PDF, JPEG, etc.), and destination folder. After that, click on Start Scanning.

Step 11: Once the scan is finished, you can save the file to your chosen location or open it in the selected program.

Scanning From a Brother Printer for Mac Users

If you are a Mac user, the process of scanning from a printer would be different. Scanning from a Brother printer would require Brother's iPrint&Scan software. Here are the basic steps that you need to follow to do the scan:

Step 1: The initial step is to download and install the Brother iPrint&Scan software.

Step 2: Go to the official Brother’s website and download the application.

Step 3: Next, open the app on your Mac computer. 

Step 4: If your printer is not detected, click "Select your Machine" and follow the on-screen prompts to connect.

Step 5: Place the document in the ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) or on the flatbed scanner.

Step 6: Once you are done, the next step is to configure the scan settings in the iPrint&Scan application. You can configure the color, size, resolution, etc.

Step 7: Click “Scan” to start scanning.

Step 8: Save your scanned file to either your computer or upload it to the cloud.

Conclusion 

Scanning is an efficient way to digitize documents. By adhering to the right steps, you can make the process simple and hassle-free. Before you get started, you must check that you have the latest drivers, are connected to a network, and that your computer's firewall settings are correct.

You can troubleshoot common scanning issues quickly by following these steps. This support is here to give you confidence in your scanning experience.

By now, you may have become familiar with ‘How to scan from Brother printer to computer’. The next time you scan, remember the things we discussed above. We want you to have a smooth experience and make the most of your printer’s capabilities.