MFC-210C
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FAQs & Troubleshooting |
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MFC-210C
Date: 11/24/2022 ID: faq00002080_000
I suddenly can no longer print. My machine is connected locally by USB. Why and what can I do?
Typically, a Brother machine stops printing, because the connection between the computer and the Brother machine is lost. There are multiple reasons for a lost connection.
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Check if the LCD or LED shows some error. If necessary, refer to "FAQs & Troubleshooting" for information on the error message or the LED light.
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Check that the printer is online following the steps below:
NOTE:The steps may differ depending on the operating system.
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For Windows XP/ Windows Server 2003 Users:
Click Start => Printers and Faxes.
For Windows Vista/ Windows Server 2008 Users:
Click Start => Control Panel => Hardware and Sound => Printers.
For Windows 7 Users:
Click Start => Devices and Printers
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Right click on the printer icon or name and choose Use Printer Online from the menu.
- If still you cannot print, try reinstalling the driver. The latest driver is available in the Downloads section of the Brother Solutions Center.
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For Windows XP/ Windows Server 2003 Users:
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Make sure that you have chosen the proper printer driver with "Set as Default" as follows:
For Windows users:
If the printer icon for the printer you want to use has the check mark, it is already set as the default printer.
If not, set the printer as the default printer as follows:-
For Windows XP Users:
Click Start => Printers and Faxes.
For Windows Vista Users:
Click Start => Control Panel => Hardware and Sound => Printers.
For Windows 7 Users:
Click Start => Devices and Printers
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Right click on the printer name icon and choose Set as Default Printer from the menu.
The desired printer is set as the default printer. You can print using it from the next time.
For Macintosh users:
If you printed from the printer you want to use as the default printer last time, it is already set as the default printer automatically.
If not, set the printer as the default printer as follows:
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Click the Apple icon and open the System Preferences.
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Click the Print & Fax or Print & Scan icon.
The Print & Fax or Print & Scan window will be displayed.
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For Mac OS X 10.3.9 - 10.4.x Users:
Choose the printer you want to use as the default printer from the drop-down menu in the Selected Printer in Print Dialog.
For Mac OS X 10.5.x or later Users:
Choose the printer you want to use as the default printer from the drop-down menu in the Default Printer.
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Close the Print & Fax or Print & Scan window.
The desired printer is set as the default printer. You can print using it from the next time.
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For Windows XP Users:
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Directly connect your Brother machine to your computer without using a USB HUB. We recommend that the USB cables you use support the following specifications:
- twisted pair cable
- shielded
- no longer than 6 feet long ( 2 meters)
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The computer, not the monitor, connected to the Brother machine is set to go into sleep or standby mode. When the computer goes into sleep or standby mode, the connection between the computer and the Brother machine is lost and needs to be re-established.
Follow the steps below in order to re-establish the connection between the Brother machine and the computer:
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Verify that the Brother machine is connected with a USB cable and is not on a network.
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Verify the power cord and USB cable are securely connected. If the USB cable is loose on either end, disconnect and reconnect the cable securely. Test the machine by trying to print. If the machine does not print, go to STEP3.
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Cycle the power of the Brother machine by unplugging the power cord from power outlet, wait approximately one minute and plug back in. Once the Brother machine displays the date and time after plugging it back in, test the machine by trying to print. If the machine does not print, to Step 4.
- Reboot the computer connect to the Brother machine and then try to print again.
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Verify that the Brother machine is connected with a USB cable and is not on a network.
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Make sure that the Device Manager recognize your Brother machine.
Follow the steps below to check the Device Manager:
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For Windows XP Users:
Click Start => Control Panel => Performance and Maintenance => System => Click Hardware tab => Click the Device Manager button.
For Windows Vista Users:
Click Start => Control Panel => System and Maintenance => System => Click Device Manager at the left side .
For Windows 7 Users:
Click Start => Control Panel => Hardware and Sound => Click Device Manager under Devices and Printers section.
When the User Account Control screen appears, do the following.
- For Users who have administrator rights: Click Continue.
- Users who do not have administrator rights: Enter the administrator password and click OK.
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Click View then Show hidden devices.
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Click + next to Printers.
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If your machine is listed as Brother [model name] USB Printer,
the Device Manager recognizes the Brother machine correctly.
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If Printers does not appear, the Device Manager does not recognize the machine.
Please try the followings:
- Connect to a different port on the PC
- Try another identical USB cable
- If you see a yellow ? mark with the Brother machine name, right click on the mark and select Uninstall and close the Device Manager. Disconnect the Brother machine and restart the PC. After restarting the PC, reconnect the Brother machine.
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If Printers does not appear, the Device Manager does not recognize the machine.
If still you cannot print, try reinstalling the driver. The latest driver is available in the Downloads section.
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For Windows XP Users:
Related FAQs
MFC-210C, MFC-3240C, MFC-420CN, MFC-5440CN, MFC-5840CN
If you need further assistance, please contact Brother customer service:
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