Are you experiencing issues with your Brother printer after upgrading your Mac to macOS 15, also known as Sequoia? You’re not alone. Many users have reported that their printers, including Brother models, have stopped working or are displaying communication errors after this update. This guide will walk you through the common causes and proven solutions to get your Brother printer back online and working smoothly with macOS 15.
Common Symptoms of Brother Printer Issues on macOS 15
Users are reporting a range of frustrating issues after the macOS 15 update, including:
- Communication Errors: Your Mac displays an error message stating it cannot communicate with the printer.
- Printer Offline: The printer appears as “offline” in your Mac’s printer settings, even though it’s powered on and connected to the network.
- “Looking for Printer” Message: Your Mac endlessly searches for the printer without success when you attempt to print.
- Intermittent Printing: The printer might print a single page and then stop, or only print after a very long delay.
- Inability to Add Printer: You can’t even add your Brother printer to your Mac’s printer list after the update.
These problems can severely disrupt your workflow, especially if you rely on your printer for work or daily tasks.
Potential Causes for Brother Printer Problems After macOS 15 Update
Several factors could be behind these printer malfunctions after updating to macOS 15:
- macOS 15 Bugs: New operating system updates can sometimes introduce bugs that affect peripheral compatibility, including printers. Apple has been notified of potential printing issues in macOS 15.
- Privacy & Security Settings: macOS 15 introduces enhanced privacy features. New local network permissions might be blocking communication between your Mac and your Brother printer.
- Outdated or Incompatible Drivers: While drivers are often automatically updated, the macOS upgrade process might cause driver conflicts or require reinstallation.
- Firewall or Antivirus Interference: Security software, especially firewalls, could be mistakenly blocking printer communication after the OS update.
Troubleshooting Steps to Fix Brother Printer Not Working on macOS 15
Here are effective troubleshooting steps to resolve the “Brother printer not working after macOS 15” issue:
1. Check Local Network Privacy Settings
macOS 15’s enhanced security features are often the culprit. You need to grant specific permissions for apps to access your local network. This is a key solution highlighted by users who resolved similar Epson printer issues after the update, and it often applies to Brother printers as well.
Here’s how to check and adjust these settings:
- Go to System Settings (Apple menu > System Settings).
- Click on Privacy & Security.
- Scroll down and select Local Network.
- Look for any apps related to your Brother printer or printing services. You might see entries like “rastertoescpII” (which is relevant to Epson and sometimes other printer brands using similar protocols).
- Enable the toggle switch next to any relevant printer-related apps.
This image would show the macOS Privacy & Security > Local Network settings panel, highlighting the toggle switches for printer-related apps.
After enabling these settings, try printing again. This simple step has resolved the issue for many users.
2. Reinstall Brother Printer Drivers
Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause communication problems. Reinstalling the latest Brother printer drivers for macOS 15 can often fix the issue.
- Remove the Existing Printer: Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners. Select your Brother printer and click the “–” button to remove it.
- Uninstall Drivers (Optional): For a clean reinstall, you can uninstall the current drivers. Check Brother’s website for a driver uninstaller utility for macOS, or manually remove drivers if you’re comfortable with that process (usually involves deleting files in the Library/Printers folder).
- Download Latest Drivers: Visit the official Brother support website (support.brother.com).
- Search for Your Model: Enter your Brother printer model number.
- Select macOS 15: Choose macOS 15 as your operating system.
- Download the Full Driver & Software Package: Download the recommended full package, which usually includes drivers, utilities, and software.
- Install the Drivers: Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install the Brother printer drivers.
- Add Printer Again: After installation, go back to System Settings > Printers & Scanners and click the “+” button to add your Brother printer. Follow the prompts to add your printer, ensuring it’s detected on your network.
3. Restart Your Printer, Mac, and Router
A simple restart can often resolve temporary glitches and communication issues.
- Restart Your Brother Printer: Turn off your printer, wait for about 30 seconds, and then turn it back on.
- Restart Your Mac: Restart your macOS 15 device.
- Restart Your Router: If your printer connects via Wi-Fi, restart your wireless router. Wait a minute before turning it back on.
After restarting all devices, try printing again.
4. Check Your Firewall and Antivirus Software
Your firewall or antivirus software might be blocking printer communication after the macOS update.
- Temporarily Disable Firewall/Antivirus (for testing): As a test, temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus software. Then, try to print. If printing works, your security software is likely the problem.
- Configure Firewall/Antivirus Exceptions: If disabling the software resolves the issue, don’t leave it disabled permanently. Instead, create exceptions or rules in your firewall/antivirus settings to allow communication for your Brother printer. Refer to your security software’s documentation for instructions on adding exceptions. One user reported that their ESET firewall was causing printer issues after updating to macOS Sequoia and resolved it by adjusting firewall settings.
5. Ensure Your Printer is Properly Connected to the Network
For wireless printers:
- Check Wi-Fi Connection: Make sure your Brother printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac. Verify the Wi-Fi signal strength on the printer’s display (if applicable).
- Reconnect to Wi-Fi: Try disconnecting and reconnecting your printer to your Wi-Fi network directly from the printer’s control panel.
For wired (Ethernet) printers:
- Check Ethernet Cable: Ensure the Ethernet cable is securely connected to both your printer and your router or network switch.
- Test with a Different Cable: Try a different Ethernet cable to rule out a cable issue.
6. Check for macOS Updates
Apple may release software updates to address known bugs, including printer compatibility issues in macOS 15.
- Go to System Settings > General > Software Update.
- Check for and install any available macOS updates.
Keeping your system up-to-date is crucial for bug fixes and overall stability.
Still Having Problems?
If you’ve tried all these steps and your Brother printer is still not working with macOS 15, consider these additional options:
- Contact Brother Support: Reach out to Brother’s customer support for assistance specific to your printer model and macOS 15. They might have model-specific solutions or updated information.
- Check Brother’s Website for Compatibility Information: Brother’s website may have announcements or FAQs regarding macOS 15 compatibility and known issues.
- Wait for macOS Update: As mentioned, Apple is aware of potential printer issues. A future macOS update might include a fix. Keep checking for updates regularly.
By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to resolve most “Brother printer not working after macOS 15” issues and get back to printing from your Mac. Remember to systematically go through each solution to pinpoint the cause and restore your printing functionality.
