Breaking Through Barriers: How to Allow Brother Printer Through Firewall on Windows 10

Printing is a crucial part of our daily lives, whether it’s for work, school, or personal projects. But what happens when your trusty Brother printer suddenly refuses to cooperate, throwing up a frustrating error message? This often happens because your Windows 10 firewall is blocking the printer’s connection. Don’t worry, this blog post will guide you through the simple steps of how to allow Brother printer through firewall Windows 10.

Understanding Firewall Restrictions

Windows 10’s firewall is a vital security feature that protects your computer from unwanted access and malicious software. However, sometimes it can be overzealous and block legitimate applications, including your Brother printer. This happens because the firewall needs to be properly configured to recognize your printer as a trusted program.

Step 1: Identifying the Problem

Before diving into the solutions, it’s important to understand the root cause of the problem. Here are some common reasons why your Brother printer might not be working:

• Firewall Blocking: The Windows 10 firewall is preventing your printer from connecting to your computer.
• Driver Issues: Your printer drivers might be outdated or corrupted.
• Network Connection Problems: Your printer isn’t properly connected to your network.
• Printer Settings: The printer’s settings might be incorrectly configured.

Step 2: Checking Your Printer Connection

Start by ensuring your Brother printer is properly connected to your computer. This might involve checking the following:

• USB Connection: If you’re using a USB cable, make sure it’s securely plugged into both your computer and the printer.
• Wireless Connection: If you’re using a wireless connection, verify that your printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer.
• Network Settings: Check your printer’s network settings to ensure they match your Wi-Fi network’s details.

Step 3: Allowing Brother Printer Through Firewall

Now, let’s get to the heart of the matter: allowing your Brother printer through the Windows 10 firewall. Here’s how:
1. Open Windows Firewall: Search for “Windows Firewall” in the Windows search bar and click on it.
2. Allow an App Through Firewall: On the left side of the window, click on “Allow an app or feature through Windows Firewall.”
3. Change Settings: Click on the “Change settings” button.
4. Find Brother Printer: Scroll through the list of applications and find your Brother printer. If you can’t find it, click on “Allow another app…” and browse for your printer’s executable file.
5. Enable Both Private and Public Networks: Check the boxes next to “Private” and “Public” for your Brother printer.
6. Save Changes: Click on “OK” to confirm the changes.

Step 4: Updating Your Printer Drivers

Outdated or corrupted printer drivers can also cause connection issues. Updating your drivers can often resolve these problems:
1. Go to Brother’s Website: Visit the official Brother website and navigate to the support section.
2. Search for Your Printer Model: Enter your printer model number to find the specific support page.
3. Download Drivers: Download the latest drivers for your operating system (Windows 10).
4. Install Drivers: Run the downloaded driver installation file and follow the on-screen instructions.

Step 5: Restarting Your Printer and Computer

After making changes to your firewall settings or updating drivers, restarting your printer and computer can help apply the new settings and resolve any temporary glitches.

Step 6: Checking for Other Issues

If you’ve tried all the steps above and your Brother printer still isn’t working, you might have other issues to address:

• Network Problems: Check your internet connection and make sure your router is working properly.
• Printer Settings: Review your printer’s settings, including its IP address, network configuration, and print queue.
• Paper Jams: Check for paper jams in your printer.
• Ink Levels: Ensure your printer has enough ink or toner.

A Final Check and Troubleshooting Tips

Once you’ve followed all the steps, try printing a test page to confirm that your Brother printer is now working correctly. If you’re still facing issues, consider these additional troubleshooting tips:

• Temporarily Disable Your Firewall: If you’re absolutely sure the issue is with your firewall, try temporarily disabling it to see if your printer works. However, remember to re-enable it afterwards for security purposes.
• Contact Brother Support: If you’ve exhausted all other options, reaching out to Brother’s customer support for assistance is the best course of action.

Moving Forward: Your Brother Printer is Ready to Go!

By following these steps, you’ve successfully unlocked your Brother printer and overcome the Windows 10 firewall hurdle. Now you can print all your documents, photos, and other materials without any hassle.

Questions You May Have

1. Why is my Brother printer not printing after allowing it through the firewall?

• Driver Issues: Check if your printer drivers are up-to-date, as outdated drivers can cause printing problems.
• Network Connection: Ensure your printer is connected to the same network as your computer.
• Printer Settings: Review your printer settings, including its IP address and print queue.

2. Can I allow specific Brother printer functions through the firewall?

• You can’t allow specific functions, but you can allow the entire Brother printer application to access your network. This grants access to all its features.

3. How do I know if my Brother printer is connected to my network?

• Check your printer’s display screen for a network icon or message indicating a successful connection.
• Access your router’s settings and look for a list of connected devices.

4. My Brother printer is still not working after following these steps. What should I do?

• Contact Brother’s customer support for further assistance. They can provide specific troubleshooting steps or help you diagnose the problem.