How to Clear Print Queue on Brother Printer: Top Tips & Tricks Revealed!

Printing woes can be frustrating, especially when your Brother printer seems to be stuck in a loop, refusing to print anything new. This often happens because of a clogged print queue, a virtual holding area for print jobs. Knowing how to clear print queue on Brother printer can quickly get you back to printing smoothly. This blog post will guide you through the process, providing step-by-step instructions for various scenarios.

Understanding the Print Queue

Before diving into the solutions, it’s helpful to understand what the print queue is and why it might get clogged.
The print queue is a temporary storage space within your computer’s operating system that holds print jobs before they are sent to your printer. When you send a document to print, it enters the queue and waits its turn to be processed. This system allows you to send multiple print jobs without waiting for each one to finish.
However, various factors can cause the print queue to become congested:

• Incomplete print jobs: If a print job fails to complete for any reason (like a paper jam, connection issues, or printer error), it can remain stuck in the queue, preventing other jobs from printing.
• Large print jobs: Sending large files, like high-resolution images or lengthy documents, can take a significant amount of time to print, potentially causing delays and queue congestion.
• Software conflicts: Sometimes, software conflicts or outdated drivers can interfere with the print queue, causing it to malfunction.
• Network issues: If your printer is connected to a network and there are connectivity problems, print jobs might get stuck in the queue.

How to Clear Print Queue on Brother Printer: The Basics

The first step to resolving a clogged print queue is to clear it. Here’s how to do it:
1. Cancel all pending print jobs: Open the print queue by searching for “Printers” in the Windows search bar or by clicking on the printer icon in the system tray. Locate your Brother printer and select it. You’ll see a list of pending print jobs. Right-click on each job and select “Cancel.”
2. Restart the printer: Turn off your Brother printer completely. Wait for a few seconds, then power it back on. This can help reset the printer and clear any temporary issues.
3. Restart your computer: Sometimes, restarting your computer can also resolve print queue issues. This helps refresh the operating system and clear any conflicting processes.

Clearing the Print Queue on Windows

If the basic steps don’t resolve the issue, you might need to delve into more specific solutions for your operating system. Here’s how to clear the print queue on Windows:
1. Open the Print Management console: Search for “Print Management” in the Windows search bar and open the application.
2. Locate your Brother printer: Expand the “Print Servers” list, then find your computer’s name. Under “Printers,” locate your Brother printer.
3. Access the printer properties: Right-click on your Brother printer and select “Properties.”
4. Clear the print queue: Go to the “Advanced” tab and click on “Print Queue.” You’ll see a list of pending print jobs. Select each job and click on “Delete.”
5. Restart the print spooler service: Close the printer properties window. Go back to the “Print Management” console and locate your computer’s name. Right-click on it and select “Restart Print Spooler.”

Clearing the Print Queue on macOS

Clearing the print queue on macOS is a slightly different process. Here’s how to do it:
1. Open the print queue: Go to “System Preferences” and select “Printers & Scanners.” Click on the printer icon to open the print queue.
2. Cancel pending print jobs: Select each print job in the queue and click on the “Cancel” button.
3. Restart the print spooler: Open “Activity Monitor” by searching for it in Spotlight. Locate the process named “mDNSResponder” and click on “Force Quit.” This will restart the print spooler.

Troubleshooting Print Queue Issues

If you’ve followed the above steps and your print queue is still clogged, you might need to troubleshoot further:

• Check for paper jams: A paper jam can prevent the printer from completing print jobs, leaving them stuck in the queue. Check your printer for any obstructions and clear any jams.
• Update your printer drivers: Outdated drivers can cause compatibility issues and lead to print queue problems. Visit the Brother website to download the latest drivers for your printer model.
• Check network connectivity: If your printer is connected to a network, ensure a stable connection. Try restarting your router or modem if necessary.
• Run a virus scan: A virus infection can interfere with your printer’s functionality and cause print queue issues. Run a full system scan with your antivirus software.

Beyond Clearing the Print Queue: Maintaining Your Brother Printer

While clearing the print queue is an essential step in resolving printing problems, it’s also important to maintain your Brother printer for optimal performance. Here are some tips:

• Regularly clean your printer: Dust and debris can accumulate inside your printer and cause jams or other printing issues. Refer to your Brother printer’s manual for cleaning instructions.
• Use high-quality paper: Using cheap or incompatible paper can lead to paper jams and print quality problems. Stick to recommended paper types for your printer.
• Keep your printer drivers updated: Regularly check for updates to your printer drivers to ensure compatibility and optimal performance.
• Monitor ink levels: Low ink levels can cause printing problems. Make sure to replace ink cartridges when they run low.

Printing Smoothly Again

By following these steps and troubleshooting tips, you should be able to clear your print queue and get your Brother printer back to printing smoothly. Remember, a little maintenance and proactive troubleshooting can go a long way in preventing print queue issues and ensuring a seamless printing experience.

What People Want to Know

Q: What if cancelling the print jobs doesn’t clear the queue?
A: If cancelling the print jobs doesn’t clear the queue, you can try deleting the print jobs directly from the printer’s internal memory. Consult your Brother printer’s manual for instructions on accessing and clearing the print queue from the printer itself.
Q: Why is my printer stuck on “Printing” even though nothing is printing?
A: This usually indicates a problem with the print spooler. Restarting the print spooler service (as described in the Windows section above) often resolves this issue.
Q: How do I know if it’s a print queue issue or a printer problem?
A: If you can’t print anything at all, and the print queue is empty, it’s likely a printer problem. Check for paper jams, low ink levels, or other printer-related issues.
Q: My printer is connected to a network, and I can’t clear the queue from my computer. What should I do?
A: Try accessing the printer’s web interface. Most Brother printers have a built-in web interface that allows you to manage print jobs and settings. You can usually access this by entering the printer’s IP address into your web browser. From the web interface, you should be able to clear the print queue.