Discover the Ultimate Guide: How to Scan from Brother HL-L2380DW to Mac Effortlessly!

Are you a Mac user with a Brother HL-L2380DW printer and struggling to scan documents? You’re not alone. While the process might seem daunting at first, scanning from your Brother HL-L2380DW to your Mac is surprisingly simple. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, ensuring you can scan documents, photos, and more with ease.

Setting Up Your Brother HL-L2380DW for Mac Scanning

Before you can scan, you need to ensure your printer is properly connected to your Mac. There are two primary ways to connect your printer:
1. USB Connection:

• Connect your printer to your Mac using a USB cable.
• Turn on your printer and wait for it to be recognized by your Mac.
• Open System Preferences on your Mac.
• Click on Printers & Scanners.
• Click the + button to add a new printer.
• Select your Brother HL-L2380DW from the list of available printers.
• Choose the appropriate driver and click Add.

2. Wireless Connection:

• Make sure your printer and Mac are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
• On your printer’s control panel, navigate to the Network settings.
• Choose Wireless Setup and follow the on-screen instructions to connect to your Wi-Fi network.
• On your Mac, open System Preferences and click on **Printers & Scanners**.
• Click the + button to add a new printer.
• Select your Brother HL-L2380DW from the list of available printers.
• Choose the appropriate driver and click Add.

Scanning Documents with Brother iPrint&Scan

Once your printer is connected, you can start scanning. Brother offers a convenient app called iPrint&Scan that simplifies the scanning process.
1. Download and Install:

• Download the latest version of iPrint&Scan from the Brother website.
• Install the app on your Mac by following the on-screen instructions.

2. Launch iPrint&Scan:

• Open the iPrint&Scan app.
• Select your Brother HL-L2380DW from the list of available printers.

3. Configure Scan Settings:

• Choose the Scan Type (document, photo, or business card).
• Select the Scan Size (letter, legal, A4, etc.).
• Adjust the Resolution (dpi) for desired image quality.
• Choose the Color Mode (color, grayscale, or black and white).
• Specify the File Type (PDF, JPG, TIFF, etc.).

4. Start Scanning:

• Place your document on the scanner glass or in the automatic document feeder (ADF).
• Click Scan to begin the scanning process.

5. Save Your Scan:

• Once the scan is complete, iPrint&Scan will prompt you to save the file to your Mac.
• Choose a location and file name for your scan.

Using the Built-in Mac Scanner App

Your Mac also comes with a built-in scanner app that can be used to scan from your Brother HL-L2380DW.
1. Open the Scanner App:

• Open Preview, **Photos**, or any other app that supports scanning.
• Click on File > **Import from Scanner or Camera**.

2. Select Your Printer:

• Choose your Brother HL-L2380DW from the list of available scanners.

3. Adjust Scan Settings:

• Similar to iPrint&Scan, you can adjust the scan settings like **Scan Type**, **Scan Size**, **Resolution**, **Color Mode**, and **File Type**.

4. Start Scanning:

• Place your document on the scanner glass or in the ADF.
• Click Scan to start the scanning process.

5. Save Your Scan:

• Once the scan is complete, you can save the file to your Mac.

Scanning to a Specific Application

You can also scan directly to a specific application on your Mac.
1. Open the Target Application:

• Open the app you want to scan to, like TextEdit, Pages, or Adobe Acrobat.

2. Select “Scan” from the File Menu:

• Go to File > **Import from Scanner or Camera**.

3. Choose Your Printer and Settings:

• Select your Brother HL-L2380DW and adjust the scan settings as needed.

4. Start Scanning:

• Place your document on the scanner glass or in the ADF.
• Click Scan to start the scanning process.

5. Your scan will automatically be imported into the application you selected.

Troubleshooting Common Scanning Issues

While scanning from your Brother HL-L2380DW to your Mac is generally straightforward, you might encounter some issues. Here are some common problems and their solutions:

• The printer is not recognized: Ensure that the printer is turned on and connected to your Mac via USB or Wi-Fi. Check the printer’s status lights for any error indicators.
• Scanning is slow: If your scans are taking a long time, consider reducing the scan resolution or using the ADF for multi-page documents.
• Scans are blurry: Ensure your document is flat on the scanner glass and free of debris. Try increasing the scan resolution for a sharper image.
• Scans have a color cast: Adjust the color mode settings (color, grayscale, or black and white) to match the document’s original color.

Scanning Beyond the Basics: Advanced Tips

For more advanced scanning needs, consider these helpful tips:

• Scan to Email: Some printers offer the ability to scan directly to an email address. This can be convenient for quickly sharing documents.
• Scan to Cloud Storage: You can scan documents directly to cloud storage services like Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive.
• Scan to a Network Folder: If your computer is part of a network, you can scan directly to a shared folder on another computer.
• Use the ADF for Multiple Pages: The automatic document feeder (ADF) allows you to scan multiple pages without manual intervention.

Your Scanning Journey is Just Beginning

Now that you’ve mastered the basics of scanning from your Brother HL-L2380DW to your Mac, you’re ready to explore the world of digital document management. From creating PDFs to sharing documents online, the possibilities are endless.

Information You Need to Know

Q: Can I scan both sides of a document at once?
A: Yes, your Brother HL-L2380DW supports automatic duplex scanning, allowing you to scan both sides of a document in a single pass.
Q: How do I scan a photo?
A: Choose “Photo” as the scan type in **iPrint&Scan** or the built-in Mac scanner app. You can adjust the resolution and color mode to achieve the desired image quality.
Q: Can I scan a document to a specific folder on my Mac?
A: Yes, you can save your scans to any folder on your Mac. When prompted to save the file, simply navigate to the desired folder and choose a file name.
Q: What are the different file types I can scan to?
A: You can scan to various file types, including PDF (Portable Document Format), JPG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), TIFF (Tagged Image File Format), and PNG (Portable Network Graphics). Choose the file type that best suits your needs.
Q: How do I update the driver for my Brother HL-L2380DW?
A: Visit the Brother website and search for your printer model. Download the latest driver for your Mac operating system and follow the on-screen instructions to install it.