If your Brother printer scans fail over Wi-Fi in Windows 11, first check whether the failure happens from a Windows scanning app, the machine’s Scan button, or both. Those workflows use different settings. Confirm the machine is reachable on the network, then check the Brother scanner driver, ControlCenter registration for scans started at the machine, and firewall permissions.
First identify which scan workflow fails
Try scanning from the Windows application you normally use, then try pressing the Brother machine’s Scan button and selecting your PC, if that option is available. Note whether one or both attempts fail. Brother’s guidance distinguishes a PC-initiated network scan from a scan started at the machine’s control panel, and model menus vary.
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- Only a Windows-initiated scan fails: check the selected scanner source and installed driver.
- Only the machine’s Scan button fails: check that ControlCenter is running and the PC is registered for Scan To.
- Both fail: check network reachability, driver installation, and firewall or security software.
Confirm the Brother machine is reachable over the network
Try printing to the Brother machine over Wi-Fi. If network printing also fails, resolve the network connection before troubleshooting scanning; a scan-only fix will not address a machine that is not reachable on the network. Printing is a useful initial check, not proof that every network feature is working.
If printing works but scanning does not, continue with the scanner-specific checks below. Brother’s Windows 11 guidance addresses this “print works, scan does not” situation: Brother’s FAQ for network scanning when printing works (March 17, 2023). It is associated with a representative model, so use your own model’s support page for device-specific instructions.
#1 Best Overall
- FAST SPEEDS - Scans color and black and white documents a blazing speed up to 16ppm (1). Color scanning won’t slow you down as the color scan speed is the same as the black and white scan speed.
- ULTRA COMPACT – At less than 1 foot in length and only about 1. 5lbs in weight you can fit this device virtually anywhere (a bag, a purse, even a pocket).
- READY WHENEVER YOU ARE – The DS-640 mobile scanner is powered via an included micro USB 3. 0 cable allowing you to use it even where there is no outlet available. Plug it into you PC or laptop and you are ready to scan.
- WORKS YOUR WAY – Use the Brother free iPrint&Scan desktop app for scanning to multiple “Scan-to” destinations like PC, Network, cloud services, Email and OCR. (2) Supports Windows, Mac and Linux and TWAIN/WIA for PC/ICA for Mac/SANE drivers. (3)
- OPTIMIZE IMAGES AND TEXT – Automatic color detection/adjustment, image rotation (PC only), bleed through prevention/background removal, text enhancement, color drop to enhance scans. Software suite includes document management and OCR software. (4)
Check the scanner source and driver in Windows
In the scanning application, select the Brother TWAIN or WIA driver as the scanner source. If the Brother source is missing, or the application cannot connect to it, install the scanner driver or Full Driver & Software Package for your exact machine model and region from Brother Downloads. Do not assume a package for a different model will apply.
After installing a driver, reopen the scanning application and check its selected source again. A driver can be installed without the application automatically switching to it.
Rank #2
- IDEAL FOR SMALL OFFICE, HOME OFFICE AND WORK FROM HOME USERS - A compact, easy to use, complete organization solution.
- INCREASES PRODUCTIVITY - With single and dual-sided scanning speeds of up to 40ppm1 and capacity of up to 60 pages.
- VERSATILE & CONVENIENT - Scans several document types and sizes, with multiple scan-to destinations and connectivity options including wireless/wired Ethernet network and Brother Mobile Connect2 application for Android and iOS.
- ONE-TOUCH CONTROL - A user-friendly 2.8-inch color touchscreen gives users full control at their fingertips
- TRIPLE LAYER SECURITY - Helps safeguard sensitive documents and to securely connect to device and network
If the Brother Scan button cannot find your PC
These steps are for scans initiated at the machine’s control panel. Brother says ControlCenter should be running and the computer must be registered for the machine’s Scan To function.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches- In Windows, open Start > Brother > Brother Utilities > Scan > ControlCenter.
- Open Scanner Properties, then the Scan To Button tab.
- Check Register your computer with the ‘Scan To’ functions at the machine, then save the setting.
- At the Brother machine, open its Scan To menu and check whether the PC’s display name appears.
If ControlCenter or these settings are missing, confirm that the software installed supports your exact model and consult its Brother support page. Brother’s Windows 11 scan-button instructions are in its Scan key network troubleshooting FAQ (April 10, 2023); menus may differ by machine.
Rank #3
- IDEAL FOR USE AT WORK OR HOME – A compact, easy to use, complete organization solution to digitize your photos and documents, make them easily readable, editable and searchable. Powered through your computer via included USB cable
- HANDLES LARGE JOBS WITH EASE – Scan large jobs quickly with scanning speeds up to 30 pages per minute(1) (ppm), single-pass double-sided scanning and a 20-page automatic document feeder(2)
- PORTABLE & VERSATILE – Use this ultra-portable lightweight scanner to scan multiple document types and sizes directly to your computer or USB flash drive at work, home, or almost anywhere you travel
- BUILT-IN CONVENIENCE – Easily scan small documents like business cards, ID badges, or plastic cards via the card slot, single pages up to 197” long, or multiple pages up to 8.5" x 14" via the document feeder
- BUNDLED SOFTWARE – Includes 3 robust software applications to create and organize files, make readable and searchable documents, and efficiently enhance and edit scanned files(3)
Check firewall and security software permissions
A firewall can allow printing while blocking the network traffic used by scanning. Brother lists UDP ports 54925, 137, and 161 for firewall configuration in its Windows troubleshooting guidance. These are configuration details, not a guarantee that every model or setup uses identical rules. Prefer allowing the appropriate Brother application or traffic through the firewall over leaving protection disabled.
Brother’s FAQ identifies a temporary firewall-off test as a way to diagnose filtering: “If the feature works properly after disabling the Firewall, this means the Firewall on your computer is rejecting the necessary network connection.” — Brother Support. If you use this test, disable protection only briefly, restore it immediately, and then configure an appropriate exception if the test confirms a block.
Rank #4
- IDEAL FOR SMALL OFFICE, HOME OFFICE AND WORK FROM HOME USERS - A compact, easy to use, complete organization solution
- INCREASES PRODUCTIVITY - With single and dual-sided scanning speeds of up to 40ppm1 and capacity of up to 60 pages
- VERSATILE & CONVENIENT - Scans several document types and sizes, scan directly to your computer or to USB with Hi-Speed USB 3.0 connectivity
- TRIPLE LAYER SECURITY - Helps safeguard sensitive documents and to securely connect to devices and networks
- ADDED VALUE WITH BUNDLED SOFTWARE 2 : Includes 7 applications to optimize, enhance and customize documents and workflows
Brother’s support material also names ControlCenter Launcher (BRCTRLCNTR.EXE), Brother iPrint&Scan.exe, and iPSNotifier.exe as applications to allow. Verify which applications are installed and supported for your model before adding exceptions; names and requirements can vary.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Reinstall or isolate the Windows PC if scanning still fails
If network reachability, the scanner source, Scan To registration (when relevant), and security permissions are correct, Brother’s Windows troubleshooting includes reinstalling its drivers and testing from another PC on the same network.
Best Value
- IDEAL FOR USE AT WORK, HOME, OR ANYWHERE – Connect directly to your computer via included USB-C cable, or scan on the go over a wireless (Wi-Fi) connection using the Brother Mobile Connect App(1)
- ENHANCED PRODUCTIVITY – Use bundled software(1) and built-in 2.8" color touchscreen to enhance scanned documents, photos, and receipts, automate workflows, and save files directly to your favorite cloud service(2)
- HANDLES LARGE JOBS WITH EASE – Scan multiple file sizes and large jobs quickly with scanning speeds up to 30 pages per minute(3) (ppm), single-pass double-sided scanning, and a 20-page automatic document feeder(4)
- BUILT IN CONVENIENCE – Easily scan small documents like business cards, ID badges, or plastic cards via the card slot, single pages up to 197” long, or multiple pages up to 8.5" x 14" via the document feeder
- BUNDLED SOFTWARE – Includes 7 vital software applications to create and organize files, make readable and searchable documents, manage business card contacts, simplify receipt management, and touch up and correct scanned images(1)
- Use Brother’s support page for your exact model to obtain its current scanner driver or software package, then reinstall it according to the model-specific instructions.
- Try scanning from another network-connected computer that has the appropriate Brother software installed.
- If scanning works from the other PC, focus next on the original Windows computer’s driver installation, security software, or network configuration.
If the problem remains, use the machine-specific documentation or contact Brother Support. When requesting help, provide the exact Brother model, the scanning application, whether printing over Wi-Fi works, and whether a scan started from Windows behaves differently from one started at the machine.
Quick Recap
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