Brother's article on updating drivers and firmware says Brother regularly improves its products and recommends always keeping the driver and firmware current. For the driver, uninstall the existing Brother drivers and software, then download the Full Driver & Software Package for Windows or the Full Software Package for macOS from the Downloads section; if the full package is not available, install the printer and scanner drivers separately. For firmware there are two routes.
The checks in more detail
The Firmware Update Tool: your computer needs internet access; on Windows install the Full Driver & Software Package first, on macOS connect the machine and the Mac by USB or on the same network, then download the Firmware Update Tool from the Downloads section and follow the instructions on screen. Or, on network models, use the Brother iPrint&Scan app on Android or iOS: open the app, select your machine and follow the firmware update steps.
Related pages cover a machine that stays unresponsive or shows Retry Updating by USB, or Try updating by Firmware Update tool, when the update fails; the answer is to run the tool over USB. Keep the machine powered throughout and do not touch it. Note the firmware version before and after. Some toner messages clear after a firmware update, as Brother's toner article suggests. If the tool reports an error, restart the machine and computer and try again.
Update when nobody needs to print, keep the machine near the router and do not start a print job at the same time. Note the firmware version before and after so you can tell support what changed. If the update tool cannot find the machine, connect by USB, which removes network causes. Keep the firmware tool's download and note its version, so that if a later update causes trouble you know what you started from.
Differential
Likely causes of “Brother printers firmware update will not install”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
No internet on the computer
What separates it The tool cannot download because the computer has no internet
How to confirm Restore the internet connection on the computer, and try again
- 2
The full driver not installed
What separates it The Windows tool fails because the full driver is not installed
How to confirm Install the full driver package first, and then run the tool
- 3
A failed update
What separates it A failed update shows Retry Updating by USB on the screen
How to confirm Run the tool over USB, which is steadier than a network
- 4
A weak wifi link
What separates it The phone update fails because the wifi link is weak
How to confirm Use the computer tool, and not the phone, since it needs a steadier link
- 5
An interrupted update
What separates it The machine is unresponsive because the update was interrupted
How to confirm Use USB recovery, and follow Brother's steps for a failed update
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The model and the firmware version of the machine
- The route that you used to update, such as the tool or the phone
- The type of connection that the machine uses
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedInstall the full driver package
ReversibleInstall the full driver package on Windows, since the tool needs it, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Download the Firmware Update Tool
ReversibleDownload the Firmware Update Tool from the Downloads section, for your model, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Connect the machine
ReversibleConnect the machine to the computer, by USB or by network, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Follow the prompts
ReversibleFollow the prompts, and do not touch the machine while it updates, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Or use iPrint&Scan
ReversibleOr use iPrint&Scan, on network models, which updates from the phone, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Recover over USB
ReversibleRecover over USB if the update fails, by following the steps on the display, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Note the version
ReversibleNote the version after the update, to confirm that it installed, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Network models
- Phone updates need a network-connected model.
- Labels
- The QL-820NWB updates through Brother's P-touch software.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models L5915DW, L8905CDW, L3295CDW, L2460DW, L2640DW, J1010DW, J4535DW, J5855DW, QL-820NWB label printer.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the machine shows Retry Updating by USB, run the Firmware Update Tool over USB
- !If the machine stays unresponsive, contact Brother, and give them the model
- !If a toner message persists after an update, see the consumable steps
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Firmware Update Tool and iPrint&Scan.
New toner, installation, drum and corona wire.
Updating from a phone.
Recovering from a failed update.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
How do I update Brother firmware?+
Use the Firmware Update Tool or iPrint&Scan.
Do I need the driver first?+
On Windows, install the full package.
Can I update from a phone?+
You can update from a phone, on network models, using iPrint&Scan.
What does Retry Updating by USB mean?+
A failed update needing the tool over USB.
Does the computer need internet?+
Yes, the computer needs internet for the tool, to download the firmware.
Should I keep the machine on?+
Yes, keep the machine on and do not touch it during the update.
Will a toner error clear?+
A toner error may clear after an update, though not always.
Where do I download?+
You download the tool from the Downloads section of Brother's support site.