Question I cannot install the driver for Brother printer ?

ThrashOrDie

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Feb 24, 2015
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Hi,
I'm honestly clueless, and this is possibly my last resort for help.

Some days ago I got a Brother PocketJet PJ-823 Thermal Printer and I could not get this thing to work. Every time I try to install the driver, and the software asks me to plug the printer in (USB), to finalize the installation, it just won't let me continue..


I have spend 2 hours with the Brother support trying to fix the issue, they eventually sent me a new device, but it's the same issue..

I've tried everything..

  • Turn off firewall and windows security
  • Tried 2 different cables & all 6 different USB ports
  • Literally 2 different devices now
  • Make sure printer spooler is running
  • Turn off windows protected print mode
  • I just got done resetting windows (11), so I'm on a clean install

I connect the device, it turns on for 3 sec, and then turns off.

The device does not show up in device manager at all, not even as unknown device.

I tried using the "Software/Document-Installer" and the standalone driver.

I just ordered the AC cable.. maybe that helps, for some reason.

Perhaps someone here has any ideas on what to try. I really want to get this thing to work.

Thanks.
 
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Verify that the applicable printer driver was downloaded via Brother's website and that the driver was correctly installed and configured.

= = = =

This printer?

https://support.brother.com/g/b/downloadtop.aspx?c=us_ot&lang=en&prod=pj823eus

This Setup Guide?

https://download.brother.com/welcome/docp100692/pj_822_823_862_863_883_ww_qsg_d0397c001_02.pdf

Will the the configuration report (Step 4) print?
Yes, that's the printer, and yes, it's downloaded only from the official website. And I cannot even get to the printing part.

As I've stated, I plug the printer into the PC when the prompt in the embedded image above comes up, the device turns itself on, and back off after about 3 seconds. The installer does not recognize that the printer is plugged in, and I cannot install the driver for it. And without driver, I cannot use any of the official Brother apps for printing either.
 
Are you attempting to connect the printer before installing the driver/s? Almost all (if not all) USB printers require that the drivers be installed first and the printer remain in a disconnected state until you are prompted by the installation script to do so (and only then). If you fail to follow this procedure to the letter (even once) you will never achieve success.
 
Windows 11 will install drivers that will print generic print. You don't need an application. Settings: Add a printer, Printers and scanners. Also, look at your device manager to see if your printer is listed under Print Queues. Add device if the printer is not listed.
 
Is it possible to try connecting the printer to some other known working and printing computer or laptop?

Is/are the USB cables A-B cable?

No adapter(s) - correct?

Source for the USB cable(s)?

Do you have another known working USB A-B from another source?

FYI:

https://www.anker.com/blogs/cables/how-to-identify-different-types-of-usb-cables-a-brief-guide?cov=a

You can easily google for and find similar explanations and guides.
No, I don't have any other PC's I could try on.

The cable is USB type A to type C.
A goes into the PC, C goes into the printer.

No adapters.

Cable came with the printer.
(Again, this is now the second printer that was sent to me for replacement, so 2 different cables that came with 2 different devices, but I also tried another cable I had laying around here) All of the 3 cables and 2 devices yielded the same result.
 
Are you attempting to connect the printer before installing the driver/s? Almost all (if not all) printers require that the drivers be installed first and the printer remain in a disconnected state until you are prompted by the installation script to do so (and only then). If you fail to follow this procedure to the letter (even once) you will never achieve success.
As I've described, I only plug the USB cable into my PC once the installation prompt appears.. The printer turns on for about 3 seconds, and then turns back off. The instal wizard does not recognize the input of the printer, and I cannot click "finish" as shown in the image, and thus finalizing the installation of the driver to make the printer usable.
 
Windows 11 will install drivers that will print generic print. You don't need an application. Settings: Add a printer, Printers and scanners. Also, look at your device manager to see if your printer is listed under Print Queues. Add device if the printer is not listed.
I plug the printer in
It turns on briefly
It turns back off
I go to settings >Bluetooth & Devices > Printers & Scanners
I click "add device"
It's loading/searching
My device is not listed below
I click on "App a new device manually"
Then "My printer is a little older. Help me find it." & "Next"
It's searching
But "No printers were found"
 
Suggestions:

Run "dism" and "sfc /scannow" via the Command Prompt. Windows may find and fix some related problem file.

Look in Reliabiity History/Monitor and Event Viewer for any error codes, warnings, or even informational events that are being captured and logged whenever printer related actions were taken.

Run the Get-PNPDevice cmdlet via Powershell

Read through the resulting (likely long) listing for any references to the printer or printing.

Post accordingly.

FYI:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/p...evice/get-pnpdevice?view=windowsserver2025-ps

The objectives simply being to obtain more information that may help identify the culprit.
 

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