Why is my Brother MFC-J1170DW scanning not working?

Common causes include driver issues, connectivity problems, outdated firmware, and hardware malfunctions. Follow our step-by-step guide to diagnose and fix your Brother MFC-J1170DW.

How do I fix Brother MFC-J1170DW scanning not working?

Start by checking your printer connections, updating drivers, and running the built-in troubleshooting utility. Our guide below provides detailed steps for resolving Brother MFC-J1170DW scanning not working.

When should I call a technician for my Brother MFC-J1170DW?

If basic troubleshooting doesn't resolve the scanning not working issue, or if you hear unusual noises, smell burning, or see error codes, it's time to contact a certified Brother printer technician.

Brother MFC-J1170DW Scanning Not Working

If your Brother MFC-J1170DW scanning not working, you're dealing with one of the most frustrating issues for home office and small business users. This all-in-one inkjet printer features both flatbed and automatic document feeder (ADF) scanning capabilities, but software conflicts, driver corruption, network configuration problems, and hardware malfunctions can all prevent scanning from functioning properly. Whether you're getting "Cannot communicate with scanner" errors, blank scan results, or the scan button simply does nothing, this comprehensive troubleshooting guide will walk you through proven steps to fix printer scanning functionality and restore your document workflow.

Quick Software and Driver Fixes

Before diving into hardware troubleshooting, most MFC-J1170DW scanning problems originate from software issues. The Brother iPrint&Scan application, ControlCenter4 software, and built-in Windows scanning components must all work together properly for successful operation.

Restart the Printer and Computer: Power down your MFC-J1170DW completely by unplugging it from the wall for 60 seconds. Restart your computer simultaneously. This clears temporary memory glitches that commonly interrupt scanner communication, especially after Windows updates that modify USB or network protocols.

Verify and Reinstall Scanner Drivers: Navigate to Brother's official support website and download the latest Full Driver & Software Package for the MFC-J1170DW. Uninstall existing Brother software through Windows Settings > Apps, then reinstall fresh. During installation, choose "Wireless Network Connection" or "USB Connection" accurately—selecting the wrong option is a leading cause of Brother MFC-J1170DW scanning not working errors.

Check Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) Service: Press Windows key + R, type "services.msc" and press Enter. Locate "Windows Image Acquisition (WIA)" in the list. Ensure its Startup type is set to "Automatic" and the service status shows "Running." If stopped, right-click and select Start. This service must be active for any TWAIN or WIA-compliant scanner to function, including the MFC-J1170DW.

Network and Connection Troubleshooting

Wireless scanning failures require specific network diagnosis. The MFC-J1170DW supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only—it will not connect to 5GHz networks, which causes confusion in dual-band router environments.

Confirm Network Configuration: On the printer's touchscreen, press Settings > Network > WLAN > TCP/IP to view the current IP address. From your computer, open Command Prompt and type "ping [printer IP address]." If pings fail, the printer has lost network connectivity. Reconnect through Settings > Network > WLAN > Setup Wizard, ensuring you select your 2.4GHz SSID specifically. Matching IP subnets between computer and printer is essential for scan-to-PC functions.

Temporarily Disable Firewall and Antivirus: Third-party security suites including Norton, McAfee, and Bitdefender frequently block scanner discovery protocols. Disable real-time protection temporarily, then test scanning through Brother iPrint&Scan. If scanning works, add exceptions for "BrYNSvc.exe," "ControlCenter.exe," and port 54925 (Brother network scanning port) in your security software.

⚠️ Important: Do not leave your firewall permanently disabled. After confirming the firewall blocks scanning, create specific application exceptions rather than broad rules. Additionally, never download Brother drivers from unofficial websites—driver packages from third-party sources may contain malware that further compromises scanning functionality and system security.

Test Alternative Connection Methods: Connect the MFC-J1170DW directly via USB cable to isolate whether the issue is network-specific. If USB scanning works but wireless fails, the problem lies in network configuration rather than scanner hardware. For persistent wireless issues, consider assigning a static IP address through your router's DHCP reservation settings to prevent IP conflicts that interrupt scanning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Brother MFC-J1170DW say "Cannot communicate with scanner"?

This error typically indicates the computer cannot establish a protocol connection with the scanner module. Common causes include the WIA service being stopped, outdated or corrupted Brother scanner drivers, network IP address changes, or firewall blocking. Run through the driver reinstallation and network verification steps above, and ensure you're using Brother iPrint&Scan rather than third-party scanning applications.

Can I scan if my MFC-J1170DW is out of ink?

Yes—scanning functionality is independent of ink levels. However, Brother firmware may display blocking warnings that prevent access to the scan menu until acknowledged. Press "OK" or the home button to dismiss low-ink alerts, then navigate directly to Scan functions. If the touchscreen becomes unresponsive due to persistent warnings, power cycle the printer to clear notification queues.

How do I scan using the ADF versus the flatbed on the MFC-J1170DW?

Load originals face-up in the ADF for multi-page documents, ensuring guides are snug against paper edges. For books, photos, or fragile items, lift the flatbed lid and place items face-down aligned with the registration arrow in the upper-left corner. In Brother iPrint&Scan or ControlCenter4, explicitly select "ADF (Automatic Document Feeder)" or "Flatbed" as the document source—auto-detection sometimes defaults incorrectly, producing blank scans or feeder jams.