When your Brother MFC-J985DW XL scanning is not working, it disrupts your entire workflow. This INKvestment Tank all-in-one printer is designed for high-volume home offices, but scan failures can stem from software conflicts, connection issues, or driver corruption. Whether you're seeing "Cannot communicate with the scanner" errors, blank scan outputs, or the scan function simply won't initiate, this guide provides concrete troubleshooting steps to restore your scanning capability. Our printer repair specialists have resolved these issues across thousands of Brother devices, and we'll walk you through the same diagnostic process our tech support team uses.
Common Causes of Scan Failures on the MFC-J985DW XL
The Brother MFC-J985DW XL relies on a complex interaction between its scan head, control panel firmware, and Brother iPrint&Scan software or TWAIN/WIA drivers. Scanning problems typically fall into three categories: USB or network connectivity breakdowns, corrupted scanner drivers, or hardware malfunctions with the CIS (Contact Image Sensor) module. Before attempting any fix printer procedure, identify whether your issue affects both flatbed and ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) scanning, or just one—this distinction significantly narrows the troubleshooting scope.
Step-by-Step Scanning Troubleshooting
1
Verify Physical Connections and Power State: Ensure the MFC-J985DW XL is powered on and not in sleep mode— Brother printers in deep sleep may not respond to scan commands. Check that the USB cable is securely connected to both the printer and computer, or confirm your WiFi network status by printing a Network Configuration Report from the control panel (Menu → Machine Info → Network Config). For wireless setups, verify the printer and computer share the same subnet. Weak signal strength below -70 dBm often causes intermittent scan failures.
2
Restart the Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) Service: On Windows systems, press Windows + R, type "services.msc," and press Enter. Locate "Windows Image Acquisition (WIA)" in the services list. Right-click and select Restart. If the service fails to start, check that its dependencies—Remote Procedure Call (RPC) and Shell Hardware Detection—are running. This service handles scanner communication, and corruption here is a leading cause of Brother MFC-J985DW XL scanning not working on Windows 10 and 11 systems.
3
Reinstall Brother Scanner Drivers Completely: Download the latest Full Driver & Software Package from Brother's support site for your specific operating system. Before installing, uninstall existing Brother software through Control Panel → Programs and Features, then run the Brother Driver Uninstall Tool (BrRemPnP.exe) to remove residual registry entries. During reinstallation, choose "Wireless Network Connection" or "USB Connection" as appropriate, and complete the installation without skipping the scanner driver components. This printer support step resolves approximately 60% of persistent scan issues.
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Test Scanning with Brother iPrint&Scan and Alternative Software: Launch Brother iPrint&Scan from your desktop or download the mobile app to test scanning. If scanning works in iPrint&Scan but fails in third-party applications (Adobe Acrobat, Windows Fax and Scan), the issue lies with TWAIN/WIA driver selection. Open your application's scan settings and explicitly select "Brother MFC-J985DW XL" rather than "WIA-Brother MFC-J985DW XL"—the TWAIN driver typically offers better compatibility. For Mac users, ensure Image Capture recognizes the device in System Settings → Printers & Scanners.
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Reset the Printer's Network and Scanner Settings: On the MFC-J985DW XL control panel, navigate to Menu → Initial Setup → Reset → Network or All Settings. For network-related scan failures, perform a network reset, then reconfigure WiFi using the Wireless Setup Wizard. Additionally, access Maintenance → Scanner Calibration to recalibrate the CIS module—this fixes color distortion and alignment issues that may cause scans to appear failed. After reset, re-register the scanner in Brother Utilities → ControlCenter4 or ControlCenter3.
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Inspect for Hardware Defects in the Scanning Assembly: Open the flatbed cover and examine the white calibration strip along the scanner bed's edge—stains or damage here cause initialization failures. Check that the scan head moves freely along its rail without obstruction or unusual noise. For ADF scanning issues only, clean the ADF glass strip (the narrow glass to the left of the main flatbed) with a lint-free cloth and isopropyl alcohol. If both flatbed and ADF scanning fail with grinding noises or error codes like "Scan Unable 0B" or "Scan Unable 50," the CIS module or stepper motor likely requires professional printer repair.
⚠️ Important: Do not attempt to disassemble the scanner mechanism yourself—this voids your warranty and risks damaging the precision-calibrated CIS assembly. If your Brother MFC-J985DW XL is still under warranty (typically 2 years for this model), contact Brother directly for hardware-related failures. Never use abrasive cleaners on the scanner glass or calibration strip, as scratches cause permanent scan quality degradation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Brother MFC-J985DW XL scan to email but not to my computer?
This indicates the scan hardware functions properly but PC communication is broken. The scan-to-email feature uses the printer's independent network connection, bypassing your computer entirely. Focus troubleshooting on your USB cable, network driver installation, or firewall settings blocking the Brother scanner port (typically port 54925 or 54926 for network scanning).
Can I use Windows Fax and Scan instead of Brother software?
Yes, Windows Fax and Scan works with the MFC-J985DW XL through WIA drivers, but Brother's ControlCenter4 offers superior troubleshooting and advanced features like scan-to-PDF with OCR. If Windows Fax and Scan fails while Brother software works, reinstall the WIA driver component specifically by running the Brother driver installer and selecting "Custom Install" to ensure WIA support is checked.
What does "Scan Unable AF" mean on my MFC-J985DW XL display?
Error "AF" indicates an autofocus or scan head positioning failure in the ADF mechanism. Power cycle the printer, remove all documents from the ADF, and check for jammed paper fragments in the feed path. If the error persists after cleaning the ADF rollers and glass strip, the ADF separation pad or pickup roller may need replacement—contact tech support for hardware service options.
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