Independent brand guide

Brother Printers: An Independent Owner’s Guide

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Brother is widely known for laser printers for homes and small offices, and also sells inkjet printers. This page explains Brother’s product families, common model prefixes, the official apps and where to get genuine drivers, so you can use our general guides with your Brother printer.

The Printing Max is an independent educational website. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by or authorised by Brother, and we do not provide Brother support. Brother and its product names are trademarks of their respective owner and are used here only to identify the products this page is about.

Types of Brother printers

  • Laser printers (HL)

    Models beginning with HL are generally print-only laser printers that use toner cartridges and, on many models, a separate drum unit.

  • Multifunction printers (MFC and DCP)

    MFC models are generally all-in-ones that typically include fax, while DCP models are generally print, copy and scan devices. Both laser and inkjet versions exist.

  • Inkjet printers

    Brother inkjet all-in-ones use ink cartridges. Some ranges, such as INKvestment, are designed around higher-capacity cartridges.

  • Toner and drum

    Many Brother laser printers use a toner cartridge and a drum unit as separate parts that are replaced at different intervals. Check your manual for which parts your model uses.

Official apps and utilities

  • Brother Mobile Connect

    Brother’s current mobile app for setting up, printing and scanning with many Brother printers, available from official app stores.

  • Brother iPrint&Scan

    Brother’s printing and scanning app, available for computers and, on some platforms, mobile devices. Which app is recommended depends on your model.

  • A note on software

    App and utility availability and names change over time. Check Brother’s official website for what applies to your model.

Official Brother support, drivers and manuals

For drivers, firmware, manuals, warranty questions and hardware faults, go to the manufacturer directly: Brother Solutions Center . Brother’s official support site. Choose your region and model to find drivers, manuals and FAQs.

The Printing Max has no connection with Brother and cannot access your device, account or warranty.

Tips for Brother owners

  • Find your exact model. The model name (for example a code starting with HL, MFC or DCP) is usually printed on the front or top of the printer and on a label at the back.

  • Toner or drum message? On many Brother laser printers, “replace toner” and “replace drum” are separate messages for separate parts. Check which part the printer is asking for before buying anything.

  • Download only from official sources. Use Brother’s official support site or your device’s official app store, not third-party driver sites.

  • Firmware updates. Brother provides firmware update tools for many models through its support site. Follow the instructions for your model and do not switch the printer off during an update.

Guides that apply to Brother printers

Frequently asked questions

Is The Printing Max part of Brother?

No. The Printing Max is an independent educational website and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Brother.

What is the difference between toner and the drum?

On many Brother laser printers, the toner cartridge holds the powder that forms the image, while the drum unit transfers it onto the paper. They wear at different rates and are often replaced separately. Your manual lists the parts your model uses.

Where do I get Brother drivers?

From Brother’s official support website for your region. Many Brother printers also work with the drivers built into Windows and macOS for basic printing.