Brother MFC-L8905CDW Not Responding – How to Fix It

Your Brother MFC-L8905CDW may appear to be powered on, but nothing happens when you try to print. Windows might display a "Printer Not Responding" message, print jobs may remain in the queue, or the printer may ignore commands completely. You may also notice that scanning stops working or the printer frequently switches between available and unavailable. Although these symptoms can seem serious, they are often caused by outdated or corrupted printer software, Windows communication issues, or incorrect printer settings rather than a hardware failure. This guide explains how to restore communication between your Windows computer and the Brother MFC-L8905CDW.

Quick Fix Checklist

Before trying advanced troubleshooting, complete these quick checks.

• Make sure the printer is powered on.
• Verify the USB cable or wireless connection is working properly.
• Restart your printer and computer.
• Confirm the printer is connected to the correct network if using WiFi.
• Clear any pending print jobs.
• Set the Brother MFC-L8905CDW as the default printer.
• Update your printer software.
• Install any available Windows updates.

If the printer still does not respond, continue with the methods below.

Why Is the Brother MFC-L8905CDW Not Responding?

Your printer relies on software that allows Windows to communicate with the hardware. Every print request passes through this software before reaching the printer.

If the software becomes outdated, corrupted, or incompatible after a Windows update, communication may fail. As a result, Windows reports that the printer is not responding even though it appears to be connected.

Other common causes include:

• Outdated printer software
• Corrupted print jobs
• Network communication problems
• Incorrect printer settings
• Disabled Print Spooler service
• Loose USB connections
• Windows update compatibility issues

Identifying the cause makes it easier to apply the correct solution.

Method 1, Update Printer Software Automatically (Recommended)

Updating the printer software is one of the fastest ways to resolve communication problems.

DriverAssist scans your system for outdated or missing printer software and installs the correct version automatically.

Steps

1. Download DriverAssist here.
2. Install DriverAssist.
3. Launch the application.
4. Allow it to scan your computer.
5. Locate the Brother MFC-L8905CDW in the scan results.
6. Install the recommended printer software update.
7. Restart your computer.
8. Print a test page to confirm the issue has been resolved.

Using DriverAssist helps reduce the risk of installing the wrong software and simplifies the update process.

Method 2, Download the Latest Software from Brother

If you prefer updating manually, install the latest software directly from Brother.

Step 1

Visit Brother's support website.

Step 2

Search for:

Brother MFC-L8905CDW

Choose the exact printer model.

Step 3

Select your version of Windows.

Examples include:

• Windows 11 64 bit
• Windows 10 64 bit
• Windows 10 32 bit

Step 4

Download the Full Driver and Software Package.

Step 5

Run the installer.

Step 6

Follow the installation instructions.

Step 7

Restart Windows.

Step 8

Test the printer again.

Common Mistakes

• Selecting the wrong printer model
• Downloading software for the wrong version of Windows
• Disconnecting the printer during installation
• Skipping the restart after installation

Method 3, Update Through Device Manager

Device Manager provides another method for updating printer software.

Step 1

Right click the Start button.

Step 2

Select Device Manager.

Step 3

Expand Printers or Print queues.

Step 4

Locate Brother MFC-L8905CDW.

Step 5

Right click the printer.

Step 6

Select Update driver.

Step 7

Choose Search automatically for drivers.

Allow Windows to search for available updates.

Limitations

Device Manager may not locate the newest software available from Brother. If Windows reports that the best software is already installed, use DriverAssist or download the latest version directly from Brother.

Additional Ways to Fix a Printer That Is Not Responding

Clear the Print Queue

Corrupted print jobs can prevent new documents from printing.

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Bluetooth & devices.
3. Choose Printers & scanners.
4. Select Brother MFC-L8905CDW.
5. Open the print queue.
6. Cancel all pending jobs.
7. Try printing again.

Restart the Print Spooler

The Print Spooler manages print jobs in Windows.

1. Press Windows + R.
2. Type:

services.msc

1. Press Enter.
2. Locate Print Spooler.
3. Right click it.
4. Select Restart.

Verify the Printer Connection

For USB connections:

• Try another USB port.
• Replace the USB cable if necessary.
• Disconnect any USB hubs temporarily.

For wireless connections:

• Confirm the printer and computer are connected to the same WiFi network.
• Restart the router.
• Reconnect the printer if needed.

Set the Printer as Default

If multiple printers are installed, Windows may attempt to print to another device.

Open Printers & scanners, select Brother MFC-L8905CDW, then choose Set as default printer.

Windows 10 and Windows 11 Printer Communication Issues

Windows 11

Major feature updates may temporarily interrupt communication with installed printers.

Verify:

• Printer software is current.
• The printer appears under Printers & scanners.
• Print jobs are not stuck.
• The correct printer is selected.

Windows 10

Older software may become incompatible after Windows updates.

Installing the latest printer software usually restores communication.

Why This Problem Keeps Coming Back

If your printer repeatedly becomes unresponsive, one of the following issues may still exist:

• Outdated printer software
• Windows feature updates
• Corrupted print jobs
• Weak wireless connection
• Printer configuration problems
• Multiple printer installations

Regular maintenance helps reduce the likelihood of recurring communication problems.

Keep Printer Software Updated Automatically

Checking manually for updates can be easy to forget.

Automatic update tools regularly scan your system for outdated printer software and install compatible updates, helping your Brother MFC-L8905CDW maintain reliable communication with Windows while reducing future printing issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Brother MFC-L8905CDW say not responding?

This usually happens because of outdated printer software, network communication issues, stuck print jobs, or incorrect Windows printer settings.

Can outdated printer software cause communication problems?

Yes. Outdated or corrupted printer software can prevent Windows from communicating correctly with the printer.

Why does my printer respond sometimes but not always?

Intermittent communication problems are often caused by unstable network connections, damaged printer software, or corrupted print jobs.

Should I remove and reinstall the printer?

If updating the printer software does not resolve the issue, removing and reinstalling the printer can restore damaged settings.

Does Device Manager always install the latest printer software?

No. Brother may offer newer software on its support website than what is available through Microsoft.

How can I prevent this problem in the future?

Keep your printer software updated, maintain a stable connection, clear failed print jobs, and install Windows updates regularly.

Final Thoughts

A Brother MFC-L8905CDW that is not responding can usually be restored without replacing the printer. In many cases, outdated printer software, Windows communication issues, or incorrect settings interrupt the connection between your computer and the printer.

Start with DriverAssist to update your printer software quickly. If you prefer manual installation, download the latest software from Brother or use Device Manager to search for updates. Combined with clearing the print queue, restarting the Print Spooler, and checking your connections, these solutions resolve most printer communication problems on Windows 10 and Windows 11.