Ensuring Seamless Printing: The Ultimate Guide to Updating Your Brother MFC-L3720CDW Driver

Keeping your Brother MFC-L3720CDW printer driver updated is essential for maintaining smooth communication between your printer and computer. Like other types of software, printer drivers need regular updates to prevent compatibility issues, improve functionality, and enhance security. In this guide, we’ll discuss why updating your Brother MFC-L3720CDW printer driver is important, common issues you may encounter with outdated drivers, and various methods for updating your printer driver.

Why Updating Your Brother MFC-L3720CDW Printer Driver is Essential

Keeping your printer driver up to date offers several benefits:

1. Compatibility with New Operating Systems
   New operating systems, such as Windows 11, may not support older drivers. Updating your Brother MFC-L3720CDW driver ensures compatibility and helps you avoid disruptions in functionality.
2. Enhanced Printer Functionality
   Printer driver updates often introduce improvements such as faster print speeds, better quality, and new settings. With the latest drivers, you can maximize your printer’s capabilities.
3. Bug Fixes and Stability Enhancements
   Outdated drivers can result in glitches, causing delays or errors during printing. Updating the driver helps eliminate these issues, resulting in more efficient and reliable printing.
4. Security Improvements
   Driver updates can include security patches to prevent unauthorized access or malware attacks. Updating your driver helps protect your printer and connected devices from potential threats.
5. Improved Network Communication
   For networked printers, an updated driver helps ensure seamless communication between devices, reducing connection drops or failed print jobs.

Common Issues Caused by Outdated Printer Drivers

If your printer driver is outdated, you may experience various issues:

1. Poor Print Quality
   Outdated drivers may cause low-quality prints with streaks, faded output, or blurring.
2. Unresponsive Printer
   A printer that fails to respond to commands could indicate a communication breakdown between the device and the computer due to an outdated driver.
3. Slow Printing Speed
   If your printer is taking longer to print than usual, an outdated driver may be to blame. Updated drivers often optimize printing speed.
4. Connection Problems
   An older driver may disrupt your printer’s connection to a wireless network, causing it to go offline unexpectedly.
5. Limited Access to Advanced Features
   Some updated drivers introduce advanced features, such as two-sided printing and color management. Without the latest driver, you might not be able to access these functionalities.

How to Update the Brother MFC-L3720CDW Printer Driver

Option 1: Update Using DriverAssist (Recommended)

DriverAssist simplifies the driver update process by automatically detecting outdated drivers on your computer. Here’s how to use it to update your Brother MFC-L3720CDW driver:

1. Download and Install DriverAssist
   You can download DriverAssist here. Follow the instructions on the DriverAssist website to download and install the software on your computer.
2. Run a System Scan
   Open DriverAssist and initiate a system scan. The software will detect any outdated drivers, including the Brother MFC-L3720CDW printer driver.
3. Update the Printer Driver
   From the list of outdated drivers, select the Brother MFC-L3720CDW driver and click “Update.”
4. Restart Your Computer
   Once the update is complete, restart your computer to ensure the driver is properly installed.

Option 2: Manually Update via Brother’s Website

For a more hands-on approach, you can update your driver manually:

1. Visit Brother’s Support Website
   Go to the official Brother support website and search for the Brother MFC-L3720CDW printer model.
2. Select Your Operating System
   Choose your computer’s operating system (e.g., Windows 10 or Windows 11) from the drop-down menu.
3. Download the Driver
   Locate the latest driver version compatible with your operating system and download it.
4. Install the Driver
   Open the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
5. Restart Your Computer
   Restarting your PC after installation helps apply the changes.

Option 3: Use Windows Device Manager

You can also use the built-in Windows Device Manager to check for and install driver updates:

1. Open Device Manager
   Search for “Device Manager” in your taskbar’s search bar and open the app.
2. Locate Your Printer
   In the “Print queues” section, find your Brother MFC-L3720CDW printer.
3. Update the Driver
   Right-click on the printer name, select “Update driver,” and then “Search automatically for updated driver software.”
4. Restart Your Computer
   If an update is installed, restart your computer to finalize the process.

Troubleshooting Common Printer Driver Issues

Even with the latest drivers, problems may still occur. Here’s how to address some common issues:

1. Printer Not Recognized
   Try disconnecting and reconnecting your printer. Restart both the printer and computer to reset the connection.
2. Driver Installation Failure
   Make sure you have administrator access and temporarily disable any antivirus software that might be blocking the installation.
3. Persistent Print Quality Issues
   If print quality remains poor after updating the driver, try cleaning the print heads or adjusting settings in the printer’s control panel.
4. Error Messages During Update
   Document any error codes and search Brother’s support site for solutions specific to the error.
5. Printer Displays as Offline
   Check your printer’s network settings to ensure it’s connected to the correct Wi-Fi. Restarting your router can often resolve connectivity issues.
6. Incompatible Driver
   If the new driver isn’t compatible with your system, try downloading an older version or contact Brother support.
7. Unresponsive Printer
   If your printer becomes unresponsive after an update, you can roll back to a previous driver version via Device Manager.

Conclusion

Updating the Brother MFC-L3720CDW printer driver is essential for maintaining compatibility, enhancing efficiency, and ensuring stable functionality. Whether you choose to use DriverAssist, update manually, or rely on Device Manager, keeping your driver current is the best way to access new features and avoid common printing issues. By following these steps, you can keep your printer running smoothly and efficiently, allowing you to focus on your tasks without interruptions.