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Published Dec 30, 2025 in

Quick Repair Tips for Brother MFC-J1010DW Printing Issues

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By Katrina Mae

Mastering Drivers, Solving Issues
An illustration showing a Brother MFC-J1010DW next to a laptop displaying a “Driver Required” warning, highlighting printing issues caused by outdated or missing drivers.
7 mins

Quick Repair Tips for Brother MFC-J1010DW Printing Issues

Many Brother MFC-J1010DW users run into situations where the printer suddenly will not print, stops responding, or shows connection problems. These printing issues often come from something that most people do not think about, which is the small software file that helps your computer talk to your printer. When this file becomes outdated, missing, or damaged, your computer may not understand your printer correctly. This can lead to slow printing, incomplete pages, or the printer not responding at all.

The good news is that these issues are usually simple to fix. Updating this small software file often gets the Brother MFC-J1010DW working smoothly again. In this guide, you will learn why this happens and how to fix it quickly using different methods that work well for everyday computer users.

Before going into the manual methods, the easiest option for many people is to use a tool that can update everything automatically. This removes the need to search for files, check versions, or worry about downloading the wrong one.

Easiest Fix: Use DriverAssist to Update the Required Printer File

For most Windows users, the simplest way to fix Brother MFC-J1010DW printing problems is to use DriverAssist, a trusted tool that automatically finds and installs the correct file your printer needs to work properly.

DriverAssist can help you by:

• Finding the exact file needed for your Brother MFC-J1010DW
• Installing everything safely without manual searching
• Preventing wrong downloads that may cause more problems
• Saving time, especially for users who are not comfortable adjusting computer settings

To get started, download DriverAssist directly here.

After downloading, open the file, follow the onscreen steps, and let the tool handle the update. This is the fastest option for users who want a simple, trouble-free fix.

If you prefer to update the file manually, the next sections will guide you through the full steps.

Why Outdated or Damaged Printer Files Cause Problems

Your Brother MFC-J1010DW relies on clear instructions from your computer in order to print. These instructions come from a small software file that acts like a translator between your computer and your printer.

If this file is outdated, missing, or damaged, several things can happen:

• Your computer may think your printer is not there
• The printer may print blank pages or incorrect pages
• Print jobs may get stuck in the queue
• The printer may not respond at all
• Scanning or wireless features may stop working

Updating the file ensures your computer knows exactly how to communicate with your Brother MFC-J1010DW. This often brings the printer back to normal right away.

How to Update the Required File Manually

Some users prefer to go through the manual steps themselves. Below are two safe and complete methods: downloading from the Brother support page and updating through the Windows Device Manager.

Method 1: Update Using the Brother Support Website

This method works well if you want to download the file directly from the source.

Step 1: Go to the Brother Support Page

  1. Open your browser on your Windows computer.
  2. Type “Brother MFC-J1010DW support” into the search bar, then press Enter.
  3. Look for the official Brother support result that mentions the MFC-J1010DW.

Step 2: Look for the Downloads Section

Once you are on the official page for your model, find the tab or link labeled Downloads.

Step 3: Choose Your Windows Version

A page will appear asking you to select your computer’s operating system. Choose the version of Windows you are using.

If you are not sure, you can check by:

  1. Pressing the Windows key on your keyboard.
  2. Typing “About your PC.”
  3. Checking the Windows version shown on the screen.

Step 4: Download the Available File

Look for the file related to printing for the Brother MFC-J1010DW. Download it to your computer.

Step 5: Open the File and Start Installation

  1. Go to your Downloads folder.
  2. Double click the file you downloaded.
  3. Follow the steps on the installation screen until everything is complete.

When you restart your computer, try printing a test page to see if the issue is gone.

Method 2: Update Using Windows Device Manager

Windows includes a built-in tool that can help you update the needed file automatically.

Step 1: Open Device Manager

You can open Device Manager using any of these methods:
• Press the Windows key, type “Device Manager,” then press Enter
• Press Windows key plus X, then choose Device Manager from the menu

Step 2: Locate Your Printer

  1. In Device Manager, look for Print queues or Printers.
  2. Click the arrow to expand the list.
  3. Find Brother MFC-J1010DW from the list.

If you do not see your printer, it may appear under “Other devices.” This usually means Windows is not recognizing it correctly.

Step 3: Update the File

  1. Right click on Brother MFC-J1010DW.
  2. Choose Update from the list.
  3. Select Search automatically for updated software.
  4. Let Windows search and install the correct file.

Step 4: Restart Your Computer

Once the update is complete, restart your computer and try printing again.

Other Helpful Tips for Users Experiencing Printing Problems

If updating the file does not fully solve the issue, the following tips may help:

Tip 1: Restart Both the Printer and Computer

A simple restart can refresh the connection between your computer and your Brother MFC-J1010DW.

Tip 2: Check All Cables

Loose USB or power cables can cause the printer to stop responding.

Tip 3: Check Your WiFi Connection

If you use the printer over WiFi, make sure both devices are connected to the same network.

Tip 4: Clear the Print Queue

Sometimes old print jobs get stuck and block new ones.
You can clear the queue by:

  1. Pressing the Windows key and typing “Printers.”
  2. Selecting your Brother MFC-J1010DW.
  3. Opening the print queue and removing old jobs.

Tip 5: Reinstall the Printer

If nothing else works, remove the printer from Windows, then add it again through the Printers and Scanners settings.

Conclusion

Most printing issues with the Brother MFC-J1010DW come from outdated or damaged files that help your computer communicate with the printer. Updating these files is often the simplest and most reliable fix. You can update everything manually using the Brother support page or Windows Device Manager, or you can save time by using DriverAssist, which handles the process automatically.

Once the correct file is installed, your Brother MFC-J1010DW should work smoothly again, letting you print documents, photos, and other files without trouble.

 

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