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I have a new Windows 8 laptop (yay Windows 8). It does not recognize my printer. The USB port does work for other devices. Also, when I checked the port for the printer, there was no USB selection for port. I tried reinstalling the driver (that I downloaded from Brother), but since it doesn't recognize that the printer is connected, it won't finish installing.
PLEASE HELP. I have searched this forum and other places online to no avail. Or tell me how to downgrade (upgrade!) to Windows 7. Thanks.
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
Hi Shenan,
Unfortunately, I had already tried downloading the drivers from the exact same page and it doesn't work. When I get to the final step in the install, it tells me to plug in the printer via USB, which it then doesn't recognize.
Thanks, anyway. Maybe someone else can come up with a fix. I've tried other ones I found in the forums, to no avail, too. Or maybe an update down the road from MS will fix it - if I don't return the laptop.
Id FIXED IT!!!!
I had to update the firmware of the printer for Windows 8. I had to use my old laptop (Windows 7 machine), download the firmware from this link, attach to my printer and update it. Then I was able to install the new drivers to my Windows 8 laptop. Sweet!
I hope someone else will find this helpful - it's not always the drivers!
so contacting the manufacturer worked?
I FIXED IT!!!!
I had to update the firmware of the printer for Windows 8. I had to use my old laptop (Windows 7 machine), download the firmware from this link, attach to my printer and update it. Then I was able to install the new drivers to my Windows 8 laptop. Sweet!
I hope someone else will find this helpful - it's not always the drivers!
Hi Shenan,
Unfortunately, I had already tried downloading the drivers from the exact same page and it doesn't work. When I get to the final step in the install, it tells me to plug in the printer via USB, which it then doesn't recognize.
Thanks, anyway. Maybe someone else can come up with a fix. I've tried other ones I found in the forums, to no avail, too. Or maybe an update down the road from MS will fix it - if I don't return the laptop.
I would say it is not a Windows 8 issue. You need to speak with Brother support. They may have you do some other things specific to the print spooler service or removing specific Brother related keys from the registry or something else.
Unhook the printer from the machine physically. If willing, you may want to backup your data and make sure you have installation media for everything you now have installed that you did not get from the Windows Store (and product keys/serial numbers) and reset that machine to factory defaults. Then download and install the latest hardware device drivers for Windows 8 from the manufacturer's web page for the computer (especially motherboard chipset drivers.) Then update Windows. Then download the software I pointed to and you said you downloaded before (120MB) and install it. Then connect the printer.
If it fails at that point, Contact Brother.
I have a new Windows 8 laptop (yay Windows 8).
It does not recognize my printer. The USB port does work for other devices. Also, when I checked the port for the printer, there was no USB selection for port. I tried reinstalling the driver (that I downloaded from Brother), but since it doesn't recognize that the printer is connected, it won't finish installing.
PLEASE HELP. I have searched this forum and other places online to no avail. Or tell me how to downgrade (upgrade!) to Windows 7. Thanks.
Answering the last question first:
Did you purchase the system with Windows 8 Pro or Windows 8 Standard?
- If the former, then you *do* have what are known as downgrade rights. It's just a right though. You still have to come up with the media and product key for Windows 7 Professional (no other edition - Windows 7 Professional...) then you can format the system, install Windows 7 Professional, download the hardware device drivers for your hardware (if it is supported by the manufacturers of said products under Windows 7) and install them, install all your other programs and continue using the system now with Windows 7 Professional.
- If the latter, you have no "downgrade rights" but you can still try to do the same thing. Purchase Windows 7 (whatever edition) and then you can format the system, install Windows 7 _______, download the hardware device drivers for your hardware (if it is supported by the manufacturers of said products under Windows 7) and install them, install all your other programs and continue using the system now with Windows 7 _______.
Having explained that... Let's get into your printer.
All hardware (and software) support comes from the manufacturer of the product, not the manufacturer of the operating system. Thus, for your Brother printer, you must go to Brother.
You state you have the Brother MFC-7360N (<-- that is a web link to the web page for said product.)
According to the Brother Windows 8 Compatibility chart:
http://welcome.solutions.brother.com/bsc/public_s/id/os/windows.html
They have drivers for download for the product at this location:
You just have to choose your exact operating system (I'm going to assume Windows 8 64-bit) and language (I am going to assume english) and then you could download the FULL SOFTWARE PACKAGE from Brother to install your device...
It is a 120.65MB file released in January 2013. This installation instructions are on the download page. Read them and understand them before attempting them. ;-)
