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No printer driver found for Brother HL-5040

Anonymous
2021-12-04T21:52:25+00:00

I Just moved from an old PC to a new PC. I did NOT migrate. I am setting the new system fresh.

The printer was working on the old PC which was running Windows 10 (NOT Pro), using the same USB cable.

Brother Printer HL-5040 now connected to a PC running Window 10 Pro, version 20H2, using a USB cable.

I Go to "settings", "Devices", "Printers".

HL-5040 is shown with the text "Driver is Unavailable"

When I click on HL-5040 a click box shows up "Remove device", so

I click on "Add printer or Scanner".

That ends leaving messaage "The printer that I want isn't listed".

I click on that, which brings up a window "Find a printer by other options".

I click on "My printer is a little older. Help me find it" and click "Next".

It searchs for available printers and finds my networked Epson printer, but not the Brother HL-5040.

I click on "Next" and a window comes up "Install the printer driver" with two sub windows, Maufacturer on the left an Printer on the right.

The Manufacturer window only shows "EPSON", "Generic" and "Microsoft". So I click on the "Windows Update" box.

I select "Brother" in the "Manufacturer" window and in the "Printers" window I scroll down to where the "Brother HL-5040" should be.

IT IS NOT THERE!!

It goes from "Brother HL-4570CDW series" to "Brother HL-5130".

Can I use a different driver and if so, which one, and will it recognize my printer??????

I also went to the Microsoft web site and followed their instructions, which told me to delete the printer and reinstall it. I did that and the result was the same. It found the printer, but no driver.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Devices and drivers

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-12-05T21:59:46+00:00

    I Found my own work-around.

    Unplugged and re-plugged the printer (it's connected to the computer by a USB cable). Windows added the printer, but had the message "Driver is unavailable".

    Then went through the process of adding a new printer, printer not found, I have an older printer, etc., etc. until I got to the list of Brother printer drivers. I then clicked on the HL-5140 drive and windows installed it.

    So in my printers list I now have a HL-5140 printer (which is the one I select when I want to print on the HL-5040) and an HL-5040 printer with no driver.

    WARNING - Do not delete the HL-5040 printer. I did that and I couldn't print.

    I suspect one is making the physical connection and the other the software connection.

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2021-12-05T18:20:31+00:00

    Have tried all of that with the exception of direct connect (Non USB) since my new computer does not have a printer input port. Brother's website says to use the driver included in the built in printer drivers. when I go through the Windows 10, add a printer process, my printer is not listed and I get a list of all the Bother printer drivers there is not one for the HL-5040. so right now I' m stuck.

    6 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2021-12-04T22:37:37+00:00

    Hi SteveGuss, I am Rob, an Independent Advisor not affiliated with Microsoft and a 15 time and dual award Microsoft MVP specializing in Windows troubleshooting and Bluescreen analysis. Please remember as independents we are not responsible for the development of Windows or the computer hardware and drivers. If you will work with me I will be here to help until the issue is resolved.

    Please check the instructions here which do tell you what to do when it is not listed.

    Install the built-in drivers (For Windows 8 or later)

    https://support.brother.com/g/b/faqend.aspx?c=u...

    Brother FAQs and Troubleshooting

    https://support.brother.com/g/b/faqtop.aspx?c=u...

    As OEM the Brother is responsible for the proper operation of the printer

    and their supplied drivers. Check with Brother's Support, their on-line

    documentation and drivers, and ask in their forums.

    Good chance you need to update or re-install the latest available driver.

    Brother - Support

    http://www.brother-usa.com/Support/

    Brother - Compatibility list

    http://support.brother.com/g/s/id/os/windows.html

    ================================================

    Windows 10 - Fix printer problems <- Printer troubleshooter

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/f...

    Windows 10 Support

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/s...

    Here to help,

    Rob

    Standard Disclaimer: Those may be non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

    Please let us know the results and if you need further assistance. Feedback definitely helps us help all.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2021-12-05T20:32:29+00:00

    The link I provided shows you what to do if the driver is not listed using the IP Address so please carefully review it. If nothing works then you will need to contact Brother Support for more troubleshooting options.

    Here to help,

    Rob

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