WIN 11 will not accept drivers for Brother QL-500 printer

Question

I watched a video on how to disable Windows Protected Print Mode. It says to just click it OFF and it should upload the drivers. I have not set this up, therefore it is not working but, I still cannot download the drivers for the Brother QL-500 printer. Can you please advise what to do.

Answer 1

Hi.

Connect the printer's USB cable to your PC > open Device Manager in the Windows search bar > check if the printer appears under "Other devices" or in the "USB controllers" tab.

https://download.brother.com/welcome/dlfp001964/qd500w550bpor.exe

Download the driver and select a folder to extract it to. In the folder where you extracted it, run DP_Install.exe as administrator and proceed with the USB driver installation. Wait for it to work.

After it finishes, check if the printer is available. If it doesn't work, follow the Windows 10 procedure to uninstall the driver.

https://support.brother.com/g/b/faqend.aspx?c=br&lang=pt&prod=lpql500eus&faqid=faqp00001509_003&ot=us_ot#win1

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The link above is from the printer manufacturer, Brother.

Thanks

Answer 2

Follow these steps in order on Windows 11 to get the Brother QL‑500 working:

1. Confirm Windows version
   1. Select Start > Settings > System > About.
   2. Note Windows edition and version (for example, Windows 11, 64‑bit). This is needed to choose the correct Brother driver.
2. Let Windows try to install a compatible driver
   1. Connect and power on the Brother QL‑500.
   2. Select Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
   3. If the QL‑500 is listed, select it > Manage > Update driver and follow the on‑screen instructions.
   4. Try printing a test label.
3. If Windows cannot find a driver, install one from Brother
   1. Go to Brother’s support website for the QL‑500.
   2. Download a driver that matches:
      • The Windows version (Windows 11, or Windows 10 if that’s the newest Brother offers and they state it supports 11).
      • The system type (32‑bit or 64‑bit) noted in Step 1.
   3. Run the Brother installer, complete setup, then restart the PC.
4. If the printer still fails, reinstall the printer in Windows
   1. Select Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
   2. Select the Brother QL‑500 and choose Remove.
   3. Restart the PC.
   4. Go back to Printers & scanners and select Add device next to Add a printer or scanner.
   5. Let Windows detect and install the printer; if prompted, point it to the Brother driver just installed.
5. If a recent driver update broke it, roll back the driver
   1. Select Start, type Device Manager, and open it.
   2. Expand Printers or Print queues.
   3. Right‑click the Brother QL‑500 > Properties.
   4. On the Driver tab, select Roll Back Driver (if available).
   5. Restart the PC and test printing again.
6. If Windows reports the driver is incompatible
   • Verify again that the Brother package exactly matches Windows edition and 32/64‑bit type.
   • Avoid using drivers clearly marked only for much older or unsupported Windows versions unless Brother explicitly states they work on Windows 11.

If none of the above works and Windows still refuses the driver, contact Brother support with the exact Windows 11 version and system type, as a dedicated Windows 11‑compatible driver may be required from them.

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