What To Know
- Sleep mode is a power-saving feature designed to reduce energy consumption when the printer is not in use.
- If you have the Brother iPrint&Scan app installed on your smartphone or tablet, you can use it to disable sleep mode remotely.
- If you’re connecting your Brother MFC printer to your computer using a USB cable, you can disable sleep mode through the USB connection.
Ever had to wait an eternity for your Brother MFC printer to wake up from its slumber? That annoying delay can be a real productivity killer. The culprit? Brother MFC’s energy-saving sleep mode. While it’s great for saving power, it can be a pain when you need to print quickly.
This guide will walk you through the various ways to turn off Brother MFC sleep mode, so you can say goodbye to those frustrating wait times and get back to work.
Understanding Brother MFC Sleep Mode
Before we dive into the solutions, let’s understand why your Brother MFC printer goes to sleep in the first place. Sleep mode is a power-saving feature designed to reduce energy consumption when the printer is not in use. When your printer is idle for a certain period, it enters sleep mode to conserve electricity.
While this is great for the environment and your electricity bill, it can be frustrating when you need to print urgently.
How to Turn Off Brother MFC Sleep Mode: The Ultimate Guide
There are several methods to disable sleep mode on your Brother MFC printer. Here’s a breakdown of the most common and effective approaches:
1. Disable Sleep Mode From the Control Panel
The easiest way to turn off sleep mode is directly from your printer’s control panel. This method is quick and straightforward:
1. Power On Your Printer: Ensure your Brother MFC printer is powered on.
2. Access the Menu: Locate the “Menu” button on your printer’s control panel and press it.
3. Navigate to Settings: Use the navigation buttons to scroll through the menu until you find “Settings,” “System Settings,” or a similar option.
4. Find Sleep Mode: Look for an option related to “Sleep Mode,” “Power Saving,” or “Energy Saver.”
5. Disable Sleep Mode: Select the option to disable sleep mode. You might have choices like “Always On,” “Never Sleep,” or “Disable Sleep.”
6. Confirm Changes: Save your changes by pressing the “OK” or “Select” button.
2. Disable Sleep Mode From the Brother iPrint&Scan App
If you have the Brother iPrint&Scan app installed on your smartphone or tablet, you can use it to disable sleep mode remotely:
1. Open the App: Launch the Brother iPrint&Scan app on your device.
2. Connect to Your Printer: Ensure your printer is connected to your Wi-Fi network and select it from the app’s list of available devices.
3. Access Settings: Look for a “Settings” or “Device Settings” option within the app.
4. Locate Sleep Mode: Find the “Sleep Mode” or “Power Saving” setting within the settings menu.
5. Disable Sleep Mode: Toggle the sleep mode setting to “Off” or “Disabled.”
6. Confirm Changes: Save your changes by pressing the “Save” or “Apply” button.
3. Disable Sleep Mode From the Computer
You can also disable sleep mode directly from your computer using the printer driver settings:
1. Open the Printer Properties: Open your computer’s “Printers and Scanners” or “Devices and Printers” settings.
2. Select Your Printer: Right-click on the icon representing your Brother MFC printer and select “Properties” or “Printer Properties.”
3. Access Advanced Settings: Look for a “Device Settings” or “Advanced” tab within the printer properties window.
4. Find Sleep Mode: Search for a “Sleep Mode” or “Power Saving” setting within the advanced settings.
5. Disable Sleep Mode: Uncheck the box next to the sleep mode setting or select “Disabled” from the dropdown menu.
6. Apply Changes: Click “Apply” or “OK” to save your changes and close the printer properties window.
4. Disable Sleep Mode Using the USB Connection
If you’re connecting your Brother MFC printer to your computer using a USB cable, you can disable sleep mode through the USB connection:
1. Connect Your Printer: Connect your Brother MFC printer to your computer using a USB cable.
2. Open the Printer Properties: Open your computer’s “Printers and Scanners” or “Devices and Printers” settings.
3. Select Your Printer: Right-click on the icon representing your Brother MFC printer and select “Properties” or “Printer Properties.”
4. Access Advanced Settings: Look for a “Device Settings” or “Advanced” tab within the printer properties window.
5. Find Sleep Mode: Search for a “Sleep Mode” or “Power Saving” setting within the advanced settings.
6. Disable Sleep Mode: Uncheck the box next to the sleep mode setting or select “Disabled” from the dropdown menu.
7. Apply Changes: Click “Apply” or “OK” to save your changes and close the printer properties window.
Tips and Tricks for Managing Brother MFC Sleep Mode
Here are some additional tips for managing sleep mode on your Brother MFC printer:
- Check Your Printer Manual: Your printer’s user manual will have detailed instructions on how to manage sleep mode settings.
- Experiment with Sleep Mode Settings: If you don’t want to disable sleep mode entirely, try adjusting the sleep timer to a shorter duration.
- Use the Printer Regularly: Regularly using your Brother MFC printer can help prevent it from going into sleep mode.
- Consider Using a Power Strip: A power strip with an on/off switch can help you quickly power cycle your printer, preventing it from going into sleep mode.
The Bottom Line: Why You Should Consider Turning Off Sleep Mode
While sleep mode is designed to save energy, it can be a major inconvenience if you need to print frequently. Turning off sleep mode ensures your printer is always ready to go, eliminating those frustrating wait times.
Beyond Sleep Mode: Optimizing Your Brother MFC Printer
Beyond sleep mode, there are other ways to optimize your Brother MFC printer‘s performance.
- Keep Your Drivers Updated: Ensure you’re using the latest printer drivers for your Brother MFC printer. Outdated drivers can lead to performance issues and compatibility problems.
- Clean Your Printer Regularly: Regularly cleaning your Brother MFC printer’s rollers, paper trays, and other components can improve its performance and prevent paper jams.
- Use High-Quality Paper: Using high-quality paper can help prevent paper jams and ensure clear printouts.
A New Chapter: Embracing a More Efficient Printing Experience
By understanding and managing your Brother MFC printer‘s sleep mode, you can streamline your printing workflow and maximize your productivity. No more waiting for your printer to wake up, no more frustration – just seamless printing whenever you need it.
What You Need to Know
Q: My Brother MFC printer still goes to sleep even after I’ve disabled sleep mode. What should I do?
A: If your printer continues to go to sleep despite disabling sleep mode, there could be a few reasons:
- Check Your Power Settings: Your computer’s power settings might be causing your printer to go to sleep. Make sure your computer is set to “Never Sleep” or “Always On” for the connected USB port.
- Restart Your Printer: Sometimes restarting your printer can resolve software glitches that are causing sleep mode issues.
- Update Your Printer Drivers: Outdated drivers can sometimes cause unexpected sleep mode behavior. Update your printer drivers to the latest version.
Q: Is there a way to disable sleep mode without going through the menus?
A: There isn’t a universal shortcut to disable sleep mode without accessing the menus. However, some Brother MFC printers might have a specific button or combination of buttons that can temporarily disable sleep mode. Refer to your printer’s user manual for specific instructions.
Q: Will turning off sleep mode increase my electricity bill?
A: Turning off sleep mode will slightly increase your electricity consumption. However, the impact on your electricity bill is likely to be minimal, especially if you use your printer frequently. If you’re concerned about energy consumption, you can consider adjusting the sleep timer to a shorter duration instead of disabling sleep mode entirely.