How to Update Your Brother MFC-J885DW Printer Driver for Windows

Keeping your Brother MFC-J885DW printer driver updated is crucial for maintaining seamless communication between your printer and your PC. A printer driver acts as a translator between your operating system and the printer, enabling your PC to send commands to the printer and ensuring that it can perform all its functions. Without the correct driver installed, your printer may not work correctly or may not work at all, leading to frustrating issues like “Device not recognized” errors or poor print quality. This guide will walk you through the importance of updating your printer driver, the steps to do so, and how you can avoid common pitfalls along the way.

Why Updating Your Brother MFC Printer Driver is Essential

Like any other software, printer drivers need to be updated regularly to ensure they work well with your system. Here’s why updating your Brother MFC-J885DW printer driver is essential:

1. Compatibility with Operating System: Drivers are designed to work with specific versions of operating systems. For example, a driver created for Windows 10 may not work properly on Windows 11. As operating systems evolve, they introduce new features and system requirements that older drivers may not support. By keeping your driver up to date, you ensure that your printer remains compatible with your operating system, allowing it to function correctly without any compatibility issues.
2. Enhanced Functionality: New driver updates often bring enhancements that allow your printer to perform better. These updates might include new printing modes, improved color accuracy, or better handling of different paper types. If you’re using an outdated driver, you might miss out on these enhancements, limiting the performance and functionality of your Brother MFC-J885DW printer.
3. Bug Fixes and Stability Improvements: Manufacturers regularly release driver updates to fix bugs and improve the stability of their printers. These updates might address issues that cause the printer to crash, freeze, or produce errors. By keeping your driver updated, you can avoid these problems and ensure that your printer runs smoothly.
4. Security: In today’s digital age, security is a critical concern. Outdated drivers can sometimes contain vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malware or hackers. By updating your driver, you not only improve your printer’s performance but also enhance your system’s security by patching these vulnerabilities.
5. Improved Communication Between Devices: An updated driver ensures that there is efficient communication between your printer and other devices on your network. This is especially important if your printer is part of a larger network of devices, as outdated drivers can lead to communication breakdowns, causing print jobs to fail or be delayed.

Common Problems Caused by Outdated Drivers

Understanding the issues that can arise from not updating your printer driver can highlight just how important regular updates are. Here are some common problems that users encounter when using outdated drivers:

1. Print Quality Issues: One of the most noticeable effects of an outdated driver is a decline in print quality. You might see streaks, smudges, or faded prints, which can be particularly frustrating if you rely on your printer for professional or high-quality prints.
2. Printer Not Responding: An outdated driver can cause your printer to become unresponsive. You might send a print job only to find that nothing happens, or you might see error messages like “Printer not responding” on your screen. This is often due to the driver not being fully compatible with your current operating system or software.
3. Slow Printing: If your printer is taking longer than usual to print documents, an outdated driver could be the cause. Newer drivers are optimized for speed and efficiency, and without these updates, your printer might struggle to keep up with the demands of modern printing tasks.
4. Connectivity Issues: Outdated drivers can lead to connectivity problems, particularly if you’re using your Brother MFC-J885DW printer over a network. You might find that your printer goes offline frequently or that it fails to connect to your network at all, disrupting your workflow and causing unnecessary delays.
5. Inability to Use Advanced Features: Your Brother MFC-J885DW printer comes with a range of advanced features, such as duplex printing, wireless connectivity, and high-resolution photo printing. However, if your driver is outdated, you may not be able to access these features, limiting the functionality of your printer and preventing you from getting the most out of your investment.

Steps to Update Your Brother MFC-J885DW Printer Driver

Updating your Brother MFC-J885DW printer driver is a straightforward process, but it’s important to follow the correct steps to ensure the update is successful. Below are the steps you can follow:

Option 1: Use DriverAssist (Recommended)

For a quick and hassle-free solution, we recommend using DriverAssist. This software automatically detects outdated drivers on your system and updates them with just a few clicks. Here’s how you can use DriverAssist to update your Brother MFC-J885DW printer driver:

1. Download and Install DriverAssist: Start by downloading the DriverAssist software from the official website. Once the download is complete, open the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install the software on your computer. You can download DriverAssist here.
2. Run a System Scan: After the installation has completed, launch DriverAssist and run a system scan. The software will automatically detect all outdated drivers on your computer, including your Brother MFC-J885DW printer driver.
3. Update the Driver: Once the scan is complete, DriverAssist will provide a list of drivers that need to be updated. Select the Brother MFC-J885DW printer driver from the list and click “Update.” The software will download and install the latest driver for you.
4. Restart Your Computer: After the driver has been updated, restart your computer to ensure the changes take effect. Your printer should now be running with the latest driver, ensuring optimal operation and compatibility.

Option 2: Manual Update Process

If you prefer to update your driver manually, follow these steps to ensure you’re using the latest driver for your Brother MFC-J885DW printer:

1. Visit the Brother Support Website: Start by visiting the official Brother support website. This is another reliable source for downloading the correct driver for your printer.
2. Search for Your Printer Model: In the search box, type “Brother MFC-J885DW” and press Enter. The website will display a list of matching products. Click on your printer model to proceed to the driver download page.
3. Select Your Operating System: On the driver download page, you’ll see a drop-down menu where you can select your operating system. Be sure to choose the correct version of Windows you’re using (e.g., Windows 10, Windows 11) to ensure compatibility.
4. Download the Recommended Driver: Once you’ve selected your operating system, the website will display the recommended driver for your printer. Click the download button to save the driver installer to your computer.
5. Run the Installer: Locate the downloaded file and double-click on it to run the installer. Follow the on-screen prompts to install the driver. You may need to log in as an administrator to complete the installation.
6. Restart Your Computer: After the installation has completed, restart your computer to apply the changes. Your printer should now be updated with the latest driver, allowing you to take full advantage of its features and functionality.

Option 3: Using Device Manager in Windows 10

Another way to update your printer driver is by using the Device Manager in Windows. This method allows Windows to automatically search for and install the latest driver for your printer. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Device Manager: On the taskbar, in the Search field next to the Start button, type “Device Manager” and press Enter. Click on the Device Manager app in the search results to open it.
2. Locate Your Printer: In the Device Manager window, look for the “Print queues” category and expand it. You should see your Brother MFC-J885DW printer listed here.
3. Update the Driver: Right-click on your printer’s name and select “Update Driver” from the context menu. A new window will open, giving you two options: “Search automatically for updated driver software” and “Browse my computer for driver software.”
4. Search Automatically: Select the option to “Search automatically for updated driver software.” Windows will search online for the latest driver and install it if one is found.
5. Complete the Installation: Follow any additional prompts to complete the installation. Once the process is finished, restart your computer to apply the changes.

If Windows doesn’t find a new driver, consider using DriverAssist or manually downloading the driver from the Brother support website for the best results.

Troubleshooting Common Printer Driver Issues

Even after updating your printer driver, you may still encounter issues from time to time. Here are some common problems and tips on how to resolve them:

1. Printer Not Recognized: If your computer is still not recognizing your printer after updating the driver, try unplugging the printer and plugging it back in. You can also try restarting both your printer and your computer to refresh the connection.
2. Driver Installation Failed: If the driver installation fails, make sure you’re logged in as an administrator and that your antivirus software is not blocking the installation. You may need to temporarily disable your antivirus software during the installation process.
3. Poor Print Quality: If you’re experiencing poor print quality after updating the driver, check the printer settings to ensure they’re optimized for your printing needs. You can also run a printer 
4. Error Messages: If you receive an error message during or after the driver update, note the exact wording of the message and search for a solution online. Brother’s support forums or community pages often provide solutions to common problems, and you might find that others have experienced and resolved similar issues.
5. Printer Offline: If your printer shows as offline after the update, check the printer’s connection to your network. Ensure the printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer and that your router is functioning properly. Sometimes, simply restarting your router and printer can resolve this issue.
6. Driver Not Compatible with OS: If after installing the driver, you find that it's not compatible with your operating system, you may need to revisit the Brother website and double-check that you’ve selected the correct OS version. If the issue persists, consider contacting Brother’s customer support for further assistance or revert to a previous driver version that was functioning properly.
7. Unresponsive Printer: If your printer becomes unresponsive after a driver update, try rolling back the driver to the previous version via Device Manager. This can sometimes resolve issues caused by newly introduced bugs in the latest driver.

Conclusion

Keeping your Brother MFC-J885DW printer driver up-to-date is vital for ensuring that your printer works seamlessly with your computer and that you have access to all its features. Whether you update the driver manually or use DriverAssist for a quick and simple solution, regular updates will help you avoid common issues such as print quality problems, connection errors, and security vulnerabilities. Following the steps outlined in this guide, you can maintain your printer in top condition and enjoy a smooth, hassle-free printing experience.