Resolving the Network Print Queue Problem on a Brother ADS-2700W

Welcome to a step‑by‑step guide designed to help you resolve the most common network print queue problems on your Brother ADS‑2700W scanner and multifunction device. Whether you’re a busy home office user or a small business owner, a stalled print queue can interrupt workflow and cause frustration. This guide will walk you through each stage of the troubleshooting process—from verifying your network connection to resetting the print spooler and updating firmware. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of why the queue is stuck and how to get your device back to full speed.

Why the Print Queue Gets Stuck

A print queue becomes “stuck” when the printer’s internal buffer holds a job that can’t be sent to the hardware or delivered to the destination. Common causes include:

• Network connectivity issues that prevent the device from reaching the print server or the computer.
• Driver or software conflicts that send malformed jobs to the printer.
• Spooler service problems on the host machine.
• Firmware or OS updates that create incompatibilities.
• Security software blocking printer traffic.

Understanding the root cause is essential. Rather than guessing, follow the systematic approach below.

Quick Check‑List

1. Confirm the printer’s network status (Wi‑Fi or wired) is active.
2. Verify the printer’s IP address hasn’t changed.
3. Make sure the correct driver is installed on the computer.
4. Restart the print spooler service on Windows or macOS.
5. Check for pending firmware updates on the Brother website.
6. Ensure no firewall or antivirus settings are blocking the device.

If any of these items show a problem, proceed to the relevant section.

1. Verify Network Connectivity

The ADS‑2700W is a network‑enabled device that communicates through either Wi‑Fi or Ethernet. A broken network link is the most frequent culprit.

Wired Connection

• Check the Ethernet cable: swap with a known good cable.
• Look at the LED status on the port: steady green means a good link.
• Ping the printer’s IP from your computer:

  ping 192.168.1.100
  

  (Replace the address with your printer’s actual IP.)

Wireless Connection

• Open the printer’s control panel and navigate to Network → Wi‑Fi Settings.
• Confirm the SSID matches the one you use.
• Re‑enter the Wi‑Fi password if you suspect a credential mismatch.
• Restart the router if the device fails to join the network.

If you cannot ping the printer or the Wi‑Fi light stays off, the issue is network‑level. Resolve the link first, then revisit the print queue.

2. Check the Printer Driver and Software

The driver translates your computer’s print job into a format the scanner understands. Out‑of‑date or corrupted drivers can corrupt the queue.

1. Open Device Manager (Windows) or Printers & Scanners (macOS).
2. Locate the Brother ADS‑2700W and right‑click to choose Update Driver or Remove Device.
3. Download the latest driver from the Brother website.
4. Install the driver and restart your computer.

After reinstalling, attempt a small test print. If it succeeds, the queue should clear.

3. Reset the Print Spooler

On Windows, the print spooler can become corrupted, holding jobs indefinitely. Resetting it often resolves the problem.

1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
2. Find Print Spooler in the list.
3. Right‑click and select Stop.
4. Navigate to the spool folder:

   C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS
   

5. Delete all files in that folder.
6. Return to the Services window, right‑click Print Spooler, and choose Start.

On macOS, you can reset the print queue via the Print & Scan system preference:

• Select the printer, click Open Print Queue, then Cancel any pending jobs.

Resetting the spooler clears any stuck jobs that the printer has received but not processed.

4. Update the Printer Firmware

Firmware bugs can cause a printer to ignore queued jobs. Brother periodically releases updates to fix such bugs.

1. Open the ADS‑2700W web interface: enter the IP address into a browser.
2. Log in using the admin credentials (default: admin / 12345).
3. Go to Settings → System Settings → Firmware Update.
4. If an update is available, click Download and let the printer reboot automatically.

After the update, test a print job. A successful print indicates the firmware was the cause.

5. Reinstall the Printer

Sometimes the simplest solution is to remove and reinstall the printer entirely.

• On Windows:

  • Go to Control Panel → Devices and Printers.
  • Right‑click the Brother ADS‑2700W and select Remove device.
  • Click Add a printer and let Windows discover the device on the network.

• On macOS:

  • Open System Preferences → Printers & Scanners.
  • Select the printer and click the minus sign.
  • Add it again by clicking the plus sign and selecting the device.

Reinstallation forces Windows or macOS to create a fresh driver profile and resolve hidden configuration errors.

6. Use the Printer’s Web Interface to Monitor the Queue

The ADS‑2700W’s web interface provides a real‑time view of the print queue and detailed logs.

1. Open a browser, enter the printer’s IP address, and log in.
2. Navigate to Print Queue under Management.
3. Review the status of each job: Queued, Printing, Error, etc.
4. Cancel or Delete any stuck jobs manually.

The interface also displays error codes that can be cross‑referenced with the Brother support site for deeper insights.

7. Check Firewall and Antivirus Settings

Security software may block the port the ADS‑2700W uses (usually TCP 9100 for RAW printing).

• Windows Defender:

  • Open Windows Security → Firewall & Network Protection → Allow an app through firewall.
  • Ensure Brother ADS‑2700W or Printer is allowed on the network.

• Third‑Party Firewalls:

  • Look for rules that block TCP 9100 or the device’s IP.
  • Add an exception if necessary.

After adjusting the firewall, restart the print spooler and try printing again.

8. Windows Print Spooler Troubleshooting

If the queue still refuses to clear, run the built‑in Windows troubleshooting wizard.

1. Go to Settings → Update & Security → Troubleshoot.
2. Select Additional troubleshooters → Print and run the wizard.
3. Follow the prompts; the tool will detect and attempt to fix common issues.

9. Clear the Queue from the Command Line

For advanced users, clearing the queue via the command line can bypass UI limitations.

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Execute:

   del /f /q %windir%\System32\spool\PRINTERS\*.*
   

3. Restart the Print Spooler service:

   net stop spooler
   net start spooler
   

This forcefully removes all print jobs and restarts the spooler.

10. Advanced: Using Group Policy (Enterprise Environments)

In larger office settings, printers are often deployed via Group Policy. If the ADS‑2700W is stuck in a corporate print queue, the admin can:

1. Open the Group Policy Management Console.
2. Navigate to Computer Configuration → Policies → Windows Settings → Deployed Printers.
3. Remove or refresh the printer deployment.
4. Force a Group Policy update on client machines:

   gpupdate /force
   

This ensures the client devices have a clean printer configuration.

Common Scenarios and Specific Fixes

Keep this table handy for quick reference the next time you face a similar problem.

Summary

Resolving a stuck network print queue on the Brother ADS‑2700W involves a methodical approach that checks each layer of the printing process—from the physical network connection, through drivers and software, to the printer’s own firmware and internal queues. By following the steps outlined above, you’ll systematically eliminate the most common causes:

1. Verify network connectivity.
2. Ensure the driver and software are current.
3. Reset the print spooler.
4. Update the printer’s firmware.
5. Reinstall the printer.
6. Use the web interface for detailed queue status.
7. Check firewall and antivirus settings.
8. Run Windows Print Spooler diagnostics.
9. Clear the queue via command line if needed.
10. In an enterprise setup, manage printers through Group Policy.

With these tools in hand, you can return your Brother ADS‑2700W to smooth operation, keeping your home office productive and free from printing headaches.