Mac will print but not scan using Brother MFC printer

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Level 1

41 points

Mac will print but not scan using Brother MFC printer

I have an M3 MBA running OS 15.3.1. I have a Brother MFC-L2740DW which has served admirably for years. I have updated to current drivers and current firmware. I am able to print from my MBA, but when I try to scan I get an error message "Failed to open a connection to the device (-21345)". Neither Brother iPrint&Scan nor Apple Print Center are able to connect to scan. I've tried searching for answers online without success. Deleting and reinstalling apps has no effect. Turning firewall on or off has no effect. Turning off VPN does not help.

Interestingly, I can scan with my iPhone using the Brother iPrint&Scan app.

Any ideas what the problem is, and its solution?

(I connect to the printer via WiFi.)

MacBook Air 13″

Posted on Mar 7, 2025 2:34 PM

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Answer 1

tom in mpls Author

Level 1

41 points

Mar 7, 2025 3:13 PM in response to MrHoffman

No, Image Capture does not work. It gives me the error message described in my post.

Yes my printer is old but AirPrint has always worked. I've been amazed that this printer just keeps working.

And YES VueScan works! Thank you for telling me about it. I may purchase a license but not pleased to need a $50 app.

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Answer 2

MrHoffman

Level 10

149,161 points

Mar 7, 2025 5:09 PM in response to tom in mpls

Can you get to the embedded web server?

I’d also try resetting the printer network interface, and try resetting the Mac printing subsystem, if you’ve not tried both.

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Answer 3

MrHoffman

Level 10

149,161 points

Mar 7, 2025 2:45 PM in response to tom in mpls

That Brother MFC-L2740DW printer seemingly predates AirPrint.

Does Image Capture app work?

If that fails, the third-party VueScan app lists compatibility with that device.

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Answer 4

tom in mpls Author

Level 1

41 points

Mar 7, 2025 5:32 PM in response to MrHoffman

I’m reasonably tech savvy but in this case I don’t know what an embedded web server is, how to reset the printer network interface, nor how to reset the Mac printing subsystem.

I appreciate your insights.

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Answer 5

MrHoffman

Level 10

149,161 points

Mar 7, 2025 6:02 PM in response to tom in mpls

tom in mpls wrote:

I’m reasonably tech savvy but in this case I don’t know what an embedded web server is, how to reset the printer network interface, nor how to reset the Mac printing subsystem.

I appreciate your insights.

It’s a web server running inside the printer. Enter the printer’s IP address in the web browser to access it. This printer defaults ro no login credentials needed, but that can be changed.

Between the web-based management and the front panel of most Brother printers, pretty much everything can be administered without needing anything else. Other than a web browser on the same network, that is.

Page 9 has a quick intro: https://download.brother.com/welcome/doc100128/cv_hll2340dw_eng_ap_i.pdf

https://support.brother.com/g/s/id/htmldoc/mfc/cv_dcpl2520dw/use/manual/index.html#GUID-D53ECB34-58E0-4B8F-9B12-DE208664AC84_330

https://support.brother.com/g/s/id/htmldoc/mfc/cv_dcpl2520dw/use/manual/index.html#GUID-AD0ABBB1-8AAF-4C51-ACF1-1D6DAC9EE8A6_335

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Mac will print but not scan using Brother MFC printer

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