I cannot scan from my Brother MFCL2900DW screen to a file in my computer I get "No PC Found" error

Question

I cannot scan from my Brother MFCL2900DW screen to a file in my computer I get "No PC Found" error

Gene Stagner 40

Gary M 0 Reputation points

2026-08-05T18:58:52.38+00:00

There is no "Scan To Button" tab or any option to register my PC in Properties. I can print from my computer normally, and I can scan from my computer using the Brother "iPrint&Scan" function. I cannot scan from my Brother Printer to file, as I get the "No PC Found" message. I am using a Wi-Fi connection. Brother MFC-J491DW

Answer accepted by question author

Ivan B 123.5K Independent Advisor

Hi,

Are you using the printer/scanner via USB or network?

Have you tried scanning directly from the printer?

Thanks

Ivan B 123.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-04-17T16:23:55.97+00:00

Hi,

In this option, you have to add the printer to the printer's internal settings.

To work directly, you have to configure folder sharing.

https://support.brother.com/g/s/id/htmldoc/mfc/cv_dcpl2508dw/use/html/GUID-4BC1C997-276E-4BE6-BDAD-5BDC47114E7E_1.html?broug=in

If you want to use the software directly with the printer, this is the best way instead of using the scan-to-pc option. You need to have software on your PC instead of your brother's PC and configure the LAN connection in Windows.

https://support.brother.com/g/s/id/htmldoc/mfc/cv_dcpl2508dw/use/html/GUID-4BC1C997-276E-4BE6-BDAD-5BDC47114E7E_1.html?broug=in

You need to have software on your PC instead of your brother's PC and configure the LAN connection in Windows.

While this is not a Microsoft website, it is the official site of [MFCL2900DW/Brother].

Thanks

2 additional answers

Your answer

Gary M 0 Reputation points

2026-08-05T18:58:52.38+00:00

There is no "Scan To Button" tab or any option to register my PC in Properties. I can print from my computer normally, and I can scan from my computer using the Brother "iPrint&Scan" function. I cannot scan from my Brother Printer to file, as I get the "No PC Found" message. I am using a Wi-Fi connection. Brother MFC-J491DW
Ivan B 123.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-04-17T16:23:55.97+00:00

Hi,

In this option, you have to add the printer to the printer's internal settings.

To work directly, you have to configure folder sharing.

https://support.brother.com/g/s/id/htmldoc/mfc/cv_dcpl2508dw/use/html/GUID-4BC1C997-276E-4BE6-BDAD-5BDC47114E7E_1.html?broug=in

If you want to use the software directly with the printer, this is the best way instead of using the scan-to-pc option. You need to have software on your PC instead of your brother's PC and configure the LAN connection in Windows.

https://support.brother.com/g/s/id/htmldoc/mfc/cv_dcpl2508dw/use/html/GUID-4BC1C997-276E-4BE6-BDAD-5BDC47114E7E_1.html?broug=in

You need to have software on your PC instead of your brother's PC and configure the LAN connection in Windows.

While this is not a Microsoft website, it is the official site of [MFCL2900DW/Brother].

Thanks

Answer 1

Emma1-N 12,445 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Welcome Gene Stagner,

I understand how frustrating it can be when you are unable to scan from the Brother MFC‑L2900DW machine display to your Windows 11 computer and receive a “No PC Found” error.

Before we proceed, I would like to narrow this down a bit to better understand the scope of the issue:

Are you trying to scan by pressing the Scan button on the Brother printer itself (Scan to File / Scan to PC), or only from the computer using a scanning app?
Is your Brother printer connected to the computer via Wi‑Fi or USB cable?

In the meantime, you can try the steps below to troubleshoot the issue:

Option 1: Check that Windows scanning services are running

Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter
Make sure these services are set to Automatic and are running:
Windows Image Acquisition (WIA)
Shell Hardware Detection
- Function Discovery Provider Host
- Function Discovery Resource Publication
- Restart the computer after making changes

Option 2: Confirm that the PC is registered for “Scan to PC”

Open Control Panel from the Start menu > type Devices and Printers > select scanners and cameras
Select your Brother scanner and choose Properties
Open the Scan To Button tab
Make sure Register your PC with the Scan To functions at the machine is checked
Click Apply, then OK

Option 3: Remove and re‑add the device

Open Control Panel from the Start menu and go to Devices and Printers
Remove the Brother printer
Restart the PC
Add the printer again using Windows Add device

Option 4: Confirm both devices are on the same network

The PC and the Brother printer must be connected to the same Wi‑Fi network
Public and Guest networks can prevent scan‑to‑PC discovery

I hope this information helps resolve your issue. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me again in this thread.

P.S: If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Gene Stagner 40 Reputation points

2026-04-17T12:56:39.5266667+00:00

Yes, I am trying to scan by pressing the Scan button on the Brother printer itself (Scan to File / Scan to PC. Computer and printer are connected wirelessly.

Option 1 - all were running

Option 2 - PC was registered

Option 3 - I have done this several times to no different result

Option 4 - both PC and printer on same 2.4G wireless network
Emma1-N 12,445 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-04-18T07:46:01.7166667+00:00

Hello Gene Stagner,

I can see that you have already marked Ivan B’s answer as the accepted answer. Please try the suggestions provided in the answer above. If you still have any questions, feel free to reach out to me again in this thread. I’ll always be here to help.
Gene Stagner 40 Reputation points

2026-04-18T14:33:01.5966667+00:00

None of those in the original solved the problem.
Emma1-N 12,445 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-04-21T07:43:24.9633333+00:00
Hello Gene Stagner,

I am sorry because the steps above cannot help you deal with the issue. You can try the step below:

Go to Windows 11 website: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11

Under Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) select Windows 11 (multi-edition ISO)

Once done downloading the ISO, kindly right-click on ISO then click Mount> then Click Setup.exe

You may be prompted by User Account Control. If so, click on Yes.

In the Install Windows 11 dialog, click Next.

Setup will check your PC and show a license agreement. Click on Accept in the license terms dialog.

Wait for the setup program to check for the available free space.

On the Ready to install page, make sure Keep personal files and apps has been checked.

Then click Install and just follow the prompt.

Windows 11 will restart your device several times and lead you to the lock screen. Depending on the options you set, it will keep all your files, apps, and user accounts.
Emma1-N 12,445 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-04-22T07:23:54.87+00:00

Hello Gene Stagner,

May I know if you have got any chance to check my answer?

I am glad to help if you have any other questions.
Gene Stagner 40 Reputation points

2026-04-22T12:53:46.6733333+00:00

No, I have not done this, I seriously do not want to reinstall windows as I have a fairly new PC.
Emma1-N 12,445 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-04-24T06:59:57.8533333+00:00
Hello Gene Stagner,

Thank you for the update. I understand your hesitation about performing an in‑place repair, especially since this is a new PC.

I would like to clarify why this step is being recommended at this point. Based on the troubleshooting steps that have already been completed:

The Windows scanning services are running normally

The PC is properly registered for the Scan‑to‑PC feature

The printer and the PC are on the same network

Removing and re‑adding the device did not change the behavior

Performing an in‑place repair can help rule out deeper underlying issues. An in‑place upgrade repair is designed to fix core Windows components without removing user files, applications, or data.
Gene Stagner 40 Reputation points

2026-04-24T16:20:21.6733333+00:00

Okay, I did as you suggest and reinstalled Windows, but the issue with no pc found is still there.
Emma1-N 12,445 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-04-26T07:24:00.1+00:00
Hello Gene Stagner,

I sincerely apologize that the steps, I suggested were not able to help you resolve the issue.

For faster and more specialized assistance, I kindly recommend reaching out to Live Chat Support. Support agents are available to help you troubleshoot the issue in real time and provide more in‑depth guidance. Please follow the steps below to connect with Live Chat Support.

Visit the Microsoft Support contact page: Contact - Microsoft Support

In the search bar provided on the page, type ""no PC found" error " and press Enter.

Click on the "Get Help" button that appears.

Scroll down the page until you see and click on the "Contact Support" option.

When prompted to select your product or service, choose "Other Products".

For the category, choose "Windows".

Look for and click on "Chat with a support agent in your web browser".

When prompted, provide a valid contact email where Microsoft can reach you regarding your case.

Explain your situation clearly: Be concise but provide all the relevant details.

Answer 2

Gene Stagner 40

Yes, wireless network.

This is the problem, scanning from the printer to a file where I get "No PC Found" message on printer screen

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