Fixing Generic Drivers and WSD Ports – Windows 10
Table of Contents
Introduction
This tutorial provides step-by-step instructions on how to track down and replace generic drivers for Brother printers on a Windows 10 computer. It is essential to ensure your printer is set up correctly to avoid common offline issues caused by automatic driver installations.
Chapter 1: Understanding the Issue
- Windows computers can automatically install network devices, leading to the setup of Brother printers with Windows WSD ports and generic drivers.
- These setups are often the root cause of offline issues with Brother printers.
- To ensure proper functionality, it is crucial to install the printer using drivers from the official Brother website.
Chapter 2: Checking the Driver Configuration
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Open System Information
- Click on the Windows search bar.
- Type System Information and select it from the results.
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Locate the Brother Device
- In the System Information window, find Components and click the + symbol next to it.
- Select Printing from the dropdown list.
- Look for your Brother device in the list.
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Check Port and Driver Type
- If the Port Name starts with WSD or if the printer name shows a generic type instead of a specific model number, further action is required.
Chapter 3: Disabling Automatic Device Setup
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Open Sharing Settings
- In the Windows search bar, type Sharing settings and press Enter.
- The Advanced Sharing Settings window will appear.
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Select Your Current Profile
- Determine whether you are connected to a Private or Public network.
- Select the appropriate profile (e.g., in this example, we use Private).
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Uncheck Automatic Setup
- Locate and uncheck the option labeled Turn on automatic setup of network connected devices.
- Click Save Changes to apply the new settings.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you have successfully verified and corrected the setup of your Brother printer's drivers on Windows 10. Disabling the automatic installation of devices helps maintain functionality and prevent offline issues. For further troubleshooting, refer to additional resources or consult the official Brother support website.