I cannot connect to a multipurpose printer to my Surface Pro on ARM64

I have just bought a new ARM64 Lenovo and could not connect my Brother Printer. I followed the instructions in this Microsoft webpage and it worked for me. Even though your printer may show in the printer list as you follow the instructions, add it again as a New Device.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/add-or-install-a-printer-in-windows-cc0724cf-793e-3542-d1ff-727e4978638b#bkmk_install_a_local_printer_win11

Hi William,

Sorry to hear that you're facing an issue with compatibility of the printer in the surface pro. Unfortunately, Windows devices powered by ARM processors, such as the Surface Pro with Snapdragon Elite, often encounter compatibility challenges with printer drivers. This is primarily because many printer manufacturers have yet to release fully ARM64-compatible drivers—particularly for multifunction models that handle printing, scanning, and faxing, like those from Brother, Canon, and HP.

but here's some option you may try to this issue:

1. Use Windows’ Built-In Printer Setup Avoid using the printer manufacturer's installer, which may not support ARM64 architecture. Instead:
   • Navigate to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners
   • Click Add device and allow Windows to automatically detect and install the printer.
2. Connect via USB Instead of Wi-Fi ARM-based devices tend to have more reliable printer connections via USB. Wireless setups may fail due to limited driver support.
3. Roll Back or Reinstall Drivers If your printer worked before a Windows update:
   • Try rolling back to a previous driver version.
   • Reinstall using the ARM64-compatible driver if available
4. Set Up a Print Server on Another PC If another Windows PC is available:
   • Install and configure the printer on that PC.
   • Enable printer sharing via Control Panel > Devices and Printers > Printer Properties > Sharing tab
   • On your Surface Pro, go to Settings > Printers & scanners > Add device and connect to the shared printer.

I Hope this option help you to your concern, we’re here to help you-- Let me know if you need further assistance.

Best regards,

Harold

Microsoft Support Team

If your priner is really old it might not work as it won't have arm64 drivers ...

I'm using FingerPrint on my x64 PC and then just print through my PC without drivers ... https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9mtdts755d96?hl=en-US

The main reason for using the program is because IOS devices can print as well :)

Hello William,

Thank you for sharing your experience with your new Surface Pro and Brother multipurpose printer/scanner.

You're not alone — several users have reported similar issues where printing works but scanning does not on ARM64-based devices like the Surface Pro X or newer Snapdragon models 1 2. This is typically due to the lack of ARM64-compatible scanner drivers from many printer manufacturers, including Brother.

What You Can Try

Resolution 1: Use Windows Scan or Fax and Scan Apps

These built-in apps sometimes detect basic scanning functionality even when the manufacturer's software doesn't.

Steps:

Open Windows Scan App:

Press Start and type “Windows Scan”.

If not installed, click Microsoft Store and install the Windows Scan app.
```Connect Your Printer:

```yaml
Ensure your printer is connected via USB or network and powered on.
```Launch the App:

```sql
Open Windows Scan.

Select your printer from the Scanner dropdown.
```Choose Scan Settings:

```sql
Select File type (e.g., JPEG, PDF).

Choose Color mode, Resolution, and Save location.
```Click “Scan”:

```sql
Wait for the scan to complete.

Check the saved file in your selected folder.
```If Windows Scan doesn’t detect your scanner, try Windows Fax and Scan:

Press Start, type “Fax and Scan”, and follow similar steps.

**Resolution 2: Check for ARM64-Compatible Drivers**

Some manufacturers offer universal or basic drivers that may work on ARM64.

Steps:

Go to Brother’s Support Site:

```yaml
Visit https://support.brother.com.
```Search Your Printer Model:

```sql
Enter your printer model (e.g., MFC-L2750DW).
```Check the OS Compatibility:

```sql
Look for drivers listed under Windows 11 (ARM64) or Universal Print Driver.
```Download and Install:

```sql
If available, download the Scanner Driver or Full Software Package.
```- 	Follow installation instructions.

Restart Your Surface Pro:

- 	After installation, restart your device and try scanning again using Windows Scan or the   Brother ControlCenter app (if installed).

If no ARM64 drivers are listed, scanning may not be supported natively.

**Resolution 3: Use Network Scanner Workaround via IP Address**

Some Brother printers offer web-based scanning through their internal IP interface.

Steps:

Find Your Printer’s IP Address:

```sql
On the printer, go to Settings > Network > WLAN > TCP/IP.

Note the IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.105).
```Access the Printer’s Web Interface:

```sql
Open a browser on your Surface.

Type the IP address into the address bar (e.g., http://192.168.1.105).
```Look for Scan Options:

```sql
Navigate to Scan or Web Scan (if supported).

Choose scan settings and initiate the scan.
```Download the Scanned File:

```sql
Save the scanned document to your Surface.
```Notes: Not all Brother models support web-based scanning. This feature is more common in business-class models.

As of now no multipurpose printer has been officially confirmed to offer full scan support on ARM64. Your best bet is to monitor manufacturer updates or consider using a dedicated USB or network scanner that supports ARM64.

  
I hope this will help and if you have any question please don't hesitate to leave a comment.

Best regards,

Carl — Community Contributor