Windows 10 suddenly cannot find USB printer

Hi ChrisSGH,

I'm an Independent Advisor and consumer of Microsoft products just like you. Let me help you with your concern.

This is a known issue of the recent update. Refer to the related link below on how to uninstall it.
https://www.brother.com.au/en/contents/faq-wind...

Thank you for your quick response.  The link did purport to solve the problem, although the disclaimer about them concentrating on security issues made me wonder.  In any case I downloaded and installed the link that was for my system, and after the restart (it didn't actually restart, just shut down and I had to start it up) I tried printing and got the exact same result - no action from the printer, and a note from my Brother software that the USB connection is not working, with the usual advice to uninstall their drivers and reinstall them.  I should also mention that I had replaced the USB cable when I first started troubleshooting this, although I don't think that was the problem.  The same disclaimer said the printer connection problem would be addressed in a July update, so I guess I will just have to wait for that.  Thanks again for your quick reply.

If you still cannot print after applying the correct update fix, try to follow the steps from the below link to further troubleshoot.
https://support.brother.com/g/b/faqend.aspx?c=a...

Thak you once again for your prompt response.  Although I had done all the suggested steps before while troubleshooting this problem, I went through them again in the order laid out by the link.  Same result, no printing.  It would appear that this is a Microsoft problem and they have decided to take their time correcting it.  Thanks again.

Chris

You can also try calling Microsoft support. Here's a comprehensive list of global customer service phone numbers.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/405170...

Thank you for that, I will try and will let you know what I find out. 

Chris

Just let me know if you need further assistance.

Well, Mr. Independent Advisor, I tried one of the Canadian numbers.  I was directed to free on line support, which I have already exhausted, or to opt for a paid talk with a tech.  I did not buy my MS Windows computer so that Microsoft could hold me ransom to have a problem fixed which they caused.  I reiterate - my Brother MFC-7460DN printer worked fine with windows 7, and worked fine on Windows 10 until the update which caused  a problem with the USB connection, apparently.  And it still works fine with my Windows 7 computer, and still copies with both OS's.  From my exporations Windows has acknowledged a problem with Brother (and probably other) printers as a result of an update.

I have wasted a lot of time to be told it will cost me money to fix this problem MS created, I am frustrated.  I have considered buying a different printer, but this could happen again, no matter what the printer.  I am very disappointed with MS, and COIVD 19 is no excuse for the way they are approachng this KNOWN problem.

Do you work for MS, or contract with them?  I am very pleased with your response times, although ultimately it appears that you cannot help me. 

But I sincerly thank you for trying.

Chris

  

So I waited for the July update, and I still have the same problem. I guess I will try the paid tech support.  If they can solve my problem then it makes me very suspicious of MS, who seem only interested in my money, not my problem.  I will report back.  It would also seem that no one else answered my query, or maybe I just do not know how to navigate this site.  Thank you again for trying.

Just an update.  Is anyone even reading this stuff any more?  I called the microsoft support number (thank you for sending the links cryonsinx) and spoke to a level 1 engineer for about 2 hours but he was unable to solve the problem.  He then escalated me to level 2 and another enginer called, on the scheduled time, and spent an hour and a half trying, also to no avail.  He now says that an update which is scheduled for mid August should solve the problem and I should wait for that.  Apparently something, like a previous update, has screwed up my registry so now windows is unable to repair itself.  So I wait.  I am not being charged and both engineers I spoke with were polite, knowledgable and professional.  Computers are weird anamials, esp. since MS came up with the registry, so this sort of **** just happens sometimes, it is something we all have to deal with.  I have no complaints about the service I have recieved from MS, or from cryonsinx.  Everyone stay safe.  I will update this thing again once the MS update has installed, mid August or so I am told.  Cheers.