Turn Off Deep Sleep Mode on a Brother Printer
Deep Sleep Mode is a power-saving feature found on many Brother printers and multifunction devices. When the printer remains inactive for a certain amount of time, it automatically enters a deeper low-power state to reduce electricity consumption. This is normal behavior and usually does not indicate a problem with the printer.
However, Deep Sleep Mode can sometimes be inconvenient. For example, you may send a print job from your computer and notice that the printer takes a few extra seconds to wake up. In some situations, users may also want the printer to remain ready for immediate use during working hours.
If you are wondering how to turn off Deep Sleep Mode on a Brother printer, the answer depends on the specific model. Some Brother printers allow you to adjust the sleep settings directly from the control panel, while others provide only limited power-management options. On certain models, Deep Sleep Mode cannot be completely disabled, but you can change the amount of idle time before the printer enters Sleep Mode.
Let’s learn how Brother’s sleep settings work and how to adjust them in a simple way.
Can I turn off deep sleep mode on a Brother printer?
Whether you can completely turn off Deep Sleep Mode depends on your Brother printer model.
Brother printers generally use Sleep Mode to reduce power consumption when the printer has not been used for a period of time. After remaining inactive for longer, some models can enter Deep Sleep Mode or another low-power state.
On supported models, you may find settings that allow you to control the Sleep Time, Power Save, Deep Sleep, or related power-management options. However, not every Brother printer provides a setting called “Deep Sleep” that can simply be switched off.
If your printer does not show an option to disable Deep Sleep Mode, this does not necessarily mean something is wrong. The feature may be controlled automatically by the printer’s firmware.
The easiest approach is to check the printer’s control panel first. If your model provides a Sleep Time setting, increasing the time can reduce how frequently the printer enters a low-power state. Some models may also provide an option that prevents or changes automatic power-off behavior.
It is important to distinguish between Sleep Mode and Deep Sleep Mode. Sleep Mode normally reduces power consumption while allowing the printer to wake up when you send a print job. Deep Sleep Mode can reduce power consumption even further.
Therefore, if your main problem is that the printer takes too long to become ready, you may not need to completely disable the feature. Adjusting the sleep timer may provide the result you want while allowing the printer to continue saving power.
Adjusting deep sleep mode on Brother printer

The exact menu names can vary between Brother printer models. The following steps cover the most common procedure. If a particular option is not available on your printer, move to the next applicable setting rather than assuming that the printer has a problem.
Step 1: Turn on your Brother printer
Make sure your Brother printer is powered on and has finished starting up.
If the printer is currently in Sleep Mode, press the appropriate button on the control panel to wake it. Depending on your model, touching the display, pressing a button, or opening and closing a panel may wake the printer.
Wait until the printer shows its normal Ready screen.
Step 2: Open the printer settings
On a Brother printer with a touchscreen, look for Settings, Menu, or a similar option on the display.
Tap the appropriate option to open the printer’s settings.
If your printer does not have a touchscreen, use the physical buttons to open the Menu and navigate through the available settings.
The appearance of the menu can differ considerably between Brother models, so do not worry if your screen does not look exactly like another Brother printer.
Step 3: Find the power or general settings
Look for a section related to General Setup, Power Management, Ecology, or Power Save.
Brother uses different menu structures across its printer ranges. You may therefore need to explore the general settings before finding the power-saving options.
Look specifically for settings containing terms such as Sleep Time, Sleep Mode, Power Save, Auto Power Off, or Deep Sleep.
Step 4: Locate the Sleep Time setting
If your printer provides a Sleep Time option, open it.
Sleep Time determines how long the printer can remain inactive before entering its low-power state.
For example, if Sleep Time is set to a short period, the printer may enter Sleep Mode relatively quickly after you finish printing. Increasing this value keeps the printer awake for longer.
If your goal is to prevent the printer from going into a low-power state while you are actively using it throughout the day, increasing the sleep timer may be a more practical solution than trying to disable every power-saving function.
Step 5: Increase the sleep timer
Select a longer Sleep Time if your Brother printer allows you to change it.
The available values depend on the model. Select the longest practical period if you want the printer to remain ready for use for longer.
Keep in mind that increasing the sleep timer means the printer will consume more electricity because it stays active for a longer period.
This is why Brother may not provide a permanent “Never Sleep” option on some models.
Step 6: Check for a Deep Sleep option
Some Brother printers may provide a separate setting related to Deep Sleep or advanced power saving.
If you see a specific Deep Sleep setting, check whether the printer provides an On/Off option.
If the option can be disabled, select Off and confirm the change when prompted.
If there is no Off option, your model may not support completely disabling the feature. In that situation, use the available Sleep Time or power-management settings instead.
Step 7: Check Auto Power Off separately
Do not confuse Deep Sleep with Auto Power Off.
Auto Power Off can completely shut down or power down the printer after a specified period. Depending on the model, this setting may be located in the same general power-management area.
If your printer keeps switching itself off rather than simply entering a low-power state, check the Auto Power Off setting.
If the printer offers an option to disable Auto Power Off, you can turn it off if you need the printer to remain available.
However, changing Auto Power Off does not necessarily disable Deep Sleep. These are separate power-management functions.
Step 8: Save the new settings
After changing the relevant option, press OK, Apply, or the equivalent button on your printer.
Some Brother printers save changes immediately, while others require you to confirm the setting.
Once the change has been saved, return to the printer’s normal Ready screen.
Step 9: Test the printer
Leave the printer inactive for the amount of time required for its previous sleep behavior to occur.
Then send a print job from your computer or mobile device.
If you increased the sleep timer, the printer should remain awake for the newly selected period. If you disabled a Deep Sleep option that your model supports, the printer should no longer enter that particular power-saving state.
If the printer still enters Deep Sleep, check the settings again. You may have changed Sleep Mode while another power-saving feature remains enabled.
Step 10: Check the printer model’s manual if the option is missing
If you cannot find Deep Sleep, Sleep Time, or Power Save, identify the exact model number of your Brother printer.
The model number is usually printed on the front, back, or top of the device. You can then check the documentation for that specific model to determine which power-management options are supported.
This step is particularly important because Brother uses different firmware and menus across its printer families.
FAQs
What is Deep Sleep Mode on a Brother printer?
Deep Sleep Mode is a low-power state designed to reduce electricity consumption when a Brother printer has been inactive. The printer can usually wake when you interact with it or send a print job, although the exact behavior varies by model.
Why does my Brother printer go into Deep Sleep?
Your Brother printer enters Deep Sleep because of its power-saving settings. The printer detects that it has not been used for a period of time and reduces its power consumption automatically.
This behavior is generally intentional rather than a fault.
Can I completely disable Deep Sleep on every Brother printer?
No. The ability to completely disable Deep Sleep depends on the specific Brother printer model and its firmware.
Some models provide adjustable power-management settings, while others may not offer a complete disable option.
How do I stop my Brother printer from sleeping so quickly?
Open the printer’s settings and look for Sleep Time or a similar power-saving option. If the setting is available, increase the amount of time before the printer enters Sleep Mode.
This is often the simplest way to keep the printer ready for longer.
Does Deep Sleep Mode affect printing?
Normally, Deep Sleep Mode should not prevent you from printing. The printer is designed to wake when it receives an appropriate print job.
However, waking from a deeper power-saving state can take longer than printing while the printer is already awake.
Why does my Brother printer take a few seconds to print?
If the printer has entered Sleep Mode or Deep Sleep Mode, it needs to wake up before processing the print job. This can create a short delay.
Increasing the Sleep Time can reduce how often the printer goes into a low-power state.
Will disabling Deep Sleep use more electricity?
Yes, potentially. Power-saving modes exist to reduce electricity consumption when the printer is not being used.
If you increase the Sleep Time or disable an available power-saving option, the printer may remain active for longer and therefore consume more power.
Is Sleep Mode the same as Deep Sleep Mode?
Not necessarily. Sleep Mode and Deep Sleep Mode are related power-saving states, but the exact implementation depends on the Brother printer model.
The names and available settings can also vary between models.
What should I do if there is no Deep Sleep setting?
If your Brother printer does not provide a Deep Sleep option, look for Sleep Time, Power Save, Ecology, or Auto Power Off settings.
If none of these options are available, the printer may manage its low-power behavior automatically.
Do I need to change the settings on my computer?
Usually, no. Power-saving settings are generally controlled by the Brother printer itself through its control panel or, on some models, through its device management software.
If the issue involves network printing or the printer failing to wake when a print job is sent, additional network or driver troubleshooting may be necessary.
Summary
Deep Sleep Mode on a Brother printer is a power-saving feature designed to reduce electricity consumption when the printer remains inactive. Whether you can completely turn it off depends on your particular Brother model.
To adjust the behavior, open the printer’s Settings or Menu, look under General Setup, Power Management, Ecology, or Power Save, and find options such as Sleep Time or Deep Sleep. If your model allows Deep Sleep to be disabled, select the appropriate Off setting. If it does not, increasing the Sleep Time is usually the practical alternative.
Also check Auto Power Off separately because it controls a different power-saving behavior. Finally, remember that keeping the printer awake for longer can increase electricity consumption.
Because Brother printer menus vary between models, the exact steps and available options may differ.
If a particular Deep Sleep setting is missing, use the settings available for your model rather than trying to force the feature off.
