What Is the Brother MFC-8958CN & Why You Need Drivers
Brothers Mfc-8958cn Driver Download: The Brother MFC-8958CN is a multifunction printer (MFC) model from Brother, combining printing, scanning, faxing, and copying. Like most printers, it requires the appropriate device drivers and software so your computer can communicate with and control it properly.
Without the correct driver:
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Your computer may not recognize the printer.
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Print jobs may fail or print incorrectly.
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Scanning, faxing, or advanced features may not work.
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You may run into compatibility issues with newer operating systems.
Therefore, downloading and installing the correct, updated driver is essential for reliability and performance.
Where to Find the Official Driver Download
To get a safe, official driver, follow these steps:
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Go to Brother’s official support / driver download site (e.g. support.brother.com).
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Use their “Driver Search” tool: enter your product name (MFC-8958CN) and your operating system (Windows version, macOS version, Linux, etc.).
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Once the model page is loaded, scroll down to the Drivers / Downloads section. You may need to click “Show all” to reveal older or less common OS support.
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Download the driver / full software package or utilities you need (print driver, scanner driver, firmware, etc.).
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Agree to any EULA or terms, then proceed with the download and installation.
If your version of OS is not listed, it may mean Brother no longer supports it officially—though sometimes built-in or generic drivers could work.
Step-by-Step: Installing the Driver on Common Operating Systems
Below are general steps for major OS types. Always refer to Brother’s instructions too.
Windows (e.g. Windows 10, 11, 7, 8)
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After downloading the driver package (often an
.exe
or.msi
file), run it by double-clicking. -
Follow the on-screen wizard: accept license terms, select connection method (USB, network, wireless).
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If connecting via network (Ethernet or Wi-Fi), ensure the printer is turned on and connected to the same network.
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The installer may detect the printer automatically; if not, you may need to enter an IP address or scan for devices.
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After installation, print a test page.
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For scanning features, Brother usually provides a scanner driver or utility (Brother ControlCenter or “Scan” driver) which you should install too.
macOS
-
Download the
.dmg
or.pkg
driver / software package from the Brother site. -
Open the package and run the installer; drag the application / driver files to the appropriate folder or follow the wizard.
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Go to System Settings → Printers & Scanners (or equivalent) and click the “+” to add a printer.
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The system should detect the MFC-8958CN; choose the Brother driver (not a generic one).
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For scanning, use the Apple Image Capture app or Brother’s scanning utility (if provided).
Linux / Ubuntu / Other UNIX-based systems
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Brother often supplies .deb or .rpm packages or command-line installer utilities for Linux systems.
-
Use the package manager (e.g.
dpkg
,rpm
) to install. -
After installation, configure the printer via CUPS (Common UNIX Printing System) interface (e.g.
http://localhost:631
). -
For scanning functions, you may need to install
brscan
drivers or configuresane
.
Built-in / Generic Drivers
On modern Windows versions, if Brother’s official driver is unavailable, the OS may install a built-in driver (basic printing and scanning). Brother documentation notes that built-in drivers support basic functionality.
But built-in drivers may lack advanced features like duplexing, color calibration, or fax functions.
Troubleshooting Common Driver / Installation Issues
Even with the correct driver, problems might arise. Below are frequent issues and solutions.
Printer Not Found / Not Recognized
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Double-check USB cable (if using USB) or network connection (if Ethernet / Wi-Fi).
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Make sure the printer is turned on and awake (not in sleep mode).
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Temporarily disable firewall or antivirus that might block network discovery.
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Use the printer’s IP address to add manually if auto-discovery fails.
Driver Version Incompatibility / OS Not Supported
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Ensure you selected the exact OS version (e.g. Windows 10 64-bit vs 32-bit).
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Check if Brother provides a “legacy driver” for older OS versions.
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If none, try a generic PostScript / PCL driver (basic printing).
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On macOS, sometimes drivers for earlier macOS versions partially work; but features may be limited.
Print Jobs Fail / Corrupted Output
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Uninstall and reinstall the driver to ensure clean install.
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Clear the print spooler / queue.
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Use updated firmware on your printer (Brother may offer firmware updates on its site).
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Ensure you are using the correct driver (Brother’s, not a generic one).
Scanner / Fax Functions Not Working
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Make sure you installed the scanner / fax driver / utility package, not just the print driver.
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On Windows, check in “Devices & Printers” that scanning is enabled.
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On macOS, confirm that scanning works in Image Capture or Brother’s scanning utility.
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For network scanning, ensure proper IP / network permissions; in some environments, firewalls or subnets block scanner discovery.
Driver Conflicts or Old Versions
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Remove old or conflicting drivers before installing new ones.
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Use Brother’s Uninstall Tool if available.
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Update Windows / macOS with latest updates, which sometimes fix driver conflicts.
Tips for Ensuring Long-Term Reliability & Best Performance
To maximize the performance of your Brother MFC-8958CN, consider these best practices:
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Keep Drivers & Firmware Up-to-Date: Occasionally check Brother’s support site for updates.
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Use Genuine Brother Software: Some features are only available via Brother’s utilities (e.g. advanced scanning, fax) rather than generic drivers.
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Backup Driver Installer Files: Save the downloaded driver files, so you can reinstall later without re-downloading.
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When Switching OS Versions, uninstall the old driver entirely before installing the new one.
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Use Stable Connection Methods: Wired Ethernet or USB generally offer more stability than Wi-Fi.
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Check Printer Settings: After driver install, review default paper sizes, color settings, duplex mode, etc., to match your needs.
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Read Brother’s Documentation & Support FAQs: They often provide step-by-step guides for tricky OS or network scenarios.
Conclusion
Brothers Mfc-8958cn Driver Download: Downloading and installing the Brother MFC-8958CN driver may seem daunting at first, but by following established steps you can ensure that your printer works reliably across printing, scanning, copying, and faxing. The main things to remember:
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Get the official driver from Brother’s support site using the Driver Search tool.
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Choose the correct version for your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux).
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Install both print and scanner/fax driver packages where required.
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Troubleshoot by checking connections, driver mismatch, firewall settings, and scanning support.
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Keep drivers, firmware, and software up to date.
If you like, I can send you direct download links for Windows, macOS, or Linux versions of the MFC-8958CN driver (if I find them), tailored to your OS.