Printing from a Brother MFC-J4620DW on a Surface Pro 11 with Snapdragon X Elite or Plus is possible by bypassing the missing native ARM driver. The most reliable method is using the generic Microsoft IPP Class Driver over your local network, which avoids architecture-specific installation failures entirely.
The Architecture Barrier
The Surface Pro 11 utilizes an ARM-based processor running Windows 11 on Arm. Unlike traditional x86 or x64 devices, these machines cannot run standard 32-bit or 64-bit printer drivers directly. Brother has not released a dedicated .msi or .exe installer for the MFC-J4620DW that is compiled for ARM64. Attempting to install the standard driver package will result in immediate failure, often accompanied by error codes indicating incompatible architecture or missing dependencies. This is not a hardware defect but a software ecosystem gap common with older peripheral models on new silicon.
Method 1: Using the Microsoft IPP Class Driver
This is the recommended solution for most users. The Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) driver is built into Windows 11 and works universally across all processor architectures. It communicates with the printer’s web interface rather than using a proprietary protocol, making it highly stable.
- Connect to Network: Ensure your Surface Pro 11 and the Brother MFC-J4620DW are connected to the same Wi-Fi or Ethernet network.
- Find Printer IP: On the Brother printer control panel, navigate to Network > Wired/Wireless Settings > IP Address. Note the IPv4 address (e.g.,
192.168.1.50). - Add Printer: On your Surface Pro, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. Click Add device.
- Select Manual Add: If the printer does not appear automatically, click The printer that I want isn’t listed.
- Choose IPP: Select Add a printer using an IP address or hostname. Choose Custom as the device type.
- Enter Details: Enter the IP address you noted earlier. Set the protocol to IPP and enter
/ipp/printerin the queue name field if prompted. Check Query the printer to automatically obtain the driver information. - Install: Windows should detect the printer and apply the Microsoft IPP Class Driver. Complete the setup wizard.
Method 2: Windows Update Generic Driver
Windows 11 includes a library of basic printer drivers that may include a compatible version for the MFC-J4620DW. This is less reliable than IPP but worth attempting if you prefer a local port connection.
- Go to Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates.
- Look under Driver updates for any Brother-related entries.
- If available, install them and restart your Surface Pro.
- Return to Printers & scanners and add the printer again. Select Microsoft as the manufacturer and look for
MFC-J4620DWin the list.
Addressing Scanning Limitations
A common frustration is that the IPP driver only supports printing. To scan from the MFC-J4620DW on an ARM device, you must use the Brother iPrint&Scan app from the Microsoft Store. This application uses WSD (Web Services for Devices) or direct USB connections to communicate with the scanner hardware. While it lacks the advanced batch processing features of desktop software like Brother ControlCenter, it handles standard document and photo scans effectively. Ensure your printer’s WSD setting is enabled in the network configuration menu for this to function reliably.
Troubleshooting Connectivity Issues
If the printer fails to connect, verify that your network environment allows device discovery. Some corporate or public Wi-Fi networks isolate client devices from printers. Ensure your Surface Pro is on the same subnet as the printer. Additionally, disable any third-party firewall software temporarily during the setup process to rule out blocked ports. Port 631 (IPP) and Port 9100 (RAW) must be open for communication. If you experience intermittent disconnects, assign a static IP address to the printer through its web interface to prevent DHCP changes from breaking the connection.
For users experiencing broader input issues on their Surface devices, such as key mapping errors, you might find relevant troubleshooting steps in our guide on Troubleshooting: Some of my keys are pressing other keys, although this is unrelated to printer drivers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the 64-bit Brother driver via emulation?
No, Windows 11 on Arm does not emulate 64-bit x64 applications for printer drivers. Printer drivers operate at a kernel level and require native ARM64 compilation. You cannot simply run the standard Brother installer on a Surface Pro 11.
Why does my printer show as "Offline" after setup?
This usually indicates an IP address change. If your router assigns dynamic IPs, the printer may have moved to a different address. Assign a static IP in the printer’s network settings or configure your router to reserve that IP for the printer’s MAC address.
Does the IPP driver support double-sided printing?
Yes, the Microsoft IPP Class Driver supports duplex printing if the MFC-J4620DW is equipped with the automatic duplexer unit. You can select this option in the printer properties under the Finishing tab when printing from any application.
Is USB printing supported on Surface Pro 11?
USB printing generally requires a specific USB print class driver. Since Brother does not provide an ARM64 USB driver for this model, USB connections will likely fail. Network printing via IPP is the preferred and fully supported method for this hardware combination.
What if I need advanced scanning features?
For advanced scanning tasks like OCR or multi-page PDF creation, consider using the Brother iPrint&Scan app. Alternatively, you can use a Windows PC on the same network to scan images and transfer them to your Surface Pro via OneDrive or shared folders, as full desktop scanning suites are not available for ARM processors.