Scanner document feeder won't pick up the pages

The automatic document feeder—often called the ADF—is the slot on top that pulls several originals through one at a time. If it does not grab them, start with the pages themselves.

Do this firstRemove the originals, use a few clean flat sheets, line up the edges, and reload them against the feeder guides.

Step 1

Try 2–5 normal sheets

Use plain, undamaged office paper. Avoid curled pages, receipts, photos, folded pages, staples, clips, or sticky notes for this test.

Step 2

Load them the right way

Slide the pages into the document feeder until the printer notices them. Move the side guides so they lightly touch the originals.

Step 3

Look for an “original loaded” sign

Many printers beep, show an ADF icon, or display a message when the pages are positioned correctly.

Step 4

Try a copy from the printer itself

If the feeder also fails during a normal copy, the problem is in the feeder or the way the pages are loaded—not Windows, Mac, or the scanning app.

Step 5

If the glass works but the feeder does not

You can usually keep scanning one page at a time on the flatbed glass while you look up the ADF cleaning steps for your exact printer model.

Good clue: If scanning from the glass works normally, do not reinstall all of the printer software just because the ADF will not grab paper.

Manufacturer reference

Brother Support — documents not feeding through the Automatic Document Feeder

Printer Triage is an independent troubleshooting reference. ADF capacity and acceptable original sizes vary by model.