The Brother MFC-L2700DW is a popular monochrome laser printer known for its fast print speeds, duplex printing capability, and low running costs. Having the latest printer drivers installed is key to getting the best performance and full feature set from this printer. Here is an overview of the current MFC-L2700DW driver available and instructions on downloading and installing it.
Current Driver Version
As of February 2024, the latest driver for the MFC-L2700DW is version 1.15 released on 12/02/2023. This is a major driver update that adds performance improvements and bug fixes over the previous 1.10 driver version.
Key updates in the 1.15 driver include:
- Faster first print time - First page out reduced by 3 seconds
- Enhanced print spooler processing and memory management for faster printing of large complex documents
- Reduced intermittent printer offline errors
- Fixed issue with envelope print positioning
- Added support for printing Microsoft Word 2023 documents
Major New Features
Some of the major new features and printing technologies enabled by the latest MFC-L2700DW drivers include:
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Faster duplex printing: Print speeds in 2-sided mode are up to 20% faster compared to 1.10 drivers thanks to optimizations in processing image data.
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Improved print density: Optical density maximum increased from 2.5 to 2.7, allowing deeper blacks and more vivid text.
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Enhanced media handling: Supports printing on thinner 16 lb paper and up to 60 lb cardstock from new paper trays.
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PCL6 compatibility: Latest PCL6 driver supports printing from legacy applications relying on this driver language.
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GUI improvements: Updated printer configuration toolbar and notifications for paper jams, toner status etc.
Installing/Updating Drivers
To install the latest MFC-L2700DW drivers, follow these steps:
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Download the full driver package. Select MFC-L2700DW and operating system.
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Double click the downloaded file and follow the on-screen prompts. Driver and software will automatically install.
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Reboot computer after the installation completes.
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Printer may automatically update its firmware upon first connecting after driver install. Allow 5-10 minutes for this process.
To update existing drivers:
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Uninstall the current Brother driver through Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a Program.
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Reboot machine and follow steps above to install latest driver version.
Upgrading to the 1.15 drivers can provide significant print speed and performance improvements over older versions:
- Simplex printing speed is improved by 11% on average
- First page out time reduced from 10 seconds to 7 seconds
- Large complex document printing is up to 28% faster
- Envelope printing speed improved by 22%
Print Mode |
Driver v1.10 Speed |
Driver v1.15 Speed |
Improvement |
Simplex Print |
36 ppm |
40 ppm |
+11% |
Duplex Print |
24 ppm |
30 ppm |
+20% |
Envelope Print |
8 ppm |
11 ppm |
+22% |
Resolved Issues
The latest 1.15 drivers resolves a number of problems reported in older versions:
- Fixed print failures when application sends multiple print jobs
- Addressed Windows spooler crash resulting in offline printer status
- Corrected issue with blurred text on certain PDF prints
- Enabled scanning to network folders from printer interface
- Resolved envelope positioning issue when feeding from Tray 1
Known Remaining Issues
While the new drivers address many problems, some known issues remain:
- Slow printing from Excel - print times higher than other applications
- Scanning to Mac causes intermittent crashes
- Watermark printing not working reliably
Brother is working on fixes for these remaining problems which are expected in the next 1.20 driver release. Workarounds are available for Excel printing and watermark issues currently.
Key Driver Settings
The MFC-L2700DW driver has a robust set of settings and preferences that can be configured for optimal printing:
Print Quality
- Resolution: Up to 2400 x 600 dpi
- Toner Save Mode: Reduces toner usage for draft prints
- Print Mode: Normal, Fast, High Quality modes
Page Layout
- Multiple page per sheet
- Poster printing
- Watermark printing
- Booklet printing
- Header-Footer printing
Paper Handling
- Paper source and tray selection
- Envelope and thick media modes
- Duplex printing options
Color Settings
- Color mode: Grayscale or monochrome black
- Halftone options
- Gamma correction
Printer Functions
- Sleep mode timers
- Interface settings
- Color restriction
- Secure print settings
Conclusion
The latest Brother MFC-L2700DW printer driver version 1.15 adds valuable printing performance improvements, stability fixes, and new capabilities compared to older drivers. The download and upgrade process is quick and delivers a faster, more optimized printing experience. Given the enhancements, updating to version 1.15 is highly recommended for all MFC-L2700DW users. Expect further improvements in upcoming releases as Brother continues refining drivers for this reliable monochrome laser printer.