Quick Answer
controlcenter4.exe is safe. It's Brother's ControlCenter utility that unifies scan, print, and device management behind a centralized UI.
Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Must be located in C:\Program Files\Brother\ControlCenter4\controlcenter4.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Brother\ControlCenter4\controlcenter4.exe
Warning
Multiple related processes may appear when drivers and UI are active
ControlCenter interacts with multiple drivers; each device session can spawn processes
Can I Disable?
✔ YES
Close ControlCenter4 or disable startup via Task Manager or Brother utilities
What is controlcenter4.exe?
controlcenter4.exe is Brother's one-stop management utility that coordinates scanning, printing, and device status for Brother printers and multi-function devices. It provides profiles, destinations, and quick access to scan-to-folder, email, or USB drives from a single interface.
ControlCenter4 runs as a UI front-end that communicates with the Brother print and scan drivers. It manages profile storage, job routing, and device status, reducing friction during print/scan tasks and enabling quick access to device features.
Quick Fact: ControlCenter4 consolidates printer and scanner workflows to streamline setup across multiple Brother devices.
Types of Brother ControlCenter Processes
- UI Process: Main ControlCenter4 window and user interface (1 instance)
- Scanner Driver Interface: Handles scan requests from the UI to the scanner (via TWAIN/ICA)
- Printer Spooler/Job Manager: Manages print jobs and driver communication with Brother printers
- Background Service: Keeps profiles, destinations, and device status updates available
- Profile Synchronization: Syncs settings across devices or user profiles via Brother software
Is controlcenter4.exe Safe?
Yes, controlcenter4.exe is safe when it's the legitimate Brother file installed from official Brother drivers.
Is controlcenter4.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real controlcenter4.exe is NOT a virus. Malware sometimes mimics names to trick users.
How to Tell if controlcenter4.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be located in
C:\Program Files\Brother\ControlCenter4\controlcenter4.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Brother\ControlCenter4\controlcenter4.exe. Other locations are suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click controlcenter4.exe in File Explorer → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show "Brother Industries, Ltd.".
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is low when idle and modest during scans. Unusually high CPU constantly is suspicious.
- Behavior: ControlCenter4 should run when you interact with Brother devices or start a scan. If it launches without user action, investigate.
Red Flags: If controlcenter4.exe is located in Temp, AppData, or System32, runs without UI interaction, lacks a valid signature, or uses resources constantly, run a full system antivirus and check Brother's official site for driver integrity.
Why Is controlcenter4.exe Running on My PC?
ControlCenter4 runs to manage connected Brother devices, initialize scan profiles, and support printing tasks. It may stay resident for quick access and to monitor device status.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Printing or Scanning: You're actively using a Brother printer or scanner; the UI and drivers coordinate tasks.
- Background Profiles and Destinations: Saved scan destinations (email, folder, USB) and profiles keep ready for use.
- Startup and Auto-Launch: The software is configured to start with Windows to enable quick access.
- Device Status Monitoring: ControlCenter4 monitors printer status, ink levels, jam alerts, and fluid job routing.
- Driver/Software Updates: Background checks for updates can keep the ControlCenter active to apply changes.
Can I Disable or Remove controlcenter4.exe?
Yes, you can disable ControlCenter4. If you mainly use BMP or Windows native apps, you can disable startup and background activity, or uninstall the suite.
How to Stop controlcenter4.exe
- Close the UI: Close the ControlCenter4 window or use File → Exit to end the session.
- Disable Startup: Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable Brother ControlCenter4
- Stop Background Tasks: Run services.msc, locate Brother or ControlCenter4 service, and stop it
- Uninstall: Windows Settings → Apps → Brother ControlCenter4 → Uninstall
- Reinstall Drivers: Visit Brother support site to reinstall drivers if you need to re-enable features later
How to Uninstall ControlCenter4
- ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Brother ControlCenter4 → Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel → Programs and Features → Brother ControlCenter4 → Uninstall
- ✔ Restart your PC after uninstallation
- ✔ Optionally uninstall related printer drivers if no longer used
- ✔ Reinstall only the required Brother software if needed
Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage
If controlcenter4.exe is consuming excessive resources:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Multiple connected devices or profiles: Reduce the number of saved destinations and disable unused profiles in ControlCenter4 settings
- Background scanning enabled: Disable automatic scanning in ControlCenter4 or adjust scan profiles
- Outdated drivers: Update Brother drivers and ControlCenter4 from Brother's official site
- Malware masquerading as ControlCenter4: Verify file location and signature; run a full antivirus scan
- Windows power plan: Set power plan to Balanced and disable USB power-saving where relevant
- Software conflicts: Disable other printer management software that may conflict with ControlCenter4
Quick Fixes:
1. Open ControlCenter4 and review active profiles and destinations
2. Disable unnecessary profiles and destinations
3. Update to the latest Brother ControlCenter4 version from Brother's site
4. Restart the ControlCenter4 service or the computer
5. If applicable, run a full antivirus scan to rule out malware
Frequently Asked Questions
Is controlcenter4.exe safe?
Yes, the legitimate Brother ControlCenter4 executable is safe when installed from official Brother drivers and located in C:\Program Files\Brother\ControlCenter4 or C:\Program Files (x86)\Brother\ControlCenter4.
Why is ControlCenter4 running on startup?
It can be configured to start with Windows to provide quick access to scanning and printing features for Brother devices.
Can I disable ControlCenter4?
Yes. You can disable its startup and background tasks via Task Manager and Services, or uninstall the ControlCenter4 suite if you won't use Brother devices.
Where is ControlCenter4 installed?
Typically in C:\Program Files\Brother\ControlCenter4 or C:\Program Files (x86)\Brother\ControlCenter4. The executable is controlcenter4.exe.
How do I uninstall ControlCenter4?
Use Windows Settings → Apps → Brother ControlCenter4 → Uninstall, or use Control Panel → Programs and Features → Brother ControlCenter4 → Uninstall.
What should I do if I can't scan with ControlCenter4?
Check that the Brother printer/scanner drivers are installed and up to date, ensure the device is connected, and try restarting ControlCenter4 or the PC.