Effortlessly Connect Your Brother Printer to WiFi: A Comprehensive Guide

In today’s connected world, a reliable WiFi printer is essential for seamless printing from various devices. Brother printers are known for their quality and dependability, but setting them up on your WiFi network can sometimes feel a bit daunting. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, ensuring you can connect your Brother printer to WiFi quickly and easily, regardless of your technical expertise. We’ll cover everything from initial preparation to troubleshooting common issues, making sure you can print wirelessly without hassle.

Before You Begin: Essential Preparations

Before you dive into the connection process, it’s crucial to have a few things in order. This preparation will make the entire process much smoother and reduce the chances of encountering problems.

1. Check Your Printer’s Compatibility

First and foremost, verify that your Brother printer model supports wireless connectivity. Most modern Brother printers come with built-in WiFi capabilities, but older models might only offer USB connections. Look for the ‘WiFi’ or ‘Wireless’ logo on your printer, usually located on the control panel or the printer’s exterior casing. You can also refer to your printer’s manual or the Brother support website to confirm its wireless capabilities.

2. Gather Your WiFi Network Details

You’ll need your WiFi network name (also known as SSID) and password (network key or passphrase) readily available. This information is usually found on the sticker of your wireless router or modem or by logging into your router’s administrative panel. Make sure you have accurate details; even a minor typo can prevent your printer from connecting. Jot these details down on a piece of paper or keep them easily accessible.

3. Power On Your Printer and Router

Ensure both your Brother printer and your WiFi router are powered on and functioning correctly. Check that your router is connected to the internet and that other devices in your home or office can connect to your WiFi network successfully.

4. Place Your Printer Near Your Router (Initially)

For the initial setup, it’s advisable to place your Brother printer relatively close to your WiFi router. This will ensure a strong and stable signal during the configuration process. Once the setup is complete, you can move the printer to its desired location (within range of your WiFi signal).

5. Consider Downloading the Necessary Software or Driver

While many modern operating systems can automatically detect and install basic print drivers, downloading the specific software and drivers for your Brother printer model from Brother’s official website can often lead to a more seamless experience. This software may also include helpful tools and utilities for managing your printer and its settings. Go to support.brother.com, find your printer model, and look for the ‘Downloads’ section to obtain the required software.

Methods to Connect Your Brother Printer to WiFi

Brother printers offer several methods to connect to WiFi. The specific method you choose may depend on your printer model and personal preferences. Here are the most common methods, explained in detail:

Method 1: Using the Printer’s Control Panel (Recommended for Most Models)

This is the most common and often the easiest method for connecting your Brother printer to WiFi if your printer has an LCD display and buttons.

Step-by-step Instructions:

1. Enter Menu Mode: Navigate to the printer’s menu options. The exact way to do this will vary based on your printer model, but usually involves pressing a ‘Menu,’ ‘Settings,’ or ‘Setup’ button on the control panel. Consult your printer’s manual if you’re unsure.
2. Find Network Settings: Look for the ‘Network,’ ‘WiFi,’ ‘Wireless LAN,’ or a similarly named option within the menu. Select it using the arrow buttons and the ‘OK’ or ‘Enter’ button.
3. Select Setup Wizard or WPS (WiFi Protected Setup): Within the Network/Wireless settings, you’ll generally find an option to either use a ‘Setup Wizard’ or connect via ‘WPS.’ If your router supports WPS and you prefer it, skip to the WPS instructions later. We’ll focus on the Setup Wizard first. Select ‘Setup Wizard’ and press ‘OK’.
4. Search for Networks: Your printer will now begin searching for available WiFi networks. This may take a few moments.
5. Select Your Network: Once the search is complete, a list of available networks will appear on the printer’s LCD screen. Use the arrow buttons to select your network name (SSID) and press ‘OK’.
6. Enter Your Password: The printer will then prompt you to enter your WiFi password (network key or passphrase). Use the arrow keys and ‘OK’ button to input each character. Some printers may allow you to select from a displayed alphabet or use a number pad on the printer. Be very careful and accurate as the password is case sensitive. Once you’ve finished entering the password, select ‘OK’.
7. Confirm and Wait: The printer will now attempt to connect to your WiFi network. Wait for it to finish its connection process. The display should show a ‘Connected’ message or a similar confirmation. It might also indicate that you need to print a ‘network configuration report’ to verify the connection. Print the network configuration report as prompted.
8. Verify the Connection: If the network configuration report is produced without errors and the display indicates ‘connected’ then your printer is successfully connected to your wireless network. Try printing a test page from your computer or smartphone to ensure everything is working properly. If not, proceed with troubleshooting steps provided further on.

Method 2: Using WPS (WiFi Protected Setup) – If Your Router Supports It

WPS is a convenient way to connect devices to your WiFi network, eliminating the need to manually enter your password. However, it requires your router to support WPS, and most modern routers do.

Step-by-step Instructions:

1. Enter Network Settings on Printer: As with the Setup Wizard method, access the printer’s menu and navigate to the ‘Network,’ ‘WiFi,’ or ‘Wireless LAN’ options.
2. Select WPS: Choose the ‘WPS’ option within the network settings. Press ‘OK’.
3. Press the WPS Button on Your Router: Within two minutes of selecting WPS on your printer, locate the WPS button on your wireless router. It’s often a small button with the WPS logo (two arrows forming a circle). Press and hold this button for a few seconds until the light on your router starts blinking.
4. Wait for Connection: Your printer and router should now communicate and establish a connection. Wait for the process to complete, the display on your printer should display ‘Connected’ or a similar message. The WPS button light on your router might stop blinking.
5. Verify the Connection: Print a test page from your computer or smartphone to verify the printer is successfully connected.

Important Note: If the WPS connection fails, make sure the printer and router are within close range of each other and try the process again. If the second attempt fails, it’s better to use the Setup Wizard for connecting your printer.

Method 3: Using Brother iPrint&Scan App (For Mobile Devices)

Brother’s iPrint&Scan app is a free mobile application that simplifies printer setup and management. It’s available for both iOS and Android devices. This app can also assist in connecting your printer to your WiFi network.

Step-by-step Instructions:

1. Download the App: Download and install the ‘Brother iPrint&Scan’ app from your device’s app store (Apple App Store or Google Play Store).
2. Connect to Your Local WiFi Network: Ensure that your mobile device is connected to the same WiFi network as the one you will use for your printer.
3. Open the App: Launch the Brother iPrint&Scan app on your mobile device.
4. Select Add a Printer: Typically, on the main screen, you’ll see an option to add a new printer. Tap on this option.
5. App will Search: The app will automatically begin searching for Brother printers on your network. It may find some printers already setup in your network through a USB connection or a previous Wi-Fi configuration.
6. Select your Printer: If the app finds your printer, tap on your printer’s name from the list. It will typically display the model number of your printer. If the app does not locate the printer, ensure that your printer is powered on and is within range of your router. Check if you have connected your mobile to the correct Wi-Fi network. You might be prompted to select the correct network from the list of available networks on the app. Select the correct network and tap ‘Connect’ or similar option.
7. Follow On-Screen Instructions: The app will then guide you through the necessary steps, which might involve entering your WiFi network password if the printer is not already connected to any network or if you are connecting a new printer for the first time, or it might directly connect if the printer already has a previous network setup on it. Follow the instructions provided by the app to complete the connection process.
8. Test the Connection: Once the connection is successful, the app will generally indicate so. Print a test page or document using the app to confirm that your printer is now connected wirelessly.

Method 4: Using USB Cable Connection and Setup Utility (Less Common but Useful)

This method involves temporarily connecting your Brother printer to your computer using a USB cable. While less convenient than the other methods, it can be helpful if you’re having trouble with the wireless setup.

Step-by-step Instructions:

1. Download Drivers and Software: As mentioned before, download the necessary drivers and software for your printer model from the Brother support website and install them on your computer.
2. Connect with USB: Connect your Brother printer to your computer using a USB cable.
3. Launch the Utility: Open the downloaded driver/software installation files. Look for an option related to network configuration or setup wizard.
4. Follow Instructions: The setup utility will guide you through the steps to connect your printer to your WiFi network. It will likely ask you to select your network from a list of available networks and then prompt you to enter your password.
5. Disconnect USB: After the setup is completed, you can disconnect the USB cable from your computer and the printer. The printer should now be connected to your WiFi network.
6. Test Connection: Print a test page wirelessly to verify the connection.

Troubleshooting Common WiFi Connection Issues

Even with the best preparation, you might encounter some issues while connecting your Brother printer to WiFi. Here are some common problems and how to address them:

1. Printer Not Found or Cannot Connect

• Check WiFi Signals: Make sure your printer and router are in close proximity during setup. If the WiFi signal is weak, try moving the devices closer or consider using a WiFi extender.
• Incorrect Password: Double-check that you’ve entered the correct WiFi network name (SSID) and password (network key). Pay attention to upper and lower cases. Re-enter your details and try again.
• Firewall Interference: Your computer’s firewall may be blocking the printer connection. Temporarily disable the firewall and check if the printer connects. If that works, configure your firewall to allow communication with the printer.
• Restart Everything: Try restarting your printer, router, and computer. This often resolves temporary network glitches. Power off the router and the printer for 30 seconds, power the router and wait for it to establish an internet connection, then power on the printer and try the network setup procedure again.
• Check Router Settings: Log in to your router’s admin panel through a browser by entering your router’s IP address on the address bar (the address is specific to each router, check your router’s manual for the same). Check if the router has any restrictions such as MAC filtering or other restrictions that might prevent your printer from connecting. Disable the restrictions, restart your router and try again.
• Firmware Update: Ensure your printer’s firmware is up-to-date. Check for updates on Brother’s support website and download if available.

2. Printer Connects But Cannot Print

• Printer Drivers: Make sure your computer has the correct printer drivers installed. Try removing the printer from the list of printers on your computer, reboot your computer, and re-install the drivers again.
• Connection Issues: The printer may appear to be connected to Wi-Fi, but your computer might be failing to communicate with it. Ensure both your computer and printer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
• Check IP Address: The printer and computer should belong to the same IP address range (generally 192.168.x.x). Check the IP address assigned to your printer by printing a network configuration report. See your router’s manual on how to check your computer’s IP address assigned by the router.
• Printer Online Status: Verify the printer status on your computer. Ensure the printer is not paused or offline, and is set as your default printer.
• Printer Queues: Check if there are any documents stuck in your print queue. Cancel these, and try printing again.

3. WPS Connection Fails

• WPS Button Timeout: Remember that you must press the WPS button on your router within two minutes of selecting the WPS option on your printer. If you are taking too long, start over.
• Router Support: Double-check if your router supports WPS, if your router does not have the WPS option, then use the Setup Wizard for Wi-Fi configuration.
• Proximity Issues: Ensure your printer and router are close to each other during the WPS connection.
• Try Setup Wizard: If WPS continues to fail, use the Setup Wizard or USB connection methods instead.

4. Mobile App Issues

• App Updates: Ensure you are using the latest version of the Brother iPrint&Scan app. Check for updates on the App Store or Play Store.
• Network Issues: Ensure your mobile device and printer are on the same WiFi network.
• Printer Selection: Ensure that the correct printer is selected within the mobile app.
• Clear Cache: Clear the app’s cache on your device if facing connection issues with the printer.
• Reinstall the App: If the problem persists, uninstall and reinstall the Brother iPrint&Scan app.

Tips for a Smooth WiFi Printing Experience

• Secure Your WiFi Network: Always use a strong password for your WiFi network to prevent unauthorized access.
• Regular Firmware Updates: Keep your printer’s firmware updated for optimal performance and security.
• Print Quality Settings: Choose appropriate print quality settings in the printer driver to manage printing speed and toner/ink consumption.
• Use Static IP (Advanced): If you experience recurring connectivity issues, you can assign a static IP address to your printer within your router’s admin panel. This will ensure your printer always uses the same IP address and avoids future connection conflicts with other devices. Please note that if you are using a static IP for your printer, ensure the static IP you assign to it is outside the range that your router assigns dynamically to other devices to avoid any IP address conflicts.

Conclusion

Connecting your Brother printer to WiFi doesn’t have to be complicated. By following these detailed instructions and troubleshooting tips, you should be able to get your printer up and running on your wireless network quickly and efficiently. Whether you choose to use the printer’s control panel, WPS, the mobile app, or a USB connection, you can enjoy seamless wireless printing from all your devices. Remember to take the time to check your settings, be patient, and always consult your printer’s manual or Brother support for any specific queries. With the right approach, you’ll be printing wirelessly in no time. Enjoy the convenience of having your documents printed from anywhere in your home or office!