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Setup and Configuration

How to Connect a Brother Printer to Wifi? Easy Step-by-Step Method Today

Introduction Connecting a Brother printer to your wireless network is one of the most useful upgrades you can make for a home or small office. Once your printer is on WiFi, you can print from laptops, smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers without running

HowToFixWiFi

Introduction

Connecting a Brother printer to your wireless network is one of the most useful upgrades you can make for a home or small office. Once your printer is on WiFi, you can print from laptops, smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers without running cables across the room or keeping one computer tethered to the device at all times. If you have been searching for How to Connect a Brother Printer to Wifi?, you are in the right place.

Brother makes a wide range of wireless printers, from compact inkjet models for home use to heavy-duty laser printers for busy workgroups. While the exact menu names can vary slightly between models, the core process is similar across most modern Brother WiFi printers. This guide walks you through every reliable method, explains what to do before you start, and helps you troubleshoot common problems if the connection does not work on the first try.

By the end of this article, you will know how to connect your Brother printer to WiFi using WPS, the built-in Wireless Setup Wizard, the Brother mobile app, or Wi-Fi Direct. You will also learn how to install the proper drivers and keep your connection stable over time.

Why Connect Your Brother Printer to WiFi?

Many people still use a USB cable to connect a printer to a single computer. That works, but it limits flexibility. When you learn How to Connect a Brother Printer to Wifi?, you unlock several practical benefits:

  • Print from anywhere in the building: Send print jobs from your laptop in the bedroom, your phone in the kitchen, or a desktop in the office without moving files around.
  • Mobile printing: Brother supports Apple AirPrint and the Brother iPrint&Scan app, making it easy to print photos and documents straight from a smartphone.
  • Multiple users, one printer: A wireless printer can serve an entire household or small office. No one has to log into a specific PC just to print a boarding pass or a school assignment.
  • Less cable clutter: Removing the USB and Ethernet cables keeps your desk cleaner and gives you more freedom in where you place the printer.
  • Cloud and remote options: Some Brother models support web connect and remote printing features that work best when the printer is already on your network.

WiFi printing is not just convenient; it is now the expected standard for most home and office setups. If your Brother printer has wireless capability, there is little reason to keep it tied to one computer with a cable.

Prerequisites Before Starting

Before you begin the actual setup, gather everything you need. Starting unprepared is the most common reason people get stuck halfway through How to Connect a Brother Printer to Wifi?

  • Your Brother printer: Make sure it is powered on and has paper loaded. Check that the model supports wireless networking. Most modern Brother inkjet and laser printers do, but some entry-level models are USB-only.
  • WiFi network name (SSID): This is the name of your wireless network as it appears when you search for networks on a phone or laptop.
  • WiFi password: Have your network security key handy. It is case-sensitive, so uppercase and lowercase letters matter.
  • A computer or mobile device: You will need something to configure the printer and, later, to install drivers and send a test print.
  • Router access (for WPS methods): If you plan to use WPS Push Button, you need physical access to your router to press its WPS button.
  • Printer documentation: Keep the model number nearby. You can usually find it on a label on the back or bottom of the printer.

It also helps to place the printer within range of your router during setup. You can move it to its permanent spot later, but a strong signal during the initial connection makes the process smoother.

Method 1: Connect Using WPS Push Button

WiFi Protected Setup (WPS) Push Button is often the fastest way to connect a Brother printer to WiFi. It does not require typing a password on the printer’s small screen.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Place the Brother printer close to your wireless router.
  2. Turn on the printer and wait until it is in the ready state.
  3. Press and hold the WiFi button on the printer for about two seconds, or until the WiFi light starts flashing. On some Brother models, you may need to hold it until the light blinks once every few seconds.
  4. Within two minutes, press the WPS button on your wireless router. Hold it for a few seconds until the router’s WPS light begins to blink.
  5. Wait for the printer’s WiFi light to stop flashing and stay solid. This indicates a successful connection.
  6. Print a network configuration page from the printer’s menu to verify the IP address and connection status.

If the WiFi light continues to flash or turns off, the handshake failed. Move the printer closer to the router and repeat the steps. WPS timing is strict, so the router button must be pressed within the two-minute window after activating the printer’s WPS mode.

Method 2: Connect Using WPS PIN

Some routers do not have a physical WPS button, or the button may not work reliably. In those cases, WPS PIN is an alternative. This method uses a unique eight-digit PIN generated by the printer.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. On the Brother printer, go to the Menu or Settings.
  2. Navigate to Network, then WLAN, and select WPS.
  3. Choose PIN or WPS PIN. The printer will display an eight-digit code.
  4. Write down the PIN.
  5. Open a web browser on a computer connected to the same network.
  6. Log into your router’s admin page (commonly 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, but check your router label).
  7. Find the WPS or Wireless Settings section.
  8. Enter the eight-digit PIN from the printer and save the settings.
  9. Wait for the router to connect to the printer. The printer’s WiFi light should turn solid when finished.

WPS PIN is reliable, but it requires logging into the router, which can be intimidating if you have never done it before. If you are uncomfortable accessing router settings, skip to Method 3 below.

Method 3: Connect Using the Wireless Setup Wizard

The Wireless Setup Wizard is the most common method for How to Connect a Brother Printer to Wifi? because it works on nearly all Brother wireless printers and does not depend on router buttons or PINs.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Press the Menu button on the printer control panel.
  2. Use the arrow keys to select Network and press OK.
  3. Select WLAN and press OK.
  4. Choose Setup Wizard and press OK.
  5. When the printer asks WLAN Enable?, select Yes to turn on the wireless radio.
  6. The printer will scan for available networks. Wait for the list to appear.
  7. Use the arrow keys to find your network name (SSID) and press OK.
  8. If your network is hidden or not listed, choose Manual Setup or SSID and type the network name exactly.
  9. Enter your WiFi password using the printer’s keypad or on-screen keyboard. Be careful with uppercase and lowercase letters.
  10. Press OK to apply the settings.
  11. The printer will attempt to connect. When successful, the WiFi light becomes solid, and the display may show a confirmation message.

After the wizard finishes, print a network configuration page to confirm that the printer received an IP address from your router. If the IP address starts with 169.254, the connection failed and the printer is using a fallback address.

Method 4: Connect Using the Brother iPrint&Scan App

If you prefer using a smartphone or tablet, Brother’s iPrint&Scan app can guide you through the wireless setup. This is especially helpful if your printer has a small display that makes typing a long WiFi password difficult.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Download the Brother iPrint&Scan app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
  2. Make sure your phone or tablet is connected to the same WiFi network you want the printer to join.
  3. Turn on the Brother printer and place it near the router.
  4. Open the app and tap Add Printer or the plus icon.
  5. The app will search for available Brother printers on the network. Select your model from the list.
  6. If the app prompts you to enter WiFi credentials, type your network name and password.
  7. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the connection.
  8. Once added, send a test print from the app to verify everything works.

The app method is convenient for mobile-first households, but it still requires that the printer can see your WiFi network. If the printer has never been connected to WiFi before, you may need to use the Wireless Setup Wizard once before the app can discover it.

Method 5: Connect Using Wi-Fi Direct

Wi-Fi Direct lets you connect a phone, tablet, or computer directly to the Brother printer without going through a wireless router. This is useful when you need to print in a location where there is no router, or when your main network is down.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. On the Brother printer, go to Menu > Network > Wi-Fi Direct.
  2. Select On to enable Wi-Fi Direct.
  3. The printer will display a network name (SSID) and password for the direct connection. Write these down.
  4. On your computer or mobile device, open WiFi settings and look for the printer’s network name.
  5. Connect to that network using the password shown on the printer.
  6. Open the document or photo you want to print and select the Brother printer.
  7. When finished, disconnect from the printer’s network and reconnect your device to your normal WiFi.

Keep in mind that while connected via Wi-Fi Direct, your phone or computer usually cannot access the internet through the same connection. This is a direct printer-to-device link, not a replacement for your home network.

Installing Printer Drivers After Connection

Connecting the printer to WiFi is only half the job. Your computer still needs the correct driver to send print jobs over the network.

How to Install Brother Printer Drivers

  1. Go to the official Brother support website.
  2. Enter your printer model number in the search box.
  3. Select your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
  4. Download the Full Driver & Software Package rather than just the basic printer driver. The full package includes the wireless setup utility and scanner software.
  5. Run the downloaded installer.
  6. When asked how the printer is connected, choose Wireless Network Connection or WiFi.
  7. The installer should detect your Brother printer on the network. Select it from the list.
  8. Complete the installation and print a test page.

On macOS, you may also need to add the printer manually through System Settings > Printers & Scanners if the installer does not do it automatically. On Windows, the printer should appear in Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.

Troubleshooting Common Connection Issues

Even when you follow the steps for How to Connect a Brother Printer to Wifi? carefully, things can go wrong. Here are the most frequent problems and how to fix them.

Printer Not Found on the Network

Make sure the printer and the computer are on the same WiFi network. If your router has separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands with different names, try connecting both devices to the 2.4 GHz network, as many Brother printers work best on that band.

Wrong WiFi Password

WiFi passwords are case-sensitive. If you enter the password incorrectly on the printer’s small screen, the connection will fail. Print a network configuration page to check the status, then re-run the Wireless Setup Wizard and enter the password again.

Weak WiFi Signal

If the printer is too far from the router, or if walls and appliances interfere with the signal, the connection may drop frequently. Move the printer closer to the router or use a WiFi extender.

Router MAC Address Filtering

Some routers only allow known devices to connect. If MAC filtering is enabled, you must add the printer’s MAC address to the router’s allowed list. You can find the MAC address on the printer’s network configuration page.

Printer Shows as Offline

On Windows, go to Printers & scanners, select your Brother printer, and make sure Use Printer Offline is unchecked. Restarting both the printer and the router often clears temporary offline errors.

Resetting the Printer’s Network Settings

If nothing works, you can reset the printer’s network card to factory defaults. On most Brother models, this is found under Menu > Network > Network Reset. After resetting, start the wireless setup process from the beginning.

Comparison Table: Connection Methods

The table below compares the five methods covered in this guide so you can choose the best one for your situation.

Method Ease of Setup Speed Equipment Needed Best For
WPS Push Button Very Easy Fast Router with WPS button Quick setup when router is nearby
WPS PIN Moderate Moderate Router admin access Routers without a physical WPS button
Wireless Setup Wizard Easy Moderate Printer control panel Most home and office users
Brother iPrint&Scan App Easy Moderate Smartphone or tablet Mobile-first users and password entry
Wi-Fi Direct Moderate Fast None (direct connection) No router available or temporary printing

Tips and Best Practices

Follow these tips to get the most reliable performance from your Brother wireless printer.

  • Use a static IP address: In your router settings, assign a fixed IP address to the printer’s MAC address. This prevents the printer’s IP from changing, which can cause computers to lose track of it.
  • Keep firmware updated: Brother periodically releases firmware updates that improve WiFi stability. Check the support site for your model every few months.
  • Prefer 2.4 GHz: If your router broadcasts both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks, connect the Brother printer to 2.4 GHz. It has better range and is more compatible with older printer WiFi chips.
  • Place the printer openly: Do not tuck the printer inside a closed cabinet or behind a large metal object. WiFi signals need a clear path.
  • Use WPA2 security: Older WEP security can cause connection problems with modern printers. Make sure your router uses WPA2 or WPA3.
  • Print a network configuration page regularly: This page shows the current IP address, signal strength, and connection status. It is the first thing to check when troubleshooting.

Maintaining Your WiFi Connection

Once you have completed How to Connect a Brother Printer to Wifi?, the connection should stay active. However, network changes can disrupt it.

If you replace your router, change your WiFi password, or update your router’s firmware, the printer will likely lose its connection. You will need to reconnect it using one of the methods above. After a router replacement, the printer may still appear in your computer’s printer list, but print jobs will fail until the wireless settings are updated.

It is also a good idea to restart your printer and router once every month or two. This clears temporary network glitches and helps maintain a strong connection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can all Brother printers connect to WiFi?

No. Only Brother printers with built-in wireless capability can connect to WiFi. Check your model number on Brother’s website to confirm whether your printer supports wireless networking.

Do I need a computer to connect the printer to WiFi?

Not necessarily. You can use the printer’s control panel and the Wireless Setup Wizard without a computer. However, you will generally need a computer or mobile device to install drivers and send print jobs.

Why does my Brother printer keep disconnecting from WiFi?

Common causes include weak signal strength, router IP address changes, interference from other devices, or outdated printer firmware. Moving the printer closer to the router and assigning a static IP often helps.

Can I connect my Brother printer to a 5 GHz WiFi network?

Many newer Brother printers support 5 GHz, but many older and budget models only support 2.4 GHz. If you cannot find your 5 GHz network during setup, try the 2.4 GHz band instead.

What is the default password for Brother printer WiFi setup?

There is no universal default WiFi password. You must use the password for your own wireless network. If you are setting up Wi-Fi Direct, the printer will display its own temporary password on the screen.

How do I find my Brother printer’s IP address?

Print a network configuration page from the printer’s control panel menu. The IP address is listed under the TCP/IP or network status section.

My printer connected to WiFi, but my computer cannot find it. What should I do?

Make sure the printer driver is installed on your computer and that you selected the wireless connection during installation. Also, confirm that the computer and printer are on the same network.

Is WPS safe to use?

WPS is convenient but has known security vulnerabilities on some routers. If you are concerned, disable WPS on your router after connecting the printer and use the Wireless Setup Wizard for future changes.

Conclusion

Learning How to Connect a Brother Printer to Wifi? is straightforward when you break it into manageable steps. Whether you choose the WPS Push Button for speed, the Wireless Setup Wizard for reliability, the Brother mobile app for convenience, or Wi-Fi Direct for a router-free link, you now have multiple options to get your printer online.

Remember to gather your network name and password before starting, place the printer near the router during setup, and install the full Brother driver package on your computer afterward. If you run into trouble, the troubleshooting section and network configuration page are your best tools for diagnosing the issue.

Once your Brother printer is connected to WiFi, you will wonder how you ever managed with a USB cable. Enjoy the freedom of printing from any device in your home or office.