Connecting the Brother DCP-2520 Printer to Wi-Fi: 3 Proven Methods + Troubleshooting

Multifunctional device Brother DCP-2520 — a popular model among users who value compactness and functionality. However, setting it up over a wireless network often raises questions: sometimes the router doesn't detect the printer, sometimes the drivers refuse to install, sometimes the Wi-Fi password isn't accepted. This article will help you understand all the nuances of the connection. without unnecessary complications.

We will look at three main methods: through WPS button (the fastest way), using printer control panels (universal option) and through USB cable (If Wi-Fi refuses to work). We'll pay special attention to common errors—for example, when the printer connects to the network but the computer doesn't detect it, or when the Wi-Fi indicator flashes orange. We'll provide specific solutions for each case.

Important: If your Brother DCP-2520 If you've previously connected to a different network, first reset your network settings. This will eliminate conflicts between the old and new settings. Reset instructions are in one of the sections below.

1. Preparing to connect: What to check before setting up Wi-Fi

Before you begin setup, make sure all the necessary conditions for a successful connection are met. Problems often arise due to small details that users overlook.

Mandatory conditions:

• 📶 The router is turned on and distributes Wi-Fi (check the connection of other devices).
• 🔒 Do you know the network password? (if the network is hidden, also its name).
• 📡 The printer is within network coverage area. (no further than 5–7 meters from the router if there are obstacles).
• 🔌 The printer is turned on and is not in power saving mode (the power indicator should be green).

If your router supports two bands (2.4 GHz And 5 GHz), select the network 2.4 GHz. Brother DCP-2520 does not work with 5 GHz — this is a common cause of unsuccessful connections. You can check the range in the router settings or by network name (often the network 5 GHz have a suffix _5G).

⚠️ Attention: If you are using a corporate or hotel network with browser-based authentication (for example, entering your login/password on the welcome page), connect the printer to such a network it won't workIn this case, use a USB cable or a mobile hotspot.

2. Method 1: Connecting via WPS (the fastest method)

Technology WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) Allows you to connect your device to the network without entering a password—just press a button on the router and printer. This method works if:

• 🔄 Your router supports WPS (usually there is a button with this inscription or icon) 🔄).
• 🔒 WPS is enabled in the router settings (usually active by default).
• ⏱️ You will have time to press buttons on both devices within 2 minutes.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Make sure the printer is turned on and located near the router.
2. Press and hold the button Wi-Fi on the panel Brother DCP-2520 for 3 seconds, until the indicator starts flashing.
3. For 2 minutes press the button WPS on the router (usually it is located on the back panel).
4. Wait until the Wi-Fi light on the printer stops blinking and turns on blue (this means successful connection).

If the indicator continues to flash or stays on orange, repeat the process. If the connection fails after three attempts, proceed to the next method. Your router may not support WPS or the feature may be disabled in the settings.

3. Method 2: Connecting via the printer control panel

This method is universal and works even if WPS is disabled. You'll need to manually enter the network name and password through the printer screen. Brother DCP-2520 there is no touch screen, so control is done with buttons ↑/↓ And OK.

Instructions:

1. Click the button Menu on the printer.
2. Go to the section Network (Network) using buttons ↑/↓, click OK.
3. Select WLAN → Setup Wizard (Setup Wizard).
4. The printer will begin searching for available networks. Wait for the scan to complete.
5. Select your network from the list (if it is not there, check if it is hidden).
6. Enter your Wi-Fi password using the buttons. To switch between uppercase and lowercase letters, use the button. #.
7. Confirm your input and wait for the connection to complete. The Wi-Fi indicator should light up. blue.

If the printer does not find your network:

• 🔍 Make sure the network is visible (not hidden).
• 📡 Try rebooting your router.
• 🔄 Move the printer closer to the router (the signal may be weak).

⚠️ Attention: When entering your password, pay attention to the case of the letters! If the password contains characters like ! or @, they also need to be entered. To do this, use the button * on the printer panel.

What should I do if the printer does not accept the password?

If your printer refuses to accept your password, try:

1. Make sure you are entering characters in the correct case (the # button toggles upper/lower case letters).

2. Temporarily simplify the network password (remove special characters) and try connecting again.

3. Reset the printer to factory settings (see section below) and try again.

4. Method 3: Connecting via USB cable (if Wi-Fi doesn't work)

If the first two methods don't work, you can connect the printer to your computer via USB and then reconfigure it to Wi-Fi via software. BrotherThis method requires installing drivers, but is guaranteed to work even if you have problems with your wireless network.

Steps:

1. Download and install drivers for Brother DCP-2520 With official website (select your model and OS).
2. Connect the printer to your computer via a USB cable (included).
3. Run the program Brother Utilities (installed along with the drivers).
4. Go to the section Network setup → Wireless network.
5. Select your Wi-Fi network from the list and enter the password.
6. Wait for the settings to apply. Disconnect the USB cable; the printer should remain connected to Wi-Fi.

If the printer loses connection after disconnecting the cable:

• 🔄 Restart your printer and router.
• 📋 Check that it is not enabled in the router settings MAC address filter (it can block new devices).
• 🔧 Update your printer firmware via Brother Utilities (chapter Software update).

5. Reset the printer's network settings (if nothing helps)

If the printer was previously connected to a different network or the settings have been reset, a hard reset may be necessary. This will return all settings, including network settings, to factory defaults.

How to reset settings:

1. Turn off the printer.
2. Press and hold the button Menu and, without releasing it, turn on the printer.
3. Hold Menu for 10 seconds, until all indicators light up.
4. Release the button. The printer will reboot to factory settings.

After the reset, repeat the Wi-Fi setup using one of the methods described above. Please note: the reset removes all settings, including documents stored in the printer's memory (if any).

6. Checking the connection and troubleshooting

After setting up Wi-Fi, it's important to ensure the printer is working properly on the network. Here's how:

Verification steps:

1. Print network settings report:
   • Click Menu → Network → WLAN → Print Report.
   • Check the lines in the report SSID (network name) and Signal Strength (signal level).

Try printing a test page from your computer:

• Open any document (eg. Notebook).
• Select File → Seal and make sure the printer appears in the list.

If the printer does not print:

• 🖨️ Make sure it is selected as default printer in Windows/macOS settings.
• 🌐 Make sure your computer and printer are in one network (for example, not connected to different ranges 2.4 GHz/5 GHz).
• 🔄 Restart both devices.

⚠️ Attention: If the network report has a line IP Address empty or starts with 169.254, this means the printer hasn't received an IP address from the router. Check your router's DHCP settings or assign a static IP manually.

7. Additional settings for stable operation

To avoid problems in the future, we recommend taking a few additional steps:

Connection optimization:

• 📶 Reserve an IP address for the printer in the router settings. This will prevent conflicts if DHCP assigns a different address to the printer.
• 🔄 Disable sleep mode for the printer (in the settings) Energy saving), if it frequently loses connection.
• 🔒 Update the firmware through Brother Utilities - This fixes connection errors.

Critical detail: if your router supports the standard 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4), but disabled in the settings, the printer may not connect. Enable it in the router's admin panel (section Wireless mode → Network standard).

For business users: If the printer will be used in an office with multiple devices, set it up as network printer via IP address. This will allow you to print from any computer on the local network without reinstalling drivers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to connect the Brother DCP-2520 to Wi-Fi without a computer?

Yes, the first two methods (via WPS or the printer control panel) don't require a computer. You only need a router and the printer itself. However, installing the drivers on your PC will still require a computer.

The printer is connected to Wi-Fi, but when I print, it displays the error "Device unavailable." What should I do?

This error occurs if:

• The printer has entered sleep mode. Press any key to wake it up.
• The computer and printer are on different subnets (for example, one via cable, the other via Wi-Fi). Connect both devices to the same network.
• The drivers were installed incorrectly. Reinstall them from the official website.

How do I know which band (2.4 or 5 GHz) my network is using?

There are several ways:

• Look at the network name: often networks 5 GHz have a suffix _5G or -5.
• Go to your router settings (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and check the section Wireless network.
• On Windows: Open Parameters → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi → Network propertiesThe range will be indicated there.

Brother DCP-2520 works only with 2.4 GHz, so if your network 5 GHz, you will have to switch or create a separate network for the printer.

Is it possible to connect a printer to a mobile hotspot (from a phone)?

Technically yes, but there are some nuances:

• The access point must operate within the range 2.4 GHz (most phones support both bands, but one may be enabled by default 5 GHz).
• The password must not contain special characters (for example, # or $), otherwise the printer may not accept it.
• After connecting the printer to the access point, the computer must also be connected to it, otherwise printing will not be possible.

This option is not convenient for continuous use, but is suitable for one-time printing on a trip.

How do I reset my printer's Wi-Fi password if I forgot it?

The printer doesn't store your network password—it only connects to it. If you've forgotten your Wi-Fi password, you'll need to:

• Check in the router settings (section Wireless network → Security).
• Look at the sticker on the back of the router (if the password has not been changed).
• Reset the router to factory settings (button Reset on the back panel), but this will disconnect all devices from the network.

There is no need to reset the printer itself - just re-enter the correct password.