Wireless printing from your smartphone to a printer Brother Using Wi-Fi saves time and eliminates the need to transfer files to a computer. However, many users encounter difficulties during initial setup: the printer can't find the network, the phone can't detect the device, or the document prints, but nothing happens. In this article, we'll cover all the steps—from preparing the equipment to troubleshooting common errors.
Modern models Brother (For example, DCP-T425W, MFC-J4335DW or HL-L2350DW) support protocols AirPrint (for iPhone), Mopria (for Android) and its own app Brother iPrint&ScanBut even with universal standards, nuances can arise—especially if the router uses dual-band Wi-Fi or has non-standard security settings. We'll cover all scenarios, including manually setting the printer's IP address and alternative connection methods.
⚠️ Important: If your printer Brother released before 2018, some features (eg Wi-Fi Direct) may be missing. Check the model specifications on the official website or in the user manual.
1. Preparing your Brother printer for wireless printing
Before setting up a connection, make sure your printer is ready to work on the network. Most connection problems arise from missing basic steps.
First of all, check physical condition of the device: Plug the printer into a power outlet, install the cartridges (or refill ink for inkjet models), and load paper. There should be no red error lights on the front panel. If there are any, troubleshoot the problem according to the instructions in the manual. For example, a blinking Wi-Fi-indicator on Brother DCP-T720DW indicates an inactive network connection.
Next, put the printer into Wi-Fi setup mode. To do this:
- 📶 Press and hold the button
Wi-Fion the control panel (usually 2-3 seconds) until the indicator flashes. - 🔧 On models with a touch screen (e.g. MFC-J6945DW) go to
Menu → Network → WLAN → Setup Wizard. - 🔄 If the printer has already been connected to a different network, reset the settings:
Menu → Network → Reset network settings.
Once the setup mode is activated, the printer will create a temporary network with a name like DIRECT-xx-Brother (Where xx — unique model symbols). This network will be needed for initial binding to your router.
2. Connecting the printer to a Wi-Fi network
There are two main ways to connect a printer. Brother to Wi-Fi: via WPS (protected setup) or manually. The choice depends on your router's capabilities.
Method 1: Connecting via WPS (recommended for modern routers)
- Make sure the indicator light on the router is on.
WPS(usually indicated by the 🔄 or 🔒 icon). - On the printer, press and hold the button
Wi-Fiuntil the indicator blinks. - Press the button within 2 minutes
WPSon the router. The connection will take up to 30 seconds.
If the indicator Wi-Fi If the printer light turns solid, the connection is established. If not, try again or proceed to manual setup.
Method 2: Manual setup via a temporary network
- 📱 Connect your phone to the printer's temporary network (
DIRECT-xx-Brother). - 🌐 Open your browser and enter the address
http://192.168.0.1(orhttp://printersetup.brother). - 🔑 In the printer's web interface, select your home Wi-Fi network, enter the password, and save the settings.
⚠️ Attention: If the printer doesn't print a test page after connecting, check whether the router is blocking its MAC address. This applies to networks with enabled MAC address filter (the setting is usually located in the section Wi-Fi → MAC Filter in the router control panel).
The printer is plugged into a power outlet and turned on|
The Wi-Fi indicator is on solid (not blinking)|
The phone and printer are on the same network|
The MAC address filter is disabled on the router (if used)|-->
3. Setting up printing from an Android smartphone
To print from Android You can use standard system tools or a proprietary application Brother iPrint&ScanThe first method is simpler, but the second offers more features (for example, scanning and printing photos in high resolution).
Method 1: Print via Mopria (Android's built-in feature)
- Make sure your phone and printer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Open a document (PDF, photo, web page) and click “Print” in the menu (or via three dots ⋮).
- Select your model from the list of printers. BrotherIf it's not there, click "Add a printer" and wait for the search.
- Adjust the settings (number of copies, orientation, color/black and white printing) and confirm.
Method 2: Brother iPrint&Scan app
- 📥 Download the app from Google Play (free, no extra fluff).
- 🔍 When you first launch the app, allow file access and enable searching for printers on the local network.
- 📄 Select a file to print (PDF, JPG, DOCX, XLSX formats are supported).
- ⚙️ In the print settings you can choose
2 on 1 page,without fieldsoreconomy mode.
💡 If the printer does not appear in the list of devices, check if the protocol is enabled. mDNS (Multicast DNS) on the router. On some models (for example, TP-Link Archer C6) it must be activated manually in the section Local Network → mDNS Settings.
4. Setting up printing from iPhone (iOS)
For owners iPhone or iPad the process is simplified thanks to technology AirPrint, which is supported by all modern printers BrotherHowever, there are some caveats with models released before 2020—they may require a firmware update.
Steps to print via AirPrint:
- Open the document in an application (for example, in
Photo,FilesorMail). - Click the Share button (square with an up arrow) and select Print.
- Your model will appear in the list of printers. BrotherIf it's not there, make sure the printer and iPhone are connected to the same network.
- Configure settings (for example,
Double-sided printingorBlack and white) and click "Print".
⚠️ Attention: On some printers Brother (For example, HL-L2300D) AirPrint Works only after manually enabling the feature in the web interface. To do this:
- Enter the printer's IP address into your browser (you can find it on the printed network settings page).
- Go to
Network → AirPrintand activate the option.
If AirPrint printing isn't working, try an alternative app. Brother iPrint&Scan (available in the App Store). It supports additional features such as printing from cloud services (Google Drive, Dropbox).
5. Solving typical problems
Even after proper setup, errors may still occur. Below are the most common scenarios and how to resolve them.
| Problem | Possible cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| The phone doesn't see the printer on the network. | The printer and phone are connected to different networks (for example, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) | Reconnect both devices to the same network (2.4 GHz recommended) |
| The document is sent to print, but nothing is printed. | The printer is out of paper or ink, or the printer port is busy. | Check the printer lights, reboot it and try printing again. |
| Error: "Unable to connect to printer" | Blocking by a router firewall or antivirus on the phone | Temporarily disable your firewall or add the printer to the exceptions |
| Slow printing or lost connection | Weak Wi-Fi signal or network congestion | Move the printer closer to the router or reduce the network load. |
🔧 Additional tips:
- 🔄 If the printer Brother If your device periodically "disappears" from the network, assign it a static IP address in your router settings. This will prevent the address from changing during a reboot.
- 📡 For stable operation, use a Wi-Fi channel with minimal interference (check through the app) Wi-Fi Analyzer).
- 🔧 Update your printer firmware through the official website Brother - This will fix compatibility issues with new versions of Android/iOS.
How to update Brother printer firmware?
1. Download the latest firmware version for your model from the website support.brother.com.
2. Unzip the archive and place the file (usually with the extension .djf or .brn) to the flash drive.
3. Insert the flash drive into the printer and go to Menu → Software Update → From a flash drive.
4. Follow the instructions on the screen (do not turn off the printer during the process!).
5. After the update, reset your network settings and set up Wi-Fi again.
6. Alternative printing methods
If your Wi-Fi connection isn't working, consider these alternatives:
1. Printing via USB-OTG
For Android smartphones with support USB OTG You can connect the printer directly with a cable. USB-A → USB-C/Micro-USBTo do this:
- 📱 Buy an OTG adapter (costs 200–500 rubles).
- 🔌 Connect the printer to your phone and wait for the drivers to install.
- 📄 Use the app Brother iPrint&Scan for printing.
2. Cloud Printing (Brother Web Connect)
Some models Brother (For example, MFC-J6545DW) support printing via cloud services:
- Register your printer on the portal
brother-cloud.com. - Upload your document to the cloud via the web interface or mobile app.
- Select a printer to print to—the document will be sent even if you're not on the same network.
3. Wi-Fi Direct (direct connection)
If you don't have a router at hand, use the mode Wi-Fi Direct:
- 📶 Activate
Wi-Fi Directon the printer (in the network menu). - 📱 Connect your phone to the printer's network (the password is usually on a sticker or in the manual).
- 📄 Print via Brother iPrint&Scan or standard system tools.
⚠️ Attention: When using Wi-Fi Direct The phone will lose internet access. This method is suitable for one-time printing, but is inconvenient for regular use.
7. Optimizing settings for stable operation
To avoid problems in the future, configure your network and printer optimally:
1. Router settings:
- 📶 Use
2.4 GHzinstead of5 GHz- many printers Brother do not support high frequency range. - 🔒 Set up encryption
WPA2-PSK (AES)- This is the most compatible security mode. - 📡 Disable the feature
Quick switching between ranges(if any), so that the printer does not get "lost" when changing frequencies.
2. Printer settings:
- 🔄 Turn on
Power saving mode: Offto keep the printer connected to the network. - 📊 Activate
SNMPin network settings - this will help the phone find the device faster. - 🔧 Update
DNS serveron the printer before8.8.8.8(Google) or1.1.1.1(Cloudflare).
3. Phone settings:
- 📱 Turn off
Modem mode(if enabled) - it may conflict with printing. - 🔄 Restart your phone after connecting to the printer for the first time.
- 📴 Set a static IP address for the printer in the Wi-Fi settings (for Android:
Settings → Wi-Fi → Advanced → Static IP).
💡 Advice: If you frequently print from your phone, create a shortcut for quick access. On Android, add a widget. Brother iPrint&Scan to the home screen, and on iPhone use the function Screen Time → Shortcuts to quickly start printing.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
My Brother printer doesn't support Wi-Fi. What should I do?
If your model is not equipped with a Wi-Fi module (for example, Brother HL-1110), there are three options:
- Use USB-OTG for direct connection to phone (Android only).
- Connect the printer to your computer and set it up public access via Google Cloud Print (an outdated method, but still works on some devices).
- Buy Wi-Fi adapter for printer (For example, TP-Link TL-WPS510U), but make sure it is compatible with your model.
How to print from a phone to a Brother printer via mobile internet (4G/5G)?
Printing via mobile internet is only possible using cloud services:
- Register your printer in Brother Web Connect (an account is required).
- Upload the document to the cloud via the app Brother iPrint&Scan.
- Select a printer to print to – it will receive the task via the Internet.
⚠️ Disadvantage of this method: the printer must be turned on and connected to Wi-Fi (even if you are not on this network).
Why does my Brother printer print blank pages or cut off text?
The problem is usually related to incorrect page settings:
- Check it out paper size in the print settings (must match the one loaded into the printer).
- Disable the option
Fit to page- She can trim the edges. - Update the printer driver on your phone: remove the device from the list and add it again.
- For PDF files, try converting them to an image (JPG) before printing.
Is it possible to print from a phone to a Brother printer without a router?
Yes, for this use:
- Wi-Fi Direct — direct connection of the phone to the printer (without Internet access).
- USB-OTG — connection via cable (only for Android).
- Bluetooth - supported by rare models (for example, Brother PocketJet).
For Wi-Fi Direct:
1. On the printer: Menu → Network → Wi-Fi Direct → On.2. On your phone: connect to the printer network (password on the sticker).
3. Print via Brother iPrint&Scan.
How do I reset my Brother printer's network settings?
If your printer has forgotten the network or won't connect, reset it:
- Click
Menuon the printer panel. - Go to
Network → Reset network settings(orAll settings → Reset). - Confirm reset (the printer will reboot).
- Set up Wi-Fi again (see section 2 of this article).
⚠️ After resetting, the printer will lose all saved networks, including Wi-Fi Direct.