Changing your internet provider or upgrading your home router often requires you to reconfigure all your connected devices, and printers This is no exception. When you change your router or Wi-Fi password, your Brother printer It stops detecting the network because it retains old access credentials. This is a common problem faced by owners of office and home equipment.
To restore wireless printing, you don't need to call a technician or take the device to a service center. Modern models Brother HL, MFC, DCP They are equipped with user-friendly menus that allow you to reconnect in just a few minutes. The key is to know the correct sequence of steps for your specific model and understand how the security protocol of your new network works.
In this article, we'll cover all current methods in detail: from automatic configuration via WPS to manually entering parameters through the control panel. You'll learn how to avoid common mistakes and what to do if your device stubbornly refuses to connect to the router. The key point is to reset the printer's network settings beforehand, which is often ignored by users, which leads to connection errors.
Equipment preparation and compatibility testing
Before beginning the active setup phase, you need to ensure your equipment is ready for use. Make sure the new router is turned on, stable, and has a strong signal. The computer or smartphone you plan to use to manage the process must be connected to the same network to which you want to connect the printer.
Please pay attention to the frequency range of your Wi-Fi network. Many models Brother printers, especially those released a few years ago, only support a range 2.4 GHz and don't see the network 5 GHzIf your router broadcasts two different networks, make sure you're trying to connect to the point-to-point 4GHz network.
It's also important to have the new Wi-Fi password handy. Modern routers often have complex passwords, using capital letters and special characters. A single character error will prevent the printer from logging into the network.
Check your device model. The steps may differ slightly for touchscreen and button-based models. Find the exact model number on the front panel or a sticker on the back of your device to find specific instructions if needed.
Resetting the Brother printer's network settings
The first and most important step is to clear old network profiles. If you simply try to enter a new password over an old one, the device may attempt to use saved IP address configurations, causing a conflict. A reset will return the network module to its original state.
For devices with a color touch screen, press the button Settings (Settings) on the main screen. From the menu, select All Settings, then go to the section NetworkYou need to find the item here. Network Reset and confirm the action by selecting YesThe printer will reboot the network module.
If you have a model with a monochrome display and buttons, the algorithm is a little more complicated. Press Menu, then use the arrows to navigate. You need to find the section Network or Net, then select Network Reset or Network resetConfirm your choice with the button. OK or Start.
⚠️ Attention: After resetting the settings, all previously connected computers will lose connection to the printer. You will need to reinstall the drivers or configure the ports on each workstation that will use this device.
After the reset, a message may appear on the screen indicating that a reboot is required. Wait until the printer is fully powered on and enters standby mode. It is now ready to search for a new network.
☑️ Checklist before setting up Wi-Fi
WPS method: the fastest connection
The easiest way to reconnect a Brother printer to a new WiFi network is to use WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup). This method allows you to connect devices without entering a password, simply by pressing a button on the router. However, your router must also support this feature.
Find the button WPS on the body of your router. It may be a physical button or a software button in the router's interface. On a Brother printer, go to the network settings menu (Network or WLAN). Select an option WPS or WPS/AOSS.
After selecting the option, the printer screen will prompt you to press the WPS button on the access point. Press the corresponding button on the router (sometimes you need to hold it for 2-3 seconds). The printer will automatically exchange encryption keys and connect to the network.
If the connection is successful, a message will appear on the printer screen. Connected or Connected, as well as the device's IP address. You can try printing the document immediately. If the connection isn't established within two minutes, an error message will appear.
What to do if the WPS button does not work?
If the router's button isn't responding or the printer is displaying an error, WPS may be disabled in the router's security settings. Access the router's web interface (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and check the Wireless Security section. WPS may also not work if the MAC address filter is enabled on the router.
Manual setup via the Installation Wizard
If the automatic method doesn't work, you'll have to use manual data entry. This is a universal method that works with all router models. In the printer menu, go to Menu → Network → WLAN → Setup Wizard (Installation Wizard).
The printer will begin searching for available wireless networks. In the list that appears, find the SSID (name) of your new Wi-Fi network. If the network is hidden, select the option Other or Other and enter the network name manually, observing the case of the letters.
After selecting a network, the device will ask for a password. Use the on-screen keyboard or navigation buttons to enter characters. Be careful: the characters 0 (zero) and O (letter O) is often confused, as well as 1 (unit) with l (lowercase L). To switch case, use the button # or the special up/down arrow key.
After entering the password, click OKThe printer will attempt to connect. This process may take up to two minutes. If successful, an IP address will appear on the screen. 192.168.x.xIf you saw the message Connection Fail, check your password again.
Setup via USB cable (Temporary connection method)
Some models Brother Allows you to set up Wi-Fi via a temporary USB cable connection to your computer. To do this, you'll need the driver from the official website and the cable itself (usually a Type-B cable, like those found on older scanners). This method is convenient if entering a long password on the printer is inconvenient.
Run the driver installer from the disk or downloaded file. Select the connection type. Wireless (Wireless). When the program prompts you to connect a device, connect the printer and PC with a cable. The program will automatically transfer the Wi-Fi settings from your computer to the printer.
After a successful data transfer, the program will prompt you to disconnect the USB cable. The printer will disconnect the cable and attempt to connect to the Wi-Fi network it just received. This is a very reliable method for office MFPs. MFC-L And DCP-L.
It's important that your computer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network you want to connect the printer to during setup. If your laptop is connected via a LAN cable and the printer is being configured via Wi-Fi, make sure they are on the same subnet.
Table of indicators and error codes
Understanding the signals your device emits will help you quickly diagnose the problem. Don't ignore blinking lights, as they indicate the connection status.
| Indicator / Message | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Lights up blue constantly | Successful connection to Wi-Fi | You can start printing. |
| Flashing blue slowly | Searching for a network or waiting for WPS | Wait or press the button on the router |
| Flashing blue quickly | Obtaining an IP address | Check your router's DHCP settings. |
| Lights up red / Connection Fail | Password or network error | Check the password and distance to the router |
| It doesn't burn. | The Wi-Fi module is turned off | Enable WLAN in the Network menu |
If the indicator is red, it almost always indicates an authentication issue. In 90% of cases, the cause is an incorrect password or the wrong encryption type (for example, a printer requires WPA2, but the router is configured for WPA3-only).
Solving common connection problems and errors
Even if you follow all the instructions, difficulties may arise. One of the common problems is MAC address filtering On the router. If the "Allow List" is enabled on the router, the new device won't be allowed onto the network until you add its MAC address to the router settings.
You can find the MAC address of your Brother printer by printing a network configuration report. To do this, click Menu → Print Reports → Network ConfigFind the line on the printed sheet. MAC Address (usually looks like 00:80:77:XX:XX:XX) and enter it in the router interface.
Another issue is DHCP overflow. If there are many devices on the network, the router may not assign a new IP address to the printer. Try rebooting the router to refresh the address pool, or assign the printer a static IP address outside the DHCP range.
⚠️ Attention: Router interfaces and printer firmware are regularly updated. If the menu items described differ, please check the official user manual for your specific model on the manufacturer's website, as the menu layout may change.
Also, make sure AP Isolation isn't enabled on your router. This feature prevents devices on the same Wi-Fi network from communicating with each other, preventing your computer from seeing the printer even if both are connected.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I connect my Brother printer to a hidden Wi-Fi network?
Yes, you can. In the wireless setup wizard, select the option Other or OtherYou'll need to manually enter the exact network name (SSID) and password. Make sure your router isn't configured to block new devices from connecting by MAC address.
The printer is connected, but the computer doesn't see it. What's wrong?
Check that your computer and printer are on the same subnet. The issue could also be with Windows Firewall or antivirus software blocking network device detection. Try temporarily disabling them to check.
How to find the printer's IP address after reconnecting?
Click the button Menu on the printer, go to Network → WLANThe IP address will be displayed on the screen. You can also print a network configuration report by selecting the appropriate option in the report printing menu.
Does my Brother printer support 5GHz network?
Most budget and office Brother models only support the 2.4 GHz band. You can check this in the model specifications on the official website. If the printer doesn't detect your network, it may only operate on the 5 GHz band—enable the 2.4 GHz guest network in your router.
What should you do if you forgot your Wi-Fi password and need to connect your printer?
You can view the password in your router settings by connecting to it via cable or web interface. If the password has been changed, be sure to reset the printer's network settings before entering the new password, otherwise conflicts may occur.