Modern office equipment has long ceased to be bulky devices that require a cable connection to a desktop computer. Today, device owners Brother They can instantly print documents or photos directly from their smartphone, from anywhere in the apartment. This is not only convenient but also a significant time saver, eliminating the need to transfer files to a flash drive or turn on a laptop.
Setup process wireless connection It may seem complicated at first glance. In fact, Brother engineers have developed several intuitive ways to integrate devices into a single network. In this article, we'll cover all the current methods in detail, from using the proprietary app to setting up via WPS, so you can choose the one that best suits your situation.
Before starting setup, make sure your router is turned on and working properly. Also, make sure your phone's Wi-Fi is enabled. If you just unpacked the device, make sure the cartridges contain toner and the protective tape has been removed, as software setup is impossible without basic hardware readiness.
Equipment preparation and compatibility testing
The first step is to physically prepare the printer. If the device was previously used with a USB cable or via Ethernet, it's advisable to reset the network settings to factory defaults to avoid IP address conflicts. On most Brother models, this can be done through the menu. Settings → Network → Network Reset or by holding down a special button on the control panel.
It's important to ensure your smartphone and printer are within range of a strong signal. Walls, microwaves, and baby monitors can interfere with the 2.4 GHz band used by most printers. Move closer to the router if the setup process takes too long or is constantly interrupted.
Check your device model, as older versions may not support modern WPA3 encryption standards, which are sometimes enabled by default on newer routers. In this case, you'll need to temporarily enable WPA2 compatibility or mixed mode in your router settings.
⚠️ Important: Make sure your phone isn't using mobile data (4G/5G) during setup. Both devices must be configured to work on the same local network, otherwise the printer search may fail.
To work comfortably, you'll need to know your Wi-Fi network password. If you haven't changed it since your ISP installed it, check the sticker on the bottom of your router. Also, have your PIN ready if it's requested when you first turn on the printer; by default, it's often 0000 or 1234, but the exact value is indicated in the instructions.
Make sure your phone's operating system is updated to the latest version. Older versions of Android or iOS may not work correctly with the new Mopria or AirPrint device discovery protocols, which will result in errors when searching for devices on the network.
Using the Brother iPrint&Scan app
The most functional way to manage printing is to use the official application Brother iPrint&ScanThis software is available in the Google Play Market and Apple App Store. It not only allows you to print but also scan documents directly to your phone's gallery and check ink levels in your cartridges.
After installing the app, launch it and follow the on-screen instructions. The program will automatically prompt you to find the device on the network. If the printer isn't yet connected to Wi-Fi, the app may offer to set it up via Bluetooth, making it much easier to transfer the router password without manually entering it.
Within the app, you have access to advanced settings. You can change the paper size, media type, print quality, and even create multi-page PDFs. Business users can print documents from cloud storage services like Google Drive or Dropbox without saving them to your phone.
- 📱 Download the Brother iPrint&Scan app from the official store.
- 🔌 Turn on the printer and make sure it is ready to use.
- 📡 Connect your phone to the same Wi-Fi network to which you plan to connect the printer.
- 🔄 Follow the on-screen prompts to complete pairing.
It's important to note that the app requires local network access permission. If you ignore this request upon first launch, the app won't detect the printer. In this case, you'll need to go to your phone's settings, find the Brother app in the list of installed apps, and manually enable the local network access slider.
Setup via Wi-Fi Direct (without a router)
One of the most convenient features of modern Brother models is the technology Wi-Fi DirectIt allows you to establish a direct connection between your phone and printer without a router. This is ideal for printing documents when visiting someone, at the cottage, or in the office where you don't know the main network password.
To activate this mode, locate the button with a smartphone image or the Wi-Fi Direct icon on the printer panel. Press it until the display shows a message indicating the mode is enabled or the corresponding indicator lights up. On some models without a display, press the "Menu" button, select "Network," and enable Wi-Fi Direct.
Once the mode is activated, the printer will create its own access point. You need to go to the Wi-Fi settings on your phone, find a network with a name containing "DIRECT" and your Brother model, and connect to it. The default password is often printed on a label inside the printer or on the printed network configuration report.
☑️ Check Wi-Fi Direct
Please note that when connecting via Wi-Fi Direct, your phone may temporarily lose internet access as it switches to a direct connection with the printer. Modern smartphones can typically use both channels simultaneously, but on older devices, internet access may be lost before printing is complete.
⚠️ Note: Wi-Fi Direct mode has range limitations. The phone and printer must be within 5-10 meters of each other, preferably in direct line of sight, with no thick concrete walls between them.
If you plan to use this method frequently, it's a good idea to change the network name and password to something more convenient through the printer's web interface. This will simplify future connections and protect your printing from unauthorized access by anyone nearby.
Connecting via WPS (WPS Protected Setup)
WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) is one of the fastest ways to connect a Brother printer to your home network if your router supports it. It eliminates the need to manually enter a complex password, which is especially helpful if you have a long password combination.
Find the WPS button on the printer panel or enter the menu Network → WLAN → WPSPress and hold the button for 2-3 seconds until the Wi-Fi indicator starts flashing. Then, within two minutes, press the WPS button on your router. The devices will automatically exchange encryption keys.
The process takes less than a minute. If the connection is successful, the wireless network indicator on the printer will stop blinking and remain solid. This means the device has received an IP address from the router and is ready to work with any device on the network.
| Method | Need a router | Complexity | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPrint&Scan app | Yes | Low | High |
| Wi-Fi Direct | No | Average | High |
| WPS | Yes | Very low | Very high |
| Manual entry (SSID) | Yes | High | Low |
Not all routers have a physical WPS button. Some models require this feature to be activated through the administrator's web interface. If the button is missing and the option isn't available in the router's menu, you'll need to use the other connection methods described above.
Printing from iPhone (AirPrint) and Android
Apple device owners can use the technology AirPrint, which is built into the iOS system. No additional drivers are required for printing. The main requirement is that the iPhone and Brother printer must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Open the document, photo, or webpage you want to print. Click the "Share" icon (the square with an arrow) and select "Print." Your printer should appear in the list of devices. If it doesn't appear, check that "AP Client Isolation" mode is not enabled on your router, which prevents devices from seeing each other.
Android users can also print without installing additional apps if their phone supports the Mopria standard. In your phone's settings, under "Connections" or "Connected Devices," find "Printing" and activate the Mopria or Default Print Service plugin.
What should I do if AirPrint doesn't see my printer?
Make sure your router isn't set to split the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands into different network names (SSIDs). Your iPhone and printer must be on the same subnet. Also, try restarting your router and printer.
For Android devices, Brother also offers a plugin. Brother Print Service PluginIt integrates into the system and allows printing from any application by selecting "Print" from the menu. The plugin automatically detects Brother printers on the network and allows you to configure print settings for each job individually.
Solving common problems
Even with proper setup, issues may still occur. Often, the problem stems from the printer's IP address being dynamically changed by the router. To avoid this, it's recommended to reserve a static IP address for your printer's MAC address in your router settings. This ensures that your computer and phone will always know where to find the device.
Another common cause of errors is an antivirus program on your computer or a firewall on your router, which blocks the ports used for printing (usually port 9100). If printing works, but the printer status in the system is shown as "Offline," check your network security settings.
- 🔌 Check if the power cable is loose or if the error indicator is blinking.
- 📶 Make sure your phone and printer are on the same network (not a guest network).
- 🔄 Restart your router if your devices stop responding.
- 📄 Update your printer firmware through the device menu.
If your Brother printer stops responding after updating your phone's operating system, try removing the device from the list of available printers and adding it again. Sometimes old connection profiles conflict with new security protocols.
⚠️ Note: Menu interfaces and item names may vary depending on the printer model and firmware version. Always consult the official instructions for your specific printer series if the standard paths differ.
If you experience persistent errors and nothing else helps, perform a full reset of the printer's network settings. This will return all settings to factory defaults and allow you to start the connection process from scratch, which often resolves issues with frozen network services.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to connect a Brother printer to a phone without a router?
Yes, this is possible using Wi-Fi Direct. In this mode, the printer creates its own wireless network, which your phone connects to. However, in this mode, your phone may not have internet access if it doesn't support two Wi-Fi connections simultaneously.
Why can't my phone see my Brother printer on the network?
The most likely cause is that the devices are connected to different networks (for example, one to 2.4 GHz, the other to 5 GHz with different names) or client isolation is enabled on the router. Also, check if your antivirus software is blocking network discovery.
How to find the printer IP address for manual configuration?
Press the "Menu" button on the printer, go to the "Network" or "Report" section, and select "Print Report" or "Network Configuration." The printed report will show the device's current IP address.
Does cloud printing work if the router is turned off?
No, printing via cloud services (Brother Cloud, Google Cloud Print legacy) requires an active internet connection from the printer via a router. Without a router, only direct printing via Wi-Fi Direct or a USB cable (if your phone supports OTG) is possible.