Connecting a printer Brother DCP-2340DW Setting up a wireless network is a challenge faced by both novice and experienced office equipment owners. Despite its apparent simplicity, the process can be complicated by driver incompatibilities, authentication errors, or router features. This article will help you understand all the nuances: from preparing the equipment to diagnosing common problems.
Model DCP-2340DW supports both wired connection via USB, and wireless - through Wi-Fi Direct or a standard network 802.11b/g/nWe'll focus on the second option, as it offers flexibility in printer placement and the ability to print from multiple devices simultaneously. It's important to note that the connection algorithm may differ slightly depending on the operating system (Windows 10/11 or macOS) and router models.
Before you begin, make sure you have the following on hand:
- 📄 Printer manual (if available) - it contains the factory network settings.
- 🔌 Network cable
Ethernet(in case a temporary wired connection is required for setup). - 💻 A computer or laptop with the latest OS version and administrator rights.
- 📶 Wi-Fi connection details: network name (
SSID) and password.
1. Preparing the printer Brother DCP-2340DW to setting up Wi-Fi
Before setting up a wireless connection, the printer must be in working order. Start by checking the package contents: the box should contain the printer itself, a power cable, cartridges (if purchased separately), a driver disc, and a quick start guide. Make sure all protective films and shipping locks have been removed, especially for the cartridges and scanner.
Connect the printer to the network 220V and press the power button. Wait for the initialization process to complete—this will take about 1–2 minutes. The device will indicate that it is ready. green indicator on the control panel. If the light is flashing orange or red, this indicates an error. In this case, check:
- 🔋 Ensure that the cartridges are installed correctly (the printer may not turn on if the sensor does not detect their presence).
- 📦 There is paper in the tray (some models block functions without paper).
- 🔌 Quality of connection to the power grid (try a different cable or outlet).
If the printer has successfully turned on, proceed to resetting the network settings (recommended to avoid conflicts with previous connections). To do this:
- Click the button
Menuon the control panel. - Go to the section
Network→WLAN→Reset Network. - Confirm the reset by selecting
Yes.
2. Select a connection method: Wi-Fi or WPS
Printer Brother DCP-2340DW supports two main methods of connecting to a wireless network: manual entry of Wi-Fi parameters And automatic connection via WPSThe choice depends on your router's capabilities and security preferences.
Method 1: WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup)
This is the fastest method, but it requires your router to support the technology. WPS (This is usually indicated by the presence of a button with the corresponding inscription). Algorithm of actions:
- Activate the mode
WPSon the router - press the buttonWPS(it can be combined withWi-Fi). - On the printer, go to
Menu→Network→WLAN→WPS. - Select
Push Button Methodand confirm to start searching for the network. - Wait for a message about successful connection (usually takes up to 2 minutes).
Method 2: Manually entering Wi-Fi parameters
If the router does not support WPS or if you prefer a more controlled process, use this method. You will need to enter SSID (network name) and password manually. To do this:
- On the printer, select
Menu→Network→WLAN→Setup Wizard. - Specify the name of your network from the list of available ones (or enter it manually if the network is hidden).
- Enter the password using the printer's on-screen keyboard.
- Confirm saving the settings.
What to do if the printer doesn't see your Wi-Fi network?
If the printer does not show your network in the list of available networks, check:
1. Router operating mode: The printer only supports networks 2.4 GHz (Not 5 GHz).
2. Encryption type: must be included WPA2-PSK (AES) or WPA3-PSK. Turn it off. TKIP or mixed modes.
3. Hidden network (SSID): If the network is hidden, select the option Manual Setup and enter the network name manually.
3. Installing drivers on your computer
Even after successfully connecting the printer to Wi-Fi, the computer will not be able to communicate with it without special software. Drivers ensure compatibility. Brother DCP-2340DW with your operating system and allow you to use all the functions of the device (printing, scanning, copying).
There are two ways to install drivers:
- 💿 From the disc that came with your printer (useful if you don't have internet access).
- 🌐 From the official website Brother - This method is preferable, as it guarantees the current version of the software.
To download drivers from the website:
- Go to the support page Brother (link opens in a new tab).
- Enter your printer model -
DCP-2340DW— in the search field. - Select your operating system and its bit depth (
32-bitor64-bit). - Download the file
Full Driver & Software Package.
After downloading, run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions. When selecting the connection type, specify Wireless Network ConnectionIf the printer is already connected to Wi-Fi, the installer should automatically detect it. Otherwise, you may need to temporarily connect via USB to complete the setup.
Disable your antivirus during installation|Close all programs using the printer|Connect the printer to a 220V network|Make sure you have a stable internet connection-->
4. Setting up the printer in the operating system
After installing the drivers, the printer should automatically appear in the list of devices. However, in some cases, it may need to be added manually. Let's look at the process for Windows 10/11 And macOS.
For Windows:
- Open
Parameters→Devices→Printers and scanners. - Click
Add a printer or scanner. - Wait for the system to detect Brother DCP-2340DWIf this does not happen, click
The printer you need is not listed.. - Select
Add a printer by its TCP/IP address or hostnameand enter the printer's IP address (you can find it by printing a network report from the printer's control panel).
For macOS:
- Open
System Preferences→Printers and scanners. - Click
+to add a new printer. - Select a tab
IPand enter the printer address, specifying the protocolLine Printer Daemon - LPD. - In the field
NamePlease enter a custom name (for example,Brother Office), and inLocation— the location of the printer installation. - In the section
Useselect driverBrother DCP-2340DW.
5. Checking the connection and troubleshooting
After setup, you need to ensure that the printer communicates correctly with the computer. To do this:
- Send a test document to print (for example, a page with text from
Notepad). - Check if the printer appears in the list of devices without an exclamation mark.
- Print it out
Network Configuration Pagefrom the printer control panel to ensure that the network settings are correct.
If printing fails, please refer to the table of typical errors and their solutions:
| Error | Possible cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
Offline (The printer is offline) |
The printer is not connected to Wi-Fi or the IP address has changed. | Restart the printer and router. Check the IP address in the printer settings. |
Driver Unavailable (Driver not available) |
The driver is not installed or is corrupted. | Reinstall the driver from the official website Brother. |
Authentication Error (Authentication error) |
Incorrect Wi-Fi password or incompatible encryption type. | Check your router password and security settings (should be WPA2-PSK). |
Unable to Connect (Unable to connect) |
The printer and computer are on different subnets. | Configure a static IP address for the printer within your local network range. |
A critical feature of the DCP-2340DW model: the printer does not support 5 GHz networks, so if your router operates in dual-band mode, make sure that the 2.4 GHz network is enabled and has a unique name (SSID).
6. Additional settings: printing from mobile devices
One of the advantages of wireless connectivity is the ability to print from smartphones and tablets. You can use the official app for this. Brother iPrint&Scan (available for Android And iOS) or built-in functions of the operating system.
Setting up via Brother iPrint&Scan:
- Download the app from
App StoreorGoogle Play. - Run it and allow access to the local network.
- The app will automatically find the printer on the same Wi-Fi network. If it doesn't, add it manually by entering its IP address.
- Select a document to print from your gallery, cloud storage, or email.
Printing via AirPrint (for iPhone/iPad):
Model DCP-2340DW supports AirPrint, so for printing from devices Apple enough:
- Open the document or photo you want to print.
- Press the button
Share(square with an arrow pointing up). - Choose
Sealand specify the printer Brother DCP-2340DW. - Set up print settings (number of copies, orientation, etc.) and confirm.
How to print from Android without the Brother app?
On most Android devices, you can add a printer through the system:
1. Open Settings → Connected devices → Seal.
2. Click Add a service and select Brother Print Service Plugin (if it is not installed, download it from Play Market).
3. After installing the plugin, the printer will appear in the list of available devices for printing.
7. Optimizing printer operation on the network
To avoid connection problems in the future, it is recommended to make a few additional settings:
- 🔄 Firmware update: Check the website regularly for printer updates. BrotherNew firmware versions fix bugs and add support for modern security standards.
- 📡 Selecting a Wi-Fi channelIf your printer frequently loses connection, try changing the channel in your router settings.
2.4 GHzto a less busy one (for example, 1, 6 or 11). - 🔒 Setting up a firewallMake sure Windows Firewall or antivirus software isn't blocking access to the printer. Add its IP address to the exceptions list.
- 📥 Toner saving: In the driver settings, enable the mode
Tonersaver(Toner Save), if print quality is not critical.
It is also useful to set up sleep mode printer to reduce energy consumption. To do this:
- On the printer, go to
Menu→General Setup→Sleep Time. - Set the time to go into sleep mode (eg.
5 minutesor15 minutes). - Activate the option
Deep Sleep, if the printer is used rarely.
8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
🔹 Why won't my Brother DCP-2340DW printer connect to Wi-Fi even though the password is correct?
The problem may be related to your router settings:
- Check that the network is working in mode
802.11b/g/n(Not802.11acorax). - Disable the feature
WMM (Wi-Fi Multimedia)orQoSin the router settings. - Make sure that the network name (
SSID) there are no Cyrillic characters or spaces.
If nothing helps, reset the printer to factory settings and try setting it up again.
🔹 Is it possible to connect a printer to Wi-Fi without a computer?
Yes, for this:
- On the printer, select
Menu→Network→WLAN→Setup Wizard. - Follow the on-screen instructions to manually enter your network details.
- After connecting, print
Network Configuration Pageto find out the IP address of the printer.
This is enough for printing from mobile devices via the app. Brother iPrint&Scan.
🔹 How do I reset my printer's Wi-Fi settings?
To reset network settings:
- Click
Menuon the control panel. - Go to
Network→WLAN→Reset Network. - Confirm the reset by selecting
Yes.
After this, the printer will lose all saved networks and they will have to be configured again.
🔹 Why is my printer printing slowly over Wi-Fi?
Slow wireless printing may be caused by:
- Weak Wi-Fi signal (check the signal strength on the printer).
- Network congestion (turn off other devices that consume traffic).
- Low printer priority in settings
QoSrouter. - Outdated printer firmware.
Try connecting the printer to the router via cable. Ethernet - If the speed increases, the problem is in the wireless connection.
🔹 How do I find the IP address of my Brother DCP-2340DW printer?
There are three ways:
- Print it out
Network Configuration Page: press and hold the buttonGo(orWireless) within 5 seconds. - Check the list of connected devices in the router's web interface (usually at
192.168.1.1or192.168.0.1). - Use the utility BRAdmin Light (you can download it from the website) Brother).
If you encounter a problem not described in this article, we recommend contacting support. Brother along with the error code (if displayed on the printer's screen). In most cases, the solution can be found in the official knowledge base or on relevant forums.