It is impossible to imagine a modern office without reliable printing equipment, and a laser printer Brother HL-L2340DWR It's deservedly popular due to its speed and cost-effectiveness. However, purchasing a device is only half the battle; for comfortable operation, it needs to be properly integrated into your home or office network. A wireless connection frees you from unnecessary cables, allowing you to print documents from a laptop, smartphone, or tablet from anywhere in the home.
The setup process may seem complicated at first glance, especially if you're new to laser printers. In this article, we'll walk you through every step of the connection process, from preparing the hardware to installing specialized software on your computer. Stability of work The printer's performance directly depends on the correctness of the steps taken at the initial stage, so it is important to follow the instructions carefully.
We'll cover several connection methods, including using WPS and manual setup via the device's menu. We'll also cover common errors that can occur when connecting a router and printer. Understanding the operating principles IP addressing and network protocols will help you not only configure your device, but also quickly diagnose problems in the future if the connection is suddenly interrupted.
Preparatory stage before setting up the network
Before you begin the software part, you need to make sure that the physical environment is ready for work. Make sure that your Wi-Fi router The printer is turned on, working properly, and transmitting an internet signal to other devices, such as smartphones or laptops. The printer should be placed near the router during setup to rule out weak signal issues, which are often mistaken for configuration errors.
It's important to know your wireless network settings, as they will be needed throughout the process. You need to know exactly SSID (network name) and password to access it. Please note that most printers, including the model HL-L2340DWR, operate only in the 2.4 GHz range and may not see 5 GHz networks unless the dual-band feature with the same name is enabled on the router.
⚠️ Attention: If your router broadcasts two different networks (for example, "HomeWiFi" and "HomeWiFi_5G"), make sure you are trying to connect the printer to the 2.4 GHz network, as it may simply not detect the 5 GHz network.
It is also worth checking the presence of cartridges and paper in the tray, as some printer models Brother Block network setup if they detect missing supplies or an open cover. Make sure the device is plugged in and ready, indicated by a green indicator. Ready.
Connection method via WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup)
The fastest and easiest method for setting up wireless printing is to use technology WPSThis protocol allows devices to exchange connection data without having to manually enter a long and complex network password. To implement this method, your router must also support WPS, which is essential for modern models.
First, find the button on your printer's control panel that has a WiFi icon or the words WPSPress and hold this button for about two seconds until the wireless indicator light starts flashing. This puts the printer into connection standby mode.
Within two minutes of activating the mode on the printer, go to the router and press the button WPS on its body. If the button on the router is hidden or combined with another function, you may need to hold it longer, usually about 3-5 seconds, until the corresponding indicator flashes.
- 🔵 Press the WPS button on the printer panel and hold for 2 seconds.
- 📡 Within 2 minutes, press the WPS button on your wireless router.
- ✅ Wait until the WiFi indicator on the printer stops blinking and remains on continuously.
- 🖨️ Print a network report to ensure that you have successfully obtained an IP address.
After a successful connection, the wireless indicator on the printer Brother HL-L2340DWR will stop blinking and will remain solid. This means that the device has received IP address From the router and ready to use. If the indicator continues to flash or goes out, the connection is not established, and you should try another method or check your router settings.
Manual WiFi setup via the printer menu
If automatic connection fails or your router doesn't support WPS, you'll have to enter the data manually. This method is more secure in complex network environments where network names are hidden or passwords use special characters. Navigate the menu using the buttons. OK and up/down arrows on the device panel.
To get started, click the button Menu on the control panel, then use the arrows to find the item Network and confirm your choice with the button OK. Next, select WLAN, then Setup WizardThe printer will ask you to confirm that wireless communication is enabled - select On or Yes.
The device will start searching for available networks and display a list of those found. SSIDFind your network name in the list and click OKIf your network is hidden, select Other SSID and enter the name manually using the on-screen alphanumeric keyboard or via the navigation buttons.
Menu -> Network -> WLAN -> Setup Wizard -> On -> [Select network] -> Enter passwordAfter selecting the network, a password entry screen will open. Use the arrow keys to select characters and the Enter button. OK to enter each character. Be careful with the case of letters, as Wi-Fi passwords are case-sensitive. registerAfter entering the entire password, click OK, then select Yes to apply the settings.
☑️ Manual connection check
Installing drivers and software
Once the printer is connected to the network, the computer needs to "see" it and learn to communicate with it. This requires installing drivers and management utilities. The best way is to use the full software package from the official website, which contains not only print drivers but also tools for scanning and monitoring the device status.
Go to the official support website Brother and find the download page for the model HL-L2340DWRSelect your operating system (Windows or macOS) and download the full driver and software package. Launching the installer will automatically scan the network and find the connected printer.
| Software component | Purpose | Necessity |
|---|---|---|
| Driver | Basic document printing | Necessarily |
| Brother iPrint&Scan | Mobile printing and scanning | Recommended |
| ControlCenter4 | Manage scanning from a PC | As desired |
| Printer Setting Tool | Setting up printer settings | For administrators |
During the installation process, the program may prompt you to select a connection type. Select Wireless Network connection (Wireless network connection). If the installer cannot find the printer automatically, you will be prompted to manually enter the device's IP address, which can be found by printing a network report.
⚠️ Attention: Antivirus programs or Windows firewalls can sometimes block network printer installation. If installation freezes, try temporarily disabling your security software.
Setting up printing from smartphones and tablets
One of the main advantages of a wireless printer Brother HL-L2340DWR is the ability to print directly from mobile devices without using a computer. For devices based on Android And iOS Brother has developed a free app Brother iPrint&Scan, which significantly expands functionality.
Download the app from Google Play or the App Store and install it on your smartphone. Make sure your phone is connected to the same WiFi network as the printer. When you first launch the app, it will automatically detect the printer on your local network.
The app not only lets you print documents and photos, but also scan images directly to your phone's gallery or cloud storage. Technology support AirPrint Allows iPhone and iPad owners to print directly from the system's Share menu, without opening any third-party apps.
What to do if the phone doesn’t see the printer?
Make sure both devices are on the same subnet (for example, the guest network isn't enabled on the router for your phone). Also, check if AP Isolation is enabled on the router, which prevents devices from seeing each other.
Diagnosing problems and printing a network report
Even with proper setup, situations may arise where the printer stops responding or loses connection. The first step in troubleshooting should always be printing a wireless network report. To do this, click Menu, select Print Reports, then WLAN Report and press OK.
In the resulting report, pay attention to the error code (if any) and the current connection status. We are interested in the line Link Status — it should show "Connected". Also check the IP address: if it starts with 169.254.x.x, this means that the printer has not received an address from the router and the connection has not been established.
A common issue is changing the WiFi password or replacing the router. In this case, the old printer settings become invalid. You need to reset the printer's network settings to factory defaults and reconnect as described in the sections above.
- 📄 Print the WLAN Report via the printer menu.
- 🔍 Check the error code and Link Status.
- 🔄 Make sure the IP address is valid (not 0.0.0.0 or 169.254...).
- 🔌 Restart your router and printer if the problem persists.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to connect Brother HL-L2340DWR to a hidden network (Hidden SSID)?
Yes, this is possible, but only through manual configuration. When searching for networks, select "Other SSID" or "Manual," and you'll have to manually enter the exact network name and password. Automatic search and WPS are not available for hidden networks.
My printer stopped printing after changing my router. What should I do?
Changing your router changes your network settings. You'll need to reset your printer's network settings (Menu -> Network -> Network Reset -> Yes) and reconnect to the new WiFi network, as you did during initial setup.
Does this model support cloud printing (Google Cloud Print)?
Model HL-L2340DWR Has limited cloud printing capabilities. Google Cloud Print has been officially discontinued by Google, so it is recommended to use the Brother iPrint&Scan app or AirPrint drivers for remote printing.
What is the maximum WiFi range of this printer?
The range depends not on the printer itself, but on the power of your router and the presence of obstacles (such as walls). The printer uses standard Wi-Fi modules, so the coverage area will be the same as a smartphone or laptop in the same location.