Wireless Printing Setup: Brother and MacBook

The integration of peripherals into the Apple ecosystem often raises questions among users, especially when it comes to network connections. Connecting a printer Brother Connecting to a MacBook via Wi-Fi is a standard procedure that allows for convenient printing from any device on the network, but requires careful consideration of security and driver settings.

Modern models of the Japanese brand, such as the series HL-L2350DW or MFC-L2710DW, are equipped with wireless modules supporting 802.11b/g/n standards, ensuring stable data transfer. However, macOS is known for its software sensitivities, so using official drivers is a critical condition for correct operation.

Unlike a wired USB connection, the wireless method eliminates unnecessary cables and allows office equipment to be placed anywhere convenient as long as there's a router signal. To successfully implement this, you'll need to know Wi-Fi network password and have access to the control panel of the device itself or the computer for initial setup.

Checking compatibility and preparing equipment

Before proceeding with the software, you must ensure that the hardware is physically ready for operation. Make sure your printer is plugged in and the control panel indicators are solid, indicating readiness. Models with support Wi-Fi Direct can create their own network, but for integration with a MacBook, it is better to use a connection through the main router.

It's important to check whether your laptop and printer are on the same local network. If your MacBook is connected to a guest Wi-Fi network or uses VPN tunneling, printer detection may be hindered by client isolation settings. Disable temporary network profiles and ensure your router's frequency matches the printer's supported bands.

⚠️ Note: Some corporate networks use MAC address filtering. If you are in an office, please contact your system administrator, as self-configuration may be blocked by security policies.

It's also worth paying attention to the version of the macOS operating system. Newer versions, such as Sonoma or Ventura, may require updated driver versions, while older OS like Mojave may not support the latest WPA3 encryption protocols, which are already enabled by default on some routers.

Setting up the Brother printer's network module

The first step is to activate the wireless interface on your Brother device itself. The interface may vary depending on the model: on devices with a display, navigation is done through a menu, while on models without a display, it's done through a combination of buttons. Your task is to launch Wi-Fi Setup Wizard.

For models with an LCD screen, the sequence of actions usually looks like this: press the button Menu, select the item Net (Network), then go to WLAN and select Setup Wizard (Setup Wizard). After turning on Wi-Fi, the device will begin searching for available networks.

• 📶 Find the name of your home or office network (SSID) in the list and select it.
• 🔑 Enter the Wi-Fi network password using the on-screen alphabet or navigation buttons.
• ✅ Confirm your input and wait for the "Connected" message or the signal strength indicator to appear.

If your printer doesn't have a display, use the WPS method. Press the button WPS on the router, and then on the printer, press and hold the button Wi-Fi for a few seconds until the indicators begin flashing. This method will automatically transfer the encryption keys without the need for manual entry.

Installing drivers and software

macOS has built-in printer support. AirPrint, which often allows printing without installing additional drivers. However, for full functionality, including scanning and toner monitoring, it is highly recommended to install the full software package from the manufacturer's official website.

Go to the Brother support page and enter your exact device model in the search bar. Download the "Driver & Software" package for your version of macOS. Please note that newer versions of macOS may require permission to download from untrusted sources in your security settings.

⚠️ Please note: The manufacturer's website interface and download file structure may change. Always check the driver version against your macOS version in the system requirements on the download page.

Run the downloaded file .dmg and follow the installer's instructions. During the installation process, the system may ask for permission to install a system extension. You will need to click Allow in the system window that appears or go to System Preferences → Privacy & Security.

What should I do if macOS blocks installation?

If the system reports that the file cannot be opened, go to System Preferences → Privacy & Security. At the bottom of the window, you'll see a message about an application being blocked from Brother Industries, Ltd. Click "Open Anyway" and confirm with your administrator password.

After installing the drivers, restart your MacBook. This is necessary to ensure all system printing services are updated and correctly register the new components in the system.

Adding a printer to macOS

Once the drivers are successfully installed and the printer is connected to Wi-Fi, you need to add it to the list of available devices on your Mac. Open System Preferences (System Settings) and go to the section Printers and scanners (Printers & Scanners).

Click the button Add a printer, scanner or faxThe system will begin searching for devices on the local network. Within a few seconds, your Brother printer should appear in the list. Please note the field "Use" (Use).

If the system automatically selected the driver Secure AirPrintThis is the best option for basic printing. If you've installed the full driver package, select the model name marked "Brother" from the list to activate all the device's features, including duplex printing and tray management.

In some cases, if the printer isn't found automatically, you can add it by IP address. Click the globe icon (IP) in the add window, enter the printer's IP address (you can find this by printing a network report on the printer itself), and select the protocol. HP Jetdirect - Socket or IPP.

Setting up network scanning

Network scanning often requires separate configuration, as the standard AirPrint protocol is designed only for printing. To use the scanner, you need to use a utility. Brother iPrint&Scan or built-in application Image capture (Image Capture).

The first time you scan, the system may prompt you to create a security profile. This is necessary so the printer knows which computer is authorized to send scanned documents. Follow the on-screen instructions to create a new profile named after your Mac.

• 🖨 Open the app Image capture on Mac.
• 🔍 Select your Brother printer from the list of devices on the left.
• 📂 Specify the destination folder for scans and the file format (PDF or JPEG).

If you are using Brother proprietary software, make sure your macOS firewall settings allow incoming traffic for the appropriate ports. These are typically ports in the range 54920-54930 for BRAdmin protocol or proprietary scanning protocols.

⚠️ Warning: Antivirus software or third-party firewalls (such as Little Snitch) may block the scanning connection. If errors occur, check your firewall settings.

Diagnostics and solution

Even with proper setup, printing may freeze or the device may show up as "Offline." First, check to see if the printer's IP address has changed. Routers often assign dynamic addresses, and after a router reboot, the printer may receive a new address, causing it to lose connection with the Mac.

To solve this problem, it is recommended to assign the printer static IP address in the router settings or through the printer's web interface (Brother Web Connect). This ensures that the path to the device is always the same.

If the drivers aren't working correctly, try resetting the printing system. To do this, in the "Printers and Scanners" window, right-click (or Ctrl+Click) an empty space in the printer list and select Reset the printing systemThis will delete all queues and settings, after which the printer will need to be added again.

Also, make sure the printer isn't set to "Paused." In the print queue window, right-click the printer name and make sure "Pause Printing" is unchecked. Sometimes clearing the font cache or restarting the print service via Terminal can help. cupsctl --remote-any, although this is rarely required for home networks.

Why can't my MacBook see my Brother printer on the network?

Most often, the problem is that the devices are on different subnets (for example, one is connected to 2.4 GHz and the other to 5 GHz with isolation), or the "Guest Network" mode is enabled on the router, which prevents local communication between devices. Also, check whether the macOS firewall is blocking the connection.

How to print a test page?

Open "System Preferences" → "Printers & Scanners," select your Brother printer, click "Options & Supplies," and find the "Print a Test Page" button. This will help you check the connection quality and ink levels.

Is it possible to print from iPhone to the same printer?

Yes, if your printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your iPhone and supports AirPrint (which most modern Brother models do), you'll be able to print directly from iOS apps without installing any additional drivers.