Modern users rarely think about wires, preferring wireless connections for all peripherals. Connecting a printer Brother to the Wi-Fi network on the operating system Windows 10 Transforms a bulky device into an accessible resource for all computers in the home. This eliminates the need to constantly switch cables or carry the laptop to the printer.
The setup process has become much easier with the release of the latest driver versions, but there are some nuances that not everyone is aware of. initialization A secure connection guarantees stable operation without interruptions. In this article, we'll cover every step, from preparing the equipment to fine-tuning the ports.
Don't ignore this step, as a proper connection directly impacts data transfer speed. Errors at startup can result in the system seeing the device but not being able to send data to it. print taskLet's look at a course of action that will eliminate most problems.
Preliminary preparation of equipment and network
Before beginning software setup, you need to ensure your hardware is physically ready. Make sure your router is working properly and your laptop is already connected to the target Wi-Fi network. Printer Brother must be turned on and located in a strong signal reception area.
⚠️ Attention: If you're using a dual-band router (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), make sure your laptop and printer are on the same subnet. Many older printer models don't support the 5 GHz standard, so connecting to the 5 GHz guest network will make the device invisible to your PC.
It's important to know your device model, as it determines whether it has a display for entering a password. For models without a display (e.g., the series HL-2130 or DCP-1610W) the WPS method or a temporary USB connection is used to transfer Wi-Fi settings.
It's also worth downloading the full driver package from the manufacturer's official website in advance. Although Windows 10 often finds drivers automatically, using full software Brother allows you to access the scanner and monitor ink levels.
Automatic setup via the installation wizard
The easiest way is to use the automated wizard built into the installation file. Download the "Full Driver & Software Package" for your model from the Brother website. Run the file and accept the license agreement.
When selecting the connection type, select "Wireless Network." The program will automatically attempt to find the device. If the printer has already been configured with the router (for example, via WPS), the system will immediately detect its IP address.
If the device isn't found, the wizard will prompt you to temporarily connect it via USB cable. This is standard procedure: the cable is only used to transfer your Wi-Fi SSID and password to the printer's memory. Once the data is transferred, the cable can be disconnected.
☑️ Pre-installation check
Once the settings have been successfully transferred, the Wi-Fi indicator on the printer's control panel should light or begin blinking, indicating it's ready to use. Now you can proceed to adding the device to your Windows system.
Manually adding a printer in Windows 10
If automatic installation doesn't work or you prefer manual control, add the device through system settings. Open the Start menu and go to Settings → Devices → Printers & ScannersClick the "Add a printer or scanner" button.
The system will start searching. If your Brother If your printer is listed, simply click on it and select "Add device." Windows will automatically select a basic driver. However, for full functionality, it's best to click the "The printer I want isn't listed" link.
In the window that opens, select "Add a printer by IP address or hostname." This method is most reliable for office networks and situations where automatic discovery fails.
In the "Device Type" field, leave "TCP/IP Device" selected. In the "Name or IP Address" field, enter your printer's address. If you don't know the IP address, you can find it by printing a network configuration report (usually by holding the Wi-Fi button or using the on-screen menu).
Uncheck "Query the printer and automatically select the driver" to avoid query errors, and click "Next." The system will attempt to connect to the device port.
Installing drivers and configuring ports
In the next step, Windows will ask you to select the driver. Click "Install Driver" or "Browse" if the drivers have already been downloaded and unpacked. Select the manufacturer. Brother and your model from the list.
It's important to configure the port correctly. In the port properties (the "Configure Port" button), make sure the protocol is set as Raw, and the port number is 9100These are the standard settings for most network printers.
If the system prompts you to choose between existing drivers, always choose the one marked as "Recommended" or the one with the most recent date. Using the generic PCL driver may limit scanning functionality.
| Parameter | Default value | Recommended value | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protocol | Raw | Raw | Provides direct printing |
| Port | 9100 | 9100 | Standard Print Port |
| SNMP status | Included | Off | Disable it if the printer is stuck in the "Offline" status. |
| Driver | Universal | The Original Brother | Needed for scanning |
After installing the driver, the system will prompt you to name the printer. Keep the default name or choose a descriptive one, such as "Brother_Wifi_Office." Don't forget to click "Set as Default" if this is your primary output device.
Setting up a static IP address
One of the main problems with wireless printing is the printer's IP address changing after a router reboot. If the address changes, Windows loses connection to the device, and its status changes to "Offline." The solution is to assign a static IP address.
This can be done in two ways: through your router's DHCP settings (binding the printer's MAC address to a specific IP address) or directly in the printer's web interface. The second method is more reliable if you don't want to mess with your router's settings.
Open your browser and enter your printer's current IP address into the address bar. In the menu, go to Network → Wireless → TCP/IPHere, change the address acquisition method from "Auto" (DHCP) to "Manual" (Static).
⚠️ Attention: When assigning a static IP, ensure the selected address is outside the router's DHCP pool range but within the same subnet. For example, if the router assigns addresses from 192.168.1.100 to 192.168.1.200, assign the printer address 192.168.1.50.
After saving the settings, the printer will reboot the network module. You'll need to re-add it to Windows, specifying a new static address, as the old port will stop responding.
What should I do if the web interface doesn't open?
If the printer settings page doesn't load, check whether Windows Firewall or antivirus software is blocking access to local networks. Also, try opening the website in incognito mode or using a different browser. Sometimes clearing the DNS cache with the ipconfig /flushdns command in the command line helps.
Solving common connection problems
Even with proper setup, errors can still occur. A common problem is that the printer is visible, but documents are stuck in the queue. In this case, open "Devices and Printers," right-click the device, and select "Printer properties."
Go to the "Ports" tab and make sure the correct IP address is checked. If the address has changed, create a new port by clicking "Add Port" → "Standard TCP/IP Port." It's also helpful to go to "Port Settings" and uncheck "Enable SNMP support"—this often resolves the false "Offline" status.
Another option is to restart the print service. Click Win + R, enter services.msc and find the Print Spooler service. Right-click and restart it.
If all else fails, completely remove the device from the system, turn off the printer and router. Turn on the router, wait for it to boot up, then turn on the printer. Only after the printer's IP address appears should you try adding it again.
Diagnostics and testing of connection quality
After successfully printing a test page, it's worth checking the stability of the connection. Open the command prompt (cmd) and enter the ping command: ping 192.168.1.XX -t (replace with printer IP).
Monitor the response time. In a stable Wi-Fi network, it should be no more than 10-20 ms, and there should be no packet loss. If you see "Timeout Exceeded," it means the signal is weak or there is interference.
To improve the signal, try moving the router and printer closer together, avoiding thick concrete walls. Also, make sure the printer firmware is updated to the latest version via the "Device Info" tab in the web interface.
Regularly checking ink levels via the web interface will help avoid situations where printing is interrupted in the middle of an important document. Modern Brother models even send email notifications when toner levels are low.
Why can't Windows 10 detect my Brother printer over Wi-Fi?
Most often, the problem lies in different subnets (for example, one device on 2.4 GHz, the other on 5 GHz with client isolation) or a firewall blocking the connection. Also, make sure the Print Spooler service is active.
Is it possible to connect a printer without a disk?
Yes, disks are practically unnecessary these days. All drivers are available on the official website. Windows 10 also has a built-in database of basic drivers, but for scanning, it's better to download the full package from the manufacturer's website.
How to find the IP address of a Brother printer?
Print a network configuration report (usually by holding the Wi-Fi button or through the menu) or look in the Wi-Fi connection properties on the router itself in the list of clients.
What should I do if my printer keeps going offline?
In the printer properties, on the "Ports" tab, uncheck "Enable SNMP support." Also, check to see if the router is changing the device's IP address, and set a static IP address if necessary.