How to connect a Brother printer to a laptop via Wi-Fi: full instructions with pictures

Wireless printer connection Brother Connecting to a laptop via Wi-Fi saves time and eliminates the clutter of cables. However, many users encounter difficulties: the router doesn't detect the device, drivers refuse to install, or printing errors occur. This article will help you understand all the nuances—from preparing the equipment to troubleshooting.

We will look at three main ways to connect: via WPS (the fastest method), manually through the printer panel and using the utility Brother iPrint&ScanWe will pay special attention to setting up on different operating systems - Windows 10/11, macOS and even Android-devices. If your printer does not support Wi-Fi Direct (which is relevant for models older than 2018), the article contains alternative solutions.

Before you begin, make sure the printer and laptop are within range of the same router, and the printer's wireless mode is enabled (usually indicated by an antenna indicator). If the indicator is blinking orange, this indicates a connection issue, which we'll also address.

1. Preparing your Brother printer for Wi-Fi connection

Before setting up a connection, make sure your printer is wirelessly ready. Most models Brother (For example, DCP-T425W, HL-L2350DW or MFC-J6945DW) support Wi-Fi, but some budget options may require an additional adapter.

Here's what you need to do:

• 🔌 Plug the printer into a power outlet and turn it on. Wait for the self-test to complete (usually takes 10-30 seconds).
• 📶 Make sure the Wi-Fi indicator (antenna icon) on the control panel is lit. If it's not lit, your model doesn't support wireless connectivity.
• 📄 Check for the instructions with the factory Wi-Fi settings (usually a sticker on the back panel or in the documentation). It says SSID And password default for first connection.
• 🔄 If the printer has already connected to a different network, reset the network settings. To do this, hold down the button Wi-Fi for 5-10 seconds until the indicators flash.

For models with a touch screen (eg. MFC-J6545DW) The path to resetting the settings may vary. Typically it is: Menu → Network → WLAN → Reset SettingsAfter resetting, the printer will create its own access point with a name like DIRECT-xx-Brother - this is normal for the initial setup.

⚠️ Attention: If your printer Brother released before 2017, it may not support modern Wi-Fi encryption standards (e.g. WPA3). In this case, temporarily enable compatibility mode in your router settings. WPA2-PSK (AES).

2. Methods for connecting a printer to a Wi-Fi network

There are three main methods for connecting a printer. Brother to a wireless network. The choice depends on the printer model and the capabilities of your router. Let's look at each of them.

2.1. Connecting via WPS (the fastest way)

Technology WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) allows you to connect your device to the network without entering a password. This method works if your router supports WPS (usually there's a button with this name).

Instructions:

1. Click the button WPS on the router (hold for 2-3 seconds until the indicator blinks).
2. On the printer Brother go to Menu → Network → WLAN → WPS.
3. Select Push Button Method and confirm your choice.
4. Wait for the message Connected on the printer display (usually takes 1-2 minutes).

If the connection fails, please check:

• 🔄 The distance between the printer and the router (should be no more than 5 meters).
• ⏱️ WPS push time - some routers have an activity window of only 2 minutes.
• 🔒 Router settings: WPS must be enabled in the web interface (usually at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).

2.2. Manual configuration via the printer panel

If WPS isn't working or isn't available on your router, you can enter your network details manually. This method is universal for all models. Brother with Wi-Fi.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. On the printer, go to Menu → Network → WLAN → Setup Wizard.
2. Select your Wi-Fi network from the list (or enter SSID manually if the network is not in the list).
3. Enter your Wi-Fi password. Be careful: printers Brother case sensitive!
4. Confirm saving the settings and wait for the printer to reboot.

For models without a display (eg. HL-L2300D) Manual configuration is performed using a combination of buttons. Typically, this is:

Hold the Wi-Fi button for 1 second → indicator flashing →
Press the "Go" button twice → enter the password using the arrows.

⚠️ Note: When entering your password manually, avoid symbols ! @ # $ % - some models Brother They are not supported. If your password contains such characters, temporarily change it in your router settings.

2.3. Connecting via USB (alternative method)

If Wi-Fi setup is problematic, you can temporarily connect the printer to your laptop via USB, install the drivers, and then switch it to wireless mode. This method works for all models, even those without Wi-Fi.

Actions:

1. Connect the printer to your laptop using a USB cable (usually included).
2. Install drivers from the official website Brother (link in the section "Where to download drivers").
3. In the printer setup program, select the option Change Connection Type → Wireless.
4. Follow the setup wizard to transfer Wi-Fi settings from your laptop to your printer.

The printer is connected to the network | The router supports WPS (if this method is needed) | The Wi-Fi password is at hand | The drivers are downloaded from the official website-->

3. Installing drivers on a laptop

Even after successfully connecting the printer to a Wi-Fi network, the laptop won't be able to print without the correct drivers. Let's look at how to install them on different operating systems.

3.1. Installing drivers on Windows 10/11

For Windows There are two ways to install drivers: automatically (via the update center) and manually (from the official website). The first method is easier, but it doesn't always work with newer printer models.

Automatic installation:

1. Connect your printer to Wi-Fi (as described above).
2. On your laptop, open Settings → Devices → Printers & Scanners.
3. Click Add a printer or scanner.
4. Select your printer Brother from the list and follow the instructions.

If the printer is not found:

• 🔍 Make sure the printer and laptop are on the same network.
• 🖥️ Check your Windows Firewall - it may be blocking device detection.
• 🔄 Restart your printer and laptop.

Manual installation (recommended for new models):

1. Download the driver from the website Brother (section "Support").
2. Select your printer model, operating system, and bit depth (x64 or x86).
3. Run the downloaded file and follow the installation wizard instructions.
4. When prompted for the connection type, select Wireless Network Connection.

3.2. Setup on macOS

On Mac The driver installation process is slightly different. The system usually detects the printer automatically, but for full functionality, proprietary drivers are required.

Instructions:

1. Connect the printer to Wi-Fi.
2. Open System Preferences → Printers & Scanners.
3. Click +, select the tab IP and enter:
• Address: Printer IP (You can find out by printing the network settings from the printer).
• Protocol: Line Printer Daemon - LPD.
• Queue: lp or print.

In the "Name" field, enter the printer model, and in "Location", specify the room.

Select the driver from the list (if your model is not available, download it from the website) Brother).

To scan on Mac additionally install the utility Brother iPrint&Scan from App Store.

3.3. Connecting to an Android smartphone or tablet

Print with Android-devices is possible via the application Brother iPrint&Scan or standard system tools. To do this:

Method 1: Via the app Brother iPrint&Scan

1. Download the app from Google Play.
2. Open it and click Add a printer.
3. Select your printer from the list of found devices.
4. Confirm the connection and perform a test print.

Method 2: Via Google Cloud Print (for older models)

• 📱 On your phone, open the document you want to print.
• 🖨️ Click "Print" → "All Printers" → "Add Service" → select Brother Print Service Plugin.
• 🔍 After installing the plugin, the printer will appear in the list of available devices.

⚠️ Attention: For printing with Android The printer and mobile device must be on the same Wi-Fi network. If the printer is connected via Wi-Fi Direct, on your phone you will need to connect to its access point (DIRECT-xx-Brother).

4. Diagnosing connection problems

If the printer Brother If your device isn't connecting to Wi-Fi or your laptop isn't detecting it, there could be a variety of reasons, from incorrect router settings to IP address conflicts. Let's look at the most common errors and their solutions.

4.1. The printer does not find a Wi-Fi network

If the printer does not see your network, check:

• 📡 Wi-Fi Range: Some Printers Brother work only in the range 2.4 GHz and don't see the network 5 GHzEnable compatibility mode in your router settings or create a separate network for 2.4 GHz.
• 🔒 Hidden SSID: If your network is hidden, you need to add it manually via Menu → Network → WLAN → Manual Setup.
• 📶 Signal strength: If the router is far away, try temporarily moving the printer closer or using Wi-Fi repeater.

To check the signal strength, print WLAN Report (on most models: Menu → Print Reports → WLAN Report). The report will indicate the signal level (Signal Strength). The optimal value is above 70%.

4.2. The printer is connected to Wi-Fi, but the laptop doesn't see it.

If your printer has successfully connected to the network (the Wi-Fi indicator is green) but is not visible on your laptop, follow these steps:

1. Make sure the printer and laptop are on the same subnet. To do this:
• On a laptop: Open a command prompt and type ipconfig (For Windows) or ifconfig (For macOS/Linux).
• On the printer: print Network Configuration (path: Menu → Print Reports → Network Config).

Compare the first three groups of numbers in IP addressFor example, if the laptop 192.168.1.100, and the printer 192.168.0.101 - they are in different subnets.

If the IP addresses do not match, manually assign the printer an address from the same subnet (in the printer or router settings).

Also check:

• 🔥 A firewall or antivirus on your laptop may be blocking printer detection.
• 🔄 Printing service: on Windows open Services (services.msc) and make sure that Print Manager works.

4.3. Printing errors after connection

If the printer is connected, but printing is not working (blank sheets, text is cut off, printing is slow), the following may be the reasons:

If the problem persists, try reinstalling the printer driver or updating the firmware (instructions in the next section).

How to update Brother printer firmware

1. Download the latest firmware version from the official website (Downloads section).

2. Connect the printer to your laptop via USB.

3. Run the firmware file and follow the instructions.

4. Do not turn off the printer during the update (the process takes 5-10 minutes).

5. After updating, reset the printer's network settings and set up the connection again.

5. Updating firmware and drivers

Regularly updating your printer firmware and laptop drivers helps avoid compatibility issues and improve stability. Let's look at how to do this correctly.

5.1. Updating the printer firmware

Firmware controls the printer's internal software. Updates fix bugs, add support for new features, and improve security.

Instructions:

1. Find out the exact model of your printer (on the sticker on the back or in the menu) Menu → Printer Info).
2. Go to the website Brother support, enter the model and select the section Firmware.
3. Download the latest firmware version for your model.
4. Connect the printer to the laptop via USB (Wi-Fi update is not supported!).
5. Run the downloaded file and follow the instructions of the update wizard.

Important:

• ⚡ Do not turn off the printer during the update - this may cause damage!
• ⏳ The process takes 5-15 minutes. The printer may reboot several times.
• 🔄 After updating, reset the printer's network settings and set up the connection again.

5.2. Updating drivers on a laptop

Drivers enable communication between your laptop and printer. Outdated drivers can cause printing errors or connection problems.

Update methods:

For Windows:

1. Open device Manager (Win + X → Device Manager).
2. Expand the section Print queues, find your printer Brother.
3. Right click → Update driver → Automatic search.
4. If there are no updates, download the latest driver from the website. Brother and install it manually.

For macOS:

1. Open System Preferences → Printers & Scanners.
2. Select your printer and click Options & Supplies.
3. On the tab Driver click Check for Updates.
4. If there are updates, follow the on-screen instructions.

For Linux:

Most distributions include printer drivers. Brother are installed via the package manager. For example, for Ubuntu:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install printer-driver-brlaser printer-driver-ptouch

⚠️ Important: After updating the drivers, restart your laptop and printer. If printing still doesn't work, remove the printer from the system and add it again.

6. Alternative connection methods

If Wi-Fi connection fails, there are several alternative methods. They are less convenient, but guaranteed to work.

6.1. Connecting via Wi-Fi Direct

Wi-Fi Direct Allows you to connect your laptop directly to the printer without a router. This is convenient for temporary printing or when there's no internet access.

Instructions:

1. Activate the mode on the printer Wi-Fi Direct (usually in Menu → Network → Wi-Fi Direct).
2. Remember the network name (SSID) and password indicated on the display or in the printout.
3. On your laptop, connect to this network as you would to a regular Wi-Fi network.
4. Add the printer to the system (as described in the "Installing Drivers" section).

Restrictions:

• 🌐 With this connection, the laptop loses access to the Internet.
• 📱 Only one device can be connected to the printer at a time.

6.2. Connecting via USB cable

If a wireless connection isn't possible, you can always use a USB cable. This is reliable, but it does reduce mobility.

Actions:

1. Connect the printer to your laptop with a cable (usually USB Type-B).
2. Install drivers from the official website Brother.
3. In the printer settings, select USB Connection as the main method.

For continuous USB use, it is recommended:

• 🔌 Use a cable no longer than 3 meters (longer cables may cause data transmission errors).
• 🔄 Disconnect the printer from the USB port before turning off the laptop to avoid port conflicts.

6.3. Connecting via Ethernet (for office models)

Some models Brother (For example, MFC-L8900CDW) support connection via network cable (Ethernet). It is more reliable than Wi-Fi and is suitable for offices.

Setting:

1. Connect the printer to the router or switch with a patch cord.
2. On the printer, go to Menu → Network → Wired LAN → Enable.
3. Wait until you receive an IP address (or assign a static one manually).
4. Add the printer to your laptop by entering its IP address.

Advantages:

• 🚀 Faster printing speed compared to Wi-Fi.
• 🛡️ Stable connection without interference.

7. Wireless connection security

Connecting your printer wirelessly to your network is convenient, but it creates additional security risks. Attackers can intercept documents or even gain access to your local network. Let's look at how to secure your connection.

7.1 Setting a password on the printer

Many models Brother allow you to set a password on the control panel to restrict access to settings.

How to enable:

1. Go to Menu → General Setup → Panel Lock.
2. Enable the feature and set a 4-digit PIN.
3. Save the settings.

Also recommended:

• 🔐 Disable Wi-Fi Direct, if it is not used constantly.
• 📡 Hide the printer's network in the router settings (if the printer is connected as an access point).

7.2. Updating firmware to protect against vulnerabilities

Manufacturers regularly release firmware updates that patch vulnerabilities. For example, in 2021, Brother A vulnerability allowing remote code execution was discovered. A firmware update fixed the issue.

How to check if your firmware is up to date:

1. Print it out Network Configuration (path: Menu → Print Reports → Network Config).
2. Find the line Firmware Version.
3. Compare with the latest version on the website Brother.

7.3. Configuring your router for a secure connection

To minimize risks, configure your router as follows:

To find out MAC address printer, print Network Configuration - it is indicated in the line MAC Address or Ethernet Address.

8. Frequently asked questions and answers

In this section, we have collected answers to the most frequently asked questions about connecting printers. Brother via Wi-Fi.

My Brother printer won't connect to Wi-Fi.