How to connect the Brother MFC-L2740DWR printer to a laptop via Wi-Fi: a complete guide with network setup

Connecting a printer Brother MFC-L2740DWR Connecting a laptop wirelessly is a challenge faced by both office workers and home users. This model combines printing, scanning, copying, and fax functions, but its main advantage is its support Wi-Fi Direct and a standard connection via a router. However, even with modern devices, the setup process can be challenging: sometimes the router doesn't detect the printer, sometimes the drivers install incorrectly, sometimes printing fails.

In this article we will look at all wireless connection methods — from basic setup via the printer control panel to manually adding the device in Windows/macOS. We'll pay special attention to common issues: why the printer won't connect to the network, how to reset Wi-Fi settings on MFC-L2740DWR, and what to do if the laptop doesn't detect the MFP after a system update. You'll also find Unique tips for optimizing Wi-Fi printing speed and protecting the network from unauthorized access.

These instructions apply to all operating systems (Windows 10/11, macOS, Linux) and router types (TP-Link, ASUS, Keenetic, MikroTik, etc.). If your printer is already connected to the network, but printing is slow or artifacts appear, skip to the section. How to speed up Wi-Fi printing.

Preparing for connection: what you will need

Before you begin setting up, make sure you have everything you need:

• 📄 Printer documentation: in a box with Brother MFC-L2740DWR There should be a booklet with the factory Wi-Fi settings (SSID and default password). If it's missing, don't worry—the information can be found on a sticker on the back of the device.
• 🔌 Power supply: The printer must be plugged into a power outlet and in ready mode (the power indicator is green).
• 📡 A working Wi-Fi router: Check that other devices (smartphone, tablet) are connected to the network without problems. If the router issues IP addresses in the range 192.168.1.x, and the printer is set to 192.168.0.x — conflicts will arise.
• 💻 Laptop with Wi-Fi: Make sure the wireless network adapter is turned on (some models have a physical switch).

If you're connecting your printer for the first time, we recommend resetting it to factory settings. To do this:

1. Turn off the printer.
2. Press and hold the button Go (or Secure) and hold it for 10 seconds until all indicators light up.
3. Turn on the printer without releasing the button for another 2 seconds.
4. Release and the printer will reset and reboot.

⚠️ Attention: After reset, the printer will create its own network. DIRECT-xx-Brother MFC-L2740DWR with a default password (usually 12345678 (or empty). This is a temporary network for setup purposes—it should not be used for permanent operation.

Method 1: Connecting via the printer control panel

The most reliable method is to set up Wi-Fi directly on the device itself. MFC-L2740DWRThis method is suitable if you have access to the device's control panel.

Steps:

1. Click the button Menu on the printer.
2. Go to the section Network → WLAN → Setup Wizard.
3. Select your Wi-Fi network from the list. If it's not there, click Refresh or enter the SSID manually.
4. Enter your Wi-Fi password (case-sensitive!). Use the numeric keypad on the printer control panel.
5. Confirm the settings. The printer will reboot and connect to the network.

If the connection is successful, a message will appear on the display. Connected, and the Wi-Fi indicator will turn blue. Now you can begin installing the drivers on your laptop.

Print a network settings report (Menu → Network → WLAN → Print Report)

Make sure the printer's IP address is within your local network range (e.g. 192.168.1.x)

Try pinging the printer from your laptop (using the ping [printer IP address] command in CMD)

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Method 2: Connecting via Wi-Fi Direct (without a router)

Wi-Fi Direct Allows you to connect your laptop directly to the printer, bypassing the router. This is convenient for temporary printing or if you don't have internet access. However, this method has its limitations:

• 🔄 Only one device can be connected to the printer at a time.
• 📶 Data transfer speed is lower than when connected via a router.
• 🔒 No internet access from laptop while printing.

Instructions:

1. On the printer, press Menu → Network → Wi-Fi Direct → On/Off and turn on the function.
2. Remember the network name (eg. DIRECT-7A-MFC-L2740DWR) and password (by default indicated on the sticker).
3. On your laptop, connect to this network through the Wi-Fi panel.
4. Install the drivers (see section Installing Drivers).

⚠️ Attention: When connecting via Wi-Fi Direct, some features (such as scanning to email) may be unavailable. For full functionality, we recommend connecting through a router.

How to change the Wi-Fi Direct password on the Brother MFC-L2740DWR

Go to Menu → Network → Wi-Fi Direct → PasswordEnter a new password (8 to 63 characters; numbers and letters are supported). Save the settings. The printer will reboot, and the new network will appear in the list of available networks.

Installing drivers on a laptop

Without the correct drivers, the laptop will not be able to “see” the printer on the network. Brother MFC-L2740DWR There are two options:

1. Automatic installation (recommended for beginners):
• Download the utility Brother iPrint&Scan With official website.
• Run the file and follow the installation wizard instructions.
• The program will automatically find the printer on the network and install the necessary drivers.

Manual installation (for advanced users):

• Download the full driver package for your OS (select bitness - x64 or x86).
• Unzip the archive and run setup.exe.
• When prompted, select "Network Printer" and enter the IP address MFC-L2740DWR (can be found in the network report, see section "Preparation").

For Windows 11 You may need to disable User Account Control (UAC) during installation. This can be done in Control Panel → User Accounts → Change User Account Control settings.

Solving typical problems

Even with proper setup, errors can still occur. Let's look at the most common ones:

The printer does not connect to Wi-Fi.

• 🔍 Check if your router supports the standard 802.11n (5 GHz). MFC-L2740DWR works only in the range 2.4 GHz.
• 🔄 Restart your router and printer.
• 📶 Make sure the MAC address filter is disabled in your router settings.

The laptop doesn't see the printer on the network.

• 🖥️ Check that the printer and laptop are on the same subnet (for example, both have an IP of the type 192.168.1.x).
• 🔒 Temporarily disable Windows Firewall or antivirus software.
• 🔄 Update your laptop's network card drivers.

Printing is very slow.

This is a common issue when printing over Wi-Fi. Causes and solutions:

• 📡 Switch the router to a different channel 2.4 GHz with less congestion (use channels 1, 6 or 11).
• 🖨️ In the printer settings (Menu → Network → WLAN → Speed) select the mode High Speed.
• 💻 On your laptop, disable power saving for the Wi-Fi adapter in Device Manager.

⚠️ Attention: If the printer is connected to the network, but displays an error when printing 0x0000007cThis indicates a driver issue. Uninstall the current driver through Devices and Printers, restart your laptop, and reinstall it.

How to speed up Wi-Fi printing and improve stability

Wireless printing speed depends on many factors, from channel load to printer settings. Here Unique recommendations for the Brother MFC-L2740DWR:

• 📶 Change the Wi-Fi mode on your router: set the standard 802.11n (and not 802.11ac or ax), channel width 20 MHz and turn it on WMM (Wi-Fi Multimedia).
• 🖨️ Set up the print buffer: in the printer driver (Properties → Ports → Configure Port) increase the buffer size to 1024 KB.
• 💾 Disable unnecessary protocols: in the printer settings (Menu → Network → Protocol) leave only LPR And IPP, turn it off NetBIOS And SNMP.
• 🔒 Reserve an IP address: In your router settings, bind the printer's MAC address to a fixed IP address to avoid DHCP conflicts.

To check your print speed, you can use a test: print a 50 MB document and time it. If the speed is below 5 pages per minute, optimize the settings using the recommendations above.

Security: How to Protect Your Printer from Hacking

Many users forget that a printer with Wi-Fi access is a potential network vulnerability. Attackers can:

• 📄 Intercept printed documents.
• 🖥️ Use the printer to attack other devices on the network.
• 💸 Print through your printer, using up toner and paper.

To protect Brother MFC-L2740DWR:

1. Change the printer administrator password (Menu → General Setup → Admin Password). By default it is empty or access.
2. Turn it off Wi-Fi Direct, if you don't use it constantly.
3. In the router settings, add the printer to the "List of trusted devices" by MAC address.
4. Update your printer firmware via Brother iPrint&Scan or manually with official website.

⚠️ Attention: If your printer supports cloud printing (for example, via Google Cloud Print), disable this feature in the settings (Menu → Network → Cloud). Cloud services are often a target for hackers.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to connect the Brother MFC-L2740DWR to a laptop via USB and Wi-Fi at the same time?

No, the printer only supports one active connection interface. If you connect it via USB, Wi-Fi will automatically turn off, and vice versa. To restore the wireless connection, disconnect the USB cable and restart the printer.

The printer is connected to Wi-Fi, but when printing, it displays the error "Unable to connect." What should I do?

This error occurs due to an IP address conflict or blocked ports. Try:

1. Restart the printer and router.
2. Open ports in your router settings. TCP 9100 And UDP 161 (SNMP).
3. Remove the printer from the list of devices on your laptop and add it again.

If the problem persists, reset the network settings on the printer (Menu → Network → Reset Network) and set up the connection again.

How do I print a network settings report if my printer is not connected to Wi-Fi?

Even without a network connection, you can print a report:

1. Click the button Menu on the printer.
2. Go to Network → WLAN → Print Report.
3. Click OK — the printer will print the data on paper.

The report will show the current IP address, MAC address and connection status.

Does the Brother MFC-L2740DWR support mobile printing?

Yes, the printer is compatible with:

• Android: via the app Brother iPrint&Scan (available on Google Play).
• iOS: through AirPrint (built-in support in iPhone/iPad).
• Windows Mobile: Manual driver installation required.

To print from your phone, the printer must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your mobile device.

Can I use my printer as a scanner via Wi-Fi?

Yes, MFC-L2740DWR Supports network scanning. To do this:

1. Install the program Brother ControlCenter (included in the driver kit).
2. Open the program and select Scan.
3. Specify the folder to save the files and the format (PDF, JPEG, TIFF).
4. Place the document in the scanner and click "Scan".

For macOS, use the built-in Digital Camera utility or Image Capture.