Modern models Brother Allows you to forget about cumbersome cables and place your printer anywhere in your home where it has a signal. Connecting your Brother printer via Wi-Fi allows you to print from mobile devices, laptops, and tablets without having to search for a USB cable each time. This is especially important for offices where multiple employees need to connect to a single device.
The setup process may seem complicated at first glance, but if you follow the algorithm, it will take no more than 10 minutes. Wireless network Ensures stable data transfer and eliminates cable clutter. In this article, we'll cover all the details, from finding the button on the case to manually setting IP addresses if automatic mode doesn't work.
Before you begin, make sure your router is turned on and providing internet access, and your printer is within range of a strong signal. It's important to understand that the computer and printer must be on the same subnet for proper detection. Modern routers with a 5 GHz band can temporarily block older printer models, so it is better to use the 2.4 GHz frequency for initial setup.
Preparatory stage and compatibility check
Before proceeding with software configuration, you must ensure that the hardware is physically ready. Not all models Brother have a built-in Wi-Fi module, so first check the specifications of your device. If there is no corresponding button or wireless indicator on the device, you will need to purchase a separate USB adapter or use a cable connection.
It's also crucial to know your home network settings. You'll need the network name (SSID) and Wi-Fi password. Pay attention to your keyboard layout and case sensitivity, as the system is sensitive to errors when entering the security key. Password must be entered accurately, otherwise the printer will not be able to log in to the router.
If you're using a dual-band router that broadcasts two networks with the same name (Smart Connect), you may experience difficulties with initial pairing. In this case, experienced users recommend temporarily separating the networks. MyWiFi And MyWiFi_5G via the router settings. This will allow the printer to clearly identify the correct communication channel without protocol confusion.
- 📶 Make sure the Wi-Fi indicator on your router is on or blinking.
- 🔌 Check that the printer is plugged into a power outlet and is in standby mode.
- 📱 Have your wireless network password ready for quick entry.
- 💻 Make sure your computer or phone is connected to the same network you plan to connect the printer to.
It's worth noting that some corporate networks have additional security restrictions, such as MAC address filtering. This is rare in home environments, but if you're setting up office equipment, you may need to ask your system administrator for permission to add a new device to the trusted list.
Using the WPS button for quick setup
The easiest way to connect a Brother printer via Wi-Fi is using WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup). It allows you to establish a connection without entering a password, simply by pressing a button on the router and the printer's control panel. This method works if your router supports this feature and it's enabled.
Find the button that says WPS or the two arrows icon on the router's body. Press and hold it for 3-5 seconds until the wireless indicator flashes. Then, within two minutes, go to the printer. Brother and press the button Wi-Fi or go to the menu Network → WPS → Start.
⚠️ Important: The WPS button must be pressed on the router before you start searching for the printer. The pairing window is only open for a couple of minutes, after which the router stops broadcasting a signal for new connections for security reasons.
The device will automatically detect the network and establish a secure connection. The Wi-Fi indicator on the printer should turn solid green, indicating a successful connection. The system will then prompt you to install the drivers, following the on-screen instructions.
In the rare case where automatic connection fails, check that the list of connected devices on the router isn't full. Some budget models limit the number of clients, and there may simply not be a free slot in the ARP table for a new device.
Setting up via the printer control panel
If WPS technology is unavailable, you can configure it manually through the device's menu. This method is universal and works for most models. Brother with a display. First, press the button Menu or Settings on the control panel.
Using the navigation arrows, go to the section Network (Network) and select the item WLANIn the menu that opens, find the option Setup Wizard (Setup Wizard) The printer will warn you that the current wired connection will be disconnected if one was used - confirm the action by selecting Yes or On.
The device will then begin searching for available wireless networks. Find your router's name (SSID) in the list and click OKIf the network is hidden, select the option to enter the name manually. After selecting the network, the printer will prompt for a password. Enter characters using the arrow keys to navigate the letters and numbers on the screen.
☑️ Menu setup checklist
After successfully entering the password, the printer will attempt to connect. A connection report will appear on the screen, showing the device's IP address. Write this information down; it may be useful for manually installing drivers or setting up a static address in the future.
Installing drivers and software
Once the device is connected to the router, you need to install the software on your computer. Without drivers, the operating system will not be able to correctly interpret print commands. It's best to download the latest drivers from the manufacturer's official website, choosing the full version of the package. Brother iPrint&Scan or standard installer.
Run the downloaded file and follow the installation wizard's instructions. When the program asks for your connection type, select Wireless Network connection (Wireless network connection). The system will begin searching for the printer on the network. If the device is found, its name will appear in the list. Select it and click Next.
| Software component | Purpose | Required for installation |
|---|---|---|
| Printer Driver | The main driver for printing documents | Yes |
| Scanner Driver | Image scanning driver | Yes (if you have a scanner) |
| Brother iPrint&Scan | Utility for control from PC and mobile devices | Recommended |
| ControlCenter4 | Advanced scanning settings | As desired |
If the automatic search doesn't yield results, select the manual configuration option and enter the printer's IP address, which you previously wrote down or printed on the network configuration report. Make sure Windows Firewall or antivirus software isn't blocking the installation of network components.
What to do if the computer does not see the printer?
If your computer doesn't detect the device, check if the SMB 1.0 protocol is enabled in Windows Features. Also, make sure that Client Isolation, which prevents devices on the network from seeing each other, is not enabled in your router settings. Try temporarily disabling your antivirus.
Connecting mobile devices and AirPrint
Modern printers Brother They support AirPrint (for iOS) and Mopria (for Android), allowing you to print directly from your phone without installing additional drivers. To do this, your smartphone and printer must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Open a document or photo on your iPhone or iPad, tap the "Share" button, and select "Print." Your device should appear in the list of printers. On Android, the process is similar: in the Print menu, select the desired printer from the list of available ones.
For advanced features like scanning to the cloud or checking ink levels, it's recommended to install the official app. Brother iPrint&ScanAvailable in the App Store and Google Play, the app lets you manage device settings, create PDFs, and email them directly from your smartphone.
⚠️ Note: When using a guest Wi-Fi network (Guest Network) on your router, mobile devices may not see the printer. Guest networks are often isolated from the main local network where the printer is located. Use the main network for printing.
Troubleshooting and Static IP
Sometimes a printer may disappear from the network or change its IP address, leading to "Offline" printing errors. To avoid this, it is recommended to assign a static IP address to the device via the router's web interface or via a utility. Brother BRAdmin LightThis will assign a permanent "number" to the printer on the network.
To check the connection status, you can print a network configuration report. Click the button Menu, select Print Reports → Network ConfigIn the report you will see the current IP address, subnet mask and connection status. If the status Link Status shows Disconnected, the problem is physical or in the password.
In complex cases, resetting the printer's network settings to factory defaults can help. To do this, select Reset NetworkAfter rebooting, the device will clear all saved Wi-Fi profiles, and you will need to reset the settings as you did when you first turned it on.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How to find the IP address of a Brother printer?
Press the Menu button on the device, go to Network → WLAN → TCP/IP. You can also find the IP address on the printed Network Configuration report or through the Brother utility installed on your computer.
My Brother printer won't connect to 5GHz Wi-Fi. What should I do?
Most Brother models only operate on the 2.4 GHz band. Make sure your router is broadcasting a 2.4 GHz network and that's what you're trying to connect to. Hide the 5 GHz network or separate the network names to make it easier to select.
Is it possible to connect a printer without a disk?
Yes, the included disks often contain outdated drivers. Download the latest software from the official Brother website, selecting your model and operating system. This ensures compatibility and the latest security patches.
Why is the Wi-Fi light orange?
An orange or flashing light usually means the device has found a network but is unable to connect (incorrect password) or the connection is unstable. Check the security key entered correctly and the signal strength.