Modern office equipment has long ceased to be bulky devices that require a cable for data transmission. Wireless printing USB has become a standard, allowing users to send documents and photos directly from their smartphone, from anywhere in their home. Users often need to quickly print a ticket, contract, or photo, and having a USB cable handy is the exception rather than the rule.
Devices from a Japanese company Brother While printers are renowned for their reliability and well-designed interface, initial network connection setup can sometimes be challenging. Unlike simple gadgets, it's important to correctly match the frequencies of the router and the printer itself, as well as select the correct authentication method. If you've just purchased the device or changed providers, you'll need to re-enter your network settings.
In this guide, we'll cover all current pairing methods, from automatic search to manual setup via the control panel menu. We'll also cover the nuances of working with different mobile device operating systems and address common errors that may arise during the process. The key to a successful connection is that the phone and printer are on the same Wi-Fi network (same SSID), without this condition the devices simply will not “see” each other.
Equipment preparation and compatibility testing
Before you begin setting up, you need to make sure your equipment is technically ready to work wirelessly. Most modern models BrotherSome models, such as the HL, DCP, and MFC series, have a built-in Wi-Fi module, but budget models may not. Check for an antenna on the device's body or a corresponding icon on the front panel.
An important aspect is the operating frequency of your router. Many older printer models only support the range 2.4 GHz and don't see 5 GHz networks. If your router broadcasts two different network names (SSIDs) for different frequencies, make sure your phone is connected to the 2 GHz network during setup.
⚠️ Attention: If you have a dual-band router with the "Smart Connect" feature (network aggregation), the printer may not correctly detect the encryption type. In this case, temporarily separate the networks in the router settings or use the WPS method, if supported.
It's also a good idea to prepare your network login information in advance. You'll need to know your wireless network name and password. If the password contains special characters or Cyrillic characters, it may be difficult to enter it through the printer's control panel, so it's best to have the Latin version on hand.
Setting up a Brother printer using the control panel
The most reliable way to connect a device to a network is to use the printer's built-in menu. This method ensures that the network module drivers receive the correct commands directly, without the need for third-party applications. First, turn on the device and wait until it enters standby mode.
Click the button Menu or find the gear icon on the touchscreen. Use the navigation arrows to navigate to the section Network or NetIn the list that opens, select the item WLAN, and then Setup Wizard (Setup Wizard). The device will begin searching for available networks within range.
Once the list of networks appears on the screen, find the name of your router and click OK or ConnectIf the network is hidden, select the option to enter the name manually. You will then be prompted for a password. Use the on-screen keyboard or the navigation buttons to enter characters. Be careful with capitalization.
☑️ Checklist for setting up via the panel
After entering the password, the device will attempt to connect. A successful connection is usually confirmed by printing a network configuration report or by the corresponding Wi-Fi icon appearing on the display. If the connection is established, the indicator light will remain solid rather than flashing.
Using WPS technology for fast synchronization
If you don't want to enter a long password manually or are afraid of making a mistake in the characters, you can use the function WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup). This standard allows devices to exchange encryption keys automatically when their buttons are physically pressed. The router should have a corresponding button, often marked with two arrows or a lock icon.
On the printer control panel Brother find the button WPS or go to the network menu and select WPS Push ButtonAfter activating this mode on the printer, press the WPS button on your router within two minutes. The devices will automatically find each other and establish a secure connection.
This method is especially convenient if you don't have a computer or smartphone with a screen on hand to enter settings. However, it's important to remember that WPS is considered a less secure protocol than entering a complex password, so it's best not to use it for corporate networks with high security requirements.
⚠️ Attention: The WPS function won't work if it's disabled in the router's security settings or if the encryption type used doesn't support this protocol. In these cases, revert to manually entering the password.
The process takes less than a minute. The wireless network indicator on the printer will stop blinking and remain solid, indicating it's ready to use. Now you can proceed to installing the software on your mobile devices.
Connecting an Android smartphone via an app
For operating system users Android Brother has developed an official app Brother iPrint&ScanThis is the main tool that allows you to not only print but also scan documents directly to your phone. You can download the app from the Google Play store.
After installation, launch the app. It will automatically request location and local network access permissions—this is necessary to find the printer in the list of available devices. If the printer is already connected to Wi-Fi (as configured in the previous sections), the app should find it automatically.
In the main menu, select the type of document you want to print: a photo, a web page, or a file from your phone's memory. The app will prompt you to select a printer from the list. If the device isn't displayed, check that your phone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the MFP.
| Function | Description | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Photo printing | Printing images from the gallery | iPrint&Scan app |
| Scanning | Saving scans to PDF/JPG | Models with automatic feeder |
| Printing documents | Word, Excel, PDF files | Access to the file system |
| Fax to Mail | Sending faxes to email | Brother Service Support |
To print documents from other apps, such as the Chrome browser or Microsoft Office, you can use Android's built-in printing service. Go to Settings → Connections → Printing and make sure the plugin Brother Print Service Plugin Activated. Then, when you select "Print" in any application, your printer will be available in the list.
Printing from iPhone and iPad (AirPrint and app)
Equipment owners Apple are in an advantageous position thanks to technology AirPrintThis feature is built into iOS and allows you to print without installing additional drivers or apps if your printer supports this standard. Most modern Brother models are compatible with AirPrint out of the box.
The process is very simple: open a photo, document, or webpage, click the "Share" button (the square with an upward arrow), and select "Find Printers" or simply "Print." Your Brother printer should appear in the list of devices. Select it, set the number of copies, and click "Print."
What should I do if AirPrint doesn't see my printer?
If Apple's standard feature doesn't find the device, make sure Client Isolation isn't enabled on your router. Also, check that the Bonjour protocol isn't blocked by your network security settings. Restarting the router can sometimes help.
For advanced features such as scanning to the cloud or printing with preview, it is recommended to install the app. Brother iPrint&Scan from the App Store. It offers more flexible settings for paper size and image quality than the standard iOS interface.
It's important to note that AirPrint doesn't require your phone and printer to be connected to the internet; they must be on the same local network. However, printing documents from cloud storage services (iCloud Drive, Google Docs) requires internet access on your phone.
Wi-Fi Direct mode: printing without a router
Situations vary: your router is broken, you're visiting someone, or you simply don't want to overload your main network. In these cases, technology comes to the rescue. Wi-Fi DirectIt allows you to create a direct wireless connection between your phone and printer, bypassing the router.
To activate this mode, find the button on the printer panel Wi-Fi Direct or enter the menu Network → Wi-Fi Direct and select OnThe device screen (or printed configuration report) will display the network name (SSID) and password (PWD) for direct connection.
Now, go to your phone's Wi-Fi settings. In the list of available networks, you'll see your printer's name, often ending in "_DIRECT_." Tap it, enter the password shown on the MFP's screen, and connect. You can then print documents using the Brother app.
⚠️ Attention: In Wi-Fi Direct mode, data transfer speeds may be slower, and when connected to a printer, your phone may temporarily lose internet access as it switches to a direct connection to the printing device.
This method is ideal for quickly printing a few pages, but is not suitable for sending large files in bulk or scanning to a network, as the printer acts as an isolated access point in this mode.
Troubleshooting and Frequently Asked Questions
Even if you follow all the instructions, problems sometimes occur. Most often, the problem lies in a frequency band mismatch or a temporary outage in network services. If your printer "disappears" from the network, try rebooting the router and the printer itself—this solves 80% of connection issues.
Make sure MAC address filtering isn't enabled on your router. If it is, you'll need to find the printer's MAC address (print a network configuration report) and add it to the whitelist of allowed devices in the router settings.
Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions that users have during the setup process.
Why can't my Brother printer see my Wi-Fi network?
Most likely, your router is operating in 5 GHz or mixed mode, and the printer only supports 2.4 GHz. Try temporarily disabling 5 GHz in your router settings or creating a guest network that only uses 2.4 GHz for setup.
How do I reset my printer's network settings?
Go to Menu → Network → Network ResetConfirm the action (Yes). After the reboot, all Wi-Fi passwords will be deleted, and the device will return to factory network settings.
Is it possible to connect a printer to a hidden network?
Yes, but it won't be found automatically. In the WLAN setup wizard, select the Manual name entry option and enter the hidden network's SSID accurately, taking care to ensure proper case-intelligibility.
Why is printing so slow over Wi-Fi?
This could be due to the router being too far away, obstructions (walls, mirrors), or channel congestion from other devices. Try moving the router closer to the printer.