Wireless printing of documents and photos has long ceased to be a luxury and has become a de facto standard for the modern office and home. Brother brand devices Traditionally renowned for their reliability and ease of network configuration, these routers are among the most popular models on the market. However, even experienced users sometimes encounter difficulties with initial configuration or restoring the connection after changing routers.
In this article, we'll take a detailed look at all the possible ways to establish a connection between your computer or smartphone and a printing device without the need for unnecessary wires. You'll learn about the nuances of working with drivers and the protocol's specifics. WPS and methods for manually configuring IP addresses if the automatic mode does not work for some reason.
Equipment preparation and requirements verification
Before you begin software configuration, you need to make sure your physical environment is ready for use. Wireless network The network must be stable, and the router must be able to provide internet access. Make sure you know the password for your Wi-Fi network, as it will be needed to authorize the printer in the infrastructure.
⚠️ Important: If your router broadcasts both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks under the same SSID, the printer may attempt to connect to the 5 GHz band, which many older Brother models do not support. Temporarily separate the networks in your router settings or force the PC to connect to the 2.4 GHz band for configuration.
It's also worth checking whether the wireless module on the printer itself is enabled. On models with a display, this can be done through the menu by selecting Network or Wi-FiIf the screen is monochrome, pay attention to the indicators: a flashing light usually indicates that the device is searching for a network or that there is no connection, while a steady light indicates a successful connection.
For proper operation, you will also need administrator rights on the computer from which you will be performing the setup. Without these rights, the operating system Windows or macOS may block the installation of required network components and drivers.
Automatic configuration via WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup)
The fastest way to connect Brother devices to your home network is using WPS technology. This method eliminates the need to manually enter a password and minimizes setup time. However, this is only possible if your router supports this feature and it is enabled.
The process is as follows: on the router body you need to find a button with the inscription WPS or the two-arrow icon. Press and hold it for a few seconds until the security light starts flashing. Immediately afterward, access the printer's control panel.
- 🖨️ Click the button
Menuon your Brother device. - 📡 Go to the section
NetworkorWireless network. - 🔗 Select an option
WPSorWPS/AOSS. - ✅ Confirm the action, and the device will automatically establish a connection.
If your router doesn't have a physical button, you can activate the feature through the router's web interface. Go to the wireless network security settings and press the virtual WPS button. Then, repeat the steps on the printer. The process typically takes no more than two minutes.
☑️ WPS Readiness Check
Manual setup via the Wireless Network Setup Wizard
If automatic mode doesn't work or your router hides the network name (SSID), you'll have to use the manual method. To do this, download the full package of drivers and utilities from the manufacturer's official website. Don't rely on the included discs, as the software versions on them are often outdated.
Run the setup file and select "Wireless Network Connection." The program will prompt you to select a device from a list. If your printer isn't already connected to the network, the setup wizard will ask you to temporarily connect it to your computer via USB to transfer network settings. This is standard procedure for many models in the series. HL-L2300 or MFC-L2700.
During the setup process, the program will ask for your network name and password. Enter these carefully, observing capitalization. Once the configuration is complete, you can disconnect the USB cable—future communication will be entirely wireless.
⚠️ Important: When setting up manually, ensure the encryption type on your router is set to WPA2-PSK (AES). Older encryption protocols (WEP, WPA-TKIP) may not be supported by newer Brother models, which will result in connection errors.
What should I do if my computer doesn't see my printer after setup?
Make sure Windows Firewall or antivirus software isn't blocking network discovery. Add the device to the exception list or temporarily disable protection to test.
Setting up an IP address and working with network settings
For stable operation on a corporate network or if DHCP is frequently disrupted, it is recommended to assign a static IP address to the printer. This can be done through the device's built-in web interface. To access it, you must first find out the device's current address by printing a network configuration report.
To print a report, press a combination of buttons or use the menu: Menu → Print Reports → Network ConfigIn the received document, find the line IP AddressEnter this address into the address bar of your computer's browser. This will open the control page, where in the section Network → Protocol → IPv4 You can specify static values.
| Parameter | Description | Example of meaning |
|---|---|---|
| IP Address | The unique address of a device on the network | 192.168.1.55 |
| Subnet Mask | Subnet mask (usually default) | 255.255.255.0 |
| Gateway | Gateway (router) address | 192.168.1.1 |
| DNS Primary | Primary name server | 8.8.8.8 |
Using a static address ensures that the computer will always "see" the printer via the same path, even after rebooting the router. This is especially important for network printing from multiple workstations, where drivers are tied to a specific port.
Printing from mobile devices (Android and iOS)
Modern users often prefer to send documents directly from their smartphones. Brother devices support the technology for Apple devices. AirPrint, which doesn't require installing any additional apps. The main thing is that the iPhone and printer are on the same Wi-Fi network.
For Android and more advanced controls on iOS, it is better to use the proprietary app Brother iPrint&ScanIt allows you to not only print but also scan documents directly to your phone's gallery. The app automatically detects available devices on the network.
- 📱 Download the app from the App Store or Google Play.
- 📶 Make sure your smartphone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the printer.
- 📄 Open a document or photo and select "Share" or "Print."
- 🖨️ Select your Brother from the list of devices.
If the device isn't found, check your router settings. Some router models have a "Client Isolation" feature that prevents devices on the network from seeing each other. This feature must be disabled for mobile printing to work.
Solving common connection problems
Even with proper settings, situations may arise where printing is impossible. Often, the problem lies in the printer's status in the system being set to "Use Offline." In this case, go to "Devices and Printers," open the print queue, and uncheck the corresponding menu item.
Another common issue is a router address change. If the DHCP server assigns a new IP address to the printer, but the computer's port remains the same, the connection will be lost. The solution is to remove the old printer from the system and reinstall it using the Add Device Wizard, which will rescan the network.
⚠️ Warning: Antivirus packages (such as Kaspersky or ESET) may block network printer discovery after updating their databases. If printing is lost after updating your protection, check your antivirus's firewall settings.
It's also worth considering that some dual-band routers can "hop" devices between 2.4 and 5 GHz frequencies, which can sometimes cause temporary connection interruptions. Locking the device to a specific frequency in the router settings can improve stability.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I connect my Brother printer to a hidden Wi-Fi network?
Yes, this is possible, but only through manual setup. In the printer menu, select "Manual Setup" or "Enter SSID" and enter the network name and password. The automatic search does not detect hidden networks.
Why does my printer print very slowly over Wi-Fi?
Network printing speed depends on signal quality and channel congestion. If the router is located far away or operates in a noisy environment (with many neighboring networks), data transfer speed will drop. Try moving the router closer or changing the channel in its settings.
Do you need internet access to print via Wi-Fi?
No, internet access is not required. Wireless printing requires both the computer and printer to be connected to the same local router (even without external network access). However, installing drivers and updating firmware requires internet access.
How do I reset my Brother printer's network settings?
To reset, go to the menu: Menu → Network → Network ResetConfirm the action ("Yes" or "1"). The printer will reboot, and all network settings will be reset to factory defaults.