It's hard to imagine a modern office or home workspace without reliable office equipment that ensures fast data transfer to paper. Wireless printing It has become a standard for convenience, freeing users from unnecessary wires and allowing them to send documents directly from their smartphone or tablet. If you're wondering how to print via Wi-Fi on a Brother printer, you're on the right path to increasing your productivity.
Devices from this brand are renowned for their stability and extensive functionality, but initial network setup can be challenging for inexperienced users. In this article, we'll walk you through all the steps for connecting your MFP to a router, using both standard computer methods and mobile apps. You'll learn how to avoid common mistakes and ensure a stable connection between all devices on your local network.
Before proceeding with any specific steps, you need to ensure your equipment is ready for use. Make sure the printer is turned on, paper is loaded, and the cartridges are installed correctly. You will also need to know the exact name of your Wi-Fi network and its password, as without this information, the device cannot be authorized on the network.
Preparatory stage and equipment testing
The first step in the setup process is to physically prepare the device and check its current status. Make sure that Brother printer It must be within range of your router's signal. The distance shouldn't be too great, and there shouldn't be any thick concrete walls or strong sources of electromagnetic interference between the device and the access point.
It's important to check the indicators on the control panel. If the Wi-Fi icon is lit but blinking, this means the module is active but hasn't yet established a connection to the network. If the indicator isn't lit at all, the wireless module may be disabled in the device's settings or needs to be activated through the menu.
⚠️ Important: Before beginning setup, make sure your router is broadcasting a 2.4 GHz signal. Many Brother printer models do not support 5 GHz networks during initial setup, which often causes connection failure.
For a successful operation, you will need the following data and tools:
- 📱 A smartphone or tablet with the app installed Brother iPrint&Scan.
- 💻 A laptop or PC with access to the same network (for the WPS or USB method).
- 🔑 The exact password for the Wi-Fi network (note the case sensitivity).
- 📶 A working router with DHCP enabled.
If you plan to use WPS, make sure this feature is enabled on your router. Some router models may have it disabled by default for security reasons, requiring manual access to the router settings via a browser.
Connecting via the printer menu (Master Station Method)
The most reliable method, which doesn't require a computer, is to configure it directly through the device's control panel. This method is often referred to as the "setup wizard." Find the antenna- or gear-like icon on your device's screen or buttons and enter the menu. Network or Net.
After entering the menu, select the option WLAN, and then go to Setup Wizard (Setup Wizard). The printer will begin searching for available wireless networks within range. This process can take 10 to 30 seconds, depending on the number of nearby networks and signal strength.
Once the list of networks appears on the screen, find your router's name (SSID) and select it. If you don't see your network in the list, check if the SSID is hidden in the router settings or try moving the printer closer to the signal source. After selecting the network, the device will prompt you to enter the password.
☑️ Verify your password before entering it
Enter the password using the navigation buttons or the touchscreen. Be extremely careful: it's easy to mistype a single character, and the printer doesn't always immediately indicate a password error. After entering the password, confirm the action, and the device will attempt to connect.
If the connection is successful, a message will appear on the screen. Connected or the Wi-Fi indicator will light up solid. The printer will automatically obtain an IP address from the router. Now you can proceed to installing drivers on your computer or connecting your phone.
Setup using a computer and installation disk
If you have a Windows or macOS computer handy, the setup process can be significantly simplified by delegating some of the work to software. To do this, you'll need the included installation disc or the full driver downloaded from the official website.
Run the software installation. During the installation process, the program will prompt you to select a connection type. Select Wireless network connectionThe system will then prompt you to select a setup method: via USB cable or directly over the network.
Choosing the USB cable method is often the easiest for beginners. You'll need to temporarily connect the printer to your computer with a USB cable. The program will automatically retrieve the Wi-Fi settings from your system and transfer them to the printer, after which you can remove the cable.
| Connection method | Necessary equipment | Complexity | Speed of setup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Printer menu | Just a printer and a router | Average | 5-7 minutes |
| USB cable | PC, USB cable, router | Low | 3-5 minutes |
| WPS | Printer, router with WPS button | Very low | 1-2 minutes |
| Mobile application | Smartphone, router | Low | 3-4 minutes |
After transferring the settings, the program will prompt you to complete the driver installation. At this point, you can disconnect the USB cable. The computer and printer are now connected to the same network and ready to exchange data.
What should I do if the program doesn't see the printer via USB?
Make sure the cable is secure and firmly seated. Try a different USB port on your computer, preferably located on the back of the system unit. Also, check that the printer is turned on and there are no errors on the screen.
Using WPS technology for fast connection
Technology Wi-Fi Protected Setup Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) allows you to connect devices to your network without entering a password, simply by pressing a button. This is one of the fastest methods if your router and printer support it. Look for a button labeled "WPS" or with a corresponding icon on the router.
On your Brother printer's control panel, locate the Wi-Fi button or enter the network menu. You need to find the item WPS or Push ButtonActivate this mode on the printer. The Wi-Fi indicator will begin blinking rapidly, indicating that it is searching.
Within two minutes, press the WPS button on your router. A single short press is usually enough, but some models require holding it for 3-5 seconds. After this, the devices will automatically exchange encryption keys.
⚠️ Note: The WPS function may be incompatible with some corporate networks or routers with complex security settings. If the button doesn't respond, check your router's manual—you may need to enable the function in the web interface.
When the process is complete, the printer indicator will stop flashing and remain solid. This means that IP address The password has been successfully received and the device is ready to print. This method is especially convenient if you don't want to bother entering a complex password on the printer's small screen.
Print from your smartphone using Brother iPrint&Scan
Mobile printing is one of the most requested features. To make this possible, Brother has developed a free app. iPrint&Scan, available for iOS and Android. Make sure your phone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the printer.
Download and install the app from the official store (App Store or Google Play). Launch the app and click "Select Device" or "Add Printer." The app will automatically scan the network and find available Brother printers.
After selecting your device, you can print photos from your gallery, documents from cloud storage, or web pages. The app interface allows you to select paper size, orientation, and print quality.
If the app doesn't detect the printer, check your router's firewall settings. Sometimes Wi-Fi client isolation (AP Isolation) blocks communication between the phone and printer, even if they are connected to the same router. This option should be disabled in the router settings.
Troubleshooting and Common Errors
Even with proper setup, problems can still occur. One common issue is a printer's IP address changing. If the router reboots, it may assign a new address to the device, causing the computer to lose connection. The solution is to set a static IP address.
To do this, you need to log into the printer's web interface by entering its current IP address in the browser. In the section Network -> TCP/IP change the address retrieval method from DHCP on Static and enter the address manually. This will ensure that the address doesn't change after a reboot.
Another common error is "Printer offline." In this case, try updating the printer port in Windows settings. Go to Devices and printers, select the properties of your Brother, go to the tab Ports and make sure the correct IP address is selected.
⚠️ Note: Web control panel and driver interfaces may vary depending on the model and firmware version. If you don't find an exact match between menu items, look for similar sections in the user manual for your specific model.
It's also worth keeping in mind possible antivirus software conflicts. Sometimes a computer's firewall blocks network printer detection. Try temporarily disabling your antivirus to diagnose the problem. If printing works, add the printer to the exceptions.
Why can't my Brother printer see my Wi-Fi network?
The issue is most likely related to the frequency range. Most Brother models only support 2.4 GHz. If your router only broadcasts 5 GHz or the network names are the same for both bands, the printer may be confused. Separate the networks in your router settings, giving them different names (for example, Home_2.4 and Home_5), and connect the printer to the 2.4 GHz network.
How can I find out the IP address of my printer if I can't print a report?
You can find the IP address through the printer's menu: press the Menu button, select Network, then WLAN, and find the TCP/IP item. The current IP address will be displayed there. You can also see the address in the list of connected clients in your router's web interface.
Can I connect my Brother printer to a hidden Wi-Fi network?
Yes, this is possible, but it requires manual configuration. In the WLAN setup wizard, select the option to manually enter the network name (SSID). You'll need to accurately enter the hidden network name and password. Automatic discovery won't work in this case, as the network doesn't broadcast its name.
What should I do if printing is very slow over Wi-Fi?
Slow printing may be caused by a weak signal or channel congestion. Try moving the router closer to the printer. Also, check if other devices are using the channel to download large files. In rare cases, resetting the printer's network settings and reconfiguring it may help.
Do I need to reinstall drivers when changing my router?
If the new router has the same network settings (name and password), reinstallation is not necessary. However, if the network name or password has changed, you will need to reconnect the printer to the new network using one of the methods described above. You don't need to change the drivers on your computer; updating the connection port is sufficient.