A modern office or home workspace is unimaginable without wireless printing. When asked how to print a document via Brother WiFi, users often encounter a seemingly complex setup, although in reality, the process is logical and structured. Wireless printing Frees you from unnecessary wires and allows you to send tasks from any device on the network.
MFPs and printers of the series Brother HL or MFC They are equipped with reliable communication modules, but require proper initial setup. In this article, we'll cover all the details of connection, from standard router setup to using cloud services. You'll learn how to manage your print queue from your smartphone or laptop without having to physically connect a USB cable.
⚠️ Important: Make sure your router is set to 2.4GHz, as many Brother printer models do not support 5GHz networks out of the box.
Preparing equipment and checking the network
Before you begin setup, make sure the printer is turned on and there is paper in the tray. Readiness status The device's status is displayed on the screen or via LED indicators. If the red light is on or the orange light is flashing, first troubleshoot the device.
Your computer or smartphone must be on the same Wi-Fi network to which you plan to connect the printer. This is a fundamental requirement of the protocol. TCP/IPDifferent subnets may block device discovery even if the passwords are correct.
It's recommended to temporarily disable VPN and proxy servers on your computer. They can redirect printer search traffic in the wrong direction, causing driver installation errors.
Setting up a Brother printer via WPS
The fastest way to print a document via Brother WiFi is to use technology WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup). This method allows you to connect devices with the press of a button, eliminating the need to manually enter passwords.
Find the WPS button on your router. It's usually located on the back panel and may be combined with the reset button. Press and hold it for 2-3 seconds until the Wi-Fi indicator starts blinking.
Go to the printer immediately. On the control panel, find the Wireless button or go to the network menu. Select the option WPS or WPS Push ButtonThe printer will automatically find the router and establish a secure connection.
- 📶 Press the WPS button on the router.
- 🖨️ Activate WPS mode in the Brother printer menu.
- ✅ Wait until the Wi-Fi signal on your device is constantly on.
- 💻 Install the drivers on your computer to complete the process.
Once the connection is successful, the printer's IP address will be displayed on the display. Make a note of it, as you may need it later. direct printing or setting up a static address in the future.
Manual WiFi setup via the printer menu
If automatic connection doesn't work, you'll have to enter the data manually. This is standard procedure for most models, such as Brother DCP-L2520 or HL-L2300.
Using the navigation arrows on the device body, enter the main menu. Find the section Network (Network) or wireless icon. Select WLAN and further Setup Wizard (Setup Wizard).
The printer will begin searching for available networks. When your router's name (SSID) appears on the screen, select it. If the network isn't listed, check to see if the network name is hidden in the router settings.
⚠️ Important: When entering your password, pay attention to the capitalization. Characters are entered by pressing keys or using arrow keys multiple times, which requires careful attention.
Enter your WiFi network password. Once confirmed, the printer will attempt to connect. A successful connection is confirmed by a message. Connected or by printing a clear report of the network configuration.
☑️ Check before manual configuration
Installing drivers and software
For the computer to "see" the printer, drivers are required. The operating system can find the device automatically, but for full functionality (scanning, toner monitoring), full driver package.
Go to the official Brother support website. Enter your device model in the search field. Download the "Driver and Software Package" for your version of Windows or macOS.
Run the installer. During the installation process, select the connection type. Wireless Network connectionThe program will automatically find the printer on the network using the previously configured IP address.
| Component | Purpose | Necessity |
|---|---|---|
| Printer Driver | Managing document printing | Necessarily |
| Scanner Driver | Scanner operation | For MFPs |
| Brother Utilities | Monitoring and settings | Recommended |
| ControlCenter | Scanning Management | Optional |
If installation was successful, the printer will appear in the Windows device list. Try sending a test page to ensure proper operation.
Printing from mobile devices (AirPrint and Android)
Smartphone owners often ask how to print a document from their phone via Brother WiFi. For Apple devices, the technology AirPrint built into the system and does not require installation of additional applications.
Simply open a document, photo, or webpage in Safari, tap the "Share" button, and select "Print." If your iPhone and printer are on the same network, your Brother device will appear in the list automatically.
For Android and more advanced controls on iOS, the app is recommended. Brother iPrint&ScanIt allows you not only to print, but also to scan documents directly to the cloud or your phone's memory.
- 📲 Download the Brother iPrint&Scan app.
- 🔗 Connect your phone to the same WiFi network as the printer.
- 🖼️ Select the file to print in the app.
- ⚙️ Adjust the settings (size, number of copies) and click Print.
The app also allows you to change the printer's network settings if you change your router, which is very convenient for mobile users.
What to do if the phone doesn’t see the printer?
Make sure "AP Isolation" is disabled on your router. This prevents devices on the same network from seeing each other, which is necessary for printing. Also, check if you're using a guest WiFi network.
Using cloud technologies and Google Cloud Print
While the classic Google Cloud Print has been shut down, the Brother ecosystem offers alternatives through Brother Web Connect and third-party services. This allows you to print from anywhere in the world.
To access cloud features, your printer must be connected to the internet. In the device menu, select Web Connect and follow the instructions to register your device on the Brother portal.
After registration, you will receive an access code. This code must be entered in your personal account on the Brother website to activate services. Now you can print documents using special browser plugins or apps.
An alternative is to use services like PrintNode or printing via email (if the function is configured), which is relevant for corporate users working remotely.
Solving common connection problems
Sometimes the process of printing a document via Brother WiFi is interrupted by errors. One common issue is the router changing the printer's IP address. To avoid this, configure static IP in the device's web interface.
If your printer is stuck in the "Printing Error" status, clear the print queue in Windows. Go to Control Panel → Devices and Printers, right-click on Brother and select "View Print Queue".
Your firewall or antivirus may be blocking communication ports. Try temporarily disabling them to test. If printing works, add an exception for TCP ports 9100 and 54923 in your security settings.
⚠️ Note: Menu interfaces may vary depending on the model. If you don't see the option described, please refer to the user manual for your specific model.
As a last resort, reset the printer's network settings to factory defaults. This is usually done through the menu. Network → Network ResetAfter rebooting, repeat the setup procedure again.
Why doesn't my Brother printer print via WiFi, even though the indicator light is on?
The WiFi indicator shows a physical connection to the router, but doesn't guarantee a connection to the computer. Check to see if the printer's IP address has changed after rebooting the router. Also, make sure the USB driver isn't installed on the computer, and that the port with the correct IP address is selected in the device properties.
Can I connect my Brother printer to a hidden WiFi network?
Yes, but the automatic search (Wizard) won't find it. You need to select the "Manual" option in the printer's WLAN settings and enter the network name (SSID) and encryption type manually. This requires spelling the network name accurately.
How to find the IP address of a Brother printer?
The fastest way is to print a network configuration report. Press the Menu button on the printer, go to Network or Print Reports, and select Print Network Config. The report will show your current IP address in the "IP Address" line.