How to Scan Documents over Wi-Fi on a Brother Printer: A Complete Guide

Scanning documents directly over a wireless network saves time and eliminates the need to connect a printer. Brother to the computer via cable. However, many users encounter difficulties setting this up: the printer doesn't find the network, the scanner isn't detected on the PC, or compatibility errors with mobile devices occur. In this article, we'll cover all the steps—from connecting the printer to Wi-Fi to sending scanned files to email or the cloud.

Feature of printers Brother (series DCP, MFC, HL-L etc.) consists of using a proprietary protocol AirPrint for Apple devices and Brother iPrint&Scan for Android/Windows. We'll cover universal methods that work on models from the last five years, as well as highlight any nuances for older devices (pre-2018). If your printer was released earlier, check the technical specifications for Wi-Fi Direct support.

1. Preparing your Brother printer for Wi-Fi operation

Before setting up scanning, make sure the printer is properly connected to the wireless network. Most models Brother (For example, MFC-L2710DW or DCP-T720DW) support two connection methods:

• 📶 Via WPS - if your router has a quick connect button (recommended for beginners).
• 🔧 Manually entering SSID/password — via the printer control panel (needed for networks with hidden SSID or enterprise authentication).

To check the current connection status:

1. Click the button Menu (or Settings) on the printer panel.
2. Go to Network → WLAN → WLAN Status.
3. Make sure the status is Connected and the name of your network is displayed.

Important: If the printer was previously connected via USB, reset the network settings via Network → Reset NetworkThis will eliminate conflicts between wired and wireless connections.

2. Setting up scanning on a computer (Windows/macOS)

To scan via Wi-Fi on a PC, you need to install drivers and proprietary software. BrotherDownload them from official website, selecting your printer model. Please note: macOS may require Rosetta 2 on Apple Silicon chips (M1/M2).

After installing the software:

1. Open Brother ControlCenter (Windows) or Brother Utilities (macOS).
2. Select your printer in the list of devices (if it is not there, click Refresh).
3. Go to the section Scanning and specify the parameters:
   • 📄 File format: PDF, JPEG or TIFF.
   • 📌 Permission: 300 dpi for documents, 600 dpi for photos.
   • 📂 Save folder: Specify the path on your hard drive.

If your printer doesn't appear in the list of devices, check that AP Isolation mode is disabled on your router—it blocks communication between devices on the local network.

3. Scanning from mobile devices (Android/iOS)

For smartphones and tablets Brother offers an application iPrint&Scan (available in the App Store and Google Play). It supports scanning to cloud services (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive) and sending by email.

Instructions for Android:

1. Install the app and allow access to files/camera.
2. Click Add a device → Select the printer from the list (should appear automatically if both devices are on the same network).
3. In the scanning menu, specify:
   • 🔘 Source: glass or ADF (automatic document feeder).
   • 📱 Color/black and white mode.
   • 📎 Double-sided scanning (if supported by the model).

⚠️ Attention: On Android 12+, the app may request permission to access Local Network (local network). Without this permission, Wi-Fi scanning will not work.

4. Solving common errors

If the scan does not start, check the following:

For models Brother with support Wi-Fi Direct (For example, MFC-J6945DW) you can connect directly, without a router. Activate the mode on the printer via Network → Wi-Fi Direct and connect to its network from your smartphone.

What should I do if my printer freezes while scanning?

Unplug the printer for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. If the issue persists, reset the printer. Menu → All Settings → Initialize → Network.

5. Optimizing scanning quality

To avoid blurry or dark scans, follow these guidelines:

• 🖼️ For photos, use the resolution 600 dpi and format JPEG with 90%+ quality.
• 📝 For text documents it is enough 300 dpi in format PDF (black and white compression mode MMR).
• 💡 Clean the scanner glass with a lint-free cloth (even micro-scratches will reduce quality).
• 🔄 When scanning books, use the mode Book Scan (available in iPrint&Scan) to remove page skew.

⚠️ Attention: When scanning through the ADF (automatic document feeder), do not mix documents of different thicknesses, as this may cause paper jams. For thin sheets (such as receipts), use the manual feed.

6. Alternative methods of transmitting scans

In addition to direct saving to the device, printers Brother support:

• ☁️ Cloud services: set up integration with Google Drive, Dropbox or OneDrive through Web Connect in the printer menu.
• ✉️ Email: Specify your email's SMTP server in the settings Scan to Email (static IP or DDNS required for home networks).
• 🖥️ FTP/SMB: Send files directly to a network drive or NAS (protocols supported) FTP, SFTP, SMBv1/v2).

For setup Scan to Email:

1. Go to Menu → Network → Email.
2. Please enter the SMTP server address (e.g. smtp.gmail.com:587 for Gmail).
3. Enter your email login/password and save the settings.
4. When scanning for the first time, confirm access in your email client (you may need to allow access for "untrusted applications").

7. Security when scanning over Wi-Fi

Transferring scanned documents over the network requires protection from data interception. Follow these guidelines:

• 🔒 Use encryption WPA3 on the router (or WPA2-AES for older devices).
• 🚫 Turn it off WPS - This protocol is vulnerable to brute force attacks.
• 🔑 Set up a password for the printer's web interface (Menu → Network → Web Server → Password).
• 📡 Hide the network SSID if the printer is used only at home.

For corporate users:

• Set up IPSec or SSL/TLS to encrypt scanning traffic.
• Use 802.1X authentication (EAP-TLS) to connect the printer to the network.

⚠️ Attention: When scanning confidential documents (passports, contracts), avoid sending them via unsecured channels (for example, regular FTP). Prefer SFTP or encrypted SMBv3.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Scanning on Brother

My Brother printer doesn't scan over Wi-Fi, but it prints fine. What's the problem?

Most likely not installed scanner driver (It comes separately from the print driver). Download the full software package. Full Driver & Software Package from the official website. Also, make sure your Windows Firewall settings allow incoming connections for the program. BrScan.

Is it possible to scan to Brother from a phone without installing apps?

Yes, if your printer supports it. AirPrint (for iOS) or Mopria (for Android). On iPhone, open the standard Files app → Scan Documents and select a printer. On Android, use the built-in print/scan feature in the Share menu.

How to scan a document to PDF with searchable text (OCR)?

In the program Brother ControlCenter Before scanning, select the option OCR (Text Recognition)For mobile devices, use the app. iPrint&Scan with the function enabled Searchable PDFPlease note: OCR supports a limited set of languages ​​(English, Russian, German, etc.).

My Brother printer is connected to Wi-Fi, but my computer can't see it. What should I do?

Please check the following points:

1. The printer and PC are in the same subnet (for example, both have an IP of the type 192.168.1.x).
2. The router mode is disabled AP Isolation.
3. The protocol is enabled in the printer settings. mDNS (Menu → Network → mDNS → On).
4. The software is installed on the PC Brother Utilities (even if you don't plan to use it).

If the problem persists, try connecting to the printer via IP address: open a browser and enter the printer address (e.g. http://192.168.1.100).

How do I set up automatic emailing of scans from my Brother printer?

This requires:

1. Configure the SMTP server in the printer menu (Menu → Network → Email).
2. Specify the sender's address (for example, scan@yourdomain.com).
3. Enter your email login/password (for Gmail you may need to App Password).
4. Save the settings and test sending a test email.

⚠️ If you use Gmail, allow access for "untrusted apps" in your account settings or set up two-factor authentication with App Password generation.