Establishing wireless printing in a modern office or home office has ceased to be a luxury and has become a necessity. Compact laser printer Brother HL 1223WR It's one of the most popular budget solutions for printing documents without the need for a cable. However, initial network connection setup often presents difficulties for users new to this brand's network equipment.
The process of activating the wireless module requires a sequential execution of steps, since the device is usually configured to work via a USB cable out of the box. Wi-Fi module This model provides stable data transfer, but only if the router's security settings are properly configured. In this guide, we'll cover all available setup methods so you can choose the most convenient one for your situation.
Don't worry if you can't access the setup menu the first time—the device's interface is simple, but requires precise input. We'll cover both automatic and manual connection methods, and also highlight common errors that occur when interacting with the device. wireless networkProper driver installation and choice of communication method will be key to successful operation of the equipment.
Equipment preparation and compatibility testing
Before you begin software configuration, you must ensure that all system components are physically ready for operation. Laser printer The cartridge should be installed near the router during setup to prevent weak signal issues that could interrupt the configuration process. Make sure the cartridge is already installed in the device and all shipping straps blocking the mechanisms are removed.
Knowing your home network settings is crucial. You will need the exact network name (SSID) and a password to connect. Please note that the model HL 1223WR Since the router only supports the 2.4 GHz frequency standard, it broadcasts 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz networks under the same name, which can cause problems with device visibility.
⚠️ Important: Make sure your WiFi password is properly case-sensitive and does not contain any extra spaces, as printers are sensitive to security key syntax.
Also, prepare a computer or laptop for management. It must be on the same network to which you plan to connect the printing device. If you are using a corporate network with MAC address filtering, consult your system administrator in advance to determine the access rules for new devices.
Reset network settings and enter the printer menu
If the printer has been used previously or the settings have been changed, we recommend resetting the network settings to factory defaults. This will clear old connection profiles and allow you to start the configuration from scratch. To do this, locate the button on the control panel marked with a wireless network icon or menu.
Click the button Menu and use the navigation arrows to navigate to the item Network (Network). In the submenu that opens, select the option Network Reset (Network reset). The system will ask you to confirm the action - select Yes (Yes) and press OKAfter this, the device will restart the network module, which may take a few seconds.
After the reset, you need to enter the wireless settings menu. Press again Menu, select Network, and then WLANHere you will see the option Setup Wizard (Setup Wizard). Activating this mode puts the printer into a state of searching for available access points.
☑️ Reset network settings
It's important to understand that in this state, the printer isn't yet connected to the internet; it's simply scanning the air. The display screen may flash or display a message about searching for a network. Wireless interface is now ready to receive commands from the user.
WPS method: the fastest connection
The easiest way to pair devices is through technology WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup), which allows you to connect your printer and router without manually entering a password. This method is ideal if you don't want to search for a complex security key or type it on the device's keyboard. However, for it to work, your router must support this feature, which is true for most modern models.
On the printer panel, press the button Menu, go to Network -> WLAN -> WPS. Select an item Push Button (Button). After this, a message will appear on the screen prompting you to press the WPS button on the router.
Within two minutes, go to the router and press the physical button WPS (Sometimes it's combined with the WiFi power button or requires a long press.) The printer's connection indicator will begin flashing rapidly, indicating the encryption key exchange process.
What to do if the WPS button does not work?
Some providers or router models have the WPS feature disabled by default for security reasons. In this case, use the manual setup method via the Setup Wizard.
When the connection is established, the printer display will show a message. Connected (Connected) and the IP address of the device. Network connection is now active and you can proceed to installing drivers on your computer.
Manual setup via Setup Wizard
If the automatic method doesn't work or your router hides the network name (SSID), you'll have to use manual configuration. This method is more reliable in complex network environments that require precise settings. Return to the menu Network -> WLAN and select Setup Wizard.
The printer will begin searching for available networks. Once the scan is complete, a list of found SSIDs will appear on the screen. Use the arrow keys to select your network name and press OKIf the network is hidden, select the option to enter the name manually.
You'll then be prompted for a password. Use the numeric keypad and arrow keys to enter the security key. To switch between numbers, letters, and special characters, use the corresponding function keys or the button. #Please be careful when typing, as correcting errors on a small screen can be tedious.
| Parameter | Description | Where to find |
|---|---|---|
| SSID | Your WiFi network name | On the bottom of the router or in the phone settings |
| Security | Encryption type | Automatic (usually WPA2-PSK) |
| Password | Access key | On the router sticker (WPA/PSK key) |
| IP Address | Network address | Issued automatically by the router (DHCP) |
After confirming the password, the printer will attempt to obtain an IP address from the router's DHCP server. A successful connection will be confirmed by a printed configuration report or an on-screen message. TCP/IP protocol Now it is configured and the device is ready to exchange data.
Installing drivers and software
A physical network connection is only half the battle. For the computer to "see" the printer, you need to install the appropriate software. Don't rely on automatic Windows driver installation, as it often doesn't include full scanning and monitoring functionality.
Go to the manufacturer's official website and find the model's support page. HL 1223WRDownload the full package of drivers and utilities for your operating system. Run the installer and select the connection type. Wireless (Wireless).
The setup program will begin searching for the device on the network. If the printer and computer are on the same subnet, the search will be successful. Follow the installation wizard's instructions, agreeing to the license agreement and selecting the components to install.
⚠️ Note: The installer interface may vary depending on the driver version. Always check the latest screenshots on the official website if the default installation path is different.
During the installation process, you may be asked to confirm that you want to add the device to your antivirus or firewall. Allow the connection to ensure seamless printing of documents.
Setting up printing from smartphones and tablets
Modern users often need to print documents directly from mobile devices. For the operating system Android And iOS Brother has developed a special application Brother iPrint&ScanDownload it from the official app store (Google Play or App Store).
Launch the app and make sure your smartphone is connected to the same WiFi network as the printer. The app will automatically detect the device. If it doesn't, check your router settings—sometimes you need to enable or disable client isolation to allow the devices to see each other.
After selecting a printer, you can print photos, documents from cloud storage, or web pages. The app also allows you to scan documents and save them directly to your phone's memory or send them via email.
Diagnostics and solution
Even if you carefully follow the instructions, technical problems may arise. The most common is that the printer doesn't detect the network or loses connection. Check the indicator lights on the device's panel: if the orange or red light is on, the connection is broken.
Try rebooting your router and printer by unplugging them for 10-15 seconds. This often resolves issues with frozen network modules. Also, check to see if your router has reached its maximum number of connected devices, which is common in offices or apartment buildings.
If the problem persists, print a network configuration report (via the menu Print Reports -> WLAN Report). The report will include an error code that will help accurately diagnose the cause of the failure, whether it's an incorrect password or an incompatible encryption type.
Why is my printer printing slowly over WiFi?
Network printing speed depends on signal quality. If the router is located far away or behind thick walls, data transfer speed will drop. Try moving the router closer or using a WiFi repeater.
Is it possible to connect Brother HL 1223WR to a hidden network (SSID is not broadcast)?
Yes, this is possible, but only through manual configuration. In the WLAN menu, select the option to add a new network manually and accurately enter the name (SSID) and security type. Automatic network detection will not detect the network in this case.
What WiFi security standard does this model support?
The printer supports WPA2-PSK (AES) and WPA3 standards (depending on the firmware version). Older WEP and WPA-TKIP standards may not be supported or may require special settings on the router.
What should I do if my computer doesn't see the printer after setting up WiFi?
Check that network discovery is enabled in Windows. Also, make sure your firewall isn't blocking port 9100, which is used for printing. Try adding the printer manually by IP address.
Do I need a USB cable for initial setup?
No, model HL 1223WR Allows you to configure WiFi completely from the device's control panel without using a cable. A USB cable is only required for the alternative PC setup method if the printer menu is unavailable.
How to find out the IP address of a printer?
Press the Menu button and go to Network -> WLAN -> TCP/IP. Your current IP address will be displayed there. You can also find it in the network configuration report or in the list of connected clients on the router.