How to Quickly Connect Your Brother Printer to WiFi Without Hassle

lucky March 10, 2025

1 12 minutes read

Table of Contents

Preparing Your Brother Printer For WiFi Connection
Accessing The Printer's Network Settings
Connecting To Your WiFi Network
Installing Printer Drivers On Your Computer
Testing The WiFi Connection
Using The Brother Printer App For Easy Setup
Maintaining A Stable WiFi Connection
Wrapping It Up
Frequently Asked Questions

Preparing Your Brother Printer For WiFi Connection

Before you can start printing wirelessly, there are a few things you need to do to get your Brother printer ready. It’s not too hard, but skipping these steps can cause problems later when you try to connect. Let’s get started!

Checking Printer Compatibility

First things first, you need to make sure your Brother printer actually can connect to WiFi. Not all models have wireless capabilities. The easiest way to check is to look at the printer itself. See if there’s a WiFi symbol somewhere on the control panel or on the printer’s body. If you can’t find one, check the model number on Brother’s website or in the user manual. The product specifications will tell you if it supports wireless networking. This is a very important step in how to connect brother printer to wifi.

Gathering Necessary Information

Next, you’ll need some information about your WiFi network. This includes:

Network Name (SSID): This is the name of your WiFi network that shows up when you search for available networks.
Password (Network Key): This is the password you use to connect devices to your WiFi network. Make sure you have it handy!
Router Location: Knowing where your router is can help with signal strength later on.

It’s a good idea to write this information down so you don’t have to go searching for it when you’re in the middle of the setup process.

Powering On Your Printer

This might seem obvious, but make sure your Brother printer is turned on! Sometimes people forget this simple step. Also, make sure it’s plugged into a working power outlet. A printer that’s not getting power won’t be able to connect to WiFi, no matter what you do. Give it a minute or two to fully power up before you try to access the network settings.

It’s also a good idea to make sure the printer is relatively close to your WiFi router during the initial setup. This will help ensure a strong signal and a smooth connection process. You can always move it later once it’s connected.

Accessing The Printer’s Network Settings

Okay, so you’ve got your Brother printer ready to go. Now, we need to get into its brain and tell it about your WiFi network. This part can seem a little tricky, but trust me, it’s not rocket science. We’re basically going to poke around in the printer’s menus until we find the wireless settings. Different printers have slightly different ways of doing this, but the general idea is the same.

Navigating The Control Panel

First things first, let’s talk about the control panel. This is where you’ll be doing most of the work. Some Brother printers have a touchscreen, which makes things pretty easy. Others have a set of buttons and a small LCD screen. If you’ve got the touchscreen, just tap around until you find something that looks like “Settings” or “Network”. If you’re working with buttons, you’ll probably need to use the arrow keys to scroll through the menus. Look for a “Menu” button, and then start exploring. Don’t be afraid to press buttons – you’re not going to break anything (probably).

Finding The Network Menu

Alright, you’re in the main menu. Now, we need to find the network settings. This might be labeled as “Network”, “WLAN”, or something similar. Keep an eye out for anything that suggests wireless connections. On some printers, it might be buried under a “Setup” or “Initial Setup” menu. Just keep digging! Here’s a little table to give you an idea of what you might see:

Menu Option	Possible Sub-Options
Network	Wireless Setup, TCP/IP, Network Config
WLAN	Setup Wizard, WPS, Infrastructure
Setup	Network, Wireless LAN

Selecting Wireless Setup

Once you’ve found the network menu, look for an option like “Wireless Setup”, “Setup Wizard”, or “WPS”. The “Setup Wizard” is usually the easiest way to go, as it will guide you through the process step-by-step. “WPS” is another option, but it requires that your router also supports WPS (more on that later). If you see a list of available WiFi networks, that means you’re on the right track. If you’re using the setup wizard, just follow the prompts on the screen. It will probably ask you to select your WiFi network and enter your password. If you’re doing it manually, you might need to enter the SSID (the name of your WiFi network) and the security key (your password) yourself. Make sure you type everything correctly, because it’s easy to make a mistake.

Getting to the network settings can be a bit of a treasure hunt, but once you’re there, the rest is pretty straightforward. Just take your time, read the instructions on the screen, and don’t be afraid to experiment. You’ll get there eventually!

Connecting To Your WiFi Network

Choosing Your WiFi Network

Okay, so you’ve made it to the point where your Brother printer is ready to actually connect to your WiFi. Awesome! The printer’s control panel should now be showing you a list of available networks. This is usually pretty straightforward. Just scroll through the list until you see the name of your home (or office) WiFi network. It’s probably the same one your phone and computer use. If you see multiple networks with similar names, double-check the SSID (Service Set Identifier) – it’s like the network’s unique ID. Select the correct one. If you don’t see your network, make sure your router is broadcasting and that the printer is within range. Sometimes, moving the printer a little closer to the router can help.

Entering The WiFi Password

Alright, this is where things can get a little tricky, especially if your WiFi password is long and complicated (like mine!). The printer’s control panel will prompt you to enter the password. Use the buttons on the control panel to type it in. It might be a number pad or a set of arrow keys to select letters and symbols. Be super careful to enter the password correctly. Double-check for capitalization and any special characters. A wrong password is the most common reason for connection problems. Some printers have a ‘show password’ option, which can be helpful to avoid mistakes. If you’re using a really old printer, this process might be a pain, but hang in there!

Confirming The Connection

Once you’ve entered the password, the printer will try to connect to your WiFi network. This might take a minute or two, so be patient. The printer’s display should show a status message, like “Connecting…” or “Authenticating…”. If the connection is successful, you’ll usually see a confirmation message, like “Connected” or “Ready”. The WiFi icon on the printer’s display should also light up or change to indicate a successful connection. If the connection fails, you’ll probably see an error message. In that case, double-check the password you entered and make sure your router is working properly. Sometimes, simply restarting the printer and the router can fix the issue.

If you’re still having trouble connecting, check your router’s settings. Some routers have security features that might be blocking the printer. You might need to add the printer’s MAC address to your router’s allowed list. You can usually find the printer’s MAC address in its network settings menu.

Here’s a quick checklist to help you troubleshoot:

Is the WiFi password correct?
Is the printer within range of the router?
Is the router working properly?
Are there any security settings on the router blocking the printer?

Installing Printer Drivers On Your Computer

Once your Brother printer is connected to your WiFi network, you need to install the correct drivers on your computer so it can communicate with the printer. This is a pretty important step, so don’t skip it!

Downloading The Latest Drivers

First things first, you’ll need to grab the latest drivers for your specific Brother printer model. The best place to do this is directly from the Brother support website. Just head over there, find your printer model (usually there’s a search bar), and look for the “Downloads” or “Drivers” section. Make sure you select the correct operating system (Windows, macOS, etc.) to get the right files. Downloading the wrong driver can cause problems, so double-check!

Running The Installation Wizard

Once the driver download is complete, locate the file (it’s probably in your “Downloads” folder) and double-click it to start the installation. Usually, it’s a pretty straightforward process. Just follow the on-screen instructions. You might need to agree to some terms and conditions, and the wizard will guide you through the rest. Pay attention to any prompts about connecting the printer; we’ll cover that in the next step.

Connecting The Printer To Your Computer

During the installation, the wizard will likely ask you how you want to connect the printer. Since we’re setting up a WiFi connection, choose the “Wireless Network Connection” option. The wizard might search for available printers on your network. If it finds your printer, select it. If not, there might be an option to manually enter the printer’s IP address (you can usually find this on a network configuration page printed from the printer itself). If you run into issues, sometimes restarting both your computer and the printer can help. If you are still having issues, you may need to seek out a professional for printer repair.

It’s a good idea to keep the installation file in a safe place, just in case you need to reinstall the drivers later. You never know when you might need it, especially after a system update or if you’re troubleshooting a printer issue.

Testing The WiFi Connection

Printing A Test Page

Okay, so you think you’re connected. Time to see if it actually worked. The easiest way to do this is to print a test page. Most Brother printers have a built-in function for this. Usually, you can find it in the printer’s menu under “Reports” or “Print Quality”. Just select the test print option, and your printer should spit out a page with some basic information and a color test. If it prints, awesome! If not, keep reading.

Verifying Network Status

If the test page didn’t work, or even if it did, it’s a good idea to double-check the network status directly on the printer. Go back to the network settings menu on the printer’s control panel. Look for something like “Network Status,” “Connection Status,” or “WiFi Status.” This screen should tell you if the printer is connected to your WiFi network, the signal strength, and the IP address. A strong signal and a valid IP address are good signs. If it says “Not Connected” or has a weak signal, you’ll need to go back and troubleshoot your WiFi settings.

Troubleshooting Connection Issues

So, still no luck? Don’t panic! Here are a few things to try:

Restart everything: Turn off your printer, your computer, and your router. Wait a minute, then turn them back on in that order (router first). This often fixes simple connection problems.
Double-check the password: Make sure you entered the correct WiFi password. It’s easy to mistype, especially with long or complex passwords.
Move the printer closer to the router: WiFi signals can weaken over distance or through walls. Try moving the printer closer to your router to see if that improves the connection.
Check for interference: Other electronic devices can interfere with WiFi signals. Try turning off any nearby devices that might be causing interference, such as microwaves or Bluetooth devices.
Update the printer’s firmware: Outdated firmware can sometimes cause connection problems. Check the Brother website for the latest firmware update for your printer model.

If you’ve tried all of these steps and still can’t connect, it might be time to consult the Brother printer’s manual or contact Brother support for further assistance. Sometimes, there are specific issues with certain printer models or network configurations that require more specialized troubleshooting.

Using The Brother Printer App For Easy Setup

Downloading The Brother App

Okay, so you want the easiest way to connect your Brother printer? The Brother Mobile Connect app is where it’s at. First things first, you gotta download it. Head over to the App Store (if you’re on an iPhone) or the Google Play Store (if you’re rocking an Android). Just search for “Brother Mobile Connect.” Make sure it’s the official app by Brother Industries, Ltd. Once you find it, hit that download button and let it install. It’s usually a pretty quick process, depending on your internet speed. Once it’s installed, don’t open it just yet; we’ll get to that in the next step.

Connecting Through The App

Alright, now for the magic. Open up the Brother Mobile Connect app. It’ll probably ask for some permissions, like access to your WiFi and maybe your camera (for scanning QR codes, which can be super handy). Grant those permissions; otherwise, the app won’t be able to do its thing. The app will then guide you through connecting your printer to your WiFi network. Usually, it involves selecting your printer model from a list or scanning a QR code on the printer itself. Follow the on-screen instructions carefully. The app will search for available WiFi networks. Choose yours and enter the password when prompted. Make sure you’re connected to the same WiFi network as your phone or tablet. If all goes well, the app will confirm that your printer is connected. If it doesn’t work the first time, double-check your WiFi password and make sure your printer is powered on and within range of your router.

Managing Printer Settings

Now that your printer is connected, the Brother Mobile Connect app becomes your central hub for all things printing. You can print documents and photos directly from your phone or tablet. You can also check ink levels, order supplies, and adjust printer settings. For example, you can change the paper size, print quality, and even run maintenance tasks like cleaning the print head. The app also lets you scan documents directly to your device or to cloud storage services like Google Drive or Dropbox. It’s a pretty convenient way to manage your printer without having to mess around with complicated menus on the printer itself. Plus, you can share the printer with other users on your network through the app. It’s a pretty sweet deal, honestly.

Using the Brother Mobile Connect app simplifies printer management. It offers a user-friendly interface for printing, scanning, and adjusting settings, making it a convenient tool for everyday use. Regular updates ensure compatibility and optimal performance.

Maintaining A Stable WiFi Connection

Keeping your Brother printer connected to WiFi doesn’t have to be a constant battle. A few simple steps can make a big difference in reliability. Let’s look at some things you can do to keep that connection strong and avoid frustrating interruptions.

Positioning Your Printer

Where you put your printer matters more than you might think. Distance and obstructions can really mess with the WiFi signal. Try to keep your printer relatively close to your router. Walls, metal objects, and even large appliances can interfere with the signal. Experiment with different locations to see what works best. Sometimes, just moving it a foot or two can make a huge difference.

Updating Firmware Regularly

Printer manufacturers often release firmware updates that improve performance and fix bugs. These updates can also include improvements to WiFi connectivity. Check your printer’s settings or the Brother website regularly for new firmware. It’s a simple step that can prevent a lot of headaches down the road. I know, updating firmware sounds boring, but trust me, it’s worth it.

Checking Network Stability

Sometimes, the problem isn’t your printer, it’s your WiFi network itself. If you’re experiencing frequent disconnects, check the stability of your internet connection. You can do this by running a speed test or checking the status of your router. If other devices on your network are also having trouble, the issue might be with your internet service provider. Rebooting your router can often resolve minor network glitches. It’s the oldest trick in the book, but it often works!

A stable WiFi connection is key to a smooth printing experience. By paying attention to your printer’s placement, keeping its firmware up-to-date, and monitoring your network’s stability, you can minimize disruptions and keep your Brother printer working reliably.

Wrapping It Up

So there you have it! Connecting your Brother printer to WiFi doesn’t have to be a headache. Just follow the steps we talked about, and you’ll be printing from anywhere in no time. If you hit a snag, don’t sweat it—check the manual or the Brother website for help. Remember, it’s all about being patient and taking it one step at a time. Soon enough, you’ll be printing like a pro. Happy printing!