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Before starting, make sure your wireless router is turned on and working properly. Keep the printer within a reasonable distance of the router so it can receive a stable wireless signal. You should also know your WiFi network name, also called the SSID, and its password.
First, turn on your Brother printer and make sure there are no error messages on the display. If the printer has a touchscreen or control panel, use it to access the wireless settings. Some Brother printers have physical buttons instead of a touchscreen.
If the printer was previously connected to another wireless network, it may be necessary to clear the old wireless settings before connecting it to your current network. This helps prevent the printer from trying to connect to an outdated network.
The easiest method for many Brother printers is to connect directly through the printer's control panel.
Start by opening the printer's Menu, Settings, or Network option. Look for WLAN, Wireless Network, or WiFi settings. Select the wireless setup option and allow the printer to search for available networks.
After the scan finishes, a list of nearby WiFi networks should appear. Find your home or office network and select it. Carefully enter the WiFi password when prompted. Remember that WiFi passwords are case-sensitive, so uppercase and lowercase letters must be entered correctly.
After entering the password, confirm the settings. The printer will attempt to connect to the wireless network. This may take a few moments. When the connection is successful, the printer may display a message such as Connected, Connection OK, or WLAN Connected.
You can now try printing a test document from a computer or mobile device.
Some Brother printers and wireless routers support WPS, which can make the setup process easier because you do not have to manually type the WiFi password.
First, locate the WPS button on your wireless router. On the Brother printer, open the wireless network settings and select the WPS or WPS Button option. The printer may ask you to press the WPS button on the router.
Press the WPS button on the router when prompted. The printer and router will communicate automatically and attempt to establish a wireless connection.
Wait until the printer confirms that the connection was successful. The process can take a short time. Once connected, your printer should be available to compatible devices on the same network.
Connecting the printer to WiFi is only one part of the setup. Your computer may also need the printer driver or Brother printing software.
On a Windows computer, open Settings and select Bluetooth & devices, followed by Printers & scanners. Choose Add device and allow Windows to search for available printers.
When your Brother printer appears, select it and follow the instructions on the screen. Windows may automatically install the required software.
On a Mac, open System Settings and select Printers & Scanners. Choose Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax and select your Brother printer from the available devices. Follow the setup instructions to complete the installation.
If the printer does not appear automatically, you may need to install the appropriate Brother printer software and drivers for your specific model.
Many Brother printers can also be used with smartphones and tablets. First, connect your mobile device to the same WiFi network that you want the printer to use.
Install a compatible Brother printing application if your printer model supports one. Open the application and follow the instructions to find your printer. Select the printer when it appears and complete any required setup.
Some Brother printers also support common mobile printing technologies. Depending on the model and mobile device, you may be able to print using built-in wireless printing features.
If your Brother printer cannot connect to WiFi, start with the simplest checks. Make sure the router is working and that other devices can access the internet through the same network.
Check the WiFi password carefully. A single incorrect character can prevent the printer from connecting. If your router has separate wireless networks, make sure you select the correct one.
Restart both the printer and router. Turn off the printer, unplug the router for a short time, restart the router, and then turn the printer back on. Try the wireless setup again after the network becomes available.
You should also check the distance between the printer and router. Thick walls, large appliances, and other wireless devices can sometimes interfere with the signal. Moving the printer closer to the router may improve the connection.
If your Brother printer has a network or WLAN status report, printing this report can help identify connection problems. The report may show information such as the printer's network name, connection status, and IP address.
If the printer shows that it is connected to WiFi but your computer cannot find it, make sure the computer is connected to the same network. A computer connected to a guest network may not be able to communicate with a printer connected to the main network.
Firewall or security software can also interfere with printer discovery in some situations. If you recently changed security settings on your computer or router, check whether those changes affected printer communication.
If the printer continues trying to connect to an old network, resetting its network settings may help. The exact reset procedure depends on the Brother printer model. Look through the printer's network settings for an option such as Network Reset or Reset Network Settings.
After resetting the network settings, restart the printer and repeat the wireless setup. Make sure you select the correct WiFi network and enter the current password.
After successfully connecting your Brother printer to WiFi, keep the printer within good wireless range of the router. Avoid frequently changing the router's network name or password because doing so may require you to reconnect the printer.
If you replace your router, you may also need to configure the printer again. Keeping the printer's software and firmware updated can also help maintain compatibility and resolve certain connection problems.
Connecting a Brother printer to WiFi is generally straightforward when you know the correct network name and password. The control-panel wireless setup is the most common method, while WPS can simplify the process on compatible equipment. If the connection fails, checking the WiFi password, restarting the network equipment, verifying the network connection, and resetting wireless settings can often resolve the problem.