Connecting Brother Printer to WiFi: Step by Step
A wireless printer makes printing much more convenient because you can print documents from your desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone without connecting a USB cable every time. If you recently purchased a Brother printer or changed your WiFi network, you may be wondering how to connect it to WiFi.
Most Brother wireless printers include a built-in setup wizard that helps you connect to your home or office wireless network in just a few minutes. Once connected, your printer can communicate with all compatible devices on the same WiFi network, making everyday printing much easier.
This guide explains the complete process for connecting a Brother printer to Wi-Fi in simple terms.
Connecting Brother Printer to WiFi: Step by Step
Before starting, make sure your wireless router is powered on and broadcasting a stable WiFi signal. You should also know your WiFi network name (SSID) and WiFi password, since you’ll need them during the setup process.
Step 1: Turn On Your Brother Printer
Begin by placing your Brother printer close enough to your wireless router so it receives a strong WiFi signal during setup. Plug the printer into a power outlet and press the Power button to turn it on. Wait until the printer finishes its startup process. If the printer is performing maintenance or displaying an error message, resolve that first before continuing.
Take a moment to confirm that the printer display is working properly. Most modern Brother printers include an LCD or touchscreen that allows you to navigate through menus. If your printer has only physical buttons, don’t worry, because the setup process is very similar.
Keeping the printer powered on throughout the setup ensures the wireless settings can be saved successfully.
Step 2: Open the Network Settings Menu
After the printer has fully started, locate the Menu, Settings, or WiFi button on the control panel. The exact button names may vary depending on your Brother printer model.
Navigate through the menu until you find Network, Network Settings, or WLAN. This section contains all wireless connection options for your printer.
If your printer features a touchscreen, simply tap the appropriate menu. On printers with navigation buttons, use the arrow keys to move through the available options and press OK to confirm your selection.
Entering the correct menu is important because this is where you’ll configure the wireless connection.
Step 3: Start the Wireless Setup Wizard
Inside the Network menu, locate the option called Setup Wizard, Wireless Setup Wizard, or WLAN Setup Wizard.
Select this option to begin searching for nearby wireless networks. The printer’s wireless adapter will scan the area and display a list of available WiFi networks.
This process usually takes less than one minute. During the scan, avoid turning off the printer or pressing unnecessary buttons.
When the search completes, you’ll see all detectable wireless networks within range.
Step 4: Choose Your WiFi Network
Look through the list of available networks and locate your home or office WiFi network name (SSID).
Select the correct network carefully. Many homes have multiple wireless networks with similar names, especially dual-band routers offering both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz connections.
If your Brother printer supports only the 2.4 GHz band, make sure you select the 2.4 GHz network instead of the 5 GHz version.
After highlighting your network name, press OK or Next to continue.
Choosing the correct network ensures the printer connects to the same WiFi used by your computer and mobile devices.
Step 5: Enter Your WiFi Password
The printer will now ask for your wireless network password.
Use the on-screen keyboard or navigation buttons to enter your WiFi password exactly as it appears. Remember that wireless passwords are case sensitive, meaning uppercase and lowercase letters are treated differently.
Take your time while typing because even one incorrect character can prevent the printer from connecting.
Once you’ve entered the password, select OK, Apply, or Connect depending on your printer model.
The printer will begin communicating with your wireless router using the credentials you entered.
Step 6: Wait for the Connection to Complete
The printer will now attempt to connect to your WiFi network.
This process usually takes between 30 seconds and two minutes.
If everything is entered correctly, you’ll see a message such as Connected, Connection Successful, or WiFi Connected.
Some Brother printers also display a wireless signal icon on the screen after establishing the connection.
If the connection fails, carefully verify your WiFi password and repeat the previous step.
Step 7: Print the Network Configuration Report
Many Brother printers allow you to print a Network Configuration Report.
This report confirms that the printer successfully connected to your wireless network. It also displays useful information such as the printer’s IP address, network name, and wireless status.
Printing this report can be especially helpful if you need to install the printer on multiple computers later.
If the report shows that the wireless connection is active, your printer setup is complete.
Additional Tips
Place your Brother printer where it receives a strong wireless signal. Weak WiFi coverage may result in slow printing or connection interruptions.
Always keep your WiFi password available before starting the setup process to avoid interruptions.
If you recently changed your router or internet provider, reconnect the printer using the new wireless network information.
Restart both the printer and the router if the connection repeatedly fails during setup.
Keep your printer’s firmware updated whenever updates become available, as firmware improvements often enhance wireless stability and compatibility.
If your router supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks, verify which frequency your Brother printer supports before attempting to connect.
FAQs
Why won’t my Brother printer connect to WiFi?
The most common reasons include entering an incorrect WiFi password, selecting the wrong wireless network, being too far from the router, or temporary router issues. Double-check your credentials and restart both devices before trying again.
Does every Brother printer support wireless connectivity?
No. Some Brother printers are USB-only models. Check your printer’s specifications or look for WiFi, Wireless, or WLAN features to confirm wireless support.
Can I connect my Brother printer without using a USB cable?
Yes. Most wireless Brother printers can be connected directly to WiFi using the built-in Wireless Setup Wizard, eliminating the need for a USB cable during setup.
What should I do if I change my WiFi password?
You’ll need to reconnect the printer by repeating the wireless setup process and entering your new WiFi password.
Can multiple devices print to the same Brother printer?
Yes. Once the printer is connected to your wireless network, multiple compatible computers, smartphones, and tablets connected to the same network can print to it.
How do I know if my Brother printer is connected to WiFi?
Most Brother printers display a wireless icon or show a successful connection message. You can also print a Network Configuration Report to verify the connection.
Summary
Connecting a Brother printer to WiFi is a simple process that allows you to print wirelessly from multiple devices without relying on USB cables. By turning on the printer, opening the Network Settings, launching the Wireless Setup Wizard, selecting the correct WiFi network, entering the WiFi password, and confirming the connection, even first-time users can complete the setup successfully.
After connecting the printer, install it on your computer or mobile device and print a test page to verify everything is working correctly. With a stable wireless connection and proper placement near your router, your Brother printer will provide reliable and convenient wireless printing for everyday use.