Setting up a Brother printer on your Mac is usually a quick process, but issues like driver compatibility, Wi-Fi connection failures, or printer detection problems can make it frustrating. Whether you’ve purchased a new Brother printer or are reconnecting an existing one after changing your Wi-Fi network, following the correct setup process ensures reliable printing and scanning.

Modern versions of macOS support many Brother printers through AirPrint, while some models perform better with Brother’s dedicated drivers and utilities. This guide walks you through every step of Brother printer setup on Mac, including wireless setup, USB installation, driver installation, troubleshooting, and tips to keep your printer running smoothly.

What You’ll Learn

• How to prepare your Brother printer for Mac setup
• How to connect your Brother printer via Wi-Fi
• How to install a Brother printer using a USB cable
• How to download and install Brother printer drivers on macOS
• How to add your printer to macOS
• Common Brother printer setup problems and their solutions
• How to scan documents using your Brother printer on a Mac
• Tips for maintaining a reliable printer connection

Prepare Your Brother Printer Before Setup

Before beginning the installation, make sure everything is ready.

You should have:

• Your Brother printer powered on
• A stable Wi-Fi network
• Your Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and password
• A Mac running a supported version of macOS
• Administrator access to install printer software
• A USB cable if you plan to use a wired connection

If you’re replacing an older printer or reconnecting after changing routers, remove any previous Brother printer profiles from your Mac before installing the printer again.

How to Set Up a Brother Printer on Mac Using Wi-Fi

Wireless printing is the most convenient option for most home and office users.

Step 1: Connect the Printer to Wi-Fi

Use your printer’s control panel to:

• Open Network Settings
• Select WLAN or Wireless Setup
• Choose your Wi-Fi network
• Enter your Wi-Fi password
• Wait until the printer confirms the connection

Some Brother printers also support Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS), allowing you to connect without manually entering the password.

Step 2: Connect Your Mac to the Same Network

Ensure your Mac is connected to the exact same wireless network as your printer.

Different networks or guest networks may prevent the printer from being discovered.

Step 3: Add the Brother Printer on macOS

On your Mac:

1. Open System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions).
2. Select Printers & Scanners.
3. Click the Add Printer (+) button.
4. Wait while macOS searches for available printers.
5. Select your Brother printer.
6. Click Add.

Your printer should now appear in the list of installed printers.

How to Set Up a Brother Printer on Mac Using USB

If you prefer a wired connection, installation is even simpler.

1. Turn on your Brother printer.
2. Connect the USB cable between the printer and your Mac.
3. Open Printers & Scanners.
4. Click Add Printer if the printer does not appear automatically.
5. Select your printer.
6. Complete the installation.

Once installed, macOS should recognize the printer whenever it is connected.

Install Brother Printer Drivers on macOS

Many Brother printers work using Apple’s built-in AirPrint support. However, installing Brother’s official driver often unlocks advanced features such as the following:

• Duplex printing
• Advanced print quality settings
• Ink or toner status monitoring
• Scanner utilities
• Firmware updates
• Maintenance tools

After installing the appropriate software, restart your Mac if prompted before adding the printer.

Set Your Brother Printer as the Default Printer

To avoid selecting the printer every time you print:

1. Open Printers & Scanners.
2. Locate your Brother printer.
3. Choose it as the default printer.

This ensures documents are automatically sent to your preferred printer.

Test Your Brother Printer

After installation:

• Print a test document.
• Verify print quality.
• Check paper feeding.
• Confirm color accuracy (if applicable).
• Ensure there are no error messages.

Testing immediately helps identify setup issues before regular use.

How to Scan Using a Brother Printer on Mac

If your Brother printer includes a scanner:

1. Open Image Capture or your preferred scanning application.
2. Select the Brother scanner.
3. Place the document on the scanner glass or in the automatic document feeder.
4. Choose your scan settings.
5. Click Scan.

Many multifunction Brother printers also support scanning through Brother’s dedicated scanning software.

Common Brother Printer Setup Problems on Mac

Even with a straightforward installation, some users may encounter setup issues.

Brother Printer Not Detected

Possible causes include the following:

• Printer not connected to Wi-Fi
• USB cable not fully connected
• Printer powered off
• Mac and printer on different networks

Restart both the printer and Mac before attempting setup again.

Brother Printer Shows Offline

If your printer appears offline:

• Verify the Wi-Fi connection.
• Restart your router.
• Remove and re-add the printer.
• Check that the correct printer is selected.

Driver Installation Fails

Older drivers may not support newer versions of macOS.

Try:

• Removing previous Brother software.
• Installing the latest compatible driver.
• Restarting your Mac after installation.

Printing Is Slow

Slow printing may result from:

• Weak Wi-Fi signal
• Large print jobs
• High-resolution print settings
• Outdated firmware

Moving the printer closer to the router often improves wireless performance.

Scanner Is Not Working

If scanning fails:

• Confirm scanner permissions are enabled in macOS.
• Reinstall the scanning software.
• Restart both devices.
• Verify the printer is properly connected.

Tips to Keep Your Brother Printer Working Smoothly on Mac

Regular maintenance helps prevent future setup and connectivity problems.

Best practices include:

• Keep macOS updated.
• Install the latest Brother software when available.
• Use high-quality paper.
• Replace ink or toner before it is completely empty.
• Print regularly to prevent clogged print heads on inkjet models.
• Keep the printer connected to a stable Wi-Fi network.
• Clean the printer periodically according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Following these simple habits can improve print quality and extend the life of your Brother printer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a Brother printer on Mac without installing drivers?

Yes. Many newer Brother printers support AirPrint, allowing basic printing without additional drivers. However, installing Brother’s software provides access to advanced printing and scanning features.

Why won’t my Mac find my Brother printer?

This usually happens because the printer is not connected to the same Wi-Fi network, the printer is offline, or the connection needs to be refreshed by restarting both devices.

Does Brother support the latest macOS versions?

Yes. Most current Brother printers support recent versions of macOS. Always use software and drivers that are compatible with your version of macOS.

How do I reconnect my Brother printer after changing my Wi-Fi password?

Reconnect the printer to the new wireless network using the printer’s network setup menu, then verify that your Mac is connected to the same network before adding the printer again.

Why is my Brother printer connected but not printing?

Check for paused print jobs, low ink or toner levels, paper jams, incorrect printer selection, or outdated printer drivers.

Conclusion

Completing a Brother printer setup on Mac is simple when you follow the proper installation process. Whether you choose a wireless or USB connection, ensuring your printer is connected correctly, installing compatible software when needed, and verifying the printer in macOS will help you enjoy reliable printing and scanning. If you encounter setup issues, basic troubleshooting steps such as checking your network connection, updating drivers, restarting devices, and re-adding the printer can resolve most problems quickly, allowing you to get back to printing without unnecessary delays.