Changing your home or office WiFi network doesn’t mean you need to reinstall your Brother printer from scratch. If you’ve recently changed your router, updated your WiFi password, or switched to a new internet provider, your printer must be connected to the new wireless network before it can print again.

This guide explains exactly how to connect a Brother printer to a new WiFi network, whether your printer has a touchscreen or button-only control panel. You’ll also learn how to troubleshoot common wireless connection problems on Windows, Mac, Android, and iPhone.

What You’ll Learn

• When you need to reconnect your Brother printer to WiFi
• How to connect a Brother printer with a touchscreen
• How to connect a Brother printer without a touchscreen
• Using WPS for wireless setup
• Reconnecting your printer using Brother Mobile Connect
• Installing or updating the printer driver
• Fixing common Brother WiFi connection problems
• Tips to keep your printer connected reliably

Why You Need to Connect Your Brother Printer to a New WiFi Network

Your Brother printer stores your previous wireless network information. If your WiFi name (SSID) or password changes, the printer cannot automatically connect to the new network.

Common situations include:

• Installing a new WiFi router
• Changing your wireless password
• Switching internet providers
• Moving the printer to another location
• Upgrading from a 2.4 GHz network to a dual-band router
• Performing a factory reset on the printer

Until the printer is connected to the new network, it will appear offline and won’t receive print jobs.

Check These Things Before Connecting Your Brother Printer

Before starting the wireless setup, make sure you have:

• Your WiFi network name (SSID)
• Your WiFi password
• The printer turned on
• The printer placed near the wireless router
• A stable internet connection
• Administrator access to your computer if installing drivers

Most Brother printers support 2.4 GHz WiFi, while some newer models also support 5 GHz. Check your printer’s specifications if you’re unsure.

How to Connect a Brother Printer to New WiFi Using the Touchscreen

If your Brother printer has a color or monochrome LCD touchscreen, reconnecting it is straightforward.

Follow these steps:

1. Turn on the printer.
2. Tap Settings.
3. Select Network.
4. Choose WLAN.
5. Tap Setup Wizard.
6. Select Yes when prompted to enable wireless networking.
7. Wait for the printer to search for nearby WiFi networks.
8. Select your new WiFi network.
9. Enter your wireless password carefully.
10. Press OK.
11. Wait for the confirmation message indicating a successful connection.

Once connected, print a network configuration report if you want to verify the assigned IP address.

How to Connect a Brother Printer Without a Touchscreen

Many Brother printers use physical buttons instead of a touchscreen.

Wireless setup steps:

1. Turn on the printer.
2. Press the Menu button.
3. Navigate to Network.
4. Select WLAN.
5. Choose Setup Wizard.
6. Enable WLAN if prompted.
7. Select your new WiFi network.
8. Enter the wireless password using the navigation buttons.
9. Confirm the settings.
10. Wait until the printer displays Connected.

The exact menu names may vary slightly depending on the printer model.

Connect Brother Printer to New WiFi Using WPS

If your router supports Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS), you can connect without entering a password.

Steps:

1. Press the WPS button on your wireless router.
2. Within two minutes, open your printer’s wireless settings.
3. Select WPS.
4. Allow the printer to connect automatically.
5. Wait until the wireless indicator becomes solid.

This method is quick and ideal for home users.

Connect Using Brother Mobile Connect App

Brother Mobile Connect makes wireless setup simple using a smartphone.

Steps:

1. Download the Brother Mobile Connect app.
2. Open the app.
3. Tap Add Printer.
4. Follow the setup instructions.
5. Select your new WiFi network.
6. Enter the network password.
7. Complete the setup.

The app also allows you to:

• Monitor ink or toner levels
• Print documents
• Scan files
• Perform maintenance
• Receive printer notifications

Reinstall or Update the Brother Printer Driver

Sometimes the printer connects to WiFi but still appears offline.

This usually indicates a driver or software issue.

On Windows

• Open Settings
• Select Bluetooth & Devices
• Open Printers & Scanners
• Remove the existing printer if necessary
• Install the latest Brother printer driver
• Add the printer again

On macOS

• Open System Settings
• Select Printers & Scanners
• Remove the printer
• Add it again after reconnecting to WiFi

Updated drivers improve compatibility with newer operating systems and security updates.

Common Problems When Connecting a Brother Printer to New WiFi

Several issues can interrupt the wireless setup process.

Incorrect WiFi Password

Re-enter the password carefully, paying attention to uppercase and lowercase letters.

Printer Cannot Find the Network

• Move the printer closer to the router.
• Restart the router.
• Ensure the wireless network is broadcasting.

Printer Remains Offline

• Restart both the printer and computer.
• Clear pending print jobs.
• Verify that both devices are connected to the same WiFi network.

Weak Wireless Signal

Keep the printer away from:

• Microwave ovens
• Thick concrete walls
• Cordless phones
• Bluetooth devices that may cause interference

How to Reset the Brother Printer Network Settings

If the printer still won’t connect, resetting its network settings can help.

General steps:

1. Open Menu.
2. Select Network.
3. Choose Network Reset.
4. Confirm the reset.
5. Restart the printer.
6. Run the wireless setup again.

This removes the old WiFi information and allows a fresh connection.

Tips to Keep Your Brother Printer Connected to WiFi

To reduce future connection problems:

• Keep your router firmware updated.
• Avoid changing the WiFi name frequently.
• Place the printer within good WiFi range.
• Install the latest Brother printer drivers.
• Restart the printer occasionally.
• Use a strong, stable wireless signal.
• Avoid frequent network resets unless necessary.

Following these practices helps maintain a reliable wireless connection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why won’t my Brother printer connect to my new WiFi?

Common reasons include an incorrect password, weak wireless signal, outdated printer settings, or the printer still being configured for your previous network.

Do I need to reinstall my Brother printer after changing WiFi?

Not always. In most cases, you only need to reconnect the printer to the new wireless network. If the computer cannot detect the printer afterward, reinstalling or updating the driver may help.

Can I connect my Brother printer without a USB cable?

Yes. Most modern Brother wireless printers support direct WiFi setup using the control panel, WPS, or the Brother Mobile Connect app.

Why does my Brother printer keep going offline?

This may happen due to unstable WiFi, outdated drivers, router issues, or incorrect printer settings.

Does changing my WiFi password affect my printer?

Yes. If you change your WiFi password, you’ll need to reconnect the Brother printer using the updated credentials.

Conclusion

Connecting a Brother printer to new WiFi is usually a quick process once you have your network name and password ready. Whether you use the printer’s touchscreen, physical buttons, WPS, or the Brother Mobile Connect app, reconnecting your printer ensures you can continue printing wirelessly from your computer or mobile device. If you encounter issues, resetting the network settings, updating the printer driver, and checking your WiFi signal will resolve most connection problems. Following the steps in this guide will help you get your Brother printer back online quickly and keep it connected reliably in the future.