Setting up your Brother printer on a WiFi network allows you to print wirelessly from desktops, laptops, smartphones, and tablets without the need for USB cables. Whether you’re installing a new printer or reconnecting it after changing your wireless network, completing a proper Brother printer WiFi setup ensures reliable printing and scanning throughout your home or office.

In this guide, you’ll learn multiple methods to connect your Brother printer to WiFi, troubleshoot common wireless connection issues, reconnect your printer after a router change, and keep your printer running smoothly.

What You’ll Learn

• How to prepare your Brother printer for WiFi setup
• Different methods to connect a Brother printer to WiFi
• How to install Brother printer drivers
• How to connect your printer using the Brother Mobile Connect app
• Common Brother printer WiFi setup problems and fixes
• Tips to improve wireless printing performance
• Frequently asked questions

Why Connect Your Brother Printer to WiFi?

A wireless connection provides flexibility and convenience for both home users and businesses.

Benefits include:

• Print from multiple devices without reconnecting cables
• Share one printer across several computers
• Print directly from smartphones and tablets
• Place the printer anywhere within WiFi range
• Reduce cable clutter
• Support wireless scanning on compatible models

Requirements Before Starting Brother Printer WiFi Setup

Before connecting your printer, make sure you have:

• A working WiFi router
• Network name (SSID)
• WiFi password
• Brother printer powered on
• Computer or mobile device connected to the same WiFi network
• Latest Brother printer driver (recommended)

Also ensure your printer is within a strong wireless signal range.

Method 1: Brother Printer WiFi Setup Using the Printer Control Panel

Many Brother printers include a built-in display that makes wireless setup straightforward.

Follow these steps:

1. Turn on your Brother printer.
2. Press the Menu button.
3. Navigate to Network.
4. Select WLAN.
5. Choose Setup Wizard.
6. Enable the wireless network if prompted.
7. Select your WiFi network from the available list.
8. Enter the WiFi password carefully.
9. Press OK.
10. Wait for the connection confirmation.

Once connected, the printer will display a successful connection message.

Method 2: Brother Printer WiFi Setup Using WPS

If your router supports Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS), this is one of the fastest connection methods.

Steps:

1. Press the WPS button on your router.
2. Within two minutes, access your printer’s network settings.
3. Choose WPS.
4. Confirm the connection.
5. Wait until the printer connects automatically.

No password entry is required using this method.

Method 3: Brother Printer WiFi Setup Using Brother Mobile Connect

Brother offers a mobile app that simplifies wireless setup.

To connect:

1. Install the Brother Mobile Connect app.
2. Open the app.
3. Allow Bluetooth and location permissions if requested.
4. Tap Add Printer.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions.
6. Select your wireless network.
7. Enter your WiFi password.
8. Complete the installation.

The app can also help monitor ink or toner levels, manage print jobs, and scan documents.

Method 4: Install Brother Printer Drivers After WiFi Setup

After connecting to WiFi, install the latest printer software.

Driver installation typically includes the following:

• Printer driver
• Scanner driver
• Brother utilities
• Firmware update tools

During installation:

• Select Wireless Connection
• Choose your detected printer
• Complete the installation wizard

Installing the latest drivers helps prevent communication errors and improves performance.

How to Connect Brother Printer to Windows Over WiFi

Windows users can manually add the printer if it is not detected automatically.

Steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Bluetooth & Devices.
3. Click Printers & Scanners.
4. Choose Add Device.
5. Select your Brother printer.
6. Complete the installation.

Print a test page to verify the connection.

How to Connect Brother Printer to Mac Using WiFi

Mac users can add the printer through System Settings.

Steps:

1. Open System Settings.
2. Select Printers & Scanners.
3. Click the + button.
4. Choose your Brother printer.
5. Install the recommended driver.
6. Finish setup.

Your printer should now be available for printing and scanning.

Brother Printer WiFi Setup Troubleshooting

Wireless setup problems are usually easy to resolve.

Printer Cannot Find the WiFi Network

Possible causes:

• Router is too far away
• Wireless network hidden
• Weak signal

Solutions:

• Move the printer closer to the router.
• Restart the router.
• Refresh the wireless network list.
• Verify the network name.

Incorrect WiFi Password

Double-check:

• Uppercase letters
• Lowercase letters
• Numbers
• Special characters

Even one incorrect character prevents the connection.

Brother Printer Shows Offline

Try these solutions:

• Restart the printer.
• Restart the computer.
• Verify both devices use the same WiFi network.
• Clear pending print jobs.
• Disable “Use Printer Offline” if enabled.

Printer Disconnects Frequently

Common reasons include:

• Weak WiFi signal
• Router interference
• Outdated firmware
• Network congestion

Improving signal strength often resolves intermittent disconnections.

Brother Printer Not Detected

If your computer cannot locate the printer:

• Restart the printer.
• Restart the router.
• Update the printer driver.
• Reinstall Brother software.
• Disable VPN temporarily during setup.

How to Reconnect to a Brother Printer After Changing WiFi

When you replace your router or change your WiFi password, reconnect the printer by repeating the wireless setup.

Steps:

1. Open the printer’s Network Settings.
2. Select Setup Wizard.
3. Choose the new WiFi network.
4. Enter the new password.
5. Save the settings.
6. Reconnect your computer if necessary.

Tips for a Stable Brother Printer WiFi Connection

Improve wireless reliability by following these best practices:

• Place the printer within router range.
• Keep firmware updated.
• Use a strong WiFi password.
• Avoid placing the printer near microwaves or cordless phones.
• Restart the router occasionally.
• Use the 2.4 GHz network if your printer does not support 5 GHz WiFi.
• Print regularly to maintain network communication.

Common Brother Printer WiFi Setup Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors:

• Connecting to the wrong wireless network
• Entering an incorrect password
• Skipping driver installation
• Ignoring firmware updates
• Using outdated printer software
• Placing the printer too far from the router

Frequently Asked Questions

Why won’t my Brother printer connect to WiFi?

Common causes include an incorrect WiFi password, weak wireless signal, outdated firmware, or router compatibility issues.

How do I reset my Brother printer’s network settings?

Most Brother printers allow you to reset network settings from the Network or Initial Setup menu. After resetting, repeat the WiFi setup process.

Does the Brother printer WiFi setup require a USB cable?

No. Most modern Brother printers support direct wireless setup through the printer’s control panel, WPS, or the Brother Mobile Connect app.

Why is my Brother printer offline after connecting to WiFi?

Ensure the printer and computer are connected to the same wireless network, clear the print queue, and verify the printer is set as the default printer.

Can I connect multiple devices to one Brother printer?

Yes. Once connected to WiFi, multiple computers, smartphones, and tablets on the same network can use the printer.

Conclusion

Completing a successful Brother printer WiFi setup allows you to enjoy convenient wireless printing from virtually any device connected to your network. Whether you use the printer’s control panel, WPS, or the Brother Mobile Connect app, the setup process is simple when you follow the correct steps. If you encounter connection issues, checking your WiFi settings, updating drivers, and ensuring a strong network signal can resolve most problems quickly. By maintaining your wireless connection and keeping your printer software up to date, you can enjoy reliable printing and scanning for years to come.