Brother Printer Won't Connect to Wi-Fi? Here’s What to Do

If your Brother printer is not connecting to Wi-Fi, it can be frustrating, especially when you need to print important documents. However, this issue is common and often solvable with a few simple troubleshooting steps. In this guide, we’ll explore the possible reasons your Brother printer might not connect to Wi-Fi and how to fix it.

1. Check Your Wi-Fi Connection

Before troubleshooting the printer, ensure that your Wi-Fi network is working correctly. The printer cannot connect to Wi-Fi if there is a network issue.

• Verify Network Status: Make sure other devices (like smartphones or computers) can connect to the Wi-Fi network. If they can’t, there may be an issue with the router.
• Router Restart: Sometimes, simply restarting your router can resolve connection issues. Turn the router off for 30 seconds, then turn it back on.
• Wi-Fi Signal Strength: Ensure that the printer is within range of your router. A weak signal can cause connection issues. If the signal is weak, try moving the printer closer to the router.

2. Check Printer’s Network Settings

Many Brother printers have a built-in function to check and configure network settings. If the printer isn’t connecting, it might not be set up properly.

• Print Network Configuration Report:

  1. Press the Menu button on the printer.
  2. Use the arrow keys to navigate to Network and select Network Configuration.
  3. Select Print Network Configuration. This report will show the printer’s current IP address and network connection status.
  4. Verify that the printer’s IP address is within the range of your network. If it’s not, you may need to manually configure the network settings.

• Wireless Setup Wizard: If the network report shows no connection, you can reconfigure the Wi-Fi setup:

  1. On the printer’s display screen, press the Menu button.
  2. Navigate to Network and select WLAN (Wireless LAN).
  3. Choose Setup Wizard to search for available Wi-Fi networks.
  4. Select your network from the list and enter your Wi-Fi password.
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.

3. Check the Wireless Settings on Your Router

If your printer can detect the Wi-Fi network but still won’t connect, the issue might be with your router settings.

• SSID Broadcast: Ensure that your router is set to broadcast its SSID (network name). Some routers have an option to hide the SSID for privacy, but if the network name is hidden, the printer may not be able to detect it.
• Wi-Fi Encryption: Some printers may not connect to networks using specific encryption types. Ensure your router uses WPA2 encryption, as older encryption standards (WEP or WPA) might cause connection problems.
• Check for MAC Address Filtering: Some routers have MAC address filtering enabled, which restricts which devices can connect to the network. Make sure your printer’s MAC address is not being blocked by the router.

4. Restart the Printer

Sometimes, simply restarting the printer can resolve connection issues. Power cycle the printer by turning it off and unplugging it for about 30 seconds before turning it back on. After restarting, try reconnecting to Wi-Fi.

5. Update Printer Firmware

Outdated firmware can lead to Wi-Fi connectivity issues. Brother often releases firmware updates to address connectivity bugs and improve performance.

• Update Via Printer’s Menu: On many Brother models, you can update firmware directly from the printer’s control panel.
  1. Navigate to Menu > Firmware Update (if available).
  2. Follow the prompts to update the firmware.
  3. Ensure your printer is connected to the network before attempting to update.
• Update Using Brother Software: If your printer doesn’t support over-the-air updates, you can download the latest firmware from the Brother website. Visit the support page for your printer model and follow the instructions to update the firmware manually.

6. Forget and Reconnect to Wi-Fi Network

If your printer still won’t connect after trying the steps above, you may want to reset the printer’s Wi-Fi settings and reconnect it.

• Reset Network Settings:
  1. On the printer’s control panel, go to Menu > Network > Network Reset.
  2. This will reset all network settings to factory defaults.
  3. After the reset, go through the Wi-Fi setup process again using the Wireless Setup Wizard or by manually entering network details.

7. Check for Interference

Wi-Fi interference can prevent devices from connecting. Electronic devices like microwaves, cordless phones, and baby monitors can interfere with the 2.4 GHz band, commonly used by printers. If possible, move the printer away from such devices.

• Switch to 5 GHz: If your router supports dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), try connecting your printer to the 5 GHz band. It’s less congested and can offer a more stable connection, especially in crowded areas.

An IP conflict occurs when two devices on the same network are assigned the same IP address. This can prevent your printer from connecting to the network.

• Assign a Static IP:
  1. On the printer’s network settings, manually set a static IP address.
  2. Make sure the IP address you assign is within your router’s DHCP range, but not currently in use by another device.
• Check Router’s DHCP Settings: Ensure that your router’s DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server is enabled, as it automatically assigns IP addresses to devices on the network.

For Brother printers that support mobile printing, the Brother iPrint&Scan app can sometimes help resolve Wi-Fi connection issues. The app allows you to easily connect the printer to the network without using the control panel.

1. Download and install the Brother iPrint&Scan app on your smartphone.
2. Follow the app’s instructions to connect your printer to the Wi-Fi network.

10. When to Contact Brother Support

If your Brother printer still won’t connect to Wi-Fi after following all the troubleshooting steps, it might be time to contact Brother Support. Have your printer model and serial number ready, as well as any error messages you’ve encountered during troubleshooting.

Conclusion

Wi-Fi connectivity issues with Brother printers are common but can usually be resolved by following these troubleshooting steps. By ensuring that your printer is within range of your router, checking network settings, updating firmware, and addressing potential interference, you can often restore Wi-Fi functionality. If problems persist, don’t hesitate to reach out to Brother’s customer support for further assistance.