Struggling with tangled wires and limited printer placement options can be frustrating. Fortunately, wireless printing offers a much-needed solution, freeing you from the constraints of wired connections and allowing you to print from anywhere within your network range. Plus, in today’s highly digitised world, setting up your printer to operate wirelessly is not just a convenience — it’s a necessity in residential and commercial offices alike.
In this guide, we’ll discuss how to connect your Brother printer to WiFi, covering everything from the initial Brother printer setup to ensuring your device maintains a stable connection.
Preparing for installation
Before diving into the actual steps to connect your Brother printer to WiFi, you should prepare properly to ensure a smooth installation process. Here’s what you need to do:
- Check your equipment — First, verify that your Brother printer is equipped with WiFi functionality. You can find this information in the printer’s manual or by looking up the model specifications on the Brother website.
- Check network stability — Ensure you have a stable and reliable WiFi network. Poor network stability can lead to issues during the setup process and affect your printer’s performance.
- Gather the necessary information — Know your network’s SSID, which is the name of the WiFi network you will be connecting the printer to, and have the WiFi password at hand.
Steps to connect Brother printer to WiFi
Step 1: Access the printer’s control panel
- Navigate to the network settings menu on your Brother printer’s LCD screen. This is typically found under “Settings” or “Network” options.
- Select the option for WiFi setup. This prepares the printer to connect to your wireless network.
Step 2: Enable WiFi on your printer
- From the network menu, choose the “WLAN” option. This stands for Wireless Local Area Network, which is another term for WiFi network.
- Select ‘Setup Wizard’. This will help in locating available WiFi networks within range. It simplifies the process by guiding you through each step.
Step 3: Select your network
- The printer will now display a list of all available WiFi networks it detects. Scroll through the list to find your network.
- Select your WiFi network. This is the SSID you noted earlier during your preparation.
- When prompted, enter the WiFi password. Make sure to enter it carefully to avoid errors that could prevent the printer from connecting.
Step 4: Confirm connection
- After entering your WiFi password, the printer will attempt to connect to your network.
- Ensure the printer connects to the WiFi successfully. Look for a confirmation message on the printer’s LCD screen or an indicator light that signals a successful connection.
- Once connected, you might see a message such as “Connected” or “Connection Successful” on the display.
Step 5: Final checks
- It’s a good idea to print a test page or check the printer’s status in your computer’s printer settings to ensure everything is working correctly.
- If your printer is not showing as connected, you may need to repeat the steps or troubleshoot common issues like incorrect password entries or signal interference.
Device setup — installing printer drivers
To ensure your Brother printer functions optimally with your devices, you’ll need the latest drivers:
- Visit Brother’s official website — Go to the Brother support page to download the latest printer drivers that are compatible with your printer model.
- Follow installation instructions — Once downloaded, open the file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the drivers on your computer or device. This process will ensure your printer can communicate effectively with your devices and operate with all features available.
How to connect to Brother printer
To get your Brother printer WiFi setup running on your computer, follow these steps based on your operating system:
For Windows:
- Navigate to the ‘Control Panel’.
- Go to ‘Devices and Printers’ and then click on ‘Add a Printer’.
- Follow the prompts to let Windows detect and add your printer to the system.
For Mac:
- Open ‘System Preferences’.
- Click on ‘Printers & Scanners’.
- Click the ‘+’ sign to begin adding your printer to the network. Select your Brother printer from the list of available devices.
Maintaining your WiFi connected Brother printer
Here’s how you can ensure your Brother printer continues to operate efficiently and securely:
- Update the printer’s firmware.
- Regularly check and replace ink or toner.
- Clean the printer heads through the automatic cleaning function you can initiate from the printer menu or the Brother Mobile Connect app.
- Monitor printer health using the Brother Mobile Connect app
Buy ink online for your Brother printer
After successfully learning how to connect your Brother printer to Wi-Fi, the next step is ensuring you have high-quality ink or toner to keep those prints looking sharp. Whether you’re printing business documents, school reports or family photos, using the right supplies makes all the difference.
At TonerCity, we offer a comprehensive selection of authentic or compatible Brother ink and toner cartridges that meet your printing needs. From vibrant inks to durable toners, we have everything you need to achieve optimum print quality consistently. Browse our extensive range of Brother printer supplies online, where you benefit from a convenient and secure shopping experience.
Have questions or need help finding the right printing supplies? Contact our team.