How to Connect Your Brother Printer to WiFi

Connect your Brother printer to WiFi through the printer's menu, your router, or the Brother iPrint&Scan app — the method depends on your printer model and what information you have available

Most Brother printers connect to WiFi in one of three ways: using the printer's built-in menu and keypad, using a WPS button on your router for automatic connection, or through the Brother iPrint&Scan mobile app. The fastest route depends on whether your printer has a touchscreen, whether your router has a WPS button, and whether you want to set it up from the printer itself or from your phone.

Before you start, write down your WiFi network name (SSID) and password. You will need both. If you do not know your WiFi password, you can find it in your router's settings or on a sticker on the router itself — usually on the bottom or back.

Key Takeaways

Gather your WiFi network name and password before starting; most Brother printers will ask for both during setup.
If your router has a WPS button, pressing it on both the router and printer within two minutes is the fastest connection method.
Brother printers with a touchscreen can connect through the Settings or Network menu without needing a computer or phone.
The Brother iPrint&Scan app works on phones and tablets and can walk you through setup step-by-step if your printer does not have a touchscreen.
After connection, print a network configuration page from the printer menu to confirm the WiFi connection is working.

Using the WPS button for automatic connection

If your router has a WPS button (WiFi Protected Setup), this is the fastest method. WPS pairs devices without typing a password. Look for a button labeled WPS on your router — it is usually on the back or side, sometimes recessed and requiring a paperclip to press.

Press the WPS button on your router first, then when ready press the WPS button on your Brother printer. You have about two minutes to do this. The printer will search for the router and connect automatically. When the connection is complete, the printer's WiFi light will stop blinking and stay solid.

Not all routers have a WPS button, and some people disable it for security reasons. If your router does not have one or you cannot find it, use the menu method instead.

Connecting through the printer menu on a touchscreen model

Brother printers with a touchscreen display can connect to WiFi directly from the printer without a computer or phone. On the printer's home screen, look for a menu icon (usually three horizontal lines) or a Settings option. Tap it, then look for Network, WiFi, or Wireless settings.

Select "WiFi Setup" or "Wireless Setup." The printer will show you a list of available networks. Find your network name in the list and tap it. When prompted, use the on-screen keyboard to type your WiFi password. The printer will attempt to connect. When successful, you will see a confirmation message.

If your network does not appear in the list, make sure your router is powered on and within range. You can also select "Manual Entry" or "Other Network" to type your network name if it is hidden.

Connecting through the printer menu on models without a touchscreen

Older Brother printers or models with only a small LCD display and physical buttons use a different process. Press the Menu button on the printer, then use the arrow keys to navigate to Network or Wireless settings. Select WiFi Setup or Wireless Setup.

The printer will ask whether you want to search for networks or enter the network name manually. If you choose to search, the printer will display a list of available networks. Use the arrow keys to highlight your network and press OK. When prompted for the password, use the number pad and arrow keys to type it — this is slow, but necessary.

If typing the password on the printer is difficult, use the Brother iPrint&Scan app instead, which lets you enter the password on your phone and send it to the printer wirelessly.

Using the Brother iPrint&Scan app on your phone

read the Brother iPrint&Scan app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Open the app and tap the plus sign or "Add Device" button. The app will search for Brother printers on your network.

When your printer appears in the list, tap it. The app will ask for your WiFi network name and password. Enter both, and the app will send this information to the printer wirelessly. The printer will connect to your WiFi without you having to type anything on the printer itself.

This method works even if your printer does not have a touchscreen. The app handles all the typing for you. After the printer connects, you can use the same app to print photos and documents from your phone.

Connecting a Brother printer to a 5GHz network

Many modern routers broadcast two networks at once: a 2.4GHz network and a 5GHz network. Older Brother printers only connect to 2.4GHz. If your router broadcasts both, make sure you select the 2.4GHz network during setup, not the 5GHz one.

You can tell which is which by looking at the network name. Some routers add "-5G" or "-5GHz" to the 5GHz network name. If your network names look identical, log into your router's settings to see which frequency each one uses, or temporarily disable the 5GHz network during printer setup.

Newer Brother printers (released in the last three to four years) support both 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Check your printer's manual or the Brother support website for your specific model number to confirm.

Troubleshooting when the printer will not connect

If the printer cannot find your network, restart both the printer and the router. Turn off the printer, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Unplug the router, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Then try the connection process again.

If the printer finds the network but rejects the password, double-check that you are typing it correctly. WiFi passwords are case-sensitive, meaning capital letters matter. If you are unsure, log into your router to see the password in plain text, or reset the router to its default password and change it afterward.

If the printer connects but cannot print, the printer and computer may be on different networks. Make sure your computer is also connected to the same WiFi network as the printer. On Windows, go to Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi and confirm the network name. On Mac, click the WiFi icon in the top-right corner and check the network name.

Printing a network configuration page to confirm the connection

After the printer connects, print a network configuration page to verify the connection is working. This page shows the printer's IP address, network name, and connection status. On the printer, press Menu, navigate to Reports or Information, and select Network Configuration or Network Status. Press OK or Print.

The page will print with details about your WiFi connection. Look for "IP Address" — if it shows a number like 192.168.1.100, the printer is connected. If it shows 0.0.0.0 or is blank, the connection failed and you should try again.

Keep this page in a safe place. If you need to troubleshoot the printer later or add it to a new computer, the IP address on this page will help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I connect my Brother printer to WiFi if I do not have the password?

You need the password to connect. If you do not know it, you can reset your router to factory settings, which will restore the default password printed on the router itself. This will erase all your WiFi settings, so only do this if you are willing to set up your entire network again. Alternatively, ask whoever set up your WiFi network for the password.

What if my Brother printer is too far from the router?

Move the printer closer to the router, at least temporarily, to establish the connection. Once connected, you can move it back to its original location. If the connection drops frequently after moving it, the printer is out of range. Consider moving the router, moving the printer closer, or using a WiFi extender to boost the signal.

Can I connect my Brother printer to a guest network?

Yes, if your router has a guest network, you can connect the printer to it the same way you would connect to the main network. However, some guest networks isolate devices from each other, which may prevent your computer from finding the printer. If printing does not work on the guest network, try connecting the printer to your main network instead.

Do I need to connect the printer to WiFi if I use USB?

No. A USB cable connection works without WiFi. However, WiFi lets you print from multiple computers and phones without moving cables. If you only print from one computer and do not mind a cable, USB is simpler and does not require WiFi setup.

What should I do if the printer keeps disconnecting from WiFi?

Restart the printer and router. If disconnections continue, move the printer closer to the router to rule out range issues. Check the Brother support website for your printer model to see if a firmware update is available — outdated firmware sometimes causes connection problems. If the problem persists, the printer's WiFi radio may be failing and may need repair.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.