How to Connect Your Brother Printer to WiFi

Connect Your Brother Printer to WiFi in Three Steps

Your Brother printer connects to WiFi through a setup process that takes about five minutes and requires your printer, your router's WiFi password, and the printer's control panel or a smartphone app. The printer must be plugged in and turned on, positioned within 30 feet of your router, and you need to know your WiFi network name (SSID) and password before you start.

Most Brother printers offer two connection methods: using the printer's built-in menu buttons, or using the Brother iPrint&Scan app on your phone. The button method works on all models. The app method is faster if your phone is already on the same WiFi network, because the app can pass your password to the printer automatically without you typing it.

Key Takeaways

Your printer needs to be within 30 feet of your router and must be plugged in and powered on before you begin the WiFi setup process.
You will need your WiFi network name and password ready — these are different from your router's admin password.
The control panel method works on all Brother printers and requires you to navigate menus using the arrow buttons and select WiFi setup.
The Brother iPrint&Scan app on your phone can detect your network and send the password to the printer automatically, which is faster than typing it manually.
After connection, your printer will display a confirmation message and you can print a test page to verify the connection works.

Set Up WiFi Using the Printer's Control Panel

This method works on every Brother printer model. Start by pressing the Menu button on your printer's control panel — this is usually on the front or side of the machine. Use the arrow buttons to scroll down until you see Network or WiFi, then press OK.

The printer will now show you a list of WiFi networks it can detect. Find your network name in the list and press OK to select it. The printer will then ask you to enter your WiFi password. Use the arrow buttons and number pad to type your password exactly as it appears — passwords are case-sensitive, so uppercase and lowercase letters matter. Press OK when you finish typing.

The printer will attempt to connect. This takes 10 to 30 seconds. When the connection succeeds, the screen will display a message like "Connected" or show a WiFi symbol. If the connection fails, the printer will show an error code. The most common reason is an incorrect password — go back and re-enter it, checking that caps lock is not on unless your password actually uses capitals.

Set Up WiFi Using the Brother iPrint&Scan App

read the Brother iPrint&Scan app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store on your smartphone. Make sure your phone is already connected to the same WiFi network you want your printer to use. Open the app and tap the + button or Add Device option.

The app will search for Brother printers on your network. When it finds your printer, tap it to select it. The app will then ask permission to send your WiFi password to the printer — tap Yes or Allow. The app handles the password automatically, so you do not have to type it into the printer manually. This is faster and reduces the chance of typing errors.

Wait for the confirmation screen showing your printer is connected. The app will display your printer's name and IP address. You can now close the app — your printer is ready to use on WiFi. You do not need to keep the app open to print; it is only used for setup and for sending print jobs from your phone.

Verify Your Connection Works

After your printer connects, print a test page to confirm the WiFi link is stable. On the printer's control panel, press Menu, scroll to Reports or Print Reports, and select Network Configuration or WiFi Status. Press OK and the printer will print a page showing your network name, IP address, and connection strength.

If the test page prints successfully, your printer is connected and ready. If the page does not print, the connection may have dropped. Return to the control panel menu and check the WiFi status — if it shows "Not Connected" or an error, repeat the password entry step. Weak signal strength on the test page means your printer is too far from the router; move it closer and try again.

Troubleshoot Connection Problems

If your printer cannot find your WiFi network, check that your router is powered on and broadcasting your network name. Some routers have a setting to hide the network name (SSID) — if yours is hidden, you will need to enter the network name manually instead of selecting it from a list. Check your router's label or settings to find the exact network name.

If the printer finds your network but the password fails, the most common cause is typing the password incorrectly. WiFi passwords are case-sensitive and often contain numbers or symbols that look similar (like the number 0 versus the letter O). Write your password down before you start, or use the app method instead, which avoids manual typing. If you have changed your WiFi password recently, make sure you are entering the new password, not the old one.

If your printer was previously connected to a different WiFi network, it may try to reconnect to that old network instead of your new one. Go to the control panel menu, find WiFi Setup or Network Settings, and look for an option to Forget Network or Clear Settings. Delete the old network, then set up the new one.

Print from Your Computer After WiFi Setup

Once your printer is connected to WiFi, your computer needs to find it on the network. On Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners and click Add a Printer or Scanner. Windows will search for printers on your network and display your Brother printer by name. Click it and select Add Device.

On Mac, go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, click the + button, and select your Brother printer from the list. Click Add. Your computer will read the printer driver automatically in most cases. If it does not, visit the Brother support website, enter your printer model number, and read the driver for your operating system.

After your computer recognizes the printer, open any document and select Print. Your Brother printer should appear in the printer list. Select it and click Print. If the printer does not appear, restart your computer and try again — sometimes the network connection takes a moment to register.

Move Your Printer or Change Your WiFi Password Later

If you move your printer to a different room and it loses connection, it will try to reconnect automatically. If the new location is too far from your router, the connection may fail. Move the printer closer to the router or consider moving your router to a more central location. Walls and metal objects weaken WiFi signal, so placing the printer in an open area helps.

If you change your WiFi password, your printer will not automatically update. Go to the control panel, enter the WiFi setup menu again, select your network, and enter the new password. Your printer will reconnect with the new credentials. You do not need to remove the old connection first — entering a new password will overwrite it.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

You need your WiFi password to complete setup. Check the label on the bottom or back of your router — most routers print the network name and password there. If the label is missing or unreadable, log into your router's settings page (usually 192.168.1.1 in your browser) using the admin username and password, also printed on the router label. From there you can view or reset your WiFi password.

Why does my printer keep disconnecting from WiFi?

Intermittent disconnections usually mean weak signal. Move your printer closer to the router or remove obstacles between them. If your router is far away, consider a WiFi extender or moving the router itself. Occasionally, restarting both the printer and router fixes temporary connection issues — turn them both off, wait 30 seconds, and turn them back on.

Do I need to connect my printer to WiFi if I only print from my phone?

Yes, your printer must be on the same WiFi network as your phone to print wirelessly. The phone and printer communicate through your router, not directly to each other. If your printer is not on WiFi, you can only print by connecting a USB cable to your computer.

Can I connect my Brother printer to a guest WiFi network?

Most Brother printers can connect to guest networks, but some routers isolate guest networks from other devices on the main network. If your printer connects to the guest network but your phone cannot find it, your router is blocking communication between networks. Check your router settings or connect both your phone and printer to the main network instead.

What if my printer model is very old — will it still connect to WiFi?

Older Brother printers may not have built-in WiFi capability. Check your printer's model number on the front or back of the machine, then visit the Brother support website and search for your model. The specifications page will list whether WiFi is included. If your printer does not have WiFi, you can only print by USB cable or by using a print server device that connects to your network.

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.