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Brother printers make wireless printing convenient, but a WiFi connection can sometimes fail because of an incorrect network password, weak wireless signal, router changes, incorrect network settings, outdated drivers, or communication problems between the printer and computer. When a Brother printer cannot connect to WiFi, it may also appear offline or fail to print even though the printer itself is powered on.
Brother recommends checking the printer's status, wireless connection, network settings, print queue, driver, and router when troubleshooting wireless printing problems. The exact menu names can vary depending on the Brother printer model.
Check the Brother Printer Power
Start by making sure your Brother printer is turned on and ready.
Check the printer's display or indicator lights for an error. A paper jam, empty ink or toner, open cover, or another printer error can prevent the printer from connecting or printing.
If the printer is in Sleep Mode, press a button to wake it. If it does not respond, check the power cable and electrical outlet.
Brother recommends clearing any displayed printer error before continuing with wireless troubleshooting.
Check Your WiFi Network
Before changing the printer settings, make sure your WiFi network is working properly.
Connect your computer or mobile device to the same wireless network you want to use with the Brother printer. Try accessing a website or using another online service to confirm that the network is working.
If other devices also have difficulty connecting, the problem may be related to the router rather than the Brother printer.
Your Brother printer and computer should normally use the same wireless network when you want to print through the network.
Verify the WiFi Name and Password
An incorrect SSID or WiFi password can prevent the Brother printer from connecting.
The SSID is the name of your wireless network. Make sure you select the correct network when setting up the printer.
Enter the wireless password carefully. WiFi passwords are case-sensitive, so uppercase and lowercase characters must be entered correctly.
Brother's wireless troubleshooting guidance specifically recommends checking both the SSID and network key when a machine cannot establish a wireless connection.
If you recently changed your WiFi password or network name, the Brother printer may still have the old information saved.
Move the Brother Printer Closer to the Router
A weak WiFi signal can cause connection problems.
Move the Brother printer closer to your wireless router temporarily and try connecting again. Large objects, walls, and electronic interference can affect wireless communication between the printer and router.
Brother recommends placing the machine as close to the wireless router or access point as possible when troubleshooting wireless connection problems.
If the printer connects successfully after moving it closer, the original location may have had insufficient wireless signal strength.
Restart the Brother Printer and Router
Restarting your network equipment can resolve temporary communication problems.
Turn off the wireless router or access point. Restart the computer or mobile device, then turn the Brother printer back on after the network equipment has restarted.
Allow the printer enough time to reconnect to the wireless network before attempting to print.
Brother's wireless troubleshooting guidance recommends restarting the wireless router or access point, computer or mobile device, and Brother machine in the appropriate sequence.
Enable WiFi on the Brother Printer
Some Brother printers allow the wireless network interface to be enabled or disabled through the printer's control panel.
Open the Network, WLAN, or WiFi settings on the printer. Look for an option related to WLAN Enable or Wireless Network.
Make sure the wireless interface is enabled. If wireless networking is disabled, the printer will not be able to connect to your router.
Brother recommends checking whether the machine's wireless network interface is enabled when troubleshooting a wireless connection.
The exact menu location varies by Brother printer model, so use the settings available on your particular machine.
Reconnect Brother Printer to WiFi
If the printer has lost its wireless connection, reconnect it to your network.
Open the printer's wireless setup menu and select the option for searching for available networks. Select your WiFi network from the list and enter the correct network password.
Wait for the printer to complete the connection process. When successful, the printer may display a connected message or show a wireless indicator.
If you replaced your router, changed internet providers, or changed the router settings, Brother recommends configuring the printer's wireless connection again.
Use the Brother Wireless Setup Wizard
Many Brother printers include a wireless setup wizard that searches for nearby networks.
Open the Network or WLAN menu on the printer and start the wireless setup wizard. Allow the printer to search for available WiFi networks.
Select the correct SSID and enter the network key.
If your wireless network does not appear, move the printer closer to the router and check whether the router is broadcasting the network name.
For a hidden network, some Brother models allow the SSID and network key to be entered manually. Brother's wireless troubleshooting information specifically recommends manual network configuration when an SSID is not being broadcast.
Connect Brother Printer Using WPS
If your Brother printer and router support WPS, you may be able to establish the wireless connection without manually entering the WiFi password.
Open the wireless settings on the Brother printer and select the WPS option. Then activate WPS on the compatible router according to its instructions.
The printer and router will attempt to establish the wireless connection automatically.
WPS availability depends on the Brother printer model and router. Brother documents WPS as a wireless configuration method for supported machines.
Check the Brother Printer WLAN Report
Many Brother printers can print a WLAN report containing information about the wireless connection.
Use the printer's network or WLAN menu to print the report if the feature is available on your model.
The report can help determine whether the printer is connected successfully and can provide information about a wireless connection error.
Brother recommends printing a WLAN report when diagnosing wireless network problems because it can show the current connection status and relevant error information.
Check the Brother Printer IP Address
If the Brother printer is connected to WiFi but the computer cannot find it, check the printer's network configuration and IP address.
A network configuration page can provide the printer's current IP address. If the computer is trying to communicate with an outdated address, the printer may appear offline or unavailable.
Brother provides a Network Connection Repair Tool for supported Windows systems. The tool can automatically locate the Brother printer and update its IP address in the printer driver.
This can be particularly useful when the printer previously worked on the network but stopped communicating after a router or network change.
Fix Brother Printer WiFi After Changing the Router
Replacing a wireless router can cause an existing Brother printer to stop connecting.
The printer may still remember the old WiFi network name or password. In this situation, you need to configure the printer with the new network information.
Reconnect the Brother printer through its wireless setup menu. Select the new network and enter its password.
Brother recommends setting up the wireless connection again when the router, internet provider, or wireless network environment has changed.
Reset Brother Printer Network Settings
If the printer continues to reject the correct WiFi information, resetting its network settings may help.
The network reset option removes stored wireless configuration information and allows you to configure the printer again.
Open the printer's network settings and look for Network Reset or a similar option. The exact procedure depends on the Brother model.
After resetting the network settings, run the wireless setup again and enter the current SSID and password.
Brother recommends resetting network settings and configuring the wireless connection again when other wireless troubleshooting steps have not resolved the problem.
Check the Computer WiFi Connection
The printer may connect correctly while the computer remains connected to a different network.
Check the WiFi network currently being used by your Windows PC or Mac. Make sure it is the same network configured on the Brother printer.
If your router provides separate wireless networks, select the network that is appropriate for communication with the printer.
After confirming the computer's network connection, try printing again.
Check the Brother Printer Driver
An incorrect or damaged printer driver can make a properly connected Brother printer appear unavailable.
Check that the correct Brother printer driver is installed for your exact model and operating system.
If you recently changed the WiFi network or reinstalled the printer, reinstalling the Brother printer software may help establish the correct network connection.
Brother's wireless troubleshooting instructions recommend reinstalling the Brother driver and Full Driver & Software Package when other connection troubleshooting steps do not resolve the problem.
Check the Windows Firewall
Security software or firewall settings can sometimes prevent the computer from communicating with a Brother printer over the network.
If the printer connects to WiFi but Windows cannot find it, check whether firewall or security software is blocking Brother printer communication.
Brother notes that firewall or security software can prevent network connections from being established. If firewall settings are temporarily changed for troubleshooting, they should be restored afterward.
Avoid leaving your firewall disabled after testing.
Remove Duplicate Brother Printer Entries
Windows can sometimes contain multiple entries for the same Brother printer, especially after reinstalling drivers or changing connection methods.
Open your printer settings and check whether more than one Brother printer with the same or similar model name appears.
If there is an obsolete or duplicate entry, remove it when appropriate and keep the printer entry associated with the current driver and connection.
Brother includes unnecessary duplicate printer entries among the checks for wireless printing problems.
Clear the Print Queue
If the printer connects to WiFi but does not print, check the computer's print queue.
A stuck print job can prevent newer documents from reaching the Brother printer.
Open the Brother printer's queue and cancel pending documents. After clearing the queue, try sending a new small document.
Brother includes clearing remaining print jobs as part of its wireless printing troubleshooting process.
Update Brother Printer Firmware
If the Brother printer still cannot connect to WiFi, check whether updated firmware is available for the printer.
Brother also recommends checking the firmware of the wireless router or access point when persistent wireless connection problems remain.
Use the firmware procedure designed for your exact Brother printer model. Do not interrupt the printer during a firmware update.
Try the Network Connection Repair Tool
Windows users with supported Brother models can use the Network Connection Repair Tool.
This utility is designed to restore network printing by locating the Brother machine and updating its IP address within the printer driver.
If the printer previously connected successfully but suddenly stopped communicating, this tool may help correct a changed network address.
Reconnect the Brother Printer From the Beginning
If all other troubleshooting methods fail, perform a fresh wireless setup.
Reset the printer's network settings if necessary, confirm the current WiFi name and password, and connect the printer to the wireless network again.
After the printer connects, make sure the computer uses the same network. Reinstall the Brother printer driver if the computer still cannot detect the machine.
A fresh wireless setup can resolve configuration problems left behind by an old router, password, network name, or driver installation.
Brother Printer Still Not Connecting to WiFi
If your Brother printer still cannot connect after resetting the network and checking the router, password, wireless signal, driver, and firmware, the problem may involve router compatibility, security settings, network configuration, or the printer's wireless hardware.
Brother recommends checking router access restrictions, hidden SSID settings, multiple-router configurations, wireless repeaters, and network addressing when normal wireless troubleshooting does not resolve the problem.
The exact solution depends on the Brother printer model and network environment.
Final Thoughts
A Brother printer that is not connecting to WiFi can often be restored by checking the wireless network, confirming the correct SSID and password, moving the printer closer to the router, restarting network equipment, and reconnecting the printer through its wireless setup menu.
If the printer connects but the computer cannot find it, check the WLAN report, IP address, printer driver, firewall settings, and duplicate printer entries. Brother's official troubleshooting resources also recommend the Network Connection Repair Tool for supported Windows systems.
When the problem started after changing your router or WiFi password, perform a fresh wireless setup using the new network information. If the issue continues, resetting the network configuration, reinstalling the Brother driver, and checking printer and router firmware can help restore the connection.