How do I connect my Brother printer to my computer?

Follow this guide to set up a wireless network between your Brother machine and your computer without using a wireless router or access point.

Índice Show

Check the requirements
Enable Wireless Functionality on Your Computer
Set up a wireless network
Why is my Brother printer not connecting to my computer?
How do I make my Brother printer discoverable?

Check the requirements

Computer, Brother machine, Installation Disc supplied with the machine

Enable Wireless Functionality on Your Computer

Make sure you turn on the wireless function of your computer.

As an example, on most laptop computers the wireless switch is located at the front or the side of the computer.

We recommend you refer to your computer manufacturer's manual for details.

Set up a wireless network

1. Follow the instructions in the video to set up your Brother machine, and then go to the next step.

2. Follow the instructions in the video to set up your computer, and then go to the next step.

The wireless network between your Brother machine and your computer has now been set up. Go to the next step to install the driver.

3. Start the installer:
a) If you are using the Installation Disc, put the disc into the CD/DVD drive.
b) If you are using the downloaded Full Driver & Software Package, double-click the file.

4. The top-panel menu appears. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the driver installation.

The Wireless Setup Installer is the recommended setup method for users connecting using a wireless computer. If you’re not using a wireless computer or you have previously set up your Brother device but have lost connection, you may still use the Wireless Setup Installer, or you may use an Alternative Wireless Setup Method.

For Macintosh Users, refer to: Connect your machine to a wireless network - Macintosh

Wireless Setup Installer

- Click here for video instructions.

1. Insert the Brother CD into your computer or download and run the Full Driver and Software Package from https://support.brother.com. Click here for download instructions.

If the Brother screen does not appear automatically, go to (My) Computer and double-click the Brother CD icon.

2. Select your language/country and then click Next.

3. On the License Agreement, place a check next to I accept this license agreement and then click Next if you agree to the terms.

4. Choose Wireless Network Connection (Wi-Fi), and then click Next.

- If you receive a "No machine found" message, click Wireless Setup and then go to: Configure using the computer's wireless connection or without using a USB cable.

5. Choose one of the following setup methods:

If your Brother machine is already connected to your network, you will not need to choose a setup method. The computer must already be connected to the same network. Go to step 6.

Configure using the computer's wireless connection or without using a USB cable

a. The installer will detect the network that your computer is connected to and report the SSID (Network Name). Choose Yes, I want to connect the machine to this wireless network and then click Next.

If this is not the network that you want to connect to, choose No, I want to connect the machine to another wireless network and then click Next. Follow the steps to connect to a different network. You will need to ensure that your computer is also connected to the same network as your Brother machine.

b. Go to step 6.

If the connection failed then cycle the power on the router for about 15 seconds and then retry the wireless setup again. If this configuration consistently fails, we recommend that you reset the Brother machine's network card and manually configure the wireless settings on your machine. Refer to: Alternative Wireless Setup Methods for additional configuration methods.

Configure using a temporary USB cable connection

a. Choose Yes, I have a USB cable to use for the installation and then click Next.

b. Gather your wireless network SSID/network name and network key/password. Place a check in the Checked and confirmed box and click Next.

c. When prompted, temporarily connect the USB cable (not included) directly to your computer and your Brother machine. Make sure your Brother machine is powered on. Click Next.

This step may take a few minutes for the USB driver to be installed. You may see Installing Device Driver in the task tray (bottom right corner of the screen).

d. Select the Brother machine and click Next.

If the machine isn't listed:

Make sure the Brother machine is turned on.

Disconnect and then reconnect the USB cable from the computer and machine.

Make sure the cable isn't connected to your Brother machine's Ethernet port.
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Try another USB port on the computer and another USB cable.
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Click Refresh to search for the machine again.

e. The list of available wireless networks is displayed, choose your network name and then click Next.

If the list is blank, check that the router is turned on, broadcasting the network name, and that it's within range for wireless communication. You may need to cycle the power to the router for about 15 seconds to reestablish communication and then click Refresh.

If your access point is set to not broadcast the SSID you can manually add it by clicking the Advanced button. Enter the network Name (SSID), which is case sensitive, click Next. Select the authentication and encryption. Enter the network key if necessary and click Next.

f. Enter the Network Key and then click Next.

On the Wireless Network Settings Confirmation screen, click Next. The settings will be sent to the machine.

If the connection failed then cycle the power on the router for about 15 seconds and then click Retry. If this configuration consistently fails, we recommend that you reset the Brother machine's network card and manually configure the wireless settings on your machine. Refer to: Alternative Wireless Setup Methods for additional configuration methods.

or Advanced Users: If you want to manually enter the IP address settings on your machine, click Change IP Address and enter the necessary IP address settings for your network.

h. When prompted, disconnect the USB cable from your computer and your machine. The wireless setup is now complete. Go to step 6.

6. Choose your machine from the list, and then click Next.

If "No machine found" is displayed, check the following:

The computer cannot communicate with your machine. This could be caused by a firewall, security program, or the computer or Brother machine is not properly connected to the network.

a. Cycle the power on the access point or router for 15 seconds.

b. Wait 1 minute. The Brother machine needs time to connect to your network and receive an IP address.

c. Click Refresh to search the network again.

d. If the Brother machine is still not found on the network, you can either set up the machine on the network once again (refer to: Alternative Wireless Setup Methods for additional configuration methods) or go to the following steps to try adding the printer driver using the IP address:

i. Print the Network Configuration report to obtain the machine's IP Address.

ii. Click Enter IP Address.

iii. Enter the IP Address of the machine from the Network Configuration report and then click Search.

iv. The machine should now be found, go back to step 6. If the machine is still not found, reset the Brother machine's network cardand set up the machine on the network again. Refer to: Alternative Wireless Setup Methods for additional configuration methods

7. Choose Standard (Recommended) and then click Next. The installation will take a few moments.

If you want to install the PostScript driver, choose Custom. Select PS Driver and then click Next.

If a Windows Security screen appears, click the check box and click Install.

8. If your computer has an Internet connection, the Brother iPrint&Scan will begin to download and install. You may click Install Later to install the software from "Brother Utilities" at a later time.

9. When the "Additional Software" screen appears, you may choose to install any available software. click Next when finished.

PaperPort is required for OCR scanning.

10. When the "Additional Options" screen appears, choose any desired options. Click Next to continue.

11. Choose any desired onscreen options. When done, click Finish.

12. If a "Check for Software Updates" screen appears, click Update.

Internet access is required.

Alternative Wireless Setup Methods

Configuration Method

Intended Users

About this Connection

Using the machine's control panel

Windows Users

Macintosh Users

Mobile Device Users

Manually enter your network's security settings directly into the machine using the Control Panel.

You'll be required to know your Network Name (SSID) and Network Key (password). In some cases you may also need to know your network's Authentication Method and Encryption Method.

If you're not sure about any of these settings, we may be able to help you find them. Click here for assistance.

Using Wi-Fi Direct

Mobile Device Users

You can configure a secured wireless network between your machine and a mobile device, such as an Android device, Windows Phone device, iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad, without using a router.

* To print or scan using your mobile device, download the free Brother iPrint&Scan app from the Apple App Store, Google Play or Windows Phone Marketplace.

Why is my Brother printer not connecting to my computer?

Try disconnecting and reconnecting the USB cable on from both ends. Disconnect both your Brother machine and the computer and reconnect. (If you are using a USB hub, remove it and connect your Brother machine directly to the computer.)

How do I make my Brother printer discoverable?

Press and hold the Wireless Mode button for one second to turn on the wireless mode. When the Wi-Fi LED is lit, release the Wireless Mode button. Connect the printer to the computer with a USB cable. Start the Printer Setting Tool on the computer, and click [Communication Settings].