Brother Printer Not Connecting to WiFi

When your Brother printer is not connecting to WiFi, printing from your computer or other devices can stop working. The problem may occur after changing your router, updating network settings, or losing the printer’s wireless connection. Brother recommends checking the wireless setup, network connection, printer software, and router settings to identify the cause.

If you are dealing with a Brother Printer Not Connecting to WiFi issue, try these seven solutions.

1. Check Your WiFi Network Name and Password

Start by confirming that the printer is using the correct wireless network. Brother identifies the wireless network name as the SSID or ESSID, while the WiFi password may also be called the Network Key, Security Key, or Encryption Key.

Check the information on your wireless router or in the router documentation. If the SSID or Network Key has changed, the Brother printer may need to be configured again with the new wireless settings.

2. Make Sure the Printer Is Properly Set Up

A Brother printer must be configured for the wireless network before it can communicate with devices over WiFi. Brother recommends completing the wireless setup and installing the appropriate Brother software and drivers.

If the printer was recently moved, the Internet provider was changed, or the wireless router was replaced, the wireless connection may need to be set up again.

3. Reconnect the Printer to the Wireless Network

If your network environment has changed, reconnect the Brother printer to the current wireless network. Brother specifically recommends setting up the wireless connection again after replacing a router or changing its settings.

After reconnecting, try printing again. Give the printer time to join the wireless network before testing the connection.

4. Print the WLAN Report

Many Brother printers provide a WLAN Report that shows the machine's wireless status. If the wireless connection fails, Brother recommends checking the error code shown on the report.

The exact button sequence varies by Brother model. On some models, the WLAN Report is available through Settings > All Settings > Print Reports > WLAN Report, while other models use different controls.

Use the report to identify whether the printer is experiencing a wireless connection problem.

5. Restart the Network Connection

If the printer previously worked but has stopped communicating over WiFi, restarting its wireless connection can help restore connectivity. Brother documentation for supported models includes a Recover WLAN function for restarting the printer's WiFi connection.

The available menu and button sequence depends on the specific Brother printer, so use the instructions for your model.

6. Restart the Router, Computer, and Printer

Brother's wireless troubleshooting instructions recommend turning network devices off and back on when wireless printing stops working. The documented sequence is to turn off the wireless router or access point, computer, and Brother machine, then turn them back on in the specified order. Brother also recommends allowing time for the printer to reconnect to the WiFi network before testing printing again.

This is particularly relevant after a router replacement or network configuration change.

7. Update the Driver, Use Network Repair, and Check Firmware

If the printer is connected to WiFi but your computer cannot communicate with it, the printer driver or network configuration may need attention. Brother provides a Network Connection Repair Tool for supported Windows setups. The tool can locate the Brother machine and update its IP address within the printer driver.

Brother also recommends checking that both the Brother machine and wireless router or access point have current firmware.

Final Thoughts

A Brother Printer Not Connecting to WiFi problem can often be investigated by checking the SSID and Network Key, reconnecting the printer, reviewing the WLAN Report, restarting the network connection, and checking the printer software and firmware. Because wireless setup and menu options differ between Brother models, always follow the instructions specific to your printer when available.