Jasmin Bora
Method to Resolve Brother Printer Won't Connect to WiFi
If you are having Brother Printer WiFi connectivity issues, there are a number of proven troubleshooting steps you can follow to get your printer reconnected.
Brother Printer Won’t Connect To WiFi
If your Brother Printer won’t connect to WiFi, first power cycle the printer, reset the WiFi network, and relocate the router and printer. If the issue persists, update software and firmware, run Windows printer troubleshooter, and reinstall the printer driver. As a final measure, factory reset the printer and router.
There are a number of effective troubleshooting steps you can try – let’s review each of these fixes in detail.
I highly recommend you follow these steps in the exact order outlined below. We will start with the easier troubleshooting steps and then work our way to the more involved fixes.
Step 1: Power Cycle Printer
If your Brother Printer WiFi is working just fine one minute and the next it isn’t, the first thing you should always try is performing a power cycle.
Power cycle is really just a fancy term for ‘unplug it and plug it back in’.
Electrical outlet
I know, I know – this fix sounds too simple. Humor me and give this a try first.
Electrical devices have both software and hardware components that can often become overloaded with information, causing all sorts of issue. Printers are no exception.
By removing power to the printer, it essentially refreshes the internal memory (RAM). This effectively allows the printer to function almost as if it were a “new” device.
How to power cycle a Brother Printer:
- First, turn off the printer and unplug the power cord from the back of the printer.
- Next, shut down the computer.
- Wait approximately 30 seconds.
- Now, turn the computer back on.
- Plug the power cord back into the printer and turn the printer on.
Go ahead and see if the Wifi connection has been fixed.
If the issue persists, advance to step 2.
Step 2: Reset Wifi Network
Internet providers assign temporary IP addresses to each of your devices. Interestingly, these addresses can change at any time.
Sometimes your router doesn’t catch the IP change, which can result in a syncing issue. To test this, you’ll need to restart the entire WiFi network.
To restart the network, first disconnect both the modem and the router from the power supply. Then, wait approximately 2 minutes.
Next, reconnect the modem. Wait another 2 minutes. Finally, reconnect the router and wait 2 more minutes.
Keep in mind that you may have a 2-in-1 router and modem device, also known as a Gateway. If this is the case simply disconnect the Gateway power supply for 2 minutes and then plug it back in to restart the network.
Your internet should now be back up and running!
If your WiFi network was truly the issue, you should notice the WiFi light on your printer light up, indicating the connection has been reestablished.
If you are still experience connectivity issues, you should also reset your Brother Printer WiFi connection.
Notably, this process will reset the printer server back to its default factory settings (resetting your password and IP address information).
- First, Navigate to Settings > All Settings > Network > Network Reset.
- Next, press Yes when you see Reset Network displayed.
- Lastly, when Reboot OK is displayed, press Yes for two seconds.
Your device will restart. Re-enter your WiFi password and IP information to get your printer connected to network.
Step 3: Relocate The Router And Printer
The location of your printer and its proximity to the router can have a significant impact on your printer’s ability to connect to WiFi.
For ideal placement, first make sure your router is in a central, high-up location away from other devices.
Because the router sends signals in every direction, placing it low to the ground or tight against a wall can interfere with the signal. This results in decreased coverage!
Poor router location behind a TV
Router location recommendations:
- Place the router in a central, raised location
- Make sure it is in an open area
- Try to avoid enclosed areas like the corner of a wall
- Move other devices as far away from the router as possible
- Do not place the router behind a TV
Next, try bringing your printer into the same room as the router if possible.
Some printer models have inferior WiFi chips that require a fairly strong signal to maintain a connection.
By optimizing the router’s location in your home and minimizing the distance between your router and printer, you dramatically improve your connection.
Step 4: Update Printer Software And Firmware
If you find your Brother Printer not connecting to WiFi despite attempting the above troubleshooting steps, try updating the printer software and firmware.
Printer software and firmware updates change how your printer accomplishes its tasks, which can fix all sorts of problems.
Since your printer is not connected to the WiFi, to update your software and firmware you must first connect your printer to your PC via a USB cable.
Next, navigate to the official Brother Printer downloads page and enter your printer model into the search field and select it from the menu.
Then, select your Operating System (OS) Family (Windows vs Mac) and your OS version and click OK.
Finally, scroll down to Utilities, select Software Update Notification Updater, and follow the on-screen instructions to download it.
Update Brother Printer Software
Similarly, on the same page as Utilities, scroll down to the bottom to Firmware. Select Firmware Update Tool, and follow the on-screen instructions to download it.
Update Brother Printer Firmware
From here you can follow both the Software Update Tool and Firmware Update Tool application instructions to make sure you have the latest software and firmware downloaded.
Important Note: Do not use your device while the updates are underway, as interfering too soon may result in your Brother printer not turning on.
Step 5: Run Windows Printer Troubleshooter
It is always a good idea to run the printer troubleshooting tool that’s built into Windows.
The Windows printer troubleshooter can identify all sorts of software related printer issues. It is easy to run and typically extremely helpful.
To run the printer troubleshooter, navigate to Start > Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners then click on your model and select Manage followed by Run the troubleshooter.
Run the Windows Printer Troubleshooter
Once initiated, Windows will search through your printer configuration and identify any settings conflicts that may exist.
If an issue is detected, Windows will ask you for permission to apply the relevant fix to get your printer back up and running.
How To Fix Brother Printer That Won't Print
Printing is the backbone of many organizations where most of the working processes take place through the paperwork. But, there could be nothing worse for such an organization if their printing set up fails to work throughout. This could happen as a result of an unstable connection between the printer and the PC. So, if you are struggling in the same situation and wondering why is your Brother Printer not printing Properly, then you have landed at the right spot.
Why won't my brother printer print black and white without color ink?
All the Brother printing machines are designed in such a manner so that they can print all the colors. But, in some circumstances, if you wish to print only black and white from your Brother machine, then it is important that one of the cartridges of your printer is empty. Thus, if your brother printer won’t print black and white without color ink, then you must configure your printer to print only black ink. This option is available under the “Advanced” settings of both Windows and Macintosh PC.
Things to try if brother printer not printing double sided
On Windows
- Go to the ‘Printer’ section of your PC.
- Select your printer and open its ‘Properties’ section.
- In the ‘Properties’ dialog box, select ‘Duplex Printing’.
- This option is available under the ‘Advanced’ tab.
- Here, ensure that the ‘Use Duplex Unit’ is selected.
- If it is not selected, then select it and click ‘OK’.
- Now, you will be able to print both-sided.
On Mac
- Click on the ‘File’ menu on your Mac.
- Then, select the ‘Print’ option.
- Now, click on the ‘General’ drop-down box.
- Next up, you will see a drop-down list.
- From the list of available options, enable 2-sided printing.
- For this, select the "Print on Both Sides" checkbox.
At times, when the networked printers are not connected to a network or internet connection properly, it will have trouble while you are trying to take the printouts. In this scenario, the best thing you can do is try to establish a stable connection between your network printer and the PC. Make sure that both the devices are connected to the same wi-fi network.