Why Is My Brother Printer Not Connecting to WiFi and How to Fix It?

In today's fast-paced world, printers are essential in homes and offices alike. Brother printers are popular for their reliability and ease of use, but sometimes, you may encounter connectivity issues, especially when trying to connect your brother printer to Wi-Fi. If your Brother printer isn't connecting to Wi-Fi, it can be frustrating, but don’t worry! This guide will walk you through the possible reasons and solutions to fix the issue so you can get back to printing in no time.

Why is my brother's Printer Not Connecting to WiFi?

There are a variety of reasons why your Brother printer may fail to connect to Wi-Fi. Let’s explore the most common causes:

1. Incorrect Wi-Fi Settings

One of the most common reasons for Wi-Fi connectivity issues is entering the wrong Wi-Fi credentials on your printer. It could be the wrong Wi-Fi password, or you might be trying to connect to a hidden network that the printer cannot detect.

2. Weak Wi-Fi Signal

If the Wi-Fi signal strength in the area where your printer is located is weak, it might cause connectivity issues. Many printers require a stable and strong Wi-Fi signal to maintain a connection.

3. Outdated Printer Firmware

Your Brother printer may not be able to brother printer not connecting if its firmware is outdated. Manufacturers often release updates to improve functionality and fix bugs, including connectivity issues.

4. Router Configuration Issues

Sometimes, the router configuration might block the printer from connecting to the Wi-Fi network. Issues like MAC address filtering, security settings, or improper DHCP settings could prevent your Brother printer from connecting.

5. Interference from Other Devices

Interference from other electronic devices or a large number of connected devices on the network can also cause connectivity issues for your printer.

6. Printer Hardware Problems

Although it’s rare, hardware failures in the printer’s Wi-Fi module or other internal components can also result in connectivity problems.

How to Fix My Brother Printer Not Connecting to WiFi?

Now that we know the common causes, let’s dive into the solutions to fix the issue.

1. Check Your Wi-Fi Network and Credentials

Start by ensuring your Wi-Fi network is working correctly and your printer is attempting to connect to the correct network. Follow these steps:

• Verify Wi-Fi Network: Make sure the Wi-Fi network is active. Check with other devices to ensure they can connect to the same network without issues.
• Confirm the Correct Credentials: Double-check the Wi-Fi password and make sure you enter it correctly when connecting your printer.
• Hidden Network: If you are connecting to a hidden network, ensure you manually enter the network name (SSID) in the printer’s settings.

2. Move the Printer Closer to the Router

A weak Wi-Fi signal can lead to connection issues. Try moving your Brother printer closer to the router to improve the signal strength. This is especially important if your router is located far from the printer or if there are many walls or obstructions between the printer and router.

3. Restart the Printer, Router, and Modem

Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve connectivity issues. Follow these steps:

• Restart Your Printer: Power off your Brother printer, wait for a few seconds, and then power it back on.
• Restart the Router and Modem: Power cycle your router and modem by unplugging them for about 30 seconds and then plugging them back in. Wait for the router to reconnect to the internet before trying to connect the printer.

4. Update Printer Firmware

Outdated firmware can cause compatibility issues with your Wi-Fi network. Here's how you can update your Brother printer firmware:

• Visit the Brother support website and enter your printer’s model number.
• Download the latest firmware update and follow the instructions to install it.
• After updating, try connecting the printer to Wi-Fi again.

5. Check Router Settings and Security

Router settings could be blocking your printer’s connection. Ensure the following:

• Wi-Fi Security Type: Make sure your router is set to WPA2 encryption for better compatibility with modern printers.
• MAC Address Filtering: If MAC address filtering is enabled on your router, add the printer's MAC address to the allowed list. You can find the MAC address in the printer’s settings menu.
• DHCP Settings: Ensure that the router’s DHCP settings are configured to assign IP addresses automatically to all devices. This will prevent IP conflicts with your printer.

6. Use the WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) Feature

Many Brother printers support WPS for easy wireless setup. Here's how to use it:

• Activate WPS on Your Printer: On your Brother printer, press the WPS button (usually located on the printer’s control panel).
• Activate WPS on Your Router: Within 2 minutes, press the WPS button on your router to initiate the connection.
• If successful, your printer should automatically connect to the Wi-Fi network without needing to manually enter the Wi-Fi password.

7. Perform a Printer Network Reset

If none of the above steps work, try resetting your printer's network settings to the default and then reconnecting it to the Wi-Fi network. Here’s how:

• Press the Menu button on your Brother printer.
• Navigate to Network settings and select Network Reset or Restore Default Network Settings.
• After the reset, try setting up the Wi-Fi connection from scratch.

8. Check for Interference

Ensure that there is no interference from other electronic devices such as microwaves, cordless phones, or baby monitors. These devices can cause interference with the Wi-Fi signal, leading to connectivity issues with your printer. If you have many devices connected to the Wi-Fi, try disconnecting a few to reduce congestion.

9. Check for Printer Hardware Issues

If you’ve tried all of the above steps and the printer still won’t connect, it may be a hardware issue with the printer itself. In such cases:

• Check the Wireless Adapter: Ensure that the wireless adapter in the printer is functioning correctly.
• Factory Reset: As a last resort, you can perform a full factory reset on your Brother printer. However, keep in mind that this will erase all settings and return the printer to its default state.

If the issue persists even after the factory reset, you may need to contact Brother customer support for further assistance or consider taking the printer to an authorized repair center.

Final Thoughts

Wi-Fi connectivity issues can be frustrating, but with the right troubleshooting steps, you can get your Brother printer back online. Start by verifying your network settings, ensuring your printer is within range of the router, and checking for firmware updates. If those don’t work, try restarting your devices or using the WPS feature. Don’t forget to check for any interference from other devices and ensure that your router settings are optimized for printer connectivity.

If you’ve tried all the steps and still can’t connect your Brother printer to Wi-Fi, it might be time to contact Brother customer service for further assistance. Connectivity issues are typically easy to fix with a little troubleshooting, but sometimes professional help is required.

For more expert advice and troubleshooting tips for Brother printers, visit All Printer Setup or reach out to our customer support team for assistance.