A Brother printer is known for its reliability, easy connectivity, and smooth printing experience. But sometimes, users face an annoying issue where the printer gets stuck on “Preparing Setup.” This problem usually appears when you are installing a new Brother printer setup, connecting to Wi-Fi, or reinstalling the device on your computer.

If your Brother printer freezes at this stage, don’t worry—this is a common error that can be easily fixed. In this detailed guide, you’ll learn the main reasons behind the Preparing Setup issue, step-by-step solutions, and tips to prevent this problem in the future. Whether you’re a home user or a small business owner in the USA, these methods will get your printer running in minutes.

Why Does My Brother Printer Get Stuck on “Preparing Setup”?

Several factors can interrupt the setup process. Here are the most common causes:

1. Weak or Unstable Wi-Fi

A Brother printer requires a stable wireless connection. If your Wi-Fi signal is weak or fluctuating, the setup screen may freeze.

2. Incorrect Wi-Fi Password

Entering the wrong Wi-Fi password is one of the top reasons for a failed Brother printer setup.

3. Router Compatibility Issues

Some routers block new devices or create conflicts between the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks.

4. Outdated or Corrupt Firmware

Old firmware often causes freezing or hanging during the setup process.

5. Computer Driver Issues

If your computer has outdated or corrupt drivers, the printer may not initialize properly.

6. USB or Network Conflict

Multiple printers connected to the same network or USB port can confuse the installation process.

7. Temporary Printer Glitch

Sometimes, the device needs a simple power restart to clear internal errors.

How to Fix a Brother Printer Stuck on “Preparing Setup”

Follow these proven solutions one by one until your Brother printer starts working.

1. Power Restart Your Brother Printer

The first step is always a quick power cycle.

How to do it:

1. Turn OFF the printer.
2. Unplug the power cable.
3. Wait for 1 minute.
4. Plug it back in and restart.

This clears temporary memory errors that might be blocking the setup.

2. Restart Your Wi-Fi Router

Since most Brother printer setup issues are Wi-Fi related, restarting your router can instantly fix the problem.

Steps:

1. Turn OFF your router.
2. Wait 30 seconds.
3. Turn it back ON.
4. Place the printer closer to the router.

Make sure the printer connects to a 2.4 GHz network (Brother printers do not support 5 GHz).

3. Re-enter Wi-Fi Password Correctly

If the wrong password is entered, the printer keeps looping on the setup screen.

On your Brother printer:

• Go to Menu > Network > WLAN > Setup Wizard
• Select your Wi-Fi
• Enter the correct password
• Press OK

Double-check for capital letters, spaces, and symbols.

4. Reset Network Settings on Brother Printer

If the problem continues, reset the network settings to start fresh.

Steps:

1. Press Menu
2. Go to Network
3. Select Network Reset
4. Confirm the reset

Now try the setup again.

5. Update Your Brother Printer Firmware

Outdated firmware often causes setup freeze issues.

How to update:

• Visit Brother’s official support page
• Enter your Brother printer model
• Download the latest firmware
• Install and update

Firmware updates fix bugs and improve connectivity.

6. Install the Latest Brother Printer Drivers

If you’re setting up from a computer, outdated drivers may cause the setup to stop.

Steps:

1. Go to Brother’s driver download page
2. Enter your printer model
3. Download drivers for Windows or macOS
4. Install them and restart your system

After installation, reconnect the printer.

7. Disable VPN or Firewall Temporarily

If you use a VPN or strong firewall protection, your computer might block the Brother printer support connection.

Try setting up again after disabling them temporarily.

8. Use WPS Push Button Method (Alternate Setup)

If the normal setup is not working, try the WPS method.

Steps:

1. Press the WPS button on your router
2. Press the WLAN or Wi-Fi button on your Brother printer

Within 2 minutes, the printer will connect automatically.

9. Reset the Brother Printer (Last Option)

If nothing else works, a full reset may be required.

Steps:

1. Go to Menu
2. Press Initial Setup
3. Select Reset
4. Choose Factory Reset

Now perform the Brother printer setup again. This usually fixes stubborn setup errors.

Extra Tips to Avoid Brother Printer Setup Issues

Here are some quick tips to prevent errors in the future:

• Always connect Brother printers to a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network
• Keep the router & printer within 5–10 feet during setup
• Update printer firmware regularly
• Keep USB cables and network connections clean
• Avoid connecting too many devices to your router
• Use original Brother drivers
• Check for Windows/macOS updates

Following these steps ensures smooth performance and prevents freezing issues.

When Should You Contact Brother Printer Support?

You should seek help if:

• Setup freezes every time
• Printer disconnects after installation
• You receive unknown error codes
• Printer won't connect to Wi-Fi even after a reset
• Firmware update keeps failing

In these situations, brother printer support or a trusted technician can help diagnose deeper hardware or software issues.

If you provide remote help through your website, you can add:

“For quick assistance, get expert brother printer help anytime.”

Final Thoughts

A Brother printer stuck on “Preparing Setup” is usually caused by Wi-Fi issues, outdated drivers, firmware problems, or incorrect settings. Thankfully, most of these issues can be fixed using simple steps like restarting the printer, updating drivers, resetting network settings, or connecting through WPS.

With the detailed solutions above, your Brother printer setup should complete smoothly and get your device working in no time. If the problem continues, consider reaching out for brother printer help or professional remote support for a quick resolution.