Brother Printer Won't Connect to Wifi: Updated Guide 2026

Is your Brother printer won't connect to WiFi issue stopping you from printing important documents? Wireless connectivity problems are common among Brother printer users and can occur because of incorrect network settings, weak Wi-Fi signals, outdated firmware, router configuration problems, or incorrect passwords.

Whether you use a Brother HL, DCP, MFC, or another wireless printer, this troubleshooting guide explains why your Brother printer is not connecting to WiFi and provides 10 practical solutions for Windows 10, Windows 11, and Mac users.

Why Won't My Brother Printer Connect to WiFi?

Before troubleshooting, understanding the possible causes can help you resolve the problem more efficiently.

Common reasons include:

• Incorrect Wi-Fi network name or password.

• Weak wireless signals between the printer and router.

• Unsupported wireless frequency or security settings.

• Outdated Brother printer firmware.

• Router configuration or connectivity problems.

• Incorrect printer network settings.

• Firewall restrictions or network isolation.

• Temporary printer communication errors.

10 Fixes for Brother Printer Not Connecting to WiFi

1. Restart Your Brother Printer and Wi-Fi Router

Restarting your printer and router can resolve temporary wireless communication problems.

Follow these steps:

1. Turn off your Brother printer.

2. Disconnect your wireless router from the power source.

3. Wait approximately 30 seconds.

4. Reconnect the router and allow it to restart.

5. Turn on your Brother printer.

6. Try connecting the printer to Wi-Fi again.

If the connection is restored, print a test page to verify that the printer works correctly.

2. Check Your Wi-Fi Network Name and Password

Incorrect network credentials are a common reason a Brother printer won't connect to WiFi.

Open your printer's wireless settings and confirm that you selected the correct network name, also called the SSID.

Enter your Wi-Fi password carefully because passwords are case-sensitive.

If you recently changed your router or wireless password, reconnect the printer using the updated information.

3. Move Your Brother Printer Closer to the Router

Weak wireless signals may prevent your printer from establishing or maintaining a stable connection.

Move the printer closer to your router and avoid placing it near thick walls, metal objects, or electronic devices that may cause interference.

After moving the printer, restart its wireless connection and check whether the network becomes available.

4. Check Your Router's Wi-Fi Frequency

Some Brother printers support only 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks, while newer models may support additional wireless frequencies.

If your Brother printer cannot find your wireless network, check its supported network specifications.

For printers requiring 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, make sure your router broadcasts a compatible network.

If necessary, temporarily separate your router's wireless network names to complete printer setup.

5. Reconnect Brother Printer Using Wireless Setup Wizard

Many Brother printers provide a wireless setup wizard that simplifies network configuration.

Follow these steps:

1. Turn on your Brother printer.

2. Open Settings or Menu.

3. Select Network.

4. Choose WLAN or Wi-Fi.

5. Select Setup Wizard.

6. Choose your wireless network.

7. Enter the Wi-Fi password.

8. Confirm the connection.

Menu names and available features may vary depending on your Brother printer model.

6. Update Brother Printer Firmware

Outdated printer firmware can sometimes cause wireless compatibility problems.

Visit Brother's official support website and search for your printer model.

Check whether a firmware update is available and follow the installation instructions.

Keep the printer powered on throughout the update process. If possible, use a stable connection when updating firmware.

7. Reset Brother Printer Network Settings

Incorrect network configurations can prevent your Brother printer from connecting to Wi-Fi.

If other troubleshooting methods fail, consider resetting the printer's network settings.

Open the printer's Network menu and locate the Network Reset option, if available.

Confirm the reset and allow the printer to restart.

Afterward, reconnect the printer to your wireless network using the setup wizard.

Note: Resetting network settings removes saved wireless configuration information.

8. Check Router Security Settings

Some Brother printers may not support certain router security configurations.

For example, older models may have difficulty connecting to networks configured exclusively for WPA3 security.

Check the printer's supported wireless security standards.

If your equipment supports it, use an appropriate WPA2-Personal configuration or another manufacturer-recommended secure setting.

Avoid disabling wireless security or using outdated encryption methods.

9. Reinstall Brother Printer Drivers

If your Brother printer connects to Wi-Fi but does not appear on your computer, the problem may involve outdated drivers or incorrect printer settings.

For Windows 10 or Windows 11:

1. Open Settings.

2. Navigate to Printers & scanners.

3. Select your Brother printer.

4. Remove the existing printer configuration.

5. Download compatible drivers from Brother's official website.

6. Install the recommended software.

7. Add the printer again.

8. Print a test page.

Mac users can remove and re-add their printer through System Settings under Printers & Scanners.

10. Check Firewall and Network Restrictions

Firewall settings, VPN connections, or router isolation features may prevent your computer from communicating with your Brother printer.

Verify that your printer and computer are connected to the same local network.

Check whether guest network isolation or access restrictions are enabled.

Configure appropriate permissions for trusted printer communication without permanently disabling your computer's security protections.

Brother Printer Won't Connect to WiFi on Windows 11 or Mac

If your Brother printer is connected to the router but your computer cannot detect it, verify that both devices can communicate over the local network.

For Windows 11:

1. Open Settings.

2. Select Bluetooth & devices.

3. Click Printers & scanners.

4. Choose Add device.

5. Select your Brother printer.

For Mac:

1. Open System Settings.

2. Select Printers & Scanners.

3. Click Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax.

4. Choose your Brother printer.

5. Complete the setup.

If automatic detection fails, consult Brother's model-specific network installation instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Brother printer not finding my WiFi network?

Your printer may not detect the network because of weak wireless signals, unsupported Wi-Fi frequencies, hidden network settings, or router compatibility problems.

How do I reconnect my Brother printer after changing my Wi-Fi password?

Open your Brother printer's wireless setup menu, select the correct network, and enter your updated Wi-Fi password.

Why is my Brother printer connected to WiFi but not printing?

Possible causes include incorrect printer selection, outdated drivers, pending print jobs, or network communication restrictions.

Can I connect my Brother printer to WiFi without a computer?

Yes. Many Brother wireless printers allow users to configure Wi-Fi directly through the printer's control panel.

How do I reset WiFi on my Brother printer?

Open the Network settings and select Network Reset, if supported. After resetting, reconnect the printer using the wireless setup wizard.

Conclusion

If your Brother printer won't connect to WiFi, begin by restarting the printer and router, verifying your wireless password, checking Wi-Fi compatibility, and reconnecting through the wireless setup wizard.

These 10 troubleshooting methods can resolve many common Brother printer wireless connection problems. If the issue continues, consult Brother's official support resources for instructions specific to your printer model.

Need Additional Assistance?
If you’ve tried the troubleshooting steps above and still need help (Dial +1-803-866-1601 USA), our independent technical support team can assist with printer troubleshooting. We are not affiliated with or authorized by Brother or any other printer manufacturer.