How To Connect Brother Printer To A Laptop Wirelessly

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Abdul Hadi

At HI Digital I test and write about different hardware configurations to show other PC users what they can expect from their build. My end goal is to educate the masses to make the right decision when they are looking for new PC parts to buy

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With the introduction of wireless printers, connecting a printer to a laptop has become relatively easier. However, a lot of people are confused about how to connect a Brother printer to a laptop wirelessly. 

Key Takeaways

• You can wirelessly connect a Brother printer to your laptop using a shared wireless network like Wi-Fi.
• You have to connect both devices to the same wireless network before adding the printer to your laptop as a new device for wireless connection.
• You can also connect a Brother printer to your laptop without a Wi-Fi router using the Wi-Fi Direct functionality.

Make Sure To Check Compatibility First 

If you are wondering how to connect a Brother printer to a laptop wirelessly, a few noteworthy things should be considered. The first essential requirement is to check the compatibility of the Brother wireless printer with your laptop’s operating system.

You can check the compatibility by referring to the user manual of that specific model or by going to the official Brother support page and checking compatibility against your operating system.

The next step is to ensure your printer is within range of your Wi-Fi network. You won’t be able to connect it to your computer and print anything if it isn’t within the range. Also, read about how to fix the issue of computer restarting while trying to print. 

How To Connect Brother Printer To Laptop Wirelessly

Once all the considerations have been met, you can connect your Brother wireless printer to your laptop. Turn on the Brother wireless printer and your laptop. Once both devices are completely booted, they can be connected using USB, Wi-Fi, and Wi-Fi Direct. 

Configure The Printer MFC-J1012DW And Similar Models

Most Brother printers, such as MFC-J1012DW, come with an LCD screen and a control panel with buttons for various controls. To connect the Brother printer to your laptop, you must first configure your printer for a wireless connection. We have successfully connected our printer using this method. 

1. Open Settings: Press the Settings button on the control panel of your Brother printer.

   

2. Access Wi-Fi Settings: Press the down arrow > search for Network > Select Wi-Fi by pressing OK button.

   

3. In some models, you must go through another step of selecting Setup Wizard after the previous step.
4. Connect To Wi-Fi: Select Find Wi-Fi Network > Select the desired Wi-Fi network > OK > Enter the password.

   

Configure The Laptop

Once the printer has been configured for wireless connection, you must set up your laptop to connect with the printer. To do that:

1. Connect To Wi-Fi: Connect your laptop to the Wi-Fi network you connected your Brother printer to.
2. Add Printer: Go to Settings > Devices > Printers and Scanners > Add a printer or scanner.

   

3. Your printer will be displayed amongst the list of printers if it is connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
4. Add Device: Click on the Add Device button corresponding to your printer’s name > wait for installation > Ready icon will display once done.

Touch Screen Brother Printer MFC-J6930DW And Similar Models

Newer models of Brother printers, like the MFC-J6930DW, are equipped with a touch screen that enables you to operate the printer. We tried the following steps and successfully configured our Brother printer. 

To configure such a printer for a wireless connection, do this:

1. Open Wi-Fi Settings: Press the Wi-Fi icon on the touch screen of your Brother printer.

   

2. Access Setup Wizard: Select the option of Setup Wizard > Select Yes when prompted.

   

3. Select Network: Select the desired network > press OK > Enter the network password.

   

Configuring Brother Printer HL-L5200DW And Similar Models

Some earlier models, like the HL-L5200DW, have slightly different controls than the other commonly known models. We tested the method to configure this model and had success.

To configure such models for wireless connection, do the following steps:

1. Access Network Settings: Press the Up or Down button to find the option of Network displayed on the LED > Press OK to select Network.

   

2. Open Setup Wizard: Go to WLAN > Setup Wizard > OK.

   

3. Select Network: The printer will display the option of Searching SSID > Select the desired Wi-Fi network > Press OK.
4. Enter Password: Press the Up or Down button and then OK to toggle between the characters of the Network Key.

   

5. Complete Connection: Press the Up button for Yes to connect the printer to the network.

Configure The Laptop Manually

If you cannot connect the printer to your laptop even after it has been connected to the same Wi-Fi network or are having trouble installing its software automatically, you can do it manually. To do that:

1. Go To Brother Support: Open the official Brother support page in your browser > Click the Product Search button.

   

2. Choose System: Enter the model number of your printer in the search bar > Press enter > Choose Downloads.

   

3. Download Driver: Select your laptop’s Operating System > Click OK > Download Full Driver and Software Package > Install on your laptop.
4. Connect: Now, try connecting your Brother printer to your laptop.

Installing Drivers Using The CD

Some models of Brother printers come with a CD that contains all the drivers required to operate the printer.

1. Log In As Administrator: Insert the CD into your computer > Log in to your computer using the administrator account.
2. Select Language: Open the CD drive > Select printer’s model > Select language.

   

3. Install MFL-Pro Suite: Choose Install MFL-Pro Suite > Select Yes on the license agreement screen > Select Yes on the Brother Licence screen. 

   

4. Choose Connection Type: On the Connection Type page, choose Wireless Network Connection > click Next > Leave the option of Firewall port settings as it is > click Next.
5. Select Machine: A list of all the Brother machines will be displayed > Select your machine > Click Next.
6. If your device’s name isn’t visible, click the Refresh button or check the network connection.

   

7. Complete Registration (Optional): Once the Registration page appears, you can register online > Click Next > Click Next on the next screen > Restart your computer once prompted to do so.

Configuring Brother Printer MFC-J1205W And Similar Models

To wirelessly connect specific Brother printers to your laptop, you must download and install the Brother Mobile Connect app on your phone first. 

Once you have installed the app on your phone, enter the printer in the Setup Mode. Here’s how to do that:

1. Access Wi-Fi Settings: Locate the Wi-Fi button on the Control Panel just above the power button > Press and hold it > release it after about 2 seconds
2. Enter Setup Mode: Once the Power and Wi-Fi LEDs start blinking, it means that the printer has entered the Setup Mode.
3. Add Machine: Brother Mobile Connect App > Add Machine > Select Not Connected.

   

4. Enter Name: Enter your Brother printer’s model number > Press Confirmed.

   

5. Setup Wi-Fi: Go to the Wi-Fi setup > Brother Setup network > Connect > Return to the app > Select Connected to the “SETUP Wi-Fi” network.
6. Complete Setup: Follow the instructions on the screen for the Login procedure > Complete the setup > Connect the printer to the laptop.
7. Add Device: Go to Settings on your laptop > Devices > Printers and Scanners > Add a printer or scanner > Find your printer’s name > Add Device.

   

8. Complete Connection: You will see the Ready icon once the printer has successfully been connected to the laptop.

Connecting Via Wi-Fi Direct (J4540DW And Similar Models)

Some Brother printers come with a built-in Wi-Fi Direct functionality. Wi-Fi Direct is a convenient option to connect your Brother printer wirelessly to your phone, tablet, or PC. This feature is handy if you lack a wireless network.

1. Access Network Settings: Turn on the printer > Go to Settings > All Settings > Network.

   

2. Turn On Group Owner: Go to Wi-Fi Direct > Group Owner > Turn it ON.

   

3. Enable I/F: Scroll down > I/F Enable > Turn it On.

   

4. Create Wi-Fi Direct: Your Brother printer has now created a Wi-Fi Direct network.
5. Note SSID And Password: Wi-Fi Direct menu > Select the Manual option > Note down the SSID and the password.

Connecting The Laptop To The Wi-Fi Direct Network

Now, you need to connect your laptop to the Wi-Fi Direct network created by your printer. According to our research, this method can be successfully used to connect your printer via a Wi-Fi network.

1. Connect To Wi-Fi Direct: Open the Wi-Fi settings on your laptop > Look for the network named Direct, followed by your printer’s model number > Connect using the login credentials previously noted 

   

2. Open Control Panel: Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > View devices and printers.

   

3. Add Printer: Select Add a Printer > Select your printer > Click Next > If prompted, enter the WPS Pin displayed on your printer’s screen > Click Next.

   

4. Your printer will now be visible in the list named Direct, followed by the model number of your printer.
5. Install Drivers: Click Add a printer > Repeat the previous process to install the required drivers on your laptop.
6. Finish Installation: Click Finish to complete the process.

This guide is aimed to provide you with the know-how required to connect your Brother printer to your laptop wirelessly. Not all the models have been discussed in this guide; however, all the major categories have been covered. The connection procedures for the rest of the models are almost similar to the ones discussed in this guide.

Abdul Hadi

[How-To Guides Expert]

Laiba, our tech guru at HI Digital, simplifies and crafts How-To Guides with a Google IT Support Certificate. Beyond tech, she captures the city’s aesthetics through her lens. Join her journey where tech meets creativity!

Get In Touch: Laiba@hidgt.com