Brother Printer Wireless Setup: Connect HL and MFC Models to Wi-Fi

Connecting a Brother printer to Wi-Fi gives you the freedom to print from anywhere in your home or office without cables. Whether you have a Brother HL laser printer or an MFC all-in-one, this guide covers every setup method so you can choose the one that works best for your model.

Before You Start

Have these things ready:

• Your Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and password
• The printer powered on with toner/ink installed and paper loaded
• A computer or smartphone connected to the same Wi-Fi network
• Your Brother printer model number (found on a label on the front or back)

:::info[Note] Most Brother printers support 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only. Some newer MFC models also support 5 GHz. If your router uses dual-band Wi-Fi, make sure 2.4 GHz is enabled. If both bands share the same name, your printer should find the 2.4 GHz signal automatically. :::

Method 1: WPS Setup (Fastest Method)

If your Wi-Fi router has a WPS button, this is the quickest way to connect.

1. On your Brother printer, press and hold the Wi-Fi button (or go to Menu > Network > WPS > Push Button on models with a screen)
2. The Wi-Fi LED will start flashing
3. Within 2 minutes, press and hold the WPS button on your router for 3-5 seconds
4. Wait 1-2 minutes — when the connection is successful:
   • The Wi-Fi LED on the printer will turn solid
   • The WPS LED on the router will stop flashing
5. To verify, print a Network Configuration Report (Menu > Machine Info > Network Config or similar)

Method 2: Control Panel Setup (With LCD Screen)

For Brother MFC and DCP models with a display screen:

1. Press the Menu button on the control panel
2. Navigate to Network > WLAN (or Wi-Fi) > Setup Wizard
3. Press OK to enable wireless — the printer will search for networks
4. Select your Wi-Fi network name from the list
5. Enter your Wi-Fi password using the keypad
   • Use the number keys to enter letters (like typing on a phone keypad)
   • Press OK after each character
6. After entering the password, press OK to connect
7. Wait for the “Connected” confirmation on the display
8. Print a network configuration report to verify the IP address

Method 3: Setup Wizard for HL Models (No Screen)

For Brother HL laser printers without a display screen:

1. Press and hold the Go button for 3 seconds
2. The Ready and Toner LEDs will light up
3. Press the Go button 3 times within 2 seconds
4. The printer will enter wireless setup mode
5. Use the Brother iPrint&Scan app on your smartphone to complete the setup:
   • Download Brother iPrint&Scan from the App Store or Google Play
   • Make sure your phone is on the Wi-Fi network you want the printer on
   • Open the app and follow the prompts to add a printer
   • The app will guide the printer through the Wi-Fi connection

Method 4: Using Brother’s Installation Software

Brother provides a setup utility that handles everything automatically.

1. Visit the official Brother support website (search for “Brother printer install” on Google)
2. Enter your printer model number
3. Download the Full Driver and Software Package for your operating system
4. Run the installer
5. When prompted, select Wireless Network Connection
6. Follow the on-screen prompts — the software will detect your printer and guide it through the Wi-Fi setup
7. The software will also install the printer driver on your computer

For Mac Users:

1. Download the driver package from Brother’s support site
2. Run the installer
3. Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners
4. Click + to add a printer
5. Select your Brother printer from the list of network printers
6. Click Add

Method 5: USB to Wireless Conversion

If your printer is currently connected via USB cable:

1. Keep the USB cable connected
2. Download the Brother Software Update Tool from the support website
3. Run the tool and select Change Connection Type or Wireless Setup
4. The utility will detect your printer via USB and help you switch it to Wi-Fi
5. Once the wireless connection is established, disconnect the USB cable

Verifying the Connection

After setup, confirm the connection is working:

1. Print a Network Configuration Report:
   • On models with a screen: Menu > Machine Info > Network Config
   • On HL models: Press Go 3 times to print the report
2. Check the report for:
   • Node Type: Brother NC-xxxx (wireless)
   • IP Address: 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x
   • SSID: Your network name
   • Link Status: Link OK
3. Try printing a test page from your computer

Troubleshooting Wireless Connection Issues

Problem: Printer Can’t Find Your Network

• Make sure 2.4 GHz is enabled on your router
• Move the printer closer to the router during setup
• If your network name is hidden, use the Manual SSID entry option (Menu > Network > WLAN > Manual)
• Restart your router and try again

Problem: Wrong Password Error

• Wi-Fi passwords are case-sensitive — double-check uppercase/lowercase
• On keypad models, make sure you’re entering numbers and letters correctly
• Try entering the password on your phone first to verify it’s correct, then enter it on the printer

Problem: Connected But Can’t Print

• Make sure your computer is on the same Wi-Fi network
• Restart your computer after setup
• Reinstall the printer driver from Brother’s website
• On Windows: Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Add device
• Check if the printer’s IP address has changed (print another network config report)

Problem: Connection Drops Frequently

• Check the signal strength on the network configuration report
• Move the printer closer to the router or use a Wi-Fi extender
• Set a static IP address for the printer in your router’s admin panel
• Update the printer’s firmware from the Brother support website

Tips for Reliable Wireless Printing

• Place the printer within 15-20 feet of your Wi-Fi router
• Avoid placing the printer near microwaves, cordless phones, or large metal objects that can interfere with Wi-Fi
• Keep firmware updated — Brother releases updates that improve wireless stability
• Use the Brother iPrint&Scan app for easy mobile printing once the printer is connected
• Assign a static IP to the printer in your router settings to prevent connection drops after reboots

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:::disclaimer[Disclaimer] This article is provided for informational purposes only. Solve Tech Problems Online is an independent blog and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Brother Industries, Ltd. All product names, logos, and brands are property of their respective owners. The setup instructions above are general guidelines and may vary by Brother printer model. Always consult your printer’s official documentation or contact Brother support for model-specific instructions. We are not responsible for any damage or data loss resulting from the use of this information. :::