How to Configure Brother Printer for AirPrint?

In the modern era of wireless technology, convenience is everything. Apple users, whether on iPhone, iPad, or Mac, enjoy the benefit of AirPrint, a built-in printing feature that allows seamless printing without needing to install extra drivers or applications. Brother printers, known for their reliability and compatibility, fully support AirPrint across many of their models.

But many users struggle with setting it up correctly and often ask: “How to configure Brother printer for AirPrint?” If you’re facing the same question, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know—from checking AirPrint compatibility to configuring settings, troubleshooting errors, and optimizing performance.

What Is AirPrint?

AirPrint is Apple’s wireless printing technology that lets you print from iPhone, iPad, or Mac directly to a compatible printer—without needing third-party drivers or apps.

Key Features of AirPrint:

No additional drivers needed
Supports wireless printing over Wi-Fi
Works seamlessly with iOS and macOS devices
Supports advanced functions such as duplex printing, page range selection, and scaling

Why Use AirPrint with Brother Printers?

Brother printers are popular among Apple users because:

Many Brother models come pre-configured with AirPrint support.
They support a wide range of Apple devices.
Setup is straightforward and user-friendly.
Brother regularly updates firmware for better AirPrint compatibility.

By configuring AirPrint correctly, you can enjoy driverless printing directly from Safari, Mail, Photos, and other apps.

Step 1: Check If Your Brother Printer Supports AirPrint

Not all Brother printers support AirPrint. To confirm:

Visit the official Brother Support website.
Search for your printer model.
Look under Specifications for “AirPrint Compatibility.”

Most modern Brother printers (inkjet, laser, and multifunction devices) support it, but older ones may not.

Step 2: Ensure Network Compatibility

AirPrint requires that your Brother printer and Apple device are on the same Wi-Fi network.

For Wireless Printers: Ensure the printer is connected to Wi-Fi.
For Wired Printers: If your Brother printer is connected to the router via Ethernet, and your iPhone/iPad/Mac is on the same network, AirPrint will work.

Step 3: Update Printer Firmware

Sometimes, AirPrint doesn’t show up because the printer firmware is outdated.

Go to Brother’s Support page.
Download the Firmware Update Tool.
Install updates via USB or Wi-Fi.
Restart the printer after the update.

Step 4: Configure AirPrint on Brother Printer

Here’s the main process of configuring AirPrint:

On the Printer (Network Settings):

Access the Menu on the printer control panel.
Go to Network > Protocol > AirPrint.
Make sure AirPrint is enabled.

On Your iPhone/iPad:

Open the document, photo, or email you want to print.
Tap the Share icon → Print.
Select your Brother Printer from the list.
Choose settings (number of copies, duplex, etc.) → Tap Print.

On Mac (macOS):

Open the document.
Go to File > Print.
Select your Brother printer (AirPrint) as the printer.
Adjust settings → Print.

Step 5: Verify Bonjour Service

AirPrint uses Apple’s Bonjour protocol to discover printers on the same network.

Make sure Bonjour is enabled on your Brother printer.
Check your router settings to ensure Bonjour/mDNS is not blocked.

Step 6: Set Brother Printer as Default for AirPrint

If you frequently use the Brother printer with AirPrint, set it as default:

On iOS: The last used printer is saved as the default automatically.
On Mac: Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners > Default Printer, and select your Brother printer.

Troubleshooting: Brother Printer Not Working with AirPrint

Even after configuration, you may face issues like the printer not appearing, AirPrint option missing, or jobs not printing. Let’s explore the fixes:

1. Brother Printer Not Showing in AirPrint List

Ensure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.
Restart printer, router, and Apple device.
Verify AirPrint is enabled in printer settings.

2. AirPrint Option Missing on iPhone/iPad

Update iOS to the latest version.
Ensure printer firmware is updated.
Reset network settings on iPhone (Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings).

3. Brother Printer Offline with AirPrint

Check if the printer is in Sleep Mode. Wake it up by pressing any button.
Make sure firewall or antivirus isn’t blocking communication.

4. AirPrint Not Working on Mac

Delete and re-add the printer:
- Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
- Remove the Brother printer.
- Click + to re-add it as an AirPrint printer.

5. Printing Quality Issues via AirPrint

Run printer maintenance tasks: cleaning, aligning heads, checking toner/ink.
Use recommended paper sizes (A4, Letter).

Advanced Fixes

Assign a Static IP Address

Sometimes DHCP conflicts cause printers to disappear from AirPrint. Assign a static IP:

Log into your router.
Reserve an IP for your Brother printer.
Update the printer’s network settings with this IP.

Reset Printing System (Mac)

Go to Printers & Scanners.
Right-click the printer list → Reset Printing System.
Re-add the Brother printer.

Use Brother iPrint&Scan App as Alternative

If AirPrint still doesn’t work, you can install Brother iPrint&Scan (free from App Store). It supports all Brother models and provides advanced controls.

Best Practices for Smooth AirPrint Experience

Keep both printer firmware and Apple devices updated.
Avoid connecting printer and device to different Wi-Fi bands (2.4GHz vs 5GHz).
Regularly restart router and printer.
Place printer near Wi-Fi router for stronger signals.
Disable VPNs while printing, as they may block local network discovery.

Conclusion

Configuring your Brother printer for AirPrint is usually a simple process but requires attention to detail. If you’ve been asking, “How to configure Brother printer for AirPrint?”, the key steps include verifying printer compatibility, connecting both devices to the same Wi-Fi network, enabling AirPrint in printer settings, and updating firmware.

In most cases, issues arise due to network conflicts, outdated software, or disabled AirPrint settings. By following the troubleshooting tips and advanced fixes outlined above, you can ensure a smooth, wireless printing experience from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.