How to Connect Brother Printer to New WiFi Network?

Switching to a new WiFi network often brings one major challenge—reconnecting all your wireless devices, including your printer. If you own a Brother printer, you may already know how essential a proper network connection is for seamless printing, scanning, and sharing. But when you upgrade your router, change your WiFi password, or move to a new internet service provider, your printer may stop communicating with your devices until you set it up again.

Why Connecting Brother Printer to WiFi Matters

Unlike USB printing, a wireless connection offers:

Convenience – Print from anywhere in your home or office.
Flexibility – Connect multiple devices (PCs, laptops, smartphones, tablets) to one printer.
Efficiency – Enables cloud printing, mobile printing, and remote scanning.
Reduced Clutter – No messy cables running between your printer and computer.

But when the WiFi changes, your printer must be reconfigured to recognize the new SSID (network name) and password.

Methods to Connect Brother Printer to a New WiFi Network

Depending on your Brother printer model, you have several ways to establish a new wireless connection.

1. Using the Printer’s Control Panel (For Models with LCD Screen)

Most modern Brother printers come with an LCD display, making WiFi setup straightforward.

Steps:

Power on your Brother printer.
Press the Menu button on the control panel.
Navigate to Network → WLAN → Setup Wizard.
The printer will search for available networks.
Select your new WiFi network (SSID).
Enter your WiFi password using the keypad.
Confirm and wait for the connection to establish.
Once connected, a “Connected” message will appear.

Tip: You can print a Network Configuration Report from the printer menu to confirm successful connection.

2. Using WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup)

If your router supports WPS, you can connect without typing the WiFi password.

Steps:

Place the Brother printer near your WiFi router.
Press the WPS button on your router.
Within two minutes, press and hold the WiFi (WLAN) button on your Brother printer until the WiFi light flashes.
The printer will automatically connect to the network.

Note: This method works only if your router and printer both support WPS.

3. Using Brother iPrint&Scan App (For Smartphones/Tablets)

Brother’s mobile app makes it easy to reconfigure WiFi settings.

Steps:

Download and install the Brother iPrint&Scan app (available for iOS and Android).
Open the app and select your printer.
Go to Printer Settings → Wi-Fi Setup.
Choose your new WiFi network and enter the password.
Save changes and test by printing a page.

4. Using Brother Printer Software (Windows/Mac)

You can also configure WiFi through the setup software.

For Windows:

Download the latest software/drivers from the Brother Support website.
Launch the setup program and select Wireless Network Connection.
Follow the on-screen prompts to connect the printer to the new WiFi.

For Mac:

Open System Preferences → Printers & Scanners.
Remove the old Brother printer connection.
Reinstall using the Brother software, selecting your new WiFi network during setup.

5. Reconnecting Printers Without LCD Screen

For printers without a display, use the setup software or mobile app. In many models:

Press and hold the WiFi button until the LED indicator flashes.
Use your computer or smartphone to select the printer’s temporary SSID.
Configure WiFi settings via Brother software or iPrint&Scan app.

Troubleshooting Brother Printer WiFi Connection Issues

Even after following the steps, you may face difficulties. Here’s how to fix them:

Problem 1: Printer Not Detecting WiFi Network

Solution:

Make sure your router is broadcasting on 2.4 GHz (some Brother printers don’t support 5 GHz).
Move the printer closer to the router.
Restart both the router and printer.

Problem 2: Wrong Password Error

Solution:

Double-check your WiFi password (case-sensitive).
Ensure you’re connecting to the right SSID if you have multiple networks.
Reset the WiFi settings and try again.

Problem 3: Printer Connected but Not Showing on Computer

Solution:

Add the printer manually via Control Panel (Windows) or Printers & Scanners (Mac).
Ensure both devices are on the same network.
Temporarily disable firewall/antivirus blocking connections.

Problem 4: Connection Drops Frequently

Solution:

Assign a static IP address to your printer from your router.
Update your Brother printer firmware.
Reduce interference by placing router away from cordless phones or microwaves.

Problem 5: Printer Still Not Connecting After Reset

Solution:

Perform a Network Reset on your printer:
- Go to Menu → Network → Network Reset.
- Reconfigure WiFi from scratch.
If issues persist, reinstall the printer drivers.

Advanced Tips for Stable WiFi Printing

Always keep your Brother drivers and firmware updated.
For large offices, connect the printer to a dedicated frequency (2.4 GHz only).
Use a strong WiFi password but avoid unnecessary special characters that may cause compatibility issues.
Assign the printer a reserved IP address from your router’s admin settings.
For frequent network changes, set up Brother Cloud Print or mobile apps for faster reconfiguration.

Preventive Measures

To avoid future hassles when changing networks:

Document your network details (SSID & password).
Use dual-band routers but ensure 2.4 GHz compatibility.
Update printer software regularly to ensure smooth connectivity.
Enable DHCP reservation for your printer to always assign the same IP.
Backup Brother printer settings (some models support configuration backup).

FAQs

1. How do I reset my Brother printer WiFi settings?

Go to Menu → Network → Network Reset and confirm. This erases all previous WiFi data and allows fresh setup.

2. Can I connect my Brother printer to 5 GHz WiFi?

Most Brother printers only support 2.4 GHz networks. If your router uses 5 GHz only, enable dual-band mode.

3. Do I need to reinstall drivers after changing WiFi?

Yes, in many cases, especially on Windows or Mac, you’ll need to reinstall or re-add the printer after connecting to a new network.

4. Can I use WPS if I forgot my WiFi password?

Yes, if your router and printer support WPS setup, you can connect without entering the password.

5. What if my printer doesn’t have a display panel?

You’ll need to use the Brother software setup tool or iPrint&Scan app to configure WiFi manually.

Final Thoughts

Changing your WiFi network doesn’t have to be a headache. Whether you’re using a Brother printer with a touchscreen, one-button setup, or mobile app, connecting to a new network is straightforward once you follow the right steps.

From using the control panel wizard to WPS, software setup, or mobile apps, you now know multiple ways to get your printer online again. And with the troubleshooting tips provided, you can overcome most common connectivity issues quickly.

By applying these solutions and preventive practices, you’ll ensure your Brother printer stays connected, efficient, and ready to print whenever you need it.