How to Share Brother Printer on a Network?

In today’s digital age, printers are no longer just standalone devices connected to a single computer. With more people working from home and offices becoming increasingly connected, the ability to share a Brother printer on a network is essential. Instead of each user having their own printer, you can connect one Brother printer to a network so that multiple users can access it—saving money, time, and space.

Why Share a Brother Printer on a Network?

Sharing a printer on a network has multiple advantages:

Cost-effective – Multiple users can access one printer.
Space-saving – No need for multiple printers in the same office.
Convenient – Print from anywhere within the network.
Increased productivity – Employees can send print jobs without transferring files to a central computer.
Wireless printing – Mobile and tablet printing becomes seamless.

Methods to Share a Brother Printer on a Network

There are multiple ways to share your Brother printer:

Using Windows Printer Sharing (via a Host PC)
Connecting the Printer via Wi-Fi (Network Printer Mode)
Using Brother Printer’s Ethernet (LAN) Port
Sharing via AirPrint (iOS/macOS)
Using Brother’s iPrint&Scan App (Mobile Printing)

Let’s go through each method step by step.

Method 1: Share Brother Printer via Windows Printer Sharing

If your Brother printer is connected to one computer (host), you can allow other users on the same network to access it.

Step 1: Enable File and Printer Sharing

On the host PC, open Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center.
Click Change advanced sharing settings.
Enable File and Printer Sharing.

Step 2: Share the Printer

Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
Right-click your Brother printer and select Printer properties.
Go to the Sharing tab and check Share this printer.
Assign a printer name for easy identification.

Step 3: Connect from Other Computers

On another PC, go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers > Add a printer.
Select Add a network, wireless, or Bluetooth printer.
Find the shared Brother printer and connect.

Method 2: Share Brother Printer via Wi-Fi (Wireless Printing)

Many modern Brother printers come with built-in Wi-Fi support. This allows multiple devices to connect directly to the printer without needing a host PC.

Step 1: Connect Printer to Wi-Fi

On the Brother printer’s control panel, press Menu > Network > WLAN > Setup Wizard.
Select your Wi-Fi network and enter the password.
The printer will display Connected once successful.

Step 2: Install Printer on Each Device

On Windows: Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners > Add a printer.
On Mac: Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners > Add Printer.
On Mobile: Use the Brother iPrint&Scan app.

Method 3: Share Brother Printer via Ethernet (LAN)

If your printer supports wired networking (Ethernet port), you can connect it to your router.

Step 1: Connect Printer to Router

Use an Ethernet cable to connect your Brother printer to the router.

Step 2: Install Printer Drivers

Download and install the latest drivers from the Brother Support website.

Step 3: Add Printer on Each Device

On each computer, go to Add Printer and select the Brother printer from the network.

Method 4: Share Brother Printer on macOS Using AirPrint

AirPrint allows Mac and iOS users to print without installing additional drivers.

Step 1: Enable AirPrint

Ensure the Brother printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi as your Mac/iPhone.
On Mac, go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners > Add Printer.
Your Brother printer should appear with AirPrint support.

Step 2: Print Wirelessly

On Mac or iPhone, select File > Print, choose your Brother printer, and print wirelessly.

Method 5: Share Brother Printer with Mobile Devices

Brother offers the iPrint&Scan app for Android and iOS devices.

Step 1: Download the App

Install Brother iPrint&Scan from App Store or Google Play.

Step 2: Connect to the Printer

Ensure the phone and printer are on the same Wi-Fi.
Open the app and select your Brother printer.

Step 3: Start Printing

Choose documents, photos, or scans and send them directly to the printer.

Troubleshooting Printer Sharing Issues

Sometimes, sharing doesn’t work as smoothly as expected. Here are common problems and fixes:

1. Printer Not Found on Network

Ensure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi.
Restart printer and router.

2. Unable to Install Printer Drivers

Download updated drivers from Brother’s official support website.

3. Printer Keeps Disconnecting

Assign a static IP address to the printer to avoid network drops.

4. Print Jobs Not Going Through

Clear the print queue.
Restart the Print Spooler service (Windows).

5. Mobile Device Cannot Detect Printer

Ensure iPrint&Scan app is installed.
Confirm Wi-Fi Direct or AirPrint is enabled.

Best Practices for Sharing Brother Printer

Always use a strong Wi-Fi connection for stability.
Update firmware and drivers regularly.
Use a static IP for the printer to avoid connectivity issues.
Secure shared printers in office environments with user authentication.
Perform regular maintenance like cleaning nozzles and updating software.

When to Contact Brother Support

If your Brother printer still cannot be shared after trying all methods, you may need professional help. Contact Brother Customer Support if:

The printer does not connect to Wi-Fi.
Driver installation fails repeatedly.
The printer is not detected by multiple devices.

Conclusion

Learning how to share Brother printer on a network is essential for modern home and office setups. Whether you use Windows printer sharing, Wi-Fi connectivity, Ethernet LAN, AirPrint, or Brother iPrint&Scan app, there are multiple ways to enable network printing.

By following the methods above and applying the troubleshooting tips, you can easily set up and manage your Brother printer for multiple users. This not only saves costs but also improves efficiency and workflow.

FAQs

1. How do I share my Brother printer between two computers?

You can either use Windows printer sharing (via a host PC) or connect the printer directly to the Wi-Fi/Ethernet network so both computers can access it.

2. Do I need special software to share a Brother printer?

No. Most Brother printers can be shared using built-in Windows/Mac settings. However, installing the Brother iPrint&Scan app makes mobile sharing easier.