Why is Brother Printer Not Showing Up on Network?

Brother printers are known for their reliability, efficiency, and user-friendly features. However, one of the most common problems users encounter is when their Brother printer does not show up on the network. This issue can prevent printing, scanning, and other network-dependent functions, leading to frustration and workflow interruptions.

If your Brother printer isn’t appearing on your Wi-Fi or network, don’t worry—this issue is fixable. In this in-depth guide, we’ll explore all possible reasons why this happens, step-by-step troubleshooting methods, and preventive measures to ensure your Brother printer stays connected.

Understanding Network Printing on Brother Printers

Modern Brother printers support multiple types of connections:

Wi-Fi (Wireless Printing) – Most common setup for home and office.
Ethernet (Wired Printing) – Uses a LAN cable connected to the router.
Wi-Fi Direct – Direct connection without a router.
USB – Only for direct, single-device connection (not a true “network” connection).

When your printer doesn’t appear on the network, it usually means the printer and the device (PC, laptop, or Chromebook) are not on the same communication path.

Common Reasons Why Brother Printer Is Not Showing Up on Network

Here are the most frequent causes behind this issue:

Printer Not Connected to Wi-Fi Properly – Wrong password or failed setup.
Different Networks – Printer and computer are on separate Wi-Fi bands (2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz).
Router or Network Issues – Router firmware, weak signals, or DHCP problems.
IP Address Conflicts – Printer IP changes and devices can’t detect it.
Firewall or Security Software – Blocks network communication.
Outdated Firmware/Drivers – Printer may not communicate with modern networks.
Hardware Issues – Faulty Wi-Fi adapter or damaged Ethernet port.

Step 1: Check Basic Printer and Network Setup

Before diving into technical fixes, confirm the basics:

Make sure the printer is powered on.
Ensure the Wi-Fi indicator light is lit (usually a green or blue LED).
Restart your router, modem, and printer.
Verify that your internet connection is working on other devices.

Step 2: Verify Wi-Fi Connection on Brother Printer

If your printer is not connected properly, it will not appear on the network.

To reconnect your Brother printer to Wi-Fi:

On the printer’s control panel, go to:
Menu > Network > WLAN > Setup Wizard.
Select your Wi-Fi network name (SSID).
Enter the correct Wi-Fi password.
Once connected, the printer should display a confirmation message.

???? Pro Tip: Print a Network Configuration Report from your printer menu. This will show the IP address, connection status, and whether the printer is connected to the correct Wi-Fi.

Step 3: Ensure Devices Are on the Same Network

One overlooked reason is when your devices are connected to different Wi-Fi networks.

If your router has dual bands (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), ensure both printer and computer are on the same band.
If you’re using a guest Wi-Fi network, the printer may not be visible to your devices.

Step 4: Assign a Static IP Address

Sometimes printers fail to show up because the router changes their IP address. Assigning a static IP can solve this problem.

How to set a static IP on Brother printer:

Print the Network Configuration Page to check the current IP.
Open a browser on your computer and type the printer’s IP in the address bar.
Log into the Brother Printer Web Interface.
Navigate to Network > TCP/IP > IP Address.
Choose Static IP and enter the details (use the same range as your router).
Save and restart your printer.

Step 5: Check Firewall and Antivirus Settings

Firewalls or antivirus programs may block printer discovery.

Temporarily disable firewall/antivirus on your computer.
Try connecting again.
If it works, add your Brother printer to the allowed list in firewall settings.

Step 6: Update Printer Firmware and Drivers

Outdated firmware may cause connectivity issues.

Visit Brother’s official support site.
Enter your printer model.
Download and install the latest firmware update tool.
Restart your printer after the update.

Step 7: Check Router Settings

Some router configurations may block printers from connecting.

Ensure MAC address filtering is off.
Make sure DHCP is enabled (automatically assigns IPs).
Disable AP Isolation/Client Isolation (this prevents devices from seeing each other).

Step 8: Use Ethernet Connection as an Alternative

If Wi-Fi remains problematic, try connecting the printer via Ethernet.

Plug one end of the LAN cable into your Brother printer.
Connect the other end to your router.
Print the network status page to confirm connectivity.
Add the printer manually on your computer using its IP address.

Step 9: Add the Printer Manually on Your Computer

If auto-discovery fails, you can add your Brother printer manually.

On Windows:

Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners.
Click Add Printer or Scanner.
Select The printer that I want isn’t listed.
Choose Add a printer using TCP/IP address.
Enter your Brother printer’s IP address.

On macOS:

Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
Click + Add Printer.
Select IP tab and enter your printer’s IP address.

On Chromebook:

Open Settings > Advanced > Printing > Printers.
Click Add Printer.
Enter the printer’s IP address manually.

Step 10: Reset Printer Network Settings

If nothing works, reset the network settings:

Go to Menu > Network > Network Reset.
Confirm reset.
Reconnect printer to Wi-Fi using Setup Wizard.

Preventive Measures to Keep Your Brother Printer Visible

Assign a static IP address.
Keep your firmware and router updated.
Place the printer close to the router for better signals.
Avoid frequently switching Wi-Fi networks.
Regularly restart your router and printer.

FAQs

1. Why is my Brother printer not connecting to Wi-Fi?

It could be due to an incorrect Wi-Fi password, interference, or router settings. Re-run the wireless setup wizard and ensure the password is correct.

2. Can my Brother printer work on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi?

Most Brother printers only support 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. If you’re on 5 GHz, your printer may not connect.

3. How do I find my Brother printer’s IP address?

Print a Network Configuration Report from the printer’s control panel. The IP will be listed under TCP/IP details.

4. Why does my Brother printer keep disappearing from the network?

This usually happens due to dynamic IP changes by your router. Assigning a static IP prevents the printer from disappearing.

5. Can I still use my Brother printer without Wi-Fi?

Yes. You can connect via USB cable or Ethernet. However, this limits wireless printing from multiple devices.

Final Thoughts

When your Brother printer doesn’t show up on the network, it’s often caused by Wi-Fi misconfigurations, router issues, or IP conflicts. The good news is that with the steps outlined above—such as reconnecting to Wi-Fi, assigning a static IP, updating firmware, and checking router settings—you can restore seamless connectivity.

Once fixed, your Brother printer will reliably appear on your network, ensuring hassle-free printing, scanning, and sharing across all your devices.