Why is Brother Smart App Not Detecting the Printer?

Brother printers are known for their excellent performance, reliability, and user-friendly features. To make printing and scanning more convenient, Brother introduced the Brother iPrint&Scan Smart App. This mobile and desktop application allows users to print, scan, and manage documents wirelessly. However, many users encounter a common issue where the Brother Smart App does not detect the printer.

Understanding the Brother Smart App

The Brother iPrint&Scan App is designed for smartphones, tablets, and desktops. It allows you to:

Print documents and images directly from your device.
Scan and save documents in multiple formats.
Connect with Brother printers over Wi-Fi or a local network.
Manage printer functions remotely.

For this app to work correctly, it needs to detect the Brother printer on the same network. When the app cannot find the printer, it interrupts wireless printing and scanning.

Common Causes Why Brother Smart App Does Not Detect Printer

There are several reasons why the Smart App may fail to recognize your Brother printer. Let’s break them down:

Wi-Fi Connection Issues – If your mobile device and printer are not connected to the same Wi-Fi network, the app cannot detect the printer.
Printer Offline Status – The Brother printer may appear offline due to network or driver problems.
Outdated Brother Smart App – An old version of the app may not support your device or printer model.
Firewall or Antivirus Restrictions – Security software may block communication between the app and the printer.
Incorrect Network Settings on Printer – If the printer is not properly configured to the Wi-Fi network, it will not be detected.
Firmware or Driver Issues – Outdated firmware or drivers on the printer may prevent detection.
Mobile Device Issues – Sometimes, the issue lies with your smartphone or tablet, such as outdated OS or app permissions.
Router or Network Interference – Weak signals or router issues may disrupt connectivity.

Step-by-Step Fixes for Brother Smart App Detection Problems

Solution 1: Verify Wi-Fi Network Connection

The Brother Smart App requires both the printer and the device to be on the same Wi-Fi network.

Steps to check:

On your Brother printer, print a Network Configuration Page from settings.
Confirm the SSID matches your smartphone’s Wi-Fi connection.
Reconnect your phone to the same Wi-Fi as the printer.
If using multiple routers or dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz), ensure both devices are on the same band.

Solution 2: Restart Devices and Network

A simple restart can often resolve temporary glitches.

Steps:

Turn off your Brother printer and unplug it for 1–2 minutes.
Restart your router.
Reboot your smartphone or tablet.
Power the printer back on and reconnect to Wi-Fi.
Launch the Brother Smart App again.

Solution 3: Update the Brother Smart App

Outdated apps may fail to detect printers.

Steps:

Go to Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS).
Search for Brother iPrint&Scan.
Tap Update if available.
Reopen the app and try detecting the printer again.

Solution 4: Check Printer Status

Ensure your printer is ready to print.

Make sure the printer is powered on.
Check if any error messages (like “Paper Jam” or “Low Ink”) appear on the screen.
Ensure the printer is not in Offline Mode.

Solution 5: Reconnect Printer to Wi-Fi

If your Brother printer is not properly connected to the wireless network, the app won’t find it.

Steps:

On the printer control panel, go to Network → WLAN → Setup Wizard.
Select your Wi-Fi network and enter the password.
Wait for the printer to connect.
Confirm by printing a Network Test Report.

Solution 6: Disable VPN and Firewall Temporarily

VPNs and firewalls may block local network communication.

Turn off VPNs on your mobile device.
Temporarily disable firewalls or antivirus software on your computer or router.
Try reconnecting the Brother Smart App.

Solution 7: Update Printer Firmware

Firmware updates often resolve connectivity bugs.

Steps:

Visit the official Brother Support website.
Enter your printer model.
Download the latest firmware update.
Install it using Brother Firmware Update Tool.

Solution 8: Reinstall the Brother Smart App

Sometimes, reinstalling the app fixes detection issues.

Steps:

Uninstall the Brother iPrint&Scan App from your device.
Restart your phone.
Reinstall the app from the official store.
Open the app and search for your printer again.

Solution 9: Add Printer Manually in the App

If automatic detection fails, you can manually add your printer.

Steps:

Open the Brother Smart App.
Select Printers → Add Printer.
Enter the printer’s IP address (find it in the Network Configuration Page).
Save settings and try printing.

Solution 10: Reset Network Settings on Printer

If everything else fails, reset the printer’s network settings.

Steps:

On the printer menu, go to Network Settings.
Select Network Reset.
Reconnect to your Wi-Fi using the Setup Wizard.
Re-add the printer in the Brother Smart App.

Preventive Measures to Avoid Detection Issues

Always keep your Brother Smart App updated.
Use a stable Wi-Fi network with strong signal strength.
Regularly update your printer firmware and drivers.
Avoid using VPNs while printing.
Restart your printer and router weekly to prevent connection lags.
Ensure that your smartphone’s OS is updated.

Advanced Troubleshooting (For Persistent Problems)

If you’ve tried the above solutions and the app still doesn’t detect your Brother printer, you may need advanced fixes:

Assign Static IP to Printer – Prevents IP address changes that confuse the app.
Check Router Settings – Enable “Multicast” or “Bonjour” services if disabled.
Use Direct Wi-Fi Printing – Many Brother printers support Wi-Fi Direct, which allows printing without a router.
Contact Brother Support – If hardware or software defects are suspected, professional support is recommended.

Conclusion

The Brother Smart App not detecting the printer is a common issue, but the good news is that it’s usually easy to fix. Most cases come down to network mismatches, outdated apps, or printer configuration problems.

By following the solutions in this guide—checking Wi-Fi connections, updating firmware and apps, restarting devices, or manually adding the printer—you can quickly resolve the issue. Regular updates and preventive measures will help ensure smooth wireless printing in the future.

FAQs

1. Why won’t my Brother Smart App detect my printer?

This usually happens due to Wi-Fi mismatches, outdated apps, or printer network issues. Ensuring both devices are on the same network often solves it.