Brother Printer Says Connected to WiFi but Not Printing? Here’s How to Fix It

Ever been there? The printer’s display proudly says it’s connected to WiFi, yet… nothing prints. No error. No noise. Just a silent machine acting like it did its job. If your Brother printer says connected to WiFi but not printing, you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not crazy.

At Explore Tech Hive, we’ve seen this issue pop up for users with both old and new Brother models. It usually sneaks in after a network change, a driver update, or sometimes, for no apparent reason. But here’s the thing—you can fix it, and we’ll walk you through how.

Let’s break it down, step by step.

Common Reasons Why Your Brother Printer Won’t Print Wirelessly

When your printer tells you it’s connected, that part is usually true. It probably is on the network. But that doesn’t mean your device (laptop, phone, etc.) is talking to it properly.

This disconnect between the network and actual print commands is often what’s going on when a Brother printer won’t print wirelessly. Here are a few sneaky causes:

• The computer is trying to send to the wrong printer (or a disconnected one)
• The printer is stuck in “offline” mode
• Outdated or corrupt drivers are messing things up
• IP address conflicts confuse your network
• A firewall is silently blocking the connection

Yeah, annoying—but fixable.

Recheck the Basics First (You’d Be Surprised)

We know, you’ve probably already done this, but double-check these first:

• Is the printer turned on?
• Is the default printer on your device actually your Brother model?
• Are both the printer and computer connected to the same WiFi?
• Have you restarted both devices and your router?

If yes to all of the above and it’s still acting stubborn, let’s go deeper.

Reinstall the Driver (This Solves More Than You’d Think)

Sometimes the driver just… gives up. It might be partially installed, outdated, or corrupted. Reinstalling can refresh communication and clear weird bugs.

Here’s how:

1. Uninstall the printer from your computer
2. Visit Brother’s official support site and download the latest driver for your model
3. Install it step by step and restart your device afterward

This often fixes those weird situations where your printer is connected to WiFi but offline according to your system settings.

Check the IP Address (Especially If You’ve Changed Routers)

Your Brother printer’s IP address might have changed, and your device doesn’t know where to find it anymore.

• Print a network config page from the printer menu
• Note the IP address shown (e.g. 192.168.0.23)
• Go to your computer’s printer properties and see if it matches

If not, update it manually or reinstall the printer using the new address.

Try a Ping Test (Yes, It’s Easier Than It Sounds)

Here’s a quick way to test if your computer can even see the printer on the network:

• Open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac)
• Type: ping [your printer’s IP]
  Example: ping 192.168.1.15

If it replies, the connection is there. If not, you may have a network issue or firewall in the way.

Reset the Network Settings and Start Fresh

When all else fails, resetting the printer’s WiFi settings and reconnecting it from scratch can work wonders.

On most models:

• Go to Menu > Network > Network Reset
• Confirm, then let the printer reboot
• Set up the wireless connection again

Need help with that part? Here’s our full WiFi setup overview for Brother printers to walk you through it.

Check for Firewall or Antivirus Conflicts

Yes, security software can quietly block your printer. Temporarily turn off your firewall and antivirus, then try printing again.

If it suddenly works, you’ll need to whitelist your printer’s IP address in your security settings.

Consider Switching to USB Temporarily (If You’re in a Rush)

If nothing else works and you need to print something now, grab a USB cable and connect the printer directly to your computer.

This can be a quick workaround until you have more time to troubleshoot Brother printer printing issues properly.

FAQ: Fixing Brother Printer Says Connected to WiFi but Not Printing

1. Why does my Brother printer say it’s connected to WiFi but won’t print?
   Usually, the printer is on the network, but your device isn’t communicating with it. It could be a driver issue, wrong default printer, or even a firewall block.
2. How do I reset a Brother printer that won’t print wirelessly?
   Go to Menu > Network > Network Reset. After the reset, reconnect it to WiFi using the setup wizard or WPS method.
3. What settings do I need to check if Brother printer is online but not printing?
   Ensure it’s set as the default printer. Check that it’s not paused or set to offline. Also verify the IP address and driver status.
4. Can firewall or antivirus block my Brother printer from printing over WiFi?
   Yes. Temporarily disable them to test. If it works, configure an exception in the software for your printer.
5. How do I update drivers when Brother printer connects but doesn’t print?
   Visit Brother’s support site, download the latest driver for your model, and install it manually. Restart your system before testing.
6. What troubleshooting steps fix a Brother printer that shows online but stays idle?
   Remove and reinstall the printer, check for IP conflicts, restart everything, and ensure the print queue isn’t stuck.

Final Thoughts from Explore Tech Hive

Tech glitches like these are frustrating—we get it. When your Brother printer says connected to WiFi but not printing, the key is not to panic. With a few checks, a driver update, or a full reset, you can usually get things back on track without calling in a pro.

If you’ve tried it all and still feel stuck, take a breather and revisit our WiFi setup overview for Brother printers for more help. We’ve laid it out in plain English to help real users, not tech wizards.

Still need help? Shoot us a message. We’re here to make printing feel a little less painful.