So, you’ve just moved into a new place. New surroundings, new router, and probably a long to-do list. One thing that tends to trip people up after a move? Getting their Brother printer back online.
If your printer is showing “offline” or isn’t finding your WiFi anymore, don’t worry. You’re not the only one. This kind of thing happens all the time after a relocation. In this guide from Explore Tech Hive, we’ll walk you through every step to reconnect your Brother printer to the new wireless network—without the headaches.
Table of Contents
Why Moving Affects Your Printer’s Connection
Here’s the thing—Brother printers don’t magically detect your new WiFi. They try to connect to the old one they were paired with. And since the name (SSID) and password of your new router are probably different, that connection attempt fails.
Add in possible firmware quirks, network band differences (hello, 5GHz vs. 2.4GHz), and it’s no wonder the printer gives up.
Step 1: Clear the Old WiFi Settings
Before trying to connect the printer to anything new, you’ve got to clear out the old settings.
For models with a touchscreen:
- Go to Menu > Network > Network Reset
- Confirm the reset
- Let the printer reboot itself
No screen? You’ll usually hold down the WiFi or WLAN button until it blinks, but check your printer’s manual or the Brother support site for the exact method.
Resetting the network doesn’t erase everything—it just clears the saved WiFi info. Your print quality settings, page sizes, and preferences all stay intact.
Step 2: Set Up the Printer on the New WiFi
Now that your printer has forgotten its old network, it’s time to connect it to the new one. The method depends on whether your model has a screen.
If Your Printer Has a Screen:
- Tap Menu → Network → WLAN → Setup Wizard
- Let it scan and pick your WiFi name (SSID)
- Enter your WiFi password carefully (that keypad is touchy)
- Wait for the success message—usually “Connected” or “Connection OK”
If Your Printer Has No Display:
You’ve got two go-to methods:
- USB Setup
- Plug the printer into your computer with a USB cable
- Download Brother’s setup software from their official site
- During install, choose Wireless Network Setup
- Enter your new WiFi credentials
- Once connected, remove the USB and print wirelessly
- WPS (If Your Router Supports It)
- Press the WPS button on your router
- Within 2 minutes, press and hold the WiFi button on your printer
- Wait for the blinking light to go solid—connection made
Need more visuals or walkthroughs? Check our step-by-step Brother printer setup guide.
Step 3: Test the Connection
You’re almost done—but let’s make sure everything’s working.
- Open a document and print a test page
- Look for the printer in your list of devices
- Confirm the WiFi LED light is solid (blinking usually means “not connected”)
Still not showing up? Reboot the router, restart the printer, and try again.
What About Drivers?
Most of the time, your driver will work just fine after a move. But if it doesn’t:
- Go to Devices & Printers
- Right-click your Brother printer → Remove Device
- Download the latest driver from Brother’s website
- Reinstall and pair it again
This is also the way to go if the printer shows as connected but never actually prints.
For a full reboot from square one, follow our Brother printer WiFi setup from scratch tutorial.
FAQs – Brother Printer WiFi Setup After Moving
1. How do I change the WiFi settings on my Brother printer after relocating?
You’ll need to reset the network settings (via the printer menu or button combo), then reconnect using the WLAN Setup Wizard or USB/WPS.
2. Will I need to reinstall drivers after switching WiFi networks on my Brother printer?
Maybe, maybe not. If your computer can still find the printer and send jobs to it, you’re good. But if not—yes, reinstalling the driver usually helps.
3. Why is my Brother printer not detecting the new WiFi network after a move?
Make sure it’s within range of your router, using the 2.4GHz band, and that the network isn’t hidden. A fresh reset and setup solves this 90% of the time.
4. Can I reset my Brother printer’s network without affecting other settings?
Yes. The Network Reset function only clears wireless configurations. Your print preferences, page layout, and saved settings stay as-is.
5. Do I need to delete the old WiFi profile before setting up the new one?
Not manually. A network reset will clear the old profile. It’s the cleanest way to ensure the printer doesn’t keep trying to connect to your last router.
6. How do I reconnect my Brother printer to WiFi if the SSID has changed?
Go through the WLAN Setup Wizard if your printer has a screen. If it doesn’t, use the USB setup or WPS method to enter the new SSID and password.
Final Thoughts
Getting your Brother printer back online after a move can feel like a hassle—but it really isn’t once you know the process. Reset the old connection, walk through the new WiFi setup, and you’re back in business.
And hey, at least unpacking the printer was the easy part.
