So, your Brother printer says it’s connected to WiFi, but for some reason… nothing’s printing. Sound familiar?
You’re not alone. This frustrating issue is more common than you’d think. The printer looks good on the surface — online, no error lights, ready to go — but your document just hangs there in the queue, mocking you.
In this guide, we’ll break down 7 common fixes to help you get things moving again. Whether you’re working from home, printing homework, or dealing with office deadlines, these steps should save you time (and sanity).
Below are the 7 Common fixes to connect Brother Printer to WIFI
1. Restart Everything — Yes, Everything
It might sound cliché, but a full restart can actually solve a ton of mysterious printer problems.
Here’s what I usually do:
- Turn off the Brother printer and unplug it.
- Restart your WiFi router — wait for it to fully reboot.
- Restart your computer or mobile device.
- Plug the printer back in and turn it on.
Often, your printer and router just need a clean handshake. After restarting, try sending a test print. You might be surprised how often this works.
2. Check the Connection (It Might Say Connected… But)
Just because your printer says it’s connected doesn’t mean it’s talking properly to your device.
On the printer screen or Brother app, check the WiFi signal strength. If it’s weak or keeps dropping, the issue could be with the network itself — not the printer.
Also, make sure your device is on the same network. Sometimes, your laptop might connect to a 5GHz band while the printer is on 2.4GHz. This can cause communication issues.
If you’re still unsure, head over to our guide on printer connected but not printing fix for more specific troubleshooting related to network quirks.
3. Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers
Outdated or corrupted drivers can be sneaky culprits. You think it’s a network thing, but it’s really a software issue.
Here’s how to fix it:
- Go to Brother’s official website.
- Find your printer model and download the latest drivers for your operating system.
- Uninstall the current printer from your device.
- Reinstall it using the new drivers.
If you’re using Windows, also check that the printer isn’t accidentally set to “Use Printer Offline.” That setting causes more confusion than it solves.
4. Assign a Static IP to Your Brother Printer
Ever noticed your printer disappears randomly from your device’s list?
That’s often because it gets a new IP address every time your router restarts. You can fix this by assigning a static IP (or reserving one via your router’s admin settings).
To assign a static IP:
- Go into your router settings (usually by typing 192.168.0.1 or similar in your browser).
- Find the DHCP Reservation section.
- Lock your printer’s IP to a fixed address.
This ensures your device always knows where to find your printer — no matter how often the router restarts.
5. Clear the Print Queue
Here’s the thing — sometimes, your printer is working, but your computer is confused.
Go to your Print Queue (on Windows, it’s usually under Devices > Printers & Scanners > Open Queue).
If there are stuck jobs, right-click and cancel them all. In some stubborn cases, you might need to restart the Print Spooler Service:
- Press Win + R, type services.msc, hit Enter.
- Scroll to Print Spooler, right-click > Restart.
Once done, try printing a fresh document. Clean slate, no hangups.
6. Double-Check Firewall or Security Software
Some firewalls or antivirus tools get a bit too enthusiastic and block communication between your device and the printer.
Try temporarily disabling your firewall or antivirus to see if that resolves the issue. If it does, don’t leave it off — just whitelist your Brother printer or the relevant ports (usually TCP 9100 or WSD).
Not sure how to do that? Most security software has a Help section, or you can Google it for your specific software version.
7. Reset the Printer’s Network Settings and Reconnect
If all else fails, sometimes it’s best to wipe the connection and start fresh.
Reset the printer’s network settings by:
- Navigating to Network > Network Reset on the printer’s screen (may vary by model).
- Reboot the printer.
- Reconnect to WiFi using your correct SSID and password.
For those setting it up again from scratch, you can follow our initial Brother WiFi setup steps to make sure you don’t miss anything.
It’s a bit of a pain, sure, but it often clears up hidden issues that none of the other fixes catch.
Real Talk: When Should You Contact Brother Support?
If you’ve gone through all the above and it’s still not working, it might be time to reach out to Brother’s official support.
There could be a deeper hardware or firmware issue at play, especially if you’re hearing unusual sounds, getting error codes, or the printer disconnects frequently even after fixes.
Brother support is pretty responsive, and if your printer is still under warranty, they can guide you through repair or replacement options.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is my Brother printer saying “Connected to WiFi” but still not printing?
This could be due to driver issues, IP address conflicts, or a stuck print queue. Even if the connection shows “active,” communication may be blocked at some level.
- How do I fix the issue when my Brother printer is online but print jobs don’t start?
Try restarting the printer, clearing the print queue, and updating your drivers. Also, double-check that your device and printer are on the same network band.
- Could having multiple Wi‑Fi networks (2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz) prevent printing?
Yes, it can. If your printer is connected to a 2.4GHz network and your device is on 5GHz, they may not communicate correctly. Keeping both on the same frequency often resolves the problem.
- Can assigning a static IP or reserving an address help Brother printers stay connected?
Absolutely. A static IP ensures your printer doesn’t disappear from the network after router reboots or IP changes.
- Will outdated drivers or firmware cause my Brother printer to stay connected but not print?
Yes, outdated software is a common cause. Always keep your printer’s drivers and firmware updated to prevent unexpected hiccups.
- How do I clear a stuck print job or reset the print queue on my Brother printer?
Go to your device’s print queue settings and cancel all pending jobs. For persistent issues, restart the Print Spooler service or reboot your computer and printer.
Final Thoughts
WiFi-connected printers are a lifesaver — until they aren’t. But most of the time, when a Brother printer is connected to WiFi but not printing, it’s just a glitch in communication.
By trying the above 7 fixes, you should be back up and running in no time.
Still stuck? Bookmark our full printer connected but not printing fix for more advanced solutions, or drop your issue in the comments if you need help.
At Explore Tech Hive, we believe tech should work for you, not make your day harder.
Let’s get that printer working again.
