How to Set Up Brother Printer to WiFi: Step-by-Step Guide

Setting up a Brother printer on WiFi doesn’t have to feel like solving a puzzle. If you’re here searching for how to set up Brother printer to WiFi, you’re probably looking for a simple, clear solution without the techy jargon. I’ve been there myself, staring at blinking lights and wondering what went wrong. So in this guide, I’m going to walk you through every step to get your Brother printer online—without stress.

Whether you’re doing this for home use or getting a small office up and running, we’ll cover both basic and alternative methods, including how to connect your Brother printer to a wireless network even if you don’t have the original CD.

Why Wireless is the Way to Go

Let’s be real. Nobody likes dealing with a mess of tangled cables or unplugging your printer just to move it across the room. Wireless printing gives you the freedom to print from your laptop, smartphone, or even tablet—wherever you are in the house or office.

Plus, once you’re connected, you won’t have to do it again unless you change routers or reset the printer. It’s a one-time setup that saves you time in the long run.

Before You Start: What You’ll Need

To make the whole setup smoother, gather these things first:

• Your WiFi network name (SSID)
• The WiFi password
• Your Brother printer (powered on and ready)
• A phone, tablet, or computer for setup

Once you have all that ready, you’re good to go. Let’s dive into the wireless setup for Brother printer without CD.

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Set Up Brother Printer to WiFi

1. Use the Printer’s Built-In Menu

Most modern Brother printers come with a screen—either a small LCD or touchscreen. That’s where the magic begins.

1. Press the Menu or Settings button on the printer.
2. Navigate to Network, then tap or press WLAN.
3. Select Setup Wizard and hit OK.
4. The printer will begin scanning for available WiFi networks.

Once your WiFi network shows up, select it. Then type in the password carefully—it’s easy to mess up a capital letter or symbol.

When done, the printer will try to connect. If successful, you’ll see something like “Connection OK” on the screen. That’s your green light.

2. Install the Printer Software on Your Device

Don’t have the CD that came with your printer? No problem. You don’t actually need it.

Here’s what you do:

• Head to the Brother Support Website
• Search for your printer model
• Download the Full Driver & Software Package for your operating system (Windows or Mac)
• Run the installer

When asked how you want to connect, choose Wireless Network Connection. The software should find your printer automatically if it’s already connected to the WiFi.

This step completes the Brother printer WiFi installation instructions part of the process.

3. Run a Quick Test Print

Don’t skip this—it’s worth doing.

• Windows: Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers, right-click your Brother printer, and choose Printer Properties. Then click Print Test Page.
• Mac: Open System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, choose your printer, and hit Print Test Page.

If the page comes out clean, you’re officially wireless.

Alternate Setup: WPS (If Your Router Supports It)

If your WiFi router has a WPS button, you can skip entering the password entirely.

Here’s how:

1. Hold down the WiFi or WPS button on the printer until the light blinks.
2. Within two minutes, press the WPS button on your router.
3. The printer and router should sync automatically.

WPS isn’t supported by every printer or router, but if you’ve got it, it’s by far the fastest way to connect a Brother printer to a wireless network.

Common Problems and Easy Fixes

Sometimes, even when you follow every step right, your printer won’t connect. Super frustrating—but often easy to fix.

Try these quick solutions:

• Restart your printer and WiFi router. It sounds cliché, but it actually works in a lot of cases.
• Double-check your password. One wrong character and the whole thing fails.
• Make sure you’re on a 2.4GHz network. Many Brother printers can’t connect to 5GHz bands.
• Update your printer’s firmware. An old firmware version can mess with connectivity.

Still having trouble? Check out our complete Brother printer WiFi setup guide for deeper troubleshooting tips and advanced fixes.

How to Set Up Brother Printer to WiFi Without the CD

Alright, let’s zoom in on this popular question. If you tossed the CD or never got one to begin with, don’t worry. You’re not stuck.

You just need to:

1. Go to the Brother website
2. Download the full driver and software for your printer model
3. Run the installation
4. Select Wireless Connection when prompted
5. Let the software detect and finish setting up your printer

This method works for nearly every Brother model and operating system, including older ones.

FAQ: Brother Wireless Printing Questions Answered

How do I connect my Brother printer to WiFi step by step?

Use the printer’s menu to go to Network > WLAN > Setup Wizard. Choose your WiFi, enter the password, and connect. Then install the software from Brother’s website and choose wireless connection during setup. Done.

Can I setup a Brother printer to WiFi without the CD/installation disc?

Yes. Just download the drivers and software from Brother’s support site. It’s free and actually more up-to-date than the disc anyway.

What should I do if my Brother printer connects to WiFi but won’t print?

Make sure it’s set as your default printer and shows as “Ready” on your device. If it still doesn’t print, try restarting both the printer and your router. Reinstalling the driver might help too.

How can I reset my Brother printer’s WiFi settings and reconnect?

Go to Menu > Network > Network Reset. That’ll clear your saved WiFi info. Then go back through the setup wizard to reconnect from scratch.

Can I use WPS to connect my Brother printer to my WiFi network?

Yes, if both your printer and router support WPS. Just press the WiFi button on the printer and then the WPS button on the router. They should pair in under two minutes.

Why won’t my Brother printer connect to dual-band or certain routers?

Many Brother printers only support 2.4GHz WiFi, not 5GHz. Try connecting to the 2.4GHz network, or split your SSIDs if your router combines both frequencies into one.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it—how to set up Brother printer to WiFi, step by step. Whether you’re using the printer menu, downloading software from the website, or going the WPS route, you now know multiple ways to get your printer online and ready to go.

And if things don’t go perfectly the first time, don’t panic. A small typo in your WiFi password or a hiccup in the router could throw it off. Just take it step by step, and you’ll get there.

If you’re still having issues, head over to our complete Brother printer WiFi setup guide for even more tips, visuals, and troubleshooting steps.

Now go ahead—print that document from your couch. You’ve earned it.