Let’s be honest—getting your Brother printer up and running on WiFi isn’t always a walk in the park. Whether you’re setting it up for the first time or trying to figure out why it keeps disconnecting, you’re not alone. We’ve helped dozens of users just like you, and this detailed FAQ guide brings together every common question—along with real-world, no-jargon answers that work.
From connection issues to obscure printer settings you didn’t even know existed, we’re diving deep. If you’re tired of endless support articles that don’t quite answer your question, keep reading—we’ve got your back.
Do I need internet access to connect my Brother printer to WiFi?
Surprisingly, no. You don’t actually need an active internet connection—just a working WiFi network. The printer connects to your local router to communicate with your device. However, if you’re planning to download software or update firmware during setup, then yes, you’ll need internet for that bit.
Still unsure about your connection type? Head over to our complete setup guide for Brother printers to find out how your device fits in.
What is the best method to find my Brother printer’s IP address?
This one’s a classic.
If your printer has a screen, just navigate to:
Menu > Network > WLAN > TCP/IP > IP Address
It’ll show right there. If your model lacks a display, press the Go or Report button (it varies by model) to print a network config sheet—you’ll find the IP printed clearly on the page.
And trust us, keeping this IP handy will save you headaches later when trying to reconnect or configure from your laptop.
Why does my Brother printer not remember WiFi settings after a reboot?
Ah, the ol’ disappearing act. If your printer forgets the WiFi settings after every restart, chances are you’re working with dynamic IP (DHCP) instead of static IP. What that means is the printer’s address keeps shifting on your network, making it hard to locate.
Set a static IP in your router or directly through your printer’s menu. That way, no matter what, your printer will always “live” at the same address—problem solved.
Need help? Our specific setup and troubleshooting guides for Brother printers walk you through it in plain English.
How do I update WiFi credentials on a Brother printer after changing my router?
Good question, especially after a router upgrade.
Here’s the process in plain steps:
- Go to Menu > Network > WLAN > Setup Wizard
- Select your new WiFi SSID (network name)
- Enter your new password carefully
- Let the printer reconnect and save the settings
If your model doesn’t have a display, you’ll likely need to use Brother’s iPrint&Scan or WiFi Setup Tool from a computer or mobile device. Either way, avoid guessing the password—you’d be shocked how often a typo causes days of stress.
Is there a difference between infrastructure and ad-hoc WiFi modes for Brother printers?
Yes—and it’s an important one.
Infrastructure mode is what most people use. It connects your printer to your home or office router, making it available to all devices on that network.
Ad-hoc mode, on the other hand, is like a direct peer-to-peer link between your printer and your computer—no router involved. It’s rarely used today, but some older printers still support it.
We usually recommend sticking to infrastructure mode unless you have a specific reason otherwise. It’s far more stable for day-to-day use.
Can I use a Brother printer with a mobile hotspot for wireless printing?
Technically, yes—but it comes with caveats.
Brother printers can connect to a mobile hotspot, but you might run into:
- Signal strength issues
- Frequent disconnections
- Driver conflicts, especially on Windows
Plus, keep in mind: mobile hotspots tend to change IPs often. So for longer use, it’s more of a workaround than a permanent fix.
Still want to give it a shot? Go for it, just don’t rely on it for mission-critical printing tasks.
Common WiFi Setup Challenges (and Easy Fixes)
Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
Problem | Likely Cause | Quick Fix |
Printer not showing on network | Different bands (2.4GHz vs 5GHz) | Connect both printer and device to the same 2.4GHz |
Keeps disconnecting | Dynamic IP or weak signal | Assign a static IP and move printer closer to router |
Print jobs stuck in queue | Driver mismatch or port config | Reinstall drivers and switch to TCP/IP port |
Offline status despite connection | SNMP settings or IP mismatch | Disable SNMP and re-check assigned IP |
Bonus Setup Tip
Always, always update your printer’s firmware right after connecting it to WiFi for the first time. Many models have known bugs that affect connectivity, and those bugs often get fixed quietly in firmware updates.
You can update firmware via Brother’s support site or through their software suite.
FAQs
- Do I need internet access to connect my Brother printer to WiFi?
Nope! Just a WiFi network is enough—though internet helps for downloads and updates. - What is the best method to find my Brother printer’s IP address?
Use the on-screen menu or print the network config report. Easy. - Why does my Brother printer not remember WiFi settings after a reboot?
It’s probably using a dynamic IP. Set a static IP and it’ll stick. - How do I update WiFi credentials on a Brother printer after changing my router?
Run the setup wizard again and select the new network. Done. - Is there a difference between infrastructure and ad-hoc WiFi modes for Brother printers?
Yep. Infrastructure connects to routers; ad-hoc is direct device-to-device. - Can I use a Brother printer with a mobile hotspot for wireless printing?
Yes, but it’s less stable. Use it temporarily—not for long-term reliability.
Final Words
Setting up a Brother printer on WiFi shouldn’t feel like solving a puzzle from the future. If you take it one step at a time, double-check your network settings, and follow the tips we shared above, you’ll be printing wirelessly in no time—without needing to call tech support.
And hey, if you do run into any weird issues, chances are we’ve covered it in our library already. Don’t forget to explore our complete setup guide for Brother printers or our troubleshooting resource for help that actually makes sense.
