Why Is My Brother Printer Not Connecting to WiFi? (Fixes That Work)

So, your Brother printer just won’t connect to WiFi—and you’re wondering why. You’ve restarted everything, double-checked your password, and maybe even cursed at it once or twice. Still no luck? Don’t worry, you’re not the only one.

At Explore Tech Hive, we’ve seen this issue more times than we can count. And truth be told, it’s usually something minor—just tricky enough to be annoying. In this guide, we’ll break down what to check and how to fix it, without overcomplicating things.

Why Does My Brother Printer Refuse to Connect?

Let’s get to the heart of it. When your Brother printer WiFi connection failed, one of these common problems is usually the cause:

• Incorrect WiFi password (yes, even one wrong character will ruin it)
• Your router only broadcasting on 5GHz (most Brother printers need 2.4GHz)
• A firewall or antivirus software quietly blocking it
• Outdated firmware or drivers
• The printer’s network settings got messed up after a reset or power issue

In other words, it’s not that the printer’s broken—it’s just confused.

First Things First: Restart Everything

It may sound basic, but do a full restart. Turn off your printer, router, and the device you’re trying to print from. Wait 30 seconds. Then turn them all back on—printer last.

You’d be surprised how many times this one simple step clears things up. If your printer isn’t detecting WiFi network names or keeps timing out, this is the place to start.

Double-Check Your WiFi Band

Here’s the thing—many Brother models only support 2.4GHz networks. If your router is set to 5GHz only, the printer won’t even see it.

To fix this:

• Log into your router (you’ll usually type something like 192.168.1.1 into your browser)
• Make sure 2.4GHz is enabled
• If your router uses a combined SSID, try splitting them into separate 2.4GHz and 5GHz names temporarily

Reconnect the printer to the 2.4GHz one and see if that does the trick.

Re-enter Your WiFi Credentials

You’d think this is obvious, but one wrong character—especially on those tiny screens—can break everything.

To re-enter:

• Go to the printer’s menu
• Navigate to Network > WLAN > Setup Wizard
• Select your network
• Carefully enter your WiFi password (case-sensitive)

This is one of the quickest ways to troubleshoot Brother wireless setup issues when everything else looks fine.

Update Your Firmware and Drivers

Still no luck? Your printer might be running outdated firmware, which can interfere with modern router setups.

• Go to Brother’s official support page
• Download the Firmware Update Tool and run it
• Restart everything afterward
• Also uninstall and reinstall the latest driver for your printer model

This combo of updates often resolves deep network errors that don’t show on the surface.

Assign a Static IP (Advanced But Worth It)

Sometimes, your printer’s IP changes mid-use and confuses your computer. Assigning a static IP can fix this:

1. Print a Network Configuration Page from your printer
2. Note the current IP address
3. Log in to your router and reserve that IP for the printer’s MAC address
4. Restart your printer and reconnect it

Still sounds confusing? No stress—we explain this and more in our detailed Brother printer WiFi setup guide.

Don’t Ignore Your Firewall or Antivirus

Some firewalls block WiFi printing quietly in the background. Try disabling your security software for a minute to test.

If printing works after that, re-enable protection and add your printer’s IP as an exception.

Weak Signal? Try Moving the Printer or Adding a Booster

If your printer’s far from your router—especially across thick walls—your signal could be too weak. Try:

• Moving the printer closer (even temporarily during setup)
• Using a WiFi signal booster or mesh system
• Avoiding placing the printer near microwaves or cordless phones

This helps maintain a stable connection after you’ve finally fixed it.

FAQ – Why Is My Brother Printer Not Connecting to WiFi?

1. What should I check first if my Brother printer cannot connect to WiFi?
   Restart your printer, router, and computer. Then double-check your WiFi password and ensure the printer is set to use 2.4GHz.
2. Can outdated firmware cause a Brother printer WiFi connection to fail?
   Yes. Older firmware might not play well with newer routers or security protocols. Always check for updates on Brother’s support site.
3. How do I re-enter my WiFi password on a Brother printer?
   Use the control panel: Menu > Network > WLAN > Setup Wizard. Choose your network and carefully enter your password again.
4. Does the Brother printer need to be on the same network band as my router?
   Absolutely. Most models only support 2.4GHz. If your router is using 5GHz only, your printer won’t see the network.
5. Can a WiFi signal booster help if the printer won’t connect?
   Yes. Weak or unstable signals are a common reason for connection drops. A booster or mesh extender can help stabilize it.
6. How do I fix DNS or IP address problems preventing WiFi connection?
   Assign a static IP through your router and make sure there’s no IP conflict. Reboot devices after making changes.

Final Thoughts from Explore Tech Hive

If you’re asking why is my Brother printer not connecting to WiFi, chances are you’re just one setting away from getting it working. The trick is to check the basics first—WiFi band, password, firmware—and work your way up.

Still stuck? Don’t sweat it. Check out our detailed Brother printer WiFi setup guide for deeper troubleshooting and advanced fixes.

We’re here to help you spend less time messing with printers—and more time actually printing.