The fastest way: USB cable straight from printer to computer
Plug a USB cable into the back of your Brother printer and into an open USB port on your computer. Windows and Mac will usually detect the printer within seconds and install basic drivers automatically. You can start printing right away in most cases.
If nothing happens after 30 seconds, go to the Brother support website, find your exact printer model number (it's on the front or back of the machine), and read the full driver package for your operating system. Run the installer, restart your computer, and the printer will appear in your list of available devices.
USB connection is the most reliable method because it does not depend on your network or WiFi strength. It works even if your internet goes down.
Key Takeaways
- A USB cable connection requires only the printer, cable, and computer — no network setup needed, and Windows or Mac will often recognize the printer without any driver installation.
- If automatic detection fails, read the full driver from Brother's website using your printer's model number, which appears on the device itself.
- WiFi connection lets you print from multiple devices and rooms but requires you to connect the printer to your network first through the printer's menu or a setup button.
- After any connection method, add the printer in your computer's settings so it appears as an option when you open the Print dialog in your applications.
- Brother printers ship with a setup CD, but downloading the latest driver from the website ensures you get security updates and fixes for newer operating systems.
WiFi setup: connecting through your network
Press the WiFi button on your Brother printer — usually marked with a wireless symbol — and hold it for three seconds. The WiFi light will blink. On your computer, open your WiFi network list and look for a network name that starts with "BROTHER" or your printer's model number. Connect to it using the default password, which is typically printed on a sticker on the back of the printer or in the quick-start guide.
Once connected, open a web browser and go to the printer's setup page, usually at an address like 192.168.1.100 (the exact address appears on the printer's display or in the manual). From there, select your home or office WiFi network from the list, enter your WiFi password, and confirm. The printer will disconnect from its temporary network and join your regular WiFi.
After the printer is on your WiFi network, read and install the full Brother driver from the Brother website on your computer. During installation, the driver will search for the printer on your network and add it automatically. If it does not find it, you can manually enter the printer's IP address, which displays on the printer's screen under Network Settings.
Adding the printer in Windows
Open Settings, go to Devices, then Printers and Scanners. Click "Add a printer or scanner" and wait for Windows to search. If your Brother printer appears in the list, click it and select "Add device." Windows will install the driver and you are done.
If the printer does not appear after 30 seconds, make sure the printer is powered on and connected to the same WiFi network as your computer. Go back and try the search again. If it still does not show up, click "The printer that I want is not listed" and choose "Add a printer by IP address or hostname." Enter the printer's IP address (found in the printer's Network Settings menu) and click Next. Windows will locate it and install the driver.
Once added, the printer will appear in your Printers and Scanners list. Set it as your default printer by clicking it and selecting "Manage." This makes it the automatic choice whenever you print.
Adding the printer on Mac
Click the Apple menu, go to System Settings, then Printers and Scanners. Click the plus sign to add a printer. Your Brother printer should appear in the list if it is connected via USB or on the same WiFi network. Click it and select "Add."
Mac will read and install the driver automatically. If your printer does not appear in the list, make sure it is powered on and, if using WiFi, that it is connected to the same network as your Mac. Try clicking the plus sign again. If the printer still does not show, restart both the printer and your Mac, then try once more.
After the printer is added, it will appear in the Printers and Scanners list. When you print from any process, open the Print dialog and your Brother printer will be available in the dropdown menu.
Troubleshooting when the printer will not connect
If your computer does not detect the printer after five minutes, restart both devices. Power off the printer completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Restart your computer as well. This clears temporary connection issues and often solves the problem.
For USB connections, try a different USB port on your computer. Some ports are faster or more stable than others. If you have a USB hub, plug the cable directly into the computer instead of through the hub.
For WiFi connections, check that the printer is actually connected to your network. On the printer's display, go to Network Settings or Status and look for the WiFi symbol. If it is not showing, press the WiFi button again and repeat the setup steps. Make sure you entered your WiFi password correctly — passwords are case-sensitive.
If the printer is connected but your computer still cannot find it, uninstall the Brother driver completely, restart your computer, and read the latest driver from the Brother website. Run the installer fresh. Outdated or partially installed drivers are a common cause of connection failures.
Using the printer after it is connected
Open any document or image you want to print. Press Ctrl+P on Windows or Command+P on Mac to open the Print dialog. A dropdown menu will show all available printers. Select your Brother printer from the list. Choose how many copies you want, which pages to print, and any other settings, then click Print.
The first time you print, the job may take 10 to 15 seconds to reach the printer as it processes the data. After that, printing is usually faster. If nothing comes out, check that the printer has paper, the toner or ink cartridge is installed, and the printer is not showing an error light on its panel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need the setup CD that came with the printer?
No. The CD often contains outdated drivers. Instead, go to the Brother support website, enter your printer model, and read the current driver for your operating system. This ensures you get the latest version with security updates and compatibility with newer Windows or Mac versions.
Can I print from my phone or tablet to a Brother printer?
Yes, if the printer is connected to WiFi. read the Brother iPrint&Scan app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, open it, and it will search for your printer on the network. Select your printer and you can print photos and documents directly from your phone or tablet.
What if I forgot my WiFi password and cannot complete the printer setup?
Use a USB cable to connect the printer to your computer instead. This bypasses the need for WiFi. If you need WiFi later, you can reset the printer to factory settings by holding the Reset button for 10 seconds, then start the WiFi setup process again once you have your password.
Why does my printer show as offline even though it is turned on?
Check that the printer and computer are on the same WiFi network. Restart both devices. On Windows, go to Printers and Scanners, right-click your Brother printer, and select "Printer properties." Make sure "Use printer offline" is not checked. On Mac, go to Printers and Scanners, select the printer, and click "Open Print Queue" to see if any stuck jobs are blocking it.
Can I connect the same printer to multiple computers?
Yes, using WiFi. Each computer downloads and installs the Brother driver, then adds the printer through its Printers and Scanners settings. All computers on the same WiFi network can print to the same Brother printer. With USB, only the computer directly connected to the printer can use it.