Brother printers are known for being desk-friendly, reliable, space saving and more than functional. You can not only print but, also scan, copy and send a fax as well. However, like any other gadget, it is conceivable to have a couple of issues with this printer. Brother printer won’t connect to WiFi is one of the most annoying issues that can crop-up anytime. When this issue occurs, you might notice a printer status in the Devices and Printers windows. The status says “your Brother printer is offline.” There are various instances for which this kind of error occurs. An outdated brother printer driver is the leading cause for this glitch.
Thus, if you are going through the same glitch and don’t know how to resolve this matter, then this article can rescue you from this unwanted situation. As here, in this post, we’ll explore all the details that can help you to fix the Brother printer error.
Troubleshooting Methods: Brother Printer not Connecting to WiFi
The undermentioned fixes are the most applicable solutions which can help you to resolve the Brother printer won’t connect to WiFi issue. So, without wasting more time, let’s proceed:
Method 1: Restart Printer and the System
Whenever the wireless printer is having any kind of issue such as Brother printer won’t connect to WiFi, then the primary thing you should do is restarts both of the computer and printer. Apart from this, you have to restart the router by unplugging it and then, wait for around 30 seconds, then plugging it back. Now, connect them and attempt to connect to the Wi-Fi again. If the Brother printer still won’t connect, then you have to proceed with the next method.
Method 2: Uninstall then Reinstall the Brother Printer
Whenever you find “Brother printer won’t connect to WiFi” error message, you can uninstall your printer and then, reinstall it to fix the error.
To uninstall the Brother printer:
- First, click on the Start menu.
- Then, navigate to the ‘Settings’ section.
- Now, tap on the ‘Devices’.
- Next, on the left pane, select the ‘Printers & Scanners.’
- After that, locate your printer device and tap on it.
- Then, click on the ‘Remove Device’ option.
Once you uninstall the Brother printer, now you have to reinstall it. Thus, you can follow the below directions:
To reinstall the Brother printer:
- Primarily, go to the Start button.
- Then, click on the ‘Settings.’
- Now, navigate to the ‘Devices.’
- Next, select the ‘Printers & Scanners’
- After that, choose ‘Add A Printer Or Scanner’ option.
- Now, you have to select the printer you need to add, and then, hit the Add Device button.
Method 3: Check the Antivirus Software
Did you recently install any kind of Internet Security programs or additional firewall? If yes, then this might be the case. A lost of users have reported that after installing a third party Internet Security programs, they found that the printer status turns offline. Basically, most of the third-party security programs block the connection between the printer and the computer. If this happens to you, then you have to disable the security programs.
To do so, you need to navigate to the ‘Windows Notification’ area and then, tap on the ‘Microsoft Security Essentials’ icon. After that, go to the ‘Settings’ tab and then, click on the Real-Time Protection option. Next, uncheck the ‘Real-time Protection On’ button. Once you are done, just click on the ‘Apply’ option as well as the OK button in order to save the new changes.
After disabling the security programs, check if the issue reappears or not. If the ‘Brother printer won’t connect to WiFi’ error message still persists, then you should uninstall that particular program.
To uninstall the antivirus software:
- Navigate to the Start menu.
- Then, go to the ‘Settings’ app.
- Now, click on the System.
- Next, tap on the ‘Apps & Features’ button that is present on the left pane.
- After that, select that security software you need to Uninstall.
- Now, simply hit the ‘Uninstall’ button.
- Once it is done, simply restart your device and check if the issue gets eliminated or not.
Method 4: Reconfigure the Brother Printer
If you reset certain settings of the router or replace the old router, then you need to reconfigure it. Otherwise, your Pinter won’t connect to the WiFi.
Therefore, go to the Start bar, then click on the Netwrkng option. Now, you will get the ‘Open Network And Sharing’ Center option, simply tap on that button. Then, navigate to the ‘Manage Wireless Setup’ button. Now, you have to reconfigure the Wireless security protocol (WEP, WPA, WPA2). After that, reset the SSID (network name) on the wireless Brother printer. Now, follow the on-screen prompts in order to complete the further process. Once you perform this action, just select the Restart button to refresh your device.
Method 5: Check the IP Address of the Brother Printer
If the Brother printer won’t connect to the WiFi, then you have to check the IP address of Brother printer. Thus, navigate to the Menu tab of your Brother printer. Then, click on the Prints Reports option. Once you are done, simply locate the ‘Network Config’ button. Once you locate that button, just select that option and hit the OK button. Now, tap on the Color Start or Black (Mono) Start. Finally, press the ‘Stop/Exit’ button.
Note- On the configuration list, if the IP address shows 0.0.0.0, then you have to wait for a while and then, try again later.
Method 6: Update the Printer Driver
Brother Printer Won’t Connect To WiFi issue can occur due to an outdated or faulty printer driver. So, if you working through an outdated or faulty printer driver, you can encounter this issue. In such situations, you have to update the printer driver, and check if this process works.
In order to begin this process, you have to navigate to the official websites and then, verify the compatibility. Now, locate whether the latest version of the drivers is available. But, before performing this task you have to note down the model number of the Brother printer. Therefore, to perform this action, follow the steps below:
Firstly, press the Windows logo key and R simultaneously. This process will launch the Run dialog box. Now, in the Run dialog box, simply enter ‘devmgmt.msc.’ After that, hit the Enter key in order to navigate to Device Manager. Here, you need to select the name of your Brother printer device and right-click on the driver that you would like to update. When it is done, select the Update Printer Driver button. After that, you need to confirm whether you want to update the drivers or not. If yes, then tap on the ‘Search Automatically For Updated Driver Software’ button. Now, follow the on-screen guidelines in order to download the printer driver on your device. After successfully installing the printer driver, restarts your device and check if the issue gets eliminated.
Method 7: Check Default Printer Settings
If your Brother printer is still showing won’t connect to the WiFi message, then you can check the default printer settings and change it. To change the default settings, proceed with the instructions:
- First of all, click on the Start menu.
- Then, navigate to the ‘Settings’.
- Now, click on the ‘Devices’ option.
- Next, tap on the ‘Printers & Scanners’ option that is located on the left pane.
- Now, scroll to select the ’Let Windows Manage My Default Printer’ button.
- Finally, turn the button Off, and see whether the issue gets removed or not.
Method 8: Perform a Windows Update
To keep your PC safe and secure, you have to keep updating Windows with the current system updates. This process also helps fixes any difficulties or issues you might be experiencing with the peripherals, such as the printer. Here’s how to check and install the Windows Update on a manual basis:
- Navigate to the ‘Start ‘ button.
- Then, type “Windows Update” into the search field.
- Now, from the result list, select the ‘Windows Update Settings.’
- Then, click on the ‘Check For Updates’ option.
- If the updates are available, then press the ‘Install Update’ button.
- When it is done, restart your system and see if the issue gets fixed or not.
Method 9: Clear Spooler Files and Restart Spooler Services
If none of the above methods works, then you may need to proceed with this method. This can be a reliable way to resolve such Brother printer related issues. Most of the users have reported that after clearing and restarting the spooler service, they found that the issue got removed.
Therefore, to do that, you have to click on the Start icon and then, navigate to the search field. Then, in the search field, enter “Services”. Now, select the “Service from the result list. Then, locate the ‘Print Spooler’, you can locate this option under the Services section. So, once you locate this option, simply click on that button and then, hit the Stop button as well as the OK button. After this process, you have to navigate to %WINDIR%\system32\spool\printers and then, tap on the File folder. To access it, you require admin privileges. Now, in this folder, delete all the data. Once you are done, go to the Service and double-tap on the Print Spooler, once again.
Furthermore, go to the Start button and navigate to the Startup Type list. Then, check the Automatic box. Now, press the Apply button as well as the OK button to save the new changes.
Conclusion
The above-mentioned workarounds will definitely help you to resolve the Brother printer won’t connect to WiFi issue. However, if you are unable to perform this task, then you should take an expert assistant. Moreover, you can also post your doubts in the feedback section.
