Revolutionize Your Printing Experience: How to Connect Wireless Brother Printer After Changing Router

Switching routers can be a necessary upgrade for your home network, but it often comes with the inconvenience of reconnecting all your devices, including your trusty Brother printer. This guide will walk you through the process of how to connect your wireless Brother printer after changing your router, making the transition smooth and hassle-free.

1. Understand the Basics: Router and Printer Settings

Before diving into the connection process, it’s essential to grasp the fundamental settings involved. Your router is the central hub of your home network, assigning IP addresses to connected devices. Your Brother printer, like any other wireless device, needs to be assigned an IP address by your router to communicate with your computer. When you change your router, the old IP address assigned to your printer becomes invalid, requiring you to establish a new connection.

2. Prepare for the Connection: Essential Steps

To ensure a successful connection, start by gathering the necessary information and taking preliminary steps:

• Gather Your Router Information: Note down your new router’s name (SSID) and password. This is typically found on a sticker on the router itself or in the router’s configuration web page.
• Power Off and Disconnect: Turn off both your Brother printer and your computer. This helps prevent potential connection conflicts during the setup process.
• Locate the Printer’s User Manual: Have your Brother printer’s user manual handy. It contains specific instructions and troubleshooting tips relevant to your printer model.

3. Connect Your Printer to the New Router: Wireless Setup

With the preliminaries complete, you can now connect your Brother printer to the new router:

• Turn On the Printer: Power on your Brother printer and wait for it to initialize.
• Access the Printer’s Menu: Locate the “Wireless Setup” or “Network Setup” option on your printer’s control panel. This might involve pressing a specific button or navigating through a menu using the printer’s display.
• Select “Wireless Connection” or “Network Connection”: Choose the appropriate option to begin the wireless setup process.
• Scan for Available Networks: Your printer will scan for available wireless networks in your area.
• Select Your New Router’s Network: Identify your new router’s name (SSID) from the list and select it.
• Enter the Router Password: When prompted, enter your new router’s password.
• Confirm and Complete: Confirm the connection details and follow any on-screen instructions to finalize the wireless setup.

4. Connect Your Computer to the Printer: Windows and Mac

Once your Brother printer is connected to the new router, you need to establish a connection between your computer and the printer. The steps slightly differ depending on your operating system:
Windows:

• Open the “Devices and Printers” Control Panel: Search for “Devices and Printers” in the Windows search bar and open the control panel.
• Add a Printer: Click on “Add a printer” and follow the on-screen instructions.
• Select “Wireless Network” and “Brother”: Choose “Wireless network” as the connection type and select your Brother printer model from the list.
• Complete the Installation: Follow the prompts to complete the printer installation.

Mac:

• Open “System Preferences”: Click on the Apple icon in the top left corner of your screen and select “System Preferences.”
• Select “Printers & Scanners”: Choose the “Printers & Scanners” option.
• Click the “+” Button: Click the “+” button to add a new printer.
• Select “Brother” and Your Printer Model: Choose “Brother” as the manufacturer and select your specific printer model from the list.
• Complete the Installation: Follow the on-screen instructions to install the printer driver and finalize the setup.

5. Troubleshooting Tips: Common Issues and Solutions

While the connection process is straightforward, you might encounter some common issues. Here are some troubleshooting tips:

• Check the Router’s Connectivity: Ensure your router is properly powered on and connected to the internet.
• Verify the Wireless Signal: Ensure a strong wireless signal is reaching your printer’s location. Consider moving the printer closer to the router or using a wireless signal extender.
• Restart the Router and Printer: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve connection issues. Turn off both your router and printer, wait for a few minutes, and then power them back on.
• Check the Printer’s Status: Check your printer’s display or control panel for any error messages or status updates.
• Verify the Printer’s IP Address: Use your router’s configuration page to check if your printer has been assigned an IP address.
• Update the Printer Driver: Outdated printer drivers can cause compatibility issues. Download and install the latest driver from Brother’s website.
• Consult the User Manual: Refer to your Brother printer’s user manual for specific troubleshooting instructions and solutions.

6. Optimize Your Wireless Connection: Maximizing Performance

Once your Brother printer is connected, follow these tips to optimize your wireless connection:

• Place the Printer Near the Router: Position your printer closer to the router to minimize signal interference.
• Avoid Obstacles: Remove any physical barriers or objects that might obstruct the wireless signal, such as walls or furniture.
• Use a Wireless Signal Extender: Consider using a wireless signal extender if your router’s signal is weak in the printer’s location.
• Minimize Interference: Avoid using other wireless devices, such as microwaves or cordless phones, in close proximity to your router or printer.
• Update Router Firmware: Regularly update your router’s firmware to improve its performance and security.

7. The Final Step: Printing Success

With your Brother printer successfully connected to your new router, you can now enjoy seamless printing. Test your connection by printing a test page or a simple document to ensure everything is working correctly.

Beyond the Basics: Additional Tips

• Use a Wired Connection: For the most stable and reliable connection, consider using a wired Ethernet connection between your printer and router.
• Enable Bonjour (Mac): If you’re using a Mac computer, enable Bonjour in your printer’s settings to simplify printer discovery and connection.
• Consider a Network-Attached Storage (NAS) Device: For more advanced networking capabilities, such as shared printing and file storage, explore using a NAS device.

What You Need to Learn

Q1: What if my printer doesn‘t show up in the list of available networks?
A1: Ensure your printer is powered on and in wireless setup mode. Check that your router’s name (SSID) is spelled correctly and that your router’s password is entered accurately. You might need to restart both your printer and router.
Q2: How do I know if my printer is connected to the internet?
A2: Check your printer’s control panel for any network-related status updates or error messages. You can also try printing a test page or accessing the printer’s web interface (if available) to confirm its internet connectivity.
Q3: My printer is connected, but I can’t print. What should I do?
A3: Ensure the correct printer driver is installed on your computer. Check for any updates or compatibility issues with the driver. Verify that the printer is selected as the default printer in your operating system‘s settings.
Q4: Can I connect my Brother printer to multiple devices?
A4: Yes, you can typically connect your Brother printer to multiple devices on the same wireless network. Each device will need to have the correct printer driver installed and be connected to the same network.
Q5: Can I connect my Brother printer to a guest network?
A5: It’s possible to connect your Brother printer to a guest network, but it might limit its functionality. Guest networks often have restricted access to shared resources and printers, so you might encounter issues with printing. Consult your router’s documentation for more details.
By following these steps and troubleshooting tips, you can seamlessly connect your Brother printer to your new router and enjoy uninterrupted printing. Remember to consult your printer’s user manual for specific instructions and solutions tailored to your model. With a little effort and guidance, you can navigate the connection process with ease and get back to printing in no time.