How to Reconnect a Brother Printer to a New Wi‑Fi Network?

If you have replaced your Wi‑Fi router, changed the wireless password, or switched to a different internet provider, your Brother printer may lose its network connection. Because the printer stores the previous wireless settings, it will continue trying to connect to the old network until the new Wi‑Fi information is entered.
Fortunately, reconnecting a Brother printer to a new wireless network is usually a quick and straightforward process. After updating the network settings, you can continue printing wirelessly from your computer, laptop, smartphone, or tablet.
Why Does a Brother Printer Need to Be Reconnected?
When a Brother printer is first configured, it saves the Wi‑Fi network name and password. If either of these changes, the printer can no longer communicate with the router.
As a result, you may notice that:
- The printer appears offline
- Your computer cannot find the printer
- Print jobs remain in the queue
- Wireless printing stops working
Updating the printer with the new Wi‑Fi details restores the connection.
Check That the New Wi‑Fi Network Is Working
Before changing the printer settings, make sure the new wireless network is active.
- Connect another device, such as a phone or laptop, to the Wi‑Fi network.
- Confirm that the internet is working normally.
- Verify that the network name and password are correct.
If other devices can connect successfully, the network is ready for printer setup.
Place the Printer Near the Router
During the setup process, keep the printer close to the wireless router.
A stronger signal can:
- Speed up the connection process
- Reduce setup failures
- Improve wireless stability
You can move the printer back to its normal location after the connection is completed.
Open the Printer’s Wireless Settings
On the Brother printer control panel:
- Open Menu or Settings.
- Select Network, Wireless LAN, or Wi‑Fi Settings.
- Choose Setup Wizard or Wireless Setup.
The printer will begin searching for available wireless networks.
Choose the New Wi‑Fi Network
When the list of networks appears:
- Select your current Wi‑Fi network.
- Make sure you choose the correct network if several are displayed.
- Avoid selecting a guest network unless that is the network you intend to use.
Enter the Wi‑Fi Password
Type the wireless password carefully.
Keep in mind:
- Passwords are case-sensitive
- Uppercase and lowercase letters must match exactly
- Numbers and special characters must be entered correctly
After entering the password, confirm the selection and wait for the printer to connect.
Restart the Printer and Router
If the connection does not succeed on the first attempt:
- Turn off the printer.
- Restart the wireless router.
- Wait until the Wi‑Fi network is fully restored.
- Turn the printer back on and try the setup again.
Temporary communication issues are often resolved by restarting both devices.
Reset the Printer’s Network Settings
If the printer keeps trying to connect to the old network, reset its network configuration.
This removes the previously saved Wi‑Fi information and allows a fresh setup.
On most Brother printers:
- Open Menu.
- Select Network.
- Choose Network Reset or Reset Network Settings.
- Confirm the reset.
After the reset, reconnect the printer using the new Wi‑Fi details.
Check the Wi‑Fi Band
Many Brother printers support 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi only.
If your router broadcasts both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks:
- Connect the printer to the 2.4 GHz network.
- Make sure your computer or mobile device can also communicate with that network.
Using an unsupported Wi‑Fi band can prevent the printer from connecting.
Update the Printer Driver
After changing the wireless network, your computer may still be using the old printer connection.
Install the latest Brother printer driver for your model and operating system, then restart the computer.
An updated driver helps restore communication between the computer and the printer.
Update the Printer Firmware
Firmware updates can improve:
- Wireless reliability
- Router compatibility
- Security
- Overall printer performance
Keeping the firmware current can help prevent future connection problems.
Re-add the Printer on Your Computer
If the printer is connected to Wi‑Fi but still does not appear on your computer:
- Remove the old printer entry.
- Search for printers again.
- Select the Brother printer.
- Complete the installation.
This refreshes the network connection and allows the computer to detect the printer correctly.
Print a Test Page
After reconnecting the printer:
- Print a test page from the printer menu or your computer.
- Confirm that the page prints successfully.
A successful test print shows that the printer is connected to the new Wi‑Fi network and is communicating properly with your devices.
Common Reasons a Brother Printer Cannot Connect to a New Network
If the setup fails, check these possible causes:
- Incorrect Wi‑Fi password
- Printer still storing old network settings
- Weak wireless signal
- Unsupported 5 GHz connection
- Outdated printer driver
- Outdated printer firmware
- Router configuration issues
- Wireless interference
- Temporary software conflicts
- Incorrect network selection
Reviewing these areas can help identify the problem more quickly.
Tips to Keep Your Brother Printer Connected
To maintain a stable wireless connection:
- Keep the printer within good Wi‑Fi range.
- Update printer drivers regularly.
- Install firmware updates when available.
- Restart the printer occasionally.
- Keep the router firmware updated.
- Save the Wi‑Fi password securely.
- Reconnect the printer after changing network settings.
- Print a test page after major changes.
These habits can reduce future wireless connection issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why won’t my Brother printer connect to my new Wi‑Fi?
The printer may still have the old network information saved, the password may be incorrect, or there may be a router or network configuration issue.
Do I need to reset the printer before connecting to a new network?
Not always. However, resetting the network settings can help if the printer keeps trying to connect to the previous Wi‑Fi network.
Can I reconnect the printer without reinstalling it?
Yes. In many cases, you only need to update the wireless settings on the printer itself.
Should I update the printer driver after changing Wi‑Fi?
Yes. Updating the driver can improve communication between the printer and your computer.
Why is firmware important?
Firmware updates improve wireless stability, fix software bugs, and enhance compatibility with newer routers.
Conclusion
Reconnecting a Brother printer to a new Wi‑Fi network is usually a simple task. Most connection problems occur because the printer still contains the old wireless settings or the new network information was entered incorrectly.
By selecting the correct network, entering the proper password, restarting the devices, updating the printer driver and firmware, and resetting the network settings when needed, you can quickly restore wireless printing and keep your Brother printer connected reliably
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