Wireless printing is a major convenience — until your Brother printer suddenly refuses to print over Wi-Fi. Whether your printer is connected but not printing, offline on your network, or simply unresponsive, this issue is more common than you might think.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore why your Brother printer isn’t printing wirelessly and walk you through step-by-step solutions to resolve the problem and get back to seamless printing.

🚨 Common Reasons Why Brother Printer Won’t Print Wirelessly
Before jumping into fixes, it’s helpful to understand what might be causing the issue:

Weak or lost Wi-Fi connection
Printer not connected to the same network as your device
Incorrect printer settings
Outdated printer drivers or firmware
Conflicts with security software or firewall
Offline printer status
IP address mismatch or router changes

🔧 How to Fix Brother Printer Not Printing Wirelessly
✅ 1. Check Wi-Fi Connection on the Printer
Go to your Brother printer's control panel.
Access Network Settings or Wi-Fi Setup Wizard.
Ensure the printer is connected to your home Wi-Fi network.
Print a network configuration report to confirm connection details.

✅ 2. Make Sure Printer and Computer Are on the Same Network
Your computer or mobile device must be connected to the same Wi-Fi as your printer.
Avoid public, guest, or dual-band (2.4GHz vs 5GHz) mismatch.

✅ 3. Restart Devices and Network Equipment
Restart the printer, computer, and router.
Unplug the router and printer, wait 30 seconds, then plug them back in.
This often resets IP conflicts and connectivity bugs.

✅ 4. Set Brother Printer as Default
Windows:

Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers
Right-click your Brother printer and choose “Set as default printer.”
Mac:

Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners
Choose your Brother printer from the drop-down.

✅ 5. Remove and Reinstall the Printer
Delete the existing printer from your device settings.
Reconnect wirelessly using Brother’s setup tools or the iPrint&Scan app.
For mobile users, reconnect via Wi-Fi Direct if necessary.

✅ 6. Update Printer Driver and Firmware
Visit the Brother Support Website and download:

The latest driver for your OS
Any firmware updates for your printer model
Outdated drivers can cause compatibility and connectivity problems.

✅ 7. Disable Firewall or Antivirus Temporarily
Some security tools can block wireless communication with the printer.
Disable firewall or antivirus briefly to test print command.
⚠️ Be sure to re-enable protection afterward.

✅ 8. Check Printer Status in Devices
Make sure the Brother printer is not paused or offline.
Go to Devices and Printers > Right-click Printer > See What’s Printing
Uncheck Pause Printing and Use Printer Offline if they are enabled.

✅ 9. Assign a Static IP to the Printer
If your router assigns a new IP after rebooting, the connection may break.

Set a static IP for your Brother printer via the printer control panel or router admin panel.
Update the IP in your printer settings on your computer.

✅ 10. Use Brother’s Wireless Setup Utility
Brother offers a Wireless Setup Helper or iPrint&Scan software for easier configuration.
These tools automatically detect your network and guide you through reconnection.

📱 Mobile Printing Tip:
If printing from Android or iOS, ensure:

You're using Brother's iPrint&Scan app
The phone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network
Permissions are enabled for network access

❓ FAQs – Brother Printer Not Printing Wirelessly
Q1. Why is my Brother printer connected but not printing wirelessly?
Answer: It could be due to a communication issue, IP conflict, outdated driver, or misconfigured settings. Try restarting all devices and checking network configuration.

Q2. How can I reconnect my Brother printer to Wi-Fi?
Answer: Use the printer’s control panel:

Go to Menu > Network > WLAN > Setup Wizard
Select your Wi-Fi network and enter the password
Confirm connection and print a test page

Q3. Does my Brother printer need to be near the router?
Answer: Yes. A weak Wi-Fi signal can cause intermittent issues. Keep the printer within a reasonable range of the router to maintain strong connectivity.

Q4. Can I print wirelessly from my phone to a Brother printer?
Answer: Absolutely! Use Brother's iPrint&Scan app available on Android and iOS. Ensure your phone and printer are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Q5. What should I do if my printer prints via USB but not wirelessly?
Answer: That indicates a network-specific issue. Check the wireless setup, update drivers, and make sure your firewall or antivirus isn’t blocking communication.

📝 Conclusion
If your Brother printer is not printing wirelessly, don’t panic. This issue is usually caused by minor misconfigurations or outdated drivers. With the steps above, you can diagnose and resolve the issue quickly. Regular updates, stable Wi-Fi, and correct network settings are key to smooth wireless printing.

If problems persist even after troubleshooting, contact Brother Support or use their online diagnostic tools for professional help.