A Brother printer that won't connect to your computer can halt your productivity and lead to frustration—especially when you need a printout urgently. This issue is more common than you might think and can result from a variety of causes, ranging from faulty cables and outdated drivers to network problems and OS mismatches.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore all the reasons your Brother printer may not be connecting to your computer and provide step-by-step solutions for both Windows and Mac systems.

Common Causes of Connection Issues

Understanding the root of the problem will make fixing it much easier. Here are the most typical causes when your Brother printer won’t connect to a computer:

Loose or damaged USB cable
Outdated or incompatible printer driver
Wireless connectivity issues (Wi-Fi or network conflicts)
Incorrect printer settings
System bugs or firewall blocks
USB ports or Wi-Fi adapters malfunctioning
Device or printer not set as default
Printer firmware is outdated

Let’s break down the solutions based on connection types: USB, Wi-Fi, and Wired Network (Ethernet).

Method 1: Fixing USB Connection Problems

A USB-connected Brother printer may not be detected due to port issues, cable damage, or missing drivers.

Step-by-Step Fix:

Inspect the USB Cable
- Disconnect and reconnect the cable.
- Try a different USB port on your PC or Mac.
- Avoid using USB hubs; plug directly into the computer.
Check Device Recognition
- On Windows: Press Win + R > type devmgmt.msc > hit Enter.
- Expand "Universal Serial Bus controllers" and "Printers".
- Look for your Brother printer. If you see a yellow triangle, there’s a driver issue.
Reinstall the Driver
- Go to Brother Site.
- Search for your printer model and download the latest driver.
- Uninstall the old driver from Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a program.
- Install the downloaded driver and restart your PC.
Check Printer Status
- Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
- Right-click your Brother printer and choose Set as default.
- Print a test page.

Method 2: Fixing Wi-Fi Connectivity Issues

Wireless Brother printers often face connection issues due to incorrect network setup, router problems, or IP conflicts.

Step-by-Step Fix:

Ensure Same Network Connection
- Your printer and computer must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Check the SSID (network name) from printer settings:
  Menu > Network > WLAN > TCP/IP > IP Address.
Re-run Wireless Setup
- On the printer’s control panel, go to:
  Menu > Network > WLAN > Setup Wizard.
- Select your Wi-Fi network and enter the password.
Assign Static IP (Optional but Recommended)
- Prevents IP conflict or disconnection after reboot.
- Set a static IP via router or from the printer’s network menu.
Add Printer on PC
- Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners > Add a printer.
- Wait for your Brother printer to appear and click Add.
- If it doesn’t show up, click “The printer that I want isn’t listed” and add by IP address.
Mac Users
- Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners > +.
- Select your printer or click IP tab to enter the IP manually.

Method 3: Ethernet (Wired) Connection Fixes

If you're using a wired network (LAN), check these settings:

Verify Ethernet Connection
- Ensure the Ethernet cable is properly inserted into the printer and router.
- Green lights near the port usually confirm a good connection.
Print Network Configuration Page
- Go to Menu > Print Reports > Network Config.
- Look for the IP address and verify it’s valid (e.g., 192.168.x.x).
Add Printer by IP Address
- Open Devices and Printers > Add a printer > Add by TCP/IP.
- Enter the IP address from the configuration page.
Disable Firewall Temporarily
- Some firewalls or antivirus software block printer discovery.
- Temporarily disable it and try reconnecting the printer.

Other Essential Fixes

Restart Devices

Reboot the printer, computer, and router to clear cached connection problems.

Disable VPNs

VPNs can interfere with printer detection on local networks. Turn off VPN services while printing.

Update Windows or macOS

Make sure your operating system is up-to-date to ensure driver compatibility.

Check Firewall/Antivirus

Temporarily disable firewalls or antivirus software to see if they are blocking printer connections.

Reset Printer Settings

If all else fails, reset your Brother printer to factory settings:

Go to Menu > Initial Setup > Reset > All Settings.

Connecting Mobile Devices via Brother iPrint&Scan

If you're trying to connect your smartphone to the printer and it’s not detected:

Ensure mobile and printer are on the same Wi-Fi.
Open Brother iPrint&Scan App.
Tap “Select Printer” > Search or Manual IP Entry.

Test Printer Connectivity

After applying the fix, always perform a test:

On Windows:

Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
Right-click your Brother printer > Printer Properties > Print Test Page.

On Mac:

Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
Select printer > Options & Supplies > Utility > Print Test Page.

Prevent Future Connection Issues

To minimize chances of disconnection:

Use static IP address for wireless printers.
Regularly update printer drivers and firmware.
Turn off power-saving modes that may disable Wi-Fi.
Avoid placing printers too far from routers.
Use Brother’s official apps and tools for setup and maintenance.

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FAQs on Brother Printer Not Connecting to Computer

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions to help you troubleshoot faster:

Why is my Brother printer not showing up on my PC?

Your printer may be offline, not on the same network, or the driver is missing. Try reconnecting and reinstalling the driver.

How do I reconnect my Brother printer to Wi-Fi?

Go to the printer’s control panel:
Menu > Network > WLAN > Setup Wizard.
Select your network and enter the password.

What cable do I need for a wired connection?

A standard USB A-B cable for direct computer connection, or an Ethernet cable for LAN setup.

Can I use my Brother printer wirelessly without a router?

Yes, via Wi-Fi Direct, but only for temporary direct printing from a mobile device.

Why is the printer connected but still not printing?

Check for print queue errors, set it as the default printer, or update the driver. You may also need to clean the print heads.

Does the printer need internet access to connect to a computer?

No, but it needs to be on the same local network as the computer (for wireless printing).

My printer worked before. Why isn’t it connecting now?

It could be due to an IP address change, recent software update, or router reset. Re-run the wireless setup.

How can I find my Brother printer's IP address?

Print the Network Configuration Page from the control panel:
Menu > Print Reports > Network Config.

What should I do if my printer connects via USB but not over Wi-Fi?

Check Wi-Fi credentials, restart both devices, and assign a static IP to the printer.

Is there a mobile app to manage Brother printers?

Yes, Brother iPrint&Scan app lets you scan, print, and configure the printer from your phone.

How do I update my Brother printer’s firmware?

Download the Firmware Update Tool from Brother’s website and follow on-screen instructions via USB.

My Mac won’t detect my Brother printer. What should I do?

Check if the printer is AirPrint-compatible. If not, download the macOS-specific driver from Brother’s support site.

Why does my Brother printer go offline after every reboot?

Use a static IP address or reserve one in your router to maintain a consistent network identity.

How do I install my Brother printer without a CD?

Download the latest driver and full software package.

Should I uninstall and reinstall the printer?

Yes, especially if you recently updated your OS or changed your network. This often resolves undetected printer issues.

Is my firewall blocking the printer?

Possibly. Temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus, and test the connection. Add the printer software to the “allowed” list.

What is a WSD port and should I use it?

WSD (Web Services for Devices) is used in Windows auto-detection. Sometimes it causes issues—try setting a Standard TCP/IP Port manually.

What does “printer driver unavailable” mean?

This means the driver is either missing or incompatible. Download the correct version for your OS from Brother’s website.

How can I prevent this problem in the future?

Keep your printer firmware and driver up to date, use static IP addresses, and avoid frequent changes to your Wi-Fi settings.