Quick notes
- With a wireless Brother printer, you can ditch the cables and enjoy the freedom of printing from anywhere in your home or office.
- This guide will walk you through the simple steps on how to connect your Brother printer to your Mac wirelessly, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free printing experience.
- Open any document you want to print, such as a Word document, a PDF, or a web page.
Printing documents from your Mac has never been easier! With a wireless Brother printer, you can ditch the cables and enjoy the freedom of printing from anywhere in your home or office. This guide will walk you through the simple steps on how to connect your Brother printer to your Mac wirelessly, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free printing experience.
Getting Started: Essential Requirements
Before we dive into the connection process, let’s ensure you have everything you need:
- Brother Printer: Make sure your Brother printer is compatible with wireless printing and that it has a built-in wireless network adapter.
- Mac Computer: Your Mac should be running macOS 10.11 or later.
- Wireless Network: Both your printer and Mac need to be connected to the same wireless network.
- Printer Drivers: The latest printer drivers for your specific Brother model are essential for optimal performance.
Step 1: Power Up and Connect to Your Network
1. Power On Your Printer: Turn on your Brother printer and make sure it’s connected to a power source.
2. Locate the Wireless Setup Button: Look for a button labeled “Wireless” or “Wi-Fi” on your printer’s control panel. This button may be a dedicated button or part of a multi-function button.
3. Connect to Your Network: Follow the on-screen instructions on your printer’s display to connect to your wireless network. You’ll likely need to enter your network password.
Step 2: Download and Install the Brother Printer Drivers
1. Visit the Brother Website: Go to the official Brother website (https://www.brother.com/).
2. Find Your Printer Model: Locate the “Support” or “Downloads” section and search for your specific Brother printer model.
3. Download the Drivers: Choose the latest drivers available for your Mac operating system.
4. Install the Drivers: Double-click the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the drivers.
Step 3: Adding Your Printer to Your Mac
1. Open System Preferences: On your Mac, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select “System Preferences.”
2. Choose Printers & Scanners: Select the “Printers & Scanners” icon.
3. Add a Printer: Click the “+” button at the bottom left of the window to add a new printer.
4. Select Your Brother Printer: Your Brother printer should appear in the list of available printers. Select it and click “Add.”
Step 4: Testing Your Connection
1. Open a Document: Open any document you want to print, such as a Word document, a PDF, or a web page.
2. Select Print: Go to the “File” menu and choose “Print.”
3. Choose Your Printer: Make sure your Brother printer is selected as the destination printer.
4. Print Your Document: Click “Print” and watch as your document prints smoothly.
Troubleshooting Tips for Common Issues
While connecting your Brother printer to your Mac is usually a straightforward process, you might encounter some minor hiccups. Here are some troubleshooting tips:
- Check Your Network Connection: Ensure both your printer and Mac are connected to the same wireless network and that the internet connection is stable.
- Restart Your Devices: Sometimes, a simple restart of both your printer and Mac can resolve connection issues.
- Update Your Drivers: Make sure you have the latest printer drivers installed from the Brother website.
- Check the Firewall: Temporarily disable your Mac’s firewall to see if it’s interfering with the connection.
- Reset the Printer: If all else fails, reset your Brother printer to factory settings and try connecting again.
Beyond Basic Printing: Exploring Advanced Features
Once you’ve successfully connected your Brother printer to your Mac, you can explore its advanced features:
- Scanning: Use your Brother printer’s scanner to scan documents and photos directly to your Mac.
- Faxing: Send and receive faxes using your printer’s built-in fax capabilities.
- Mobile Printing: Print from your iPhone, iPad, or Android device using Brother’s mobile printing apps.
Printing Perfection: Enjoying Seamless Wireless Printing
By following these simple steps, you’ve successfully connected your Brother printer to your Mac wirelessly. Now you can enjoy the convenience of printing from anywhere in your home or office without the hassle of cables.
Popular Questions
Q: My Brother printer isn‘t showing up in the list of available printers. What should I do?
A: Make sure your printer is powered on and connected to the same wireless network as your Mac. Check if the printer is in “setup mode” or “wireless mode” by following the instructions in your printer’s manual.
Q: I’m having trouble connecting to my wireless network. What can I do?
A: Double-check your network password and make sure it’s correctly entered on the printer’s display. If you’ve recently changed your password, you’ll need to update it on the printer.
Q: How do I update the printer drivers?
A: Visit the Brother website, locate your printer model, and download the latest drivers for your Mac operating system. Install the drivers by double-clicking the downloaded file and following the on-screen instructions.
Q: Can I print from my iPhone or iPad?
A: Yes, many Brother printers support mobile printing. Download the Brother iPrint&Scan app from the App Store or Google Play and follow the instructions to connect your printer to your mobile device.
Q: What if my printer is not compatible with wireless printing?
A: If your printer doesn‘t have a built-in wireless network adapter, you can connect it to your Mac using a USB cable. However, you won’t be able to print wirelessly.