Unlocking Connectivity: How to Connect Brother MFC-J491DW to Your Network

The Brother MFC-J491DW is a versatile all-in-one printer that offers a wealth of features, including printing, scanning, copying, and faxing. But to truly unlock its potential, you need to connect it to your network. This guide will walk you through the process of connecting your Brother MFC-J491DW to your wireless network, ensuring seamless printing and document management.

Understanding Connection Methods

Before we dive into the specifics, let’s understand the available connection methods for the Brother MFC-J491DW:

• Wireless Connection: This is the most common and convenient method, allowing you to print from any device on your network without the need for cables.
• Wired Connection: This method uses an Ethernet cable to connect your printer directly to your router. It’s ideal for situations where wireless connectivity is unstable or unreliable.
• USB Connection: This method connects the printer directly to a single computer via a USB cable. While simple, it limits printing to that specific computer.

Connecting Your Brother MFC-J491DW Wirelessly

For most users, wireless connectivity is the preferred choice. Here’s how to connect your Brother MFC-J491DW wirelessly:
1. Power On and Prepare: Turn on your printer and ensure your router is powered on and connected to the internet.
2. Locate the Wireless Setup Menu: On the printer’s control panel, navigate to the “Network” or “Wireless” settings. You’ll likely find this under the “Setup” or “Menu” options.
3. Select Wireless Setup: Choose “Wireless Setup Wizard” or a similar option.
4. Scan for Networks: The printer will begin scanning for available wireless networks.
5. Select Your Network: Locate your network name (SSID) from the list and select it.
6. Enter Your Password: You’ll be prompted to enter your wireless network password. Carefully type it in and confirm.
7. Confirm Connection: The printer will attempt to connect to your network. Once successful, you’ll see a confirmation message on the display.

Connecting Your Brother MFC-J491DW Wirelessly (Alternative Method)

If the above method doesn‘t work, or if you need a more visual guide, you can use the following steps:
1. Connect to the Printer’s Network: On your computer or mobile device, connect to the Brother MFC-J491DW’s temporary network (usually named “Brother” or something similar). This network is created by the printer during the setup process.
2. Access the Setup Page: Open a web browser and enter the address “http://192.168.4.1” in the address bar. This will open the printer’s setup page.
3. Select Wireless Setup: In the setup page, navigate to the “Wireless” or “Network” section.
4. Follow On-Screen Instructions: The setup page will guide you through the process of connecting to your wireless network. You’ll need to enter your network name and password.
5. Confirm Connection: After entering your network information, the printer will attempt to connect. You’ll receive a confirmation message upon successful connection.

Connecting Your Brother MFC-J491DW Wired (Ethernet)

If you prefer a wired connection, follow these steps:
1. Connect the Cable: Using an Ethernet cable, connect your printer to an available port on your router.
2. Check for Connection: The printer’s display should show a network connection.
3. Configure IP Address (Optional): If you need to manually configure the printer’s IP address, you can access the setup page by entering “http://192.168.4.1” in your web browser.

Troubleshooting Connection Issues

If you encounter problems connecting your Brother MFC-J491DW, try these troubleshooting tips:

• Check Network Strength: Ensure your wireless signal is strong in the area where the printer is located. Weak signals can cause connection problems.
• Restart Devices: Power off your printer, router, and computer, then power them back on one at a time. This can often resolve temporary connection issues.
• Verify Network Password: Double-check that you entered the correct network password.
• Update Printer Drivers: Make sure you have the latest drivers installed for your Brother MFC-J491DW. Outdated drivers can cause compatibility issues.
• Contact Brother Support: If none of these solutions work, reach out to Brother support for assistance.

Connecting Your Brother MFC-J491DW to Your Computer

Once your printer is connected to your network, you can easily print from your computer. Here’s how:
1. Install Drivers: Download and install the latest drivers for your Brother MFC-J491DW from the Brother website.
2. Add Printer: Open your computer’s printer settings and add a new printer.
3. Select Brother MFC-J491DW: Choose your Brother MFC-J491DW from the list of available printers.
4. Configure Settings: You may need to configure a few settings, such as the default paper tray and print quality.

Connecting Your Brother MFC-J491DW to Mobile Devices

The Brother MFC-J491DW supports mobile printing, allowing you to print from your smartphones and tablets. Here are some popular options:

• Brother iPrint&Scan App: Download the Brother iPrint&Scan app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android). This app lets you print documents, photos, and web pages directly from your mobile device.
• AirPrint (Apple Devices): Apple devices with iOS or macOS can print wirelessly to the Brother MFC-J491DW using AirPrint.
• Google Cloud Print: You can also set up your printer for Google Cloud Print, allowing you to print from any device with a web browser.

Enjoying Seamless Printing

Connecting your Brother MFC-J491DW to your network opens up a world of possibilities. You can print from multiple devices, scan documents directly to your computer, and manage your printing tasks with ease. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure a smooth and efficient printing experience.

Beyond the Basics: Maximizing Your Brother MFC-J491DW

• Faxing: The Brother MFC-J491DW offers fax capabilities. You can send and receive faxes directly from the printer or through your computer.
• Scanning: This printer allows you to scan documents and photos, saving them to your computer or a network folder.
• Copying: You can easily make copies of documents and photos using the printer’s built-in copier.
• Customizing Settings: Explore the printer’s settings menu to customize paper types, print quality, and other options to suit your specific needs.

Answers to Your Questions

1. What if my printer doesn’t appear in the list of available networks?

• If your printer doesn’t show up in the list of networks, ensure that your router’s Wi-Fi is enabled and broadcasting. You might need to restart your router or check if your network is hidden.

2. Can I connect my Brother MFC-J491DW to multiple devices?

• Yes, you can connect your printer to multiple devices on your network. Once it’s connected, any device on the same network can access it for printing.

3. What if I forget my network password?

• If you forget your network password, you’ll need to access your router’s settings to retrieve it or reset the password.

4. Can I print from my mobile device without connecting to the network?

• While you can print directly from your mobile device using a USB cable, you can’t print without connecting to the network unless you use a cloud printing service like Google Cloud Print.

5. Where can I find the latest drivers for my Brother MFC-J491DW?

• You can download the latest drivers from the Brother website. Go to the support section and search for your printer model.