Fix #1: Check If You're Using 5GHz WiFi
Log into your router's admin page (usually 192.168.1.1), navigate to WiFi settings, and check if your network name is the same for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. The first step is to confirm whether your WiFi network is using 5GHz, which your Brother printer can't connect to.
How to Check:
- 1. Log into your router's admin page (usually at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1)
- 2. Look for the WiFi settings or Wireless settings section
- 3. Check if your network name (SSID) is the same for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands
- 4. If they're the same, your router is using "band steering" (automatic band selection)
Why This Matters:
When your router uses the same network name for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz, devices automatically connect to whichever band the router thinks is best. Your printer might be trying to connect to the 5GHz band, which it doesn't support. The solution is to create separate network names so you can manually connect your printer to the 2.4GHz network.
Fix #2: Create a Separate 2.4GHz SSID
Log into your router, navigate to WiFi settings, find the option to name your bands separately, rename your 2.4GHz network to "YourNetworkName-2.4GHz," and connect your Brother printer to that network. This ensures your Brother printer connects to the 2.4GHz network instead of attempting 5GHz.
Steps:
- 1. Log into your router's admin interface
- 2. Navigate to the WiFi or Wireless settings
- 3. Find the option to name your 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks separately
- 4. Rename your 2.4GHz network to something like "YourNetworkName-2.4GHz"
- 5. Keep your 5GHz network as "YourNetworkName" or rename it to "YourNetworkName-5GHz"
- 6. Save the changes and wait for the router to restart
- 7. On your Brother printer, connect to the network that ends in "-2.4GHz"
Note:
After making this change, your other devices (phones, laptops) might disconnect and need to reconnect to WiFi. They'll see two network names now and you can choose which one to connect to. For most devices, 5GHz is faster but has shorter range.
Fix #3: Set WiFi Channel to Single Digit (Below 10)
Log into your router, go to WiFi settings, find the 2.4GHz channel setting, and change it from "Auto" to a specific channel below 10 (try channel 1, 6, or 9). Brother printers are picky about which WiFi channels they support.
Steps:
- 1. Log into your router's admin interface
- 2. Go to the WiFi or Wireless settings
- 3. Find the 2.4GHz channel setting
- 4. Change the channel from "Auto" to a specific channel number below 10 (try channel 1, 6, or 9)
- 5. Save the changes
- 6. Try connecting your Brother printer again
Why This Works:
Brother printers are manufactured for worldwide use, but different countries allow different WiFi channels. Channels 12 and 13 aren't allowed in the United States, so many Brother printers won't connect to them even if your router supports them. Using channels 1-9 ensures compatibility.
Fix #4: Disable MLO (Multi-Link Operation) for Mesh Routers
Open your mesh router's app (Google Home, Eero, or Netgear Orbi), go to WiFi settings or advanced network settings, look for "Multi-Link Operation" or "MLO," and disable it. MLO allows devices to use multiple WiFi bands simultaneously, which confuses older printer WiFi chips.
Steps:
- 1. Open your mesh router's app (like Google Home, Eero app, or Netgear Orbi app)
- 2. Go to WiFi settings or advanced network settings
- 3. Look for "Multi-Link Operation" or "MLO" settings
- 4. Disable MLO or turn off "WiFi 7 features"
- 5. Save the changes and wait for the mesh system to update
- 6. Try connecting your Brother printer again
Fix #5: Use WPS (WiFi Protected Setup) Button
On your Brother printer, go to Network settings, select "WPS," press the WPS button on your router when prompted, and wait 1-2 minutes for connection. If manually entering your WiFi password isn't working, try using WPS (WiFi Protected Setup).
Steps:
- 1. On your Brother printer, go to Network settings
- 2. Select "WPS" or "WiFi Protected Setup"
- 3. The printer will tell you to press the WPS button on your router
- 4. Go to your router and press the WPS button (usually on the back or side)
- 5. Wait 1-2 minutes for the printer to connect
- 6. The printer will display a confirmation when connected
Important:
WPS will connect your printer to whichever network is currently active. If your router has separate 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks with the same name, WPS might connect to the 5GHz network, which won't work. Make sure you've separated the networks (Fix #2) before using WPS.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Don't assume your printer supports 5GHz: Very few Brother printer models support 5GHz WiFi. Always use 2.4GHz.
- ✗Don't use special characters in your WiFi password: Some Brother printers have trouble with passwords containing special symbols. Stick to letters and numbers.
- ✗Don't place the printer too far from the router: 2.4GHz has better range than 5GHz, but walls and distance still matter. Try moving the printer closer during setup.
How to Prevent This Problem
- ✓Keep 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks separate: Always use different network names for each band so you can control which devices connect where.
- ✓Write down your 2.4GHz network name and password: Keep these handy for when you need to reconnect the printer.
- ✓Use a consistent WiFi channel: Don't let your router auto-switch channels, as this can cause the printer to lose connection.
- ✓Update printer firmware: Brother occasionally releases firmware updates that improve WiFi compatibility.