How to Set Up a Brother Printer

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

This guide will help you set up your Brother printer to be able to use it. The printer can be connected directly to a computer with a USB cable, or connected to a network with an Ethernet cable or over Wi-Fi.

Tools You'll Need:

  • No extra tools are needed.

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Supplies You'll Need:

  • USB or Ethernet cable (for wired connection only)
  • Power cable
  • Ink cartridges
  • Paper

Before You Begin:

Make sure the following are completed:

  • Printer is unboxed
  • Power cable is connected
  • Ink cartridges are installed
  • Paper is placed in the tray
  • Print heads are aligned

Only connect the printer to a computer when instructed to do so in the setup software.

Brother.

2. Connect Your Brother Printer to Wi-Fi

Show Me HowClicking this button will open a new guide that will provide you with steps to resolve your issue.

3. Introduction

Connecting your printer to your router with an Ethernet cable allows you to print from virtually any device connected to the same router. This may save you space by reducing the number of printers you need, and a good amount of money on the ink cartridges they would go through. This guide will go over steps to get your printer connected to your router via ethernet cable.

In order to complete these steps, you will need a router attached to your modem, an additional ethernet cable available, and your printer must have an ethernet port on the rear.

The back of a Brother printer with an ethernet cable being plugged in.



4. Connect via Ethernet

  1. In order to connect to a wired Ethernet connection, your printer needs to have an Ethernet port on the rear. This will vary depending on the model printer you have.
Ethernet port on rear of printer.
  1. Acquire an Ethernet cable and connect it to the port on the back of the printer.
Ethernet cable.
  1. Take the other end of the Ethernet cable and plug it into your router's Ethernet port.
Ethernet cable being plugged into router.
  1. This is all that is needed to get your printer physically connected to your network.

5. Download Software

  1. Using your computer's web browser, navigate to the Brother website.
Web browser navigating to the Brother website.
  1. Click on Software Download.
Brother website highlighting the software download link. Screenshot.
  1. Under the U.S.A. header, click on Printers / Fax Machines / DCPs / Multi-functions.
Brother website highlighting the printers link under the USA header. Screenshot.
  1. Click on USA / Canada / Latin America.
Brother website highlighting the usa region link. Screenshot.
  1. Click on United States(English).
Brother website highlighting the US English language selection. Screenshot.
  1. Click on Product Search.
Brother website highlighting the product search link. Screenshot.
  1. Enter your printer's model number into the search box and click Search.
Brother website highlighting the product search box. Screenshot.
  1. To find your printer's model number, check in these common locations on your Brother printer:
Examples of common locations to find your printer's model number. Illustration.
  1. Once you have reached your printer's support page, click Downloads.
Brother website highlighting the downloads link. Screenshot.
  1. Select your computer's operating system.
Brother website displaying a list of available operating systems to choose from. Screenshot.
  1. On the list of available downloads, select Full Driver & Software Package.
Brother website highlighting the full driver and software package link. Screenshot.
  1. Click Agree to the EULA and Download.
Brother website highlighting the agree to the EULA and download button. Screenshot.
  1. Your download should begin. Depending on what browser you've used, you may have to click Run or Save to continue, or simply click the file that's downloaded to launch the installer.
Example of a web browser downloading the selected file.
  1. If the installation does not automatically begin, you may have to open the file manually.
  2. Take note of the name of the file that was downloaded:
  3. Windows - files typically download to your Downloads folder.
  4. macOS - files typically download to the Downloads folder in the Dock.
  5. Click on File Explorer from your taskbar.
Windows taskbar highlighting the File Explorer icon.
  1. Click the Downloads folder underneath Quick access in the left-hand column. Then, locate and double-click the installation file that downloaded.
Windows File Explorer window highlighting the downloads folder and the most recently downloaded file.
  1. The software installation should now begin.

6. Connect via Ethernet

To install your Brother printer on a wired network using an Ethernet cable:

  1. You can launch the installer from the CD that came with your printer or from the file you downloaded using your internet browser. It is however recommended to launch it from the latter to install the latest software available.
  2. Choose your language and click on Next.
Language selection screen in printer software installer.
  1. Check the box to accept the license agreement and click on Next.
License Agreement acceptance screen.

  1. Select the Wired Network Connection (Ethernet) type and click on Next.
Connection type selection screen.
  1. If you haven't already, connect the printer to your router using an Ethernet cable, make sure it's turned on click on Next.
Ethernet cable connection screen.
  1. The printer should be recognized on the network. If it isn't, then click on Refresh. Once the printer is found, click on it's entry in the list then click on Next.
Network printer selection screen.
  1. Select Standard for the installation type then click on Next.
Installation type selection screen.
  1. Wait for the installation process to complete.
Installation progress screen.

  1. Click on Next once the installation completes.
Product research and support program customization screen.

  1. Click on Brother Registration if you want to register your printer, User's Guides if you want to review information on how to use the printer or on Finish to exit the setup.
Software install completion screen.

7. Connect via USB (Prep)

This is just a preparatory step. Only perform it when requested by the installation software.

  1. Acquire a USB cable compatible with the printer. One end (1) goes into the computer and the other end (2) goes into the printer.
Printer USB cable.

  1. Locate the USB ports on the front, back or sides of the computer.
USB ports on front of PC case.
  1. Locate the USB port on the side or back of the printer. Make sure not to confuse it with the any other ports that might be next to it. Look for the USB symbol next to the port. The number and layout of the ports varies by printer.
USB port on back of printer.

8. Download Software

  1. Using your computer's web browser, navigate to the Brother website.
Web browser navigating to the Brother website.
  1. Click on Software Download.
Brother website highlighting the software download link. Screenshot.
  1. Under the U.S.A. header, click on Printers / Fax Machines / DCPs / Multi-functions.
Brother website highlighting the printers link under the USA header. Screenshot.
  1. Click on USA / Canada / Latin America.
Brother website highlighting the usa region link. Screenshot.
  1. Click on United States(English).
Brother website highlighting the US English language selection. Screenshot.
  1. Click on Product Search.
Brother website highlighting the product search link. Screenshot.
  1. Enter your printer's model number into the search box and click Search.
Brother website highlighting the product search box. Screenshot.
  1. To find your printer's model number, check in these common locations on your Brother printer:
Examples of common locations to find your printer's model number. Illustration.
  1. Once you have reached your printer's support page, click Downloads.
Brother website highlighting the downloads link. Screenshot.
  1. Select your computer's operating system.
Brother website displaying a list of available operating systems to choose from. Screenshot.
  1. On the list of available downloads, select Full Driver & Software Package.
Brother website highlighting the full driver and software package link. Screenshot.
  1. Click Agree to the EULA and Download.
Brother website highlighting the agree to the EULA and download button. Screenshot.
  1. Your download should begin. Depending on what browser you've used, you may have to click Run or Save to continue, or simply click the file that's downloaded to launch the installer.
Example of a web browser downloading the selected file.
  1. If the installation does not automatically begin, you may have to open the file manually.
  2. Take note of the name of the file that was downloaded:
  3. Windows - files typically download to your Downloads folder.
  4. macOS - files typically download to the Downloads folder in the Dock.
  5. Click on File Explorer from your taskbar.
Windows taskbar highlighting the File Explorer icon.
  1. Click the Downloads folder underneath Quick access in the left-hand column. Then, locate and double-click the installation file that downloaded.
Windows File Explorer window highlighting the downloads folder and the most recently downloaded file.
  1. The software installation should now begin.

9. Connect via USB

To install your Brother printer locally using a USB cable:

  1. You can launch the installer from the CD that came with your printer or from the file you downloaded using your internet browser. It is however recommended to launch it from the latter to install the latest software available.
  2. Choose your language and click on Next.
Language selection screen in printer software installer.
  1. Check the box to accept the license agreement and click on Next.
License agreement acceptance screen.

  1. Select the Local Connection (USB) type and click on Next.
Printer connection type selection screen.

  1. Connect the printer to your computer using a USB cable, make sure it's turned on click on Next.
USB cable connection screen.

  1. Select Standard for the installation type then click on Next.
Software installation type selection screen.

  1. Wait for the installation process to complete.
Installation progress screen.

  1. Click on Next once the installation completes.
Product research and support program customization screen.

  1. Click on Brother Registration if you want to register your printer, User's Guides if you want to review information on how to use the printer or on Finish to exit the setup.
Printer software install completion screen.