Setting up a Brother printer on a Windows computer is usually simple. You can connect the printer with a USB cable, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or a wired network connection. Choose the connection method that matches your printer and follow the steps below.
USB Connection on Windows
- Turn on your Brother printer.
- Connect the printer to your Windows computer with a USB cable.
- Open the Brother support website and find the Downloads section for your printer model.
- Download the recommended printer driver and software.
- Open the downloaded setup file.
- Follow the instructions displayed on your screen.
- Select the USB connection option when asked.
- Allow the setup program to detect your printer.
- Complete the installation and print a test page.
Bluetooth Connection on Windows
If your Brother printer supports Bluetooth, you can connect it wirelessly to your computer.
- Turn on the printer and make sure Bluetooth is available on the printer.
- On your Windows computer, open Settings.
- Go to Bluetooth & devices.
- Turn Bluetooth on.
- Select Add device and choose the Bluetooth option.
- Select your Brother printer from the available devices.
- Wait for Windows to connect the printer.
- Install the appropriate Brother printer driver if Windows does not install one automatically.
- Follow the setup instructions to finish the installation.
- Print a test page to check the connection.
Wi-Fi Connection on Windows
A wireless network connection lets you print without connecting the printer directly to your computer.
- Turn on your Brother printer.
- Connect the printer to your Wi-Fi network using its control panel or setup utility.
- Make sure your Windows computer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
- Download the correct Brother printer software and driver for your model.
- Start the installation program.
- Select the Wireless Network or similar connection option.
- Choose your Brother printer when it appears in the setup list.
- Enter your Wi-Fi information if the setup asks for it.
- Continue through the installation instructions.
- Print a test page after setup is complete.
If the Printer Is Not Found
If the setup program cannot find your printer:
- Check that the printer is turned on.
- Make sure the printer and computer use the same Wi-Fi network.
- Move the printer closer to the wireless router if the signal is weak.
- Restart the printer and computer.
- Check that you installed the driver for the correct printer model.
Wired Network Connection on Windows
You can also connect a compatible Brother printer directly to your network router with an Ethernet cable.
- Turn on the Brother printer.
- Connect an Ethernet cable from the printer to your router or network switch.
- Connect your Windows computer to the same network.
- Download the appropriate Brother printer driver.
- Open the driver installation program.
- Select the Network connection option.
- Allow the setup program to search for your printer.
- Select your printer from the available devices.
- If required, enter the printer's network address during setup.
- Complete the installation and print a test page.
Add the Printer Manually in Windows 11
If Windows does not automatically detect your Brother printer, you can try adding it manually.
- Open Start > Settings.
- Select Bluetooth & devices.
- Click Printers & scanners.
- Select Add device.
- Wait while Windows searches for available printers.
- If your printer is not listed, choose the option to add it manually.
- Select the appropriate connection method.
- Choose or install the required Brother driver.
- Complete the setup.
- Print a test page to confirm that the printer is working.
Conclusion
Before installing the printer, keep your printer model number, USB cable or Wi-Fi password ready. Using the correct driver for your specific Brother printer can help avoid installation and printing problems.
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