Changing your router can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to reconnecting your wireless devices. If you’re a Brother wireless printer user, you might be wondering how to reconnect your printer after changing your router. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of reconnecting your Brother wireless printer to your new router.
Understanding the Connection Process
Before we dive into the step-by-step guide, it’s essential to understand how your Brother wireless printer connects to your router. Your printer uses a wireless network to communicate with your router, which allows you to print documents and photos wirelessly. When you change your router, your printer loses its connection to the old router and needs to be reconfigured to connect to the new one.
Types of Wireless Connections
There are two types of wireless connections that your Brother wireless printer can use to connect to your router:
- Infrastructure Mode: This is the most common type of wireless connection, where your printer connects to your router using a wireless network.
- Ad-Hoc Mode: This type of connection allows your printer to connect directly to your computer without the need for a router.
For this article, we’ll focus on reconnecting your Brother wireless printer using Infrastructure Mode.
Step 1: Gather Information and Equipment
Before you start the reconnection process, make sure you have the following information and equipment:
- Your new router’s SSID (network name) and password
- Your Brother wireless printer’s model number and serial number
- A computer or mobile device connected to your new router
- The Brother printer’s power cord and USB cable (if applicable)
Checking Your Printer’s Model Number and Serial Number
To find your Brother printer’s model number and serial number, follow these steps:
- Locate the printer’s control panel and press the “Menu” button.
- Select “Settings” or “Preferences” and then “About Printer” or “Printer Information.”
- Look for the model number and serial number on the display screen.
Step 2: Reset Your Brother Wireless Printer
Resetting your Brother wireless printer will remove any existing wireless settings and allow you to reconnect to your new router. To reset your printer, follow these steps:
- Locate the printer’s control panel and press the “Menu” button.
- Select “Settings” or “Preferences” and then “Reset” or “Restore Factory Settings.”
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset process.
Resetting Your Printer Using the Reset Button
If your printer has a reset button, you can use it to reset the printer. The reset button is usually located on the back or bottom of the printer. To reset your printer using the reset button, follow these steps:
- Locate the reset button and press it using a paper clip or pin.
- Hold the button for 5-10 seconds until the printer’s lights start flashing.
- Release the button and wait for the printer to complete the reset process.
Step 3: Connect Your Brother Wireless Printer to Your New Router
Now that you’ve reset your Brother wireless printer, it’s time to connect it to your new router. To do this, follow these steps:
- Locate the printer’s control panel and press the “Menu” button.
- Select “Settings” or “Preferences” and then “Wireless Settings” or “Wi-Fi Settings.”
- Select “Infrastructure Mode” and then “Search for Networks.”
- Select your new router’s SSID (network name) from the list of available networks.
- Enter your new router’s password and select “Apply” or “OK.”
Using the Brother iPrint&Scan App
If you’re using a mobile device, you can use the Brother iPrint&Scan app to connect your printer to your new router. To do this, follow these steps:
- Download and install the Brother iPrint&Scan app from the App Store or Google Play.
- Launch the app and select “Add Printer.”
- Select your Brother printer’s model number and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the connection process.
Step 4: Install the Brother Printer Driver
Once you’ve connected your Brother wireless printer to your new router, you need to install the printer driver on your computer. To do this, follow these steps:
- Go to the Brother website and select your printer’s model number.
- Download the printer driver and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
- Restart your computer and printer to ensure the driver is installed correctly.
Using the Brother Printer Driver Installation CD
If you have the Brother printer driver installation CD, you can use it to install the printer driver. To do this, follow these steps:
- Insert the CD into your computer’s CD drive.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
- Restart your computer and printer to ensure the driver is installed correctly.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you encounter any issues during the reconnection process, here are some troubleshooting tips to help you resolve them:
- Printer Not Found: Make sure your printer is turned on and connected to your new router. Check your router’s settings to ensure the printer is listed as a connected device.
- Connection Failed: Check your router’s password and ensure it’s correct. Try restarting your printer and router to resolve the issue.
- Printer Driver Not Installed: Check your computer’s device manager to ensure the printer driver is installed correctly. Try reinstalling the printer driver to resolve the issue.
Additional Tips
- Make sure your router’s firmware is up-to-date to ensure compatibility with your Brother wireless printer.
- Use a strong password for your router to prevent unauthorized access.
- Regularly update your Brother printer’s firmware to ensure you have the latest features and security patches.
By following these steps and troubleshooting tips, you should be able to reconnect your Brother wireless printer to your new router successfully. Remember to always refer to your printer’s user manual for specific instructions and guidelines.
Why do I need to reconnect my Brother wireless printer after changing my router?
When you change your router, your Brother wireless printer loses its connection to the network. This is because the printer was previously configured to connect to the old router’s network, which is no longer available. As a result, you need to reconnect your printer to the new router’s network to resume printing wirelessly.
The process of reconnecting your printer involves updating the printer’s network settings to match the new router’s settings. This includes updating the Wi-Fi network name (SSID), password, and other network settings. By doing so, you can re-establish a stable connection between your printer and the new router, allowing you to print wirelessly again.
What information do I need to reconnect my Brother wireless printer to the new router?
To reconnect your Brother wireless printer to the new router, you will need to know the following information: the Wi-Fi network name (SSID), the network password (also known as the WEP or WPA key), and the router’s IP address. You may also need to know the printer’s MAC address, which can be found on the printer’s label or in its documentation.
It’s essential to have this information readily available before starting the reconnection process. You can find the Wi-Fi network name and password on the router’s documentation or by contacting your internet service provider. The router’s IP address can usually be found in the router’s settings or documentation. Make sure to write down this information and keep it safe for future reference.
How do I find the Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and password of my new router?
The Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and password of your new router can usually be found on the router’s documentation, such as the user manual or the packaging. You can also find this information on the router itself, often on a label on the bottom or back of the device.
If you’re unable to find the Wi-Fi network name and password on the router or its documentation, you can try contacting your internet service provider for assistance. They may be able to provide you with the necessary information or guide you through the process of finding it. Alternatively, you can try logging into the router’s settings using a computer or mobile device to retrieve the information.
What is the difference between a WEP and WPA key, and which one do I need to use?
A WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) key and a WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) key are both types of passwords used to secure a Wi-Fi network. The main difference between the two is that WPA is a more secure protocol than WEP. WPA keys are typically longer and more complex than WEP keys, making them more difficult to hack.
When reconnecting your Brother wireless printer to the new router, you will need to use the WPA key (also known as the WPA2 key). This is because most modern routers and devices, including Brother wireless printers, use WPA as the default security protocol. If your router uses WEP, you may need to update the router’s settings to use WPA instead. Consult your router’s documentation for instructions on how to do this.
How do I update the network settings on my Brother wireless printer?
To update the network settings on your Brother wireless printer, you will need to access the printer’s control panel or settings menu. The exact steps may vary depending on the model of your printer, but generally, you will need to navigate to the “Network” or “Wi-Fi” settings and select the option to update the network settings.
Once you have accessed the network settings, you will need to enter the new router’s Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and password (WPA key). You may also need to select the correct network type (e.g., infrastructure mode) and update the printer’s IP address. Consult your printer’s documentation for specific instructions on how to update the network settings.
What if I’m having trouble reconnecting my Brother wireless printer to the new router?
If you’re having trouble reconnecting your Brother wireless printer to the new router, there are several things you can try. First, ensure that the printer is turned on and that the Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and password (WPA key) are correct. You can also try restarting the printer and the router to see if this resolves the issue.
If you’re still having trouble, you can try resetting the printer’s network settings to their default values. This will erase all of the printer’s network settings, so you will need to re-enter the new router’s Wi-Fi network name and password. Consult your printer’s documentation for instructions on how to reset the network settings. If none of these steps resolve the issue, you may need to contact Brother’s technical support for further assistance.
How do I know if my Brother wireless printer is successfully connected to the new router?
To confirm that your Brother wireless printer is successfully connected to the new router, you can try printing a test page wirelessly. If the print job is successful, this indicates that the printer is connected to the network and communicating with the router correctly.
You can also check the printer’s control panel or settings menu to see if it shows that the printer is connected to the network. Some printers may also have a Wi-Fi indicator light that will turn on or change color when the printer is connected to the network. Consult your printer’s documentation for specific instructions on how to check the printer’s connection status.