Beginner's Guide: Connecting a Brother Printer to Any Computer (Windows & Mac)

Whether you've just bought a new Brother printer or need help reconnecting it, getting your printer up and running doesn’t have to be complicated. This step-by-step guide is designed for beginners and will help you connect a Brother printer to any computer—whether you're using Windows or Mac, and whether you're connecting via USB or Wi-Fi.

🖨️ What You'll Need

Before you begin, make sure you have:

A Brother printer (powered on)

A USB cable (for wired connection)

Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and password (for wireless)

A Windows PC or Mac

Access to Brother Support to download drivers if needed

Method 1: 🔌 Connecting Brother Printer to Computer via USB

This is the easiest and fastest way to set up your printer.

✅ Steps for Both Windows and Mac:

Turn On the Printer

Make sure it's plugged in and powered on.

Connect the USB Cable

Plug one end into the printer and the other into your computer.

Install Brother Printer Driver

Visit https://support.brother.com

Enter your printer model (e.g., DCP-L2550DW)

Choose your operating system (Windows/macOS)

Download the Full Driver & Software Package

Run the installer and follow the on-screen setup steps

Print a Test Page

Once installation completes, try printing a test page to verify everything is working.

Method 2: 📶 Connecting Brother Printer to Computer via Wi-Fi (Wireless)

A wireless setup is ideal for shared or mobile printing without cables.

✅ Wireless Setup Using Printer’s Control Panel:

Power On the Printer

Navigate to WLAN Setup Wizard

On the printer’s control panel:

Go to: Menu > Network > WLAN > Setup Wizard

The printer will search for nearby Wi-Fi networks

Select Your Network

Choose your Wi-Fi name (SSID)

Enter your Wi-Fi password when prompted

Confirm the Connection

The printer will show “Connected” or print a confirmation page

Install Brother Software on Your Computer

Visit https://support.brother.com

Enter your model and OS

Download and install the Wireless Full Driver & Software Package

Choose Wireless During Installation

When prompted, select “Wireless Network Connection” and follow the on-screen setup.

Add the Printer on Your Computer

Windows: Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners > Add a Printer

Mac: Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners > + to Add

🧑‍💻 Additional Tips Based on Operating System

For Windows Users:

Check under Control Panel > Devices and Printers to confirm the printer appears.

If it’s not printing, right-click the printer and set it as default.

Ensure “Use Printer Offline” is unchecked.

For macOS Users:

Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners

Click the ‘+’ button to add the printer if not already listed.

Use the Brother driver, not “Generic,” for full functionality.

🧠 Troubleshooting: Brother Printer Not Connecting?

Problem Solution

Printer not detected Check USB cable or ensure devices are on same Wi-Fi

Installation fails Download the correct driver for your OS

Print jobs not going through Clear the print queue and restart the printer and computer

Printer offline Set as default printer and check network connectivity

🔄 Switching from USB to Wi-Fi (Optional)

You can easily switch from a USB setup to wireless:

Connect via USB first

Open Brother Printer software

Choose “Change connection type” or use Wireless Setup Wizard

Disconnect the USB after the wireless setup is complete

🔎 FAQs

Q1: Can I use a Brother printer without installing drivers?

Yes, but you won’t get full features. Installing the official driver ensures scanning and advanced printing options work properly.

Q2: Can I connect one Brother printer to multiple computers?

Yes, if it's connected over Wi-Fi, any device on the same network can use it.

Q3: What if I don’t know my Wi-Fi name or password?

Check your router label or contact your internet provider.

✅ Conclusion

Setting up a Brother printer is easier than it looks. Whether you're connecting via USB or going wireless via Wi-Fi, following these beginner-friendly steps will get your printer ready in minutes. Make sure to download the correct drivers from the Brother Support site and always check that your devices are connected properly.

Still having trouble? You can always reach out to Brother’s 24/7 support or use their automatic setup tools online.