Brother Printer Setup Issues: How to Finish a Setup That Keeps Failing

New laser printer saying "No Toner" the very first time you turn it on? Installer can't find the machine? The Wi-Fi report printed a code like TS-04, or your Mac added the printer but you can't scan? This guide follows a Brother setup in the order it really happens, so you can pick up right where yours stalled.

Every Brother setup has three stages. First, the printer gets itself ready: packing out, toner or ink in, and on inkjets, a first round of ink cleaning. Next, it joins your network or you connect a cable. Last, your computer, phone, or Chromebook gets what it needs to print, and to scan if it's an all-in-one.

A problem in the first stage can look exactly like a problem in the last one. If there's still an orange shipping piece on the toner and drum assembly, reinstalling the driver won't change a thing. That's why the steps below start at the printer and work outward.

The guide covers Brother's three main printer types: laser and LED printers (HL-L, DCP-L, and MFC-L models), cartridge inkjets (MFC-J models, including the INKvestment Tank line), and ink tank printers that fill from bottles (MFC-T and DCP-T models).

Where Did Your Brother Printer Setup Stop?

Think about the last thing that happened before setup went sideways, then jump to the matching step.

Why Brother Printer Setup Fails

Nearly every failed Brother setup comes back to one of three places.

At the printer

• Shipping material is still inside. Brother's laser setup sheets start with removing an orange part from the toner and drum assembly. Some inkjets, like the MFC-J1010DW, have an orange protective piece inside the ink cartridge cover. Miss one and the printer can throw an error before you've touched a computer.
• The supplies aren't seated. On lasers, the toner and drum go in as one assembly and need a firm push. On cartridge inkjets, each cartridge has to lock in. On ink tank models, a bottle that isn't fully on its pin won't flow.
• First-run prompts were skipped. Brother inkjets and ink tank printers walk you through date and time, firmware settings, a print quality check, and alignment. Leave those half done and the screen keeps nagging.

On the network

• The printer and router don't share a band or channel. Many Brother inkjets are 2.4 GHz only. Newer Brother lasers can use 5 GHz, but only on the channels Brother lists for that model.
• The router's security is newer than the printer. Some Brother models list WPA and WPA2 but not WPA3. A router set to WPA3 only will turn them away.
• Router features keep devices apart. MAC address filtering, a "privacy separator" or network isolation setting, or a hidden network name can all block setup.
• The printer and your device aren't really on the same network. A guest network, a second router plugged into the first, or a phone on cellular data all cause this.

On the computer or phone

• The software came from the wrong place. An old disc, a driver for a different model, or a lookalike "Brother setup" site.
• The USB cable went in too early. If Windows installs its own driver before Brother's installer runs, the installer may not find the printer.
• Security software or a VPN hides the printer. Brother's installer has to search your network, and firewalls and VPNs can stop it.
• Windows protected print mode is on. It's off by default, but when it's turned on, Brother's own drivers won't install.
• The laptop has an Arm processor. Brother's usual Windows software doesn't install on most models on Snapdragon-based Windows laptops.
• An app was told "Don't Allow." Macs, iPhones, and iPads ask before an app can look for devices on your network. Say no, and Brother's app can't see the printer.

How to Fix Brother Printer Setup Problems

Starting from scratch? Work through these steps in order. Stuck at one particular spot? Use the table above and jump straight to that step.

Step 1: Let the Printer Finish Its Own Setup First

Your printer has to finish its first-run routine before it can connect to anything. The Quick Setup Guide in the box shows the exact steps for your model, and Brother keeps current copies at support.brother.com/manuals. Here's where each type of Brother printer tends to trip people up.

Laser and LED printers (HL-L, DCP-L, MFC-L)

1. Peel off all the tape and film on the outside of the printer.
2. Open the front cover and lift out the toner cartridge and drum unit assembly. Take it out of its bag, remove the orange part, then slide the assembly back in and push firmly until it's seated.
3. Got an XL model, like the MFC-L2820DWXL, MFC-L2900DWXL, or HL-L2460DWXL? There's a second toner cartridge in the box. It's a replacement to save for later, not a part you install now.
4. Load paper, and keep it under the maximum mark on the tray guide.
5. Before you plug in the power cord, find the serial number label on the back or side of the printer and write the number down. Brother asks for it for registration and warranty support.
6. Turn the printer on and pick your language if asked. On MFC models, set the date, time, and fax Station ID if you plan to fax.

Cartridge inkjets (MFC-J)

1. Remove the tape and film. On some models, such as the MFC-J1010DW, open the ink cartridge cover and remove the orange protective part too. Keep it, because Brother says you'll need it if you ever move the printer.
2. Load plain Letter paper and pull out the paper support so pages don't fall.
3. Plug in the printer and install the starter cartridges as the screen shows you. On the MFC-J4335DW series, Brother says to quickly shake just the black cartridge side to side 15 times before putting it in.
4. Close the ink cartridge cover and let the printer prepare its ink system. The first time you install cartridges, the printer uses extra ink to fill its ink delivery tubes. Brother calls this a one-time process.
5. Set the date and time. Right after that, the printer asks how you want firmware updates handled (see the FAQ below).
6. Print the Print Quality Check Sheet, compare the four color blocks, and run a cleaning if any look patchy. Then do the alignment Brother recommends: print the Adjustment Sheet and place it face down on the scanner glass with the black circle in the upper left corner.
7. If any messages are still on the screen, clear them by pressing OK.

Ink tank printers (MFC-T, DCP-T)

1. Remove the tape and film, load paper, and plug in. These models turn on by themselves.
2. Pick a setup method. Brother gives you two routes: set up with the mobile app or computer software (Brother's recommended option), or set up from the control panel on the printer. Brother's setup guide tells Mac users to take the control panel route.
   • On models like the MFC-T780DW, the screen shows a QR code. Press the left arrow on that screen, then the right arrow when "Set up from machine" appears to switch to control panel setup.
   • On models like the DCP-T530DW, when Set up? appears, press the down arrow, choose Set up using LCD, and press OK.
3. Fill the tanks. Open the ink tank cover, take the cap off one tank and park it inside the back of the cover. Line up the bottle so the pin on the tank fits into the hole in the bottle, then slide it on until the cap sits flush. It clicks the first time. The ink fills the tank by itself. If it doesn't start, or it's crawling, pull the bottle off gently and put it back on.
4. When the screen says it's preparing ink, follow the prompts for the first ink system cleaning. Brother says this can take a few minutes, and you can set the date and time while it runs.
5. Answer the firmware question (on the MFC-T780DW, MFC-T930DW, MFC-T935DW, and MFC-T980DW), then print the Print Quality Check Sheet and do the alignment.

What each type needs before it's "done"

Error on a brand-new printer? Open it back up and look again for orange packing pieces and tape, especially on the toner and drum assembly or under the ink cover. Then reseat the supplies firmly. If the same error comes back with everything clear, see our guides to Brother printer error codes and messages and a Brother printer in error state.

Step 2: Get Brother's Setup Software, and Only From Brother

Brother prints one web address on its setup sheets: setup.brother.com. Start there.

On a Windows PC

• Printers released in April 2020 or later: setup.brother.com offers one all-in-one installer that Brother recommends "to get the most functionality" from the machine. Download it, run it, and follow the prompts.
• Older printers: go to support.brother.com, search for your exact model (it's on the front of the printer, such as MFC-L2690DW or HL-L2350DW), open Downloads, check that the right version of Windows is selected, and download the Full Driver & Software Package.

On a Mac: for most current models, Brother recommends using macOS's built-in AirPrint rather than a downloaded driver. Step 8 explains how, plus where scanning fits in.

On a phone or tablet: open setup.brother.com on the phone, or scan the QR code in your Quick Setup Guide. It points you to Brother's app. Step 9 covers it.

No disc drive? No problem. Brother says its installation disc isn't available in all countries anyway, and the download is always the current version.

Watch out for fake Brother setup and support sites. Search for Brother printer setup help and you'll find sites that borrow Brother's name and logo, then push a phone number or chat window that charges you to "fix" your setup, often by taking remote control of your computer. Brother's scam protection page is clear on a few points: its official support is at brother-usa.com/support, it has no connection to third-party sites or phone numbers, it never charges customers to troubleshoot or answer questions, and it doesn't install third-party software or scan your devices for viruses. If you think a lookalike site got you, Brother suggests changing your passwords, running a security scan, and reporting it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Want more detail on which driver package to use? Our Brother printer driver guide covers downloading and updating it.

Step 3: Choose How the Printer Will Connect

Brother's Windows installer asks you to pick a connection type. Decide before you get there, because changing your mind later usually means running setup again.

A Brother printer uses Wi-Fi or Ethernet, not both at once. If a network cable is plugged in, Wi-Fi setup can fail with code TS-01, so unplug it first if you're going wireless.

If you choose USB:

• Plug the cable in only when the installer asks. If it's already connected, unplug it before you start.
• Go straight from printer to computer. Brother's troubleshooting says to skip hubs, docking stations, adapters, and extension cables.
• Look inside for the port. On many Brother inkjets, the USB and network ports are inside the printer, under the scanner lid. On some ink tank models, the USB port is on the side.

USB also makes a handy test. If the printer works over USB, the printer and driver are fine, and whatever's left is a network problem.

Step 4: Get the Printer Onto Your Wi-Fi

Joining Wi-Fi and being added to your computer are two separate jobs. This step handles the first one.

Before you start, check four things

• Your network name and password. Brother's manual points out that it can't give you these. Check the label on your router, or ask your internet provider.
• The band. Many Brother inkjets connect on 2.4 GHz only. The MFC-J4335DW, for example, lists 802.11b/g/n. Newer Brother lasers like the HL-L2460DW and MFC-L2820DW can also use 5 GHz, but only on certain channels. Brother keeps a list of supported 5 GHz channels by model at support.brother.com/g/d/a5m6/. If a 5 GHz connection keeps failing, Brother's advice is to set the router to one of your model's supported channels instead of leaving it on "Auto."
• The security type. If your router is set to WPA3 only, check your model's manual. The MFC-L2820DW series lists WPA3-Personal. The MFC-J1010DW doesn't. If yours doesn't, switch the router to WPA2/WPA3 mixed (sometimes called transition) mode, or WPA2.
• A hidden network. If your router doesn't broadcast its name, the printer won't list it. You'll have to type the name in yourself.

Method A: The printer's own setup wizard

• Touchscreen models: press the Wi-Fi icon, then Find Wi-Fi Network, and follow the prompts.
• Two-line screen models (laser): press Menu (on some models, just use the arrow keys), then go to Network > WLAN(Wi-Fi) > Find Network.
• Inkjets and ink tank models with a Wi-Fi button: press it, press OK for Find Wi-Fi Network (or Find Network), and say yes when it asks to enable WLAN.

Pick your network and type the password. On two-line screens, you enter it one character at a time with the up and down arrows. Hold the arrow to scroll faster. Passwords are case sensitive, so watch capital letters and lookalikes like 0 and O. When it works, the screen says Connected.

Method B: WPS push button

Use this if your router has a WPS button and WPS is turned on. On two-line screen lasers like the HL-L2460DW, go to Network > WLAN(Wi-Fi) > WPS/Push Button, turn WLAN on when asked, and press the router's WPS button when the screen says Press Key on rtr. Make sure only one router or extender nearby has WPS active, or setup fails with TS-08.

Method C: Let Brother's software do it

Choose Wireless Network Connection (Wi-Fi) in the Windows installer, or use Brother's phone app (Step 9). On ink tank printers, this is the "mobile app or computer software" route from Step 1.

How to tell it worked

After the printer shows Connected, give it a few minutes. Brother's own troubleshooting says to wait at least three minutes after turning the printer on for it to join the network. Then print a Network Configuration Report and check two things: that the network name matches yours, and that there's a real IP address. An address starting with 169.254, or all zeros, means the printer joined Wi-Fi but never got a working address from the router.

Still won't connect? Brother's setup sheets give a simple order: restart the router, restart the printer and your computer, then try again. If that fails, print the WLAN report in Step 5. For router fixes that go deeper, see our guide to a Brother printer not connecting to Wi-Fi.

Step 5: Read the WLAN Report

When Wi-Fi setup fails, don't just retype the password and hope. Your Brother printer can print a WLAN Report that names the problem with a code.

How to print it

• Touchscreen models: Settings > All Settings > Print Reports > WLAN Report, then Yes.
• Two-line screen models: press Menu, go to Print Reports > WLAN Report, press OK, then Start.

Menu names shift a little between models. If the report won't print, Brother says to check the printer for errors, wait a minute, and try again.

What the codes mean

If the report shows the connection is fine but your computer still can't see the printer, the printer's side is done. Go to Step 6.

Step 6: Fix "The Installer Can't Find the Machine"

This is where a lot of Brother setups stall. The printer is on Wi-Fi, but the installer on your computer can't see it. Work through these in order.

1. Confirm the printer is on your network. Compare the network name on the Network Configuration Report with the one your computer is connected to. Look at the name, not just the Wi-Fi icon.
2. Get off the guest network. Guest networks keep devices apart on purpose. Put the printer and computer on your main network.
3. Check for a second router. Brother's troubleshooting calls out a setup where a second router or access point, with its own router function switched on, sits behind the main one. Devices on each end can't find each other. Connect everything to the same router, or switch the second one to access point mode.
4. Turn off device isolation for now. MAC address filtering, a "privacy separator," or "network isolation" setting on the router will hide the printer. Turn it off temporarily to finish setup.
5. Let Brother's software through your firewall. If a firewall or security alert pops up, allow it. If your security software blocks the search, change its settings to allow the network connection, then switch protection back on when setup's done.
6. Pause any VPN. A VPN can route your computer around your home network, so the installer searches in the wrong place.
7. Make sure Windows treats your network as Private. Windows keeps devices on Public networks from discovering each other. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi, open your network's properties, and set Network profile type to Private.
8. Restart in Brother's order. Router first, then the printer and computer, then run the installer again.

Two Brother tools that help on Windows

• Network Connection Repair Tool. Once Brother's software is installed, open Brother Utilities, pick your model, and go to Tools > Network Connection Repair Tool. Brother says it resets the printer's network settings and assigns the correct IP address and subnet mask. Skip it if someone gave the printer a fixed (static) IP address on purpose, because it changes the address automatically.
• Wireless Setup Helper. For some models, Brother offers this utility on the model's Downloads page to confirm your network's security settings.

If the printer sets up fine but keeps dropping off later, our Brother printer offline guide picks up from there.

Step 7: Get the Brother Install Right on Windows 11 or 10

Before you run the installer

Brother's install checklist is short, and following it heads off most failed installs:

• Unplug any cable between the printer and computer.
• Turn the printer on and make sure its screen or lights show no errors.
• Sign in to Windows with an administrator account.

While it runs

• If Windows Security asks, tick Always trust software from "Brother Industries, ltd." and click Install.
• If the installer asks you to restart the computer partway through, don't. Brother says to keep going until the installation finishes, then restart.

If the install failed or keeps looping, clean up first

1. Unplug the USB cable, if one is connected.
2. Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. Select each entry for this Brother printer, including any ending in "(Copy 1)," and choose Remove.
3. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps and uninstall the Brother software for this model.
4. If the printer was plugged in by USB before the installer ran, Windows may have added its own driver first. Open Print server properties (at the bottom of the Printers & scanners page), go to the Drivers tab, and remove the Brother entry with Remove driver only.
5. Restart the computer, download a fresh copy of the installer (Step 2), and run it again.

Check Windows protected print mode (Windows 11)

Microsoft ships this setting turned off. When it's on, Windows blocks third-party printer drivers, so Brother's drivers won't install. To check, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners and look under Printer preferences.

If it's on, you have two choices, and Brother lists both:

• Turn it off (select it, turn it off, confirm), then install Brother's software. Brother cautions that other third-party printer drivers can install too once it's off, so do this knowingly. On a work computer, ask your IT team first.
• Leave it on and print with Windows' built-in Microsoft IPP Class Driver. Basic printing works. Brother's Print Support App can add back more of Brother's settings on supported models with Windows 11 version 24H2 or later. It installs by itself from the Microsoft Store when you add the printer, which can take a few minutes.

Microsoft says it plans to turn protected print mode on by default at some future date, so it's worth knowing where the switch is.

Did Windows add the printer on its own?

That's Windows working as designed, not an error. Windows 10 (21H2 and later) and Windows 11 include the Microsoft IPP Class Driver for Mopria-compatible printers, and since July 1, 2026, Windows prefers that built-in driver when you add a new printer. Microsoft says manufacturers can still offer their own installers, and in February 2026 it clarified that printers already working on Windows keep working.

To see which driver you have, open Printers & scanners, select the printer, choose Printer properties, and look on the Advanced tab. If it says Microsoft IPP Class Driver and basic printing is all you need, you're done. If you want Brother's full driver and tools, remove that entry and run Brother's installer.

Using a Snapdragon (Arm) laptop?

Brother's regular Windows software doesn't install on most models on Arm-based Windows computers. You can check yours under Settings > System > About (look at the processor line). Brother's instructions for Arm computers are simple: make sure the printer is on your network, then go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Add device and add it from the list. Over USB, just plug it in. Brother offers Arm versions of its software for only a handful of models, so check your model's Downloads page. Brother also notes that over a USB connection on Arm, its scanner driver and iPrint&Scan aren't available, so a network connection is the better choice if you scan.

If "Driver is unavailable" shows up under the printer, see our Brother printer driver guide. Printer worked fine until an update? See Brother printer issues after a Windows update. Jobs stuck in the queue during setup? Our Brother print queue guide clears them.

Step 8: Set Up a Brother Printer on a Mac

Here's the part most older guides get backward. For current macOS versions, Brother recommends AirPrint, the printing and scanning support built into your Mac. For many models, Brother doesn't provide a separate Mac printer driver at all. So on a Mac, AirPrint isn't a lesser option. It's Brother's recommended one.

Add the printer

1. Make sure the printer is on and connected to your network (or plugged into the Mac by USB).
2. Open Apple menu > System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
3. Click Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax and select your Brother.
4. Open the Use menu and pick the entry with your model name, such as "Brother MFC-L2820DW series." Brother notes that on macOS 13 Ventura and later, this entry doesn't say "AirPrint," even though that's what it is. Don't let that throw you.
5. Click Add.

Scanning from a Mac

AirPrint handles basic scanning from the printer's page in Printers & Scanners, or from Apple's Image Capture app. For more scan options, Brother's free Brother iPrint&Scan app is in the Mac App Store.

Brother iPrint&Scan can't find the printer?

Since macOS 15 Sequoia, apps need your permission to look for devices on your home network. If you clicked "Don't Allow" at some point, go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Local Network and turn on Brother iPrint&Scan. Brother also recommends keeping the app updated to its latest version.

Setting up an ink tank printer from a Mac? Brother's ink tank setup guide sends Mac users to the Set up from the control panel route. Connect the printer to Wi-Fi from its own panel (Step 4), then add it on the Mac as shown above.

On macOS 26 Tahoe? Brother keeps a Tahoe support statement listing the models it supports. Brother says that if a model isn't on that list, it has no plans to support it on macOS 26.

Still stuck? As a last resort, Control-click an empty spot in the printer list in Printers & Scanners and choose Reset printing system. That removes every printer and scanner on the Mac, so save it for when nothing else works, then add the Brother back.

Step 9: Set Up a Brother Printer on a Phone, Tablet, or Chromebook

Which Brother app do you need?

Brother's current app is Brother Mobile Connect, free for iPhone, iPad, and Android. It handles guided setup, printing, scanning, and checking ink or toner. Its supported list is long, covering current inkjets and lasers and going back to models like the MFC-L2690DW and HL-L2350DW. If your model isn't supported, Brother says to use the older Brother iPrint&Scan app instead. You can check your model on support.brother.com.

Setting up with the app

1. Write down your Wi-Fi network name and password.
2. Install Brother Mobile Connect (or iPrint&Scan, if that's the one for your model).
3. Open the app and follow its setup steps. On Android, Brother's fix for a setup that won't complete is to update the app to its latest version first.

App can't find the printer, or says "No Supported Devices Found"?

These come from Brother's own checklist:

• Your phone has to be on Wi-Fi. Brother's apps don't work over cellular data (5G, 4G, LTE).
• Allow local network access. On an iPhone or iPad running iOS 14 or later, go to Settings > iPrint&Scan > Local Network and turn it on. Check the same permission for Brother Mobile Connect.
• Match the network. The phone and printer must be on the same network name. Print the Network Configuration Report to see which one the printer is on.
• Give it time after a restart. Turn the printer off and on, then wait at least three minutes before opening the app.
• Moved house or replaced your router? The printer still has the old network saved. Set up Wi-Fi again (Step 4).
• Printer connected by USB only? It has to join a network before a phone can reach it.

No router at all? Use Wi-Fi Direct, which connects your phone straight to the printer. In the printer's Network menu, open Wi-Fi Direct and choose Manual. The printer shows a network name and password. Join that network from your phone's Wi-Fi settings, then open the Brother app. Some models also support NFC, so you can print by tapping your phone on the NFC logo.

Printing without Brother's app

• iPhone or iPad: open what you want to print, tap Share, then Print, and choose your Brother. AirPrint works once the printer and device are on the same network.
• Android: use the phone's built-in print option with a print service such as the Brother Print Service Plugin or Mopria Print Service.

Chromebook

Chromebooks don't use Brother drivers, so there's nothing to download. Many Brother models work with ChromeOS's built-in printing (Brother keeps a ChromeOS compatibility list).

1. Make sure the Chromebook and printer are on the same network.
2. Open Settings, go to Printers and scanners (under Device on current ChromeOS), and find your Brother in the list of available printers.
3. Click Add or Save.

Brother's ChromeOS instructions say its machines don't support the manual "Add printer" option, so pick it from the list. If it isn't there, Brother suggests checking that the Chromebook is on the same Wi-Fi band as the printer, since some Brother models can't use 5 GHz.

Step 10: Finish Up: The Printer Password, Firmware, and Extras

Why is the printer asking for a password?

You'll usually see this in Web Based Management, the settings page you open by typing the printer's IP address into a web browser. Some settings on the printer itself ask for it too.

• Most current models: the default password is on a label on the back of the printer (on some models, the bottom), marked "Pwd." Brother says it's 8 characters and can include special characters. If it starts with a colon or another symbol, type that too.
• Older models with no "Pwd" label: Brother's default is initpass.

Brother recommends changing the default password right away. If you change it and forget it, Brother's fix is a factory reset, which puts the default password back.

Firmware

Brother inkjets and ink tank printers ask how to handle firmware updates during setup. You can check for the latest firmware anytime at support.brother.com/up7. Keep the printer on and connected until an update finishes.

Optional extras

• Refresh EZ Print Subscription: Brother Mobile Connect lets you manage Brother's ink and toner subscription. It's optional. You don't need it to print.
• Product registration: that serial number you wrote down in Step 1 is what Brother asks for when you register the printer for warranty support.