MFC-J4540DW(XL)
FAQs & Troubleshooting |
I cannot print on a wireless (Wi-Fi) network (Windows)
For certain models, the wireless network connection can be used only when the optional Wireless Module is installed.
To resolve this issue and be able to print again, check the following:
- Have you already set up your Brother machine?
- Have you moved house or changed your wireless (Wi-Fi) network environment?
- Is your Brother machine turned on?
- Does your Brother machine's screen display any errors?
- Is an unnecessary copy of your Brother machine's icon listed in the printer list (For example: "Brother [model name] (Copy 1)")?
- Are there any remaining print jobs in the print queue?
- Have you tried to check and repair your wireless (Wi-Fi) connection?
- Have you tried additional checks to establish whether the wireless (Wi-Fi) router or access point is working correctly?
- Have you tried to set up your Brother machine again?
- Is the firmware of both your Brother machine and your wireless (Wi-Fi) router or access point updated to the latest version?
1. Have you already set up your Brother machine?
Make sure you have set up your Brother machine using the wireless (Wi-Fi) network connection, and then installed the correct Brother software and drivers.
If not, set up your Brother machine, and then try to print.
> Click here to see how to set up your Brother machine.
If you still cannot print, go to the next section.
2. Have you moved house or changed your wireless (Wi-Fi) network environment?
If you have moved, changed your Internet provider, replaced your wireless router or access point, or changed its settings, you need to set up the wireless (Wi-Fi) network connection again:
-
Uninstall the Brother printer driver.
> Click here to see how to uninstall the driver. -
Set up the wireless (Wi-Fi) connection again.
> Click here to see how to set up your Brother machine. - Try to print. If you still cannot print, go to the next section.
3. Is your Brother machine turned on?
If the machine's screen is blank, the machine is not turned on or is in Sleep Mode.
- Press any button on the machine to see if it wakes from Sleep Mode.
- If it does not, make sure the machine is connected to a working AC power outlet (electrical socket) and turn any power switches to ON.
- If the machine is not turned on even though you tried to turn it on and off, contact Brother customer service from "Contact Us".
- If the machine is turned on, but you still cannot print, go to the next section.
4. Does your Brother machine's screen display any errors?
If the machine's screen displays printing errors, such as "Paper Jam" or "Ink/Toner Empty", the machine may not allow you to print. Clear the errors first, and then try to print.
For more information about error messages, see the Online User's Guide or Basic User's Guide or User's Guide.
If your machine displays no errors, but you cannot print, go to the next section.
5. Is an unnecessary copy of your Brother machine's icon listed in the printer list (For example: "Brother [model name] (Copy 1)")?
A copy of your Brother machine with the same name may have been created if you:
- Changed the USB port on the computer connected to the Brother machine.
- Installed the same printer driver multiple times.
When printing, always select a working printer driver. We also recommend deleting unnecessary printer icons.
If you are not sure which printer icon to select, check which printer driver is working:
(Windows 11)
- Turn the Brother machine on. If any other machines are connected, only turn the Brother machine on that you want to use.
- Click Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
- Select your Brother machine.
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Make sure the Brother machine's status.
If the status is idle, it means the printer driver is working correctly. Select this printer driver when printing.
(Optional) To change the printer name, do the following:
- Click Printer properties.
- Change the printer name in the Printer Properties window, and click OK.
To delete an unnecessary printer, select your Brother machine and click Remove.
When you have completed the checks in this section, try to print. If you still cannot print, go to Step 6.
(Windows 7 / Windows 8 / Windows 10)
- Turn your Brother machine on. If any other machines are connected, turn those machines off.
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Open the "Devices and Printers" folder:
(Windows 8 / Windows 10)- Open the Control Panel. (Click here to see how to open the Control Panel.)
- Click Hardware and Sound > Devices and Printers.
Click Start > Devices and Printers. -
Hover the cursor over the printer icon until the printer status pop-up appears.
If the status is Offline, the printer driver is not working. Select the printer driver that status is not Offline.(Optional) To change the printer name, do the following:
- Right-click the printer icon.
- Click Printer Properties.
- Change the printer name in the Printer Properties window, and then click OK.
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If you want to always print using this printer, right-click the printer icon and select Set as default printer. The check mark appears on the printer icon and this printer will be selected automatically the next time you print.
To delete an unnecessary printer icon, right-click the icon and select Remove device.
When you have completed the checks in this section, try to print. If you still cannot print, go to the next section.
6. Are there any remaining print jobs in the print queue?
If there are any remaining print jobs in the print queue, delete them.
> Click here to see how to delete print jobs.
Try to print again. If you still cannot print, go to the next section.
7. Have you tried to check and repair your wireless (Wi-Fi) connection?
Make sure your Brother machine is correctly connected to the wireless (Wi-Fi) network.
- Place your machine as close to the wireless (Wi-Fi) router or access point as possible with minimal obstructions. Large objects and walls between the two devices and interference from other electronic devices can affect the data transfer speed of your documents and cause connection issues.
- Visit an Internet site or send and receive emails. If you can access the Internet, but your Brother machine cannot be found over the wireless (Wi-Fi) network, go to step 4.
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Print the WLAN report, which will show you the status of your wireless connection.
> Click here to check the wireless status on the WLAN report. -
Turn all the following devices off and then on again in the order shown in the illustration:
Wait at least five minutes for your Brother machine to join the wireless (Wi-Fi) network, and then try to print. If you still cannot print, go to next step. -
Try the Network Connection Repair Tool.
This tool assists you in restoring wireless printing capability with minimal user interaction by automatically locating and updating your Brother machine's IP address within your printer driver.-
Download the Network Connection Repair Tool.
> Click here to download the Network Connection Repair Tool in the Downloads section. - Run the Network Connection Repair Tool.
- Try to print. If you still cannot print, perform additional wireless connection checks in the next section.
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Download the Network Connection Repair Tool.
8. Have you tried additional checks to establish whether the wireless (Wi-Fi) router or access point is working correctly?
The access restriction security settings on your wireless (Wi-Fi) router or access point may be enabled. Carry out the checks recommended below and take action, where necessary.
- If there are more than two routers, the settings of all wireless routers and access points may not be configured correctly.
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If your wireless router or access point is in stealth mode (not broadcasting the SSID (Network Name)), enter the correct SSID (Network Name) and Network Key (Password) manually.
> Click here to see how to set up your Brother machine. - If you are using a wireless repeater, restart it.
If you still cannot print, try to set up your Brother machine again. Go to the next section.
9. Have you tried to set up your Brother machine again?
If you have carried out the checks recommended above and connection repair and still cannot print, try reinstalling your Brother machine’s driver (Full Driver & Software Package).
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Reset the network settings to the factory settings.
> Click here to see how to reset the machine back to the factory settings.If you can print or scan from other computers on the network, do not reset the Brother machine's network settings but contact your computer manufacturer, network administrator, or Internet service provider. Firewalls or security software may be blocking the communication.
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Uninstall the Brother driver.
> Click here to see how to uninstall the driver. -
Set up the wireless (Wi-Fi) network connection again.
> Click here to see how to set up your Brother machine.Temporarily change your firewall/security settings to allow network connection.
Your computer's firewall/security software may be preventing the network connection from being established. If you receive firewall-related notifications, we recommend temporarily changing the security settings on your computer to establish the connection.
IMPORTANT
- Before disabling the firewall, make sure the changes you want to make are suitable for your network. Brother will not take any responsibility for any consequences of disabling the firewall.
- When finished, make sure to turn the firewall on again.
Try to print. If you still cannot print, update the firmware of both your Brother machine and your wireless (Wi-Fi) router or access point to the latest version. Go to the next section.
10. Is the firmware of both your Brother machine and your wireless (Wi-Fi) router or access point updated to the latest version?
Make sure both your Brother machine and your wireless router or access point use the latest firmware.
- To update the machine's firmware, see how to update the Firmware for your Brother machine.
- To update your wireless router’s or access point’s firmware, see the documentation provided with your wireless router or access point.
If the issue continues, the correct IP address and Subnet Mask may not be assigned to the Brother machine. Consult the manufacturer of your wireless router or access point, your system administrator, or network administrator.
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