FAQs & Troubleshooting

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HL-1211W

FAQs & Troubleshooting

FAQs & Troubleshooting

Date: 16/02/2021 ID: faq00010178_008

My Brother machine could not be found over the network when I installed drivers on my PC.

Brother Printing Device Installation

 

If the above message appears, verify the following points to resolve the issue.

NOTE: Illustrations are from a representative product and operating system, and may differ from your Brother machine and operating system.

 

  1. Verify the network devices
  2. Verify the firewall settings

 

1. Verify the network devices

Verify that all devices on the network where your PC and the Brother machine are connected work correctly.

 

  • Turn off the Brother machine and turn it back on.

    The built-in network card may not work for some reason. Turn off the Brother machine and turn it back on, this will reset the network card.
     

  • Veryify the Brother machine's network interface.
    The Brother machine's network interface (wired LAN or wireless LAN) may be disabled. Enable the network interface (wireless LAN or wired LAN).
    > Click here how to enable the Brother machine's network interface (wired LAN or wireless LAN).
     

  • Verify the network connection between your PC and an access point.

    The network connection between your PC and an access point may be unavailable. Verify the network connection by browsing internet sites on your PC or sending and receiving emails over the internet to verify the network connection.
     

  • Verify the network devices and connection cables on the network (only for a wired connection).

    The network devices and connection cables on the network where your PC and the Brother machine are connected may not work correctly. Verify the Link LED of your router or hub to make sure they work without any problems.
     

    • If the Link LED turns on or blinks, the network devices and connection cables work correctly. Go to the next point.
    • If the Link LED does not turn on or blink, the network devices or connection cables have problems. Connect the network cable to other ports or use another network cable.
  • Turn off the router or switching hub and turn it back on.

    Your router or switching hub may not work correctly if you re-connect the cable or change the IP address many times over, even though all settings of IP address are correct. Turn off the router or switching hub and turn it back on, this will reset the router or switching hub.
     

  • Verify the security settings of access points (only for a wireless connection).

    Access points you are going to connect your PC or the Brother machine to may have the security settings set for restricting access.

     

    • Configure your wireless computer and Brother machine with the same SSID as used for your WLAN access point/router.
    • Disable Privacy Separator.
    • If you are using MAC address filtering in the WLAN access point/ router, you need to configure your MAC address of your Brother machine.

    > Click here to see "Function settings of your WLAN access point" section in another FAQ and verify the settings.
     

  • Verify the settings of all broadband routers and access points (only if a few broadband routers exist on the network).

    The settings of all broadband routers and access points may not be configured correctly if more than two broadband routers that have several LAN ports exist on the network as below. Verify that the settings of all broadband routers and access points are configured correctly.
    Broadband Router

    For the detail of changing bridge mode (Off the DHCP function etc.) of broadband routers, contact your broadband routers' manufacturer with the following information or refer to the manuals provided with your broadband router.

    • Your Brother machine could not be found over the network from your PC.
    • Your PC can access the internet.
    • Your Brother machine can connect to the broadband router.

     

2. Verify the Firewall settings

Windows Users
Macintosh Users

 

Windows Users

 

If Windows Firewall or firewall function of security software is active, it may be rejecting the necessary network connection. Change the firewall settings by creating a firewall rule to block except settings or disabling the firewall on your computer.

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.


Customize Settings
 

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.

After you have finished verifying the above points, try re-installing the driver (Full Driver & Software Package) and verifying whether the devices could be found or not.
 

If you configure the IP address manually, check Custom Install when you select the network connection and enter the IP address for Specify your machine by address (Advanced Users) when the Network Search Type window appears.

Connection Type

Network Search Type

 

 

Macintosh Users

 

For personal Firewall Software users:
(For example, Norton Internet Security™ and McAfee®.)
If firewall function of security software is active, it may be rejecting the necessary network connection. Change the firewall settings by creating a firewall rule to block except settings or disabling the firewall on your computer.
For instructions on how to change or disable this type of program, please refer to the user's guide for your software or contact the software manufacturer.

Before disabling the firewall, make sure you understand the risks involved. Brother will not take any responsibility for what happens to you when disabling the firewall. Please be careful when you change the settings to the most appropriate ones for your environment.

After you have finished verifying the above points, try re-installing the driver (Full Software Package) and verifying whether the devices could be found or not.

 

Related FAQs

Related Models

DCP-1616NW, DCP-L2540DW, HL-1211W, HL-L2365DW, HL-L8350CDW, MFC-1911NW, MFC-L2700DW, MFC-L2740DW, MFC-L8850CDW

If you need further assistance, please contact Brother customer service:

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