Brother Printer Not Encrypted – How to Fix It

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If your Brother printer shows a message like “Not Encrypted” or fails to connect securely, it often means there’s an issue with network encryption settings, secure printing protocols, or printer configuration. This can affect secure printing, scanning to email, or Wi-Fi connectivity. Use the steps below to resolve it.

Check Wireless Security Settings

Verify Router Encryption
  1. Log in to your Wi-Fi router’s settings page.
  2. Ensure the wireless security is set to WPA2 or WPA3, not WEP or open.
  3. Update the SSID or passphrase if needed and reconnect the printer.

Reconnect Printer to Secured Wi-Fi
  1. On the printer panel, go to Network > WLAN > Setup Wizard.
  2. Select your Wi-Fi network (SSID) and enter the correct Wi-Fi password.
  3. Confirm the connection uses secure encryption (look for WPA/WPA2 displayed).

Enable Secure Print Protocols

Use HTTPS for Web Access
  1. Access the printer’s web interface by entering its IP in a browser.
  2. Navigate to Administrator Settings > Network > Protocol.
  3. Enable HTTPS, IPPS, or SSL/TLS where available.
  4. You may need to install a certificate to access the interface securely.

Enable Secure Print Mode (if supported)
  1. On the printer, go to Settings > Secure Function Lock.
  2. Set up secure printing with PIN protection if your model supports it.
  3. This ensures print jobs are held until the user authenticates.

Update the Printer Firmware
  1. Visit the Brother Support website.
  2. Download the latest firmware update tool for your printer model.
  3. Follow on-screen instructions to apply updates.
  4. Updated firmware may improve secure communication and fix encryption issues.

Set Up Certificates (for Advanced Users)
  1. Go to the printer’s web interface under Security > Certificates.
  2. Create or upload an SSL certificate for secure HTTPS printing and scanning.
  3. Choose Self-signed or use a trusted certificate authority (CA) if available.

Configure Email Encryption Settings (for Scan-to-Email)
  1. In the web interface, go to Scan > E-mail > SMTP Settings.
  2. Ensure SSL/TLS is enabled for SMTP connections.
  3. Input the correct mail server and port (e.g., port 465 for SSL, 587 for TLS).

Reset Network Settings and Reconfigure
  1. On the printer, go to Initial Setup > Reset > Network Reset.
  2. Reconnect the printer to a secured Wi-Fi network with WPA2 or higher.
  3. Reconfigure secure printing or email settings as needed.

Check for Client Encryption Conflicts
  1. If printing from a secured corporate network or VPN, make sure firewalls or encryption settings don’t block printer access.
  2. Add exceptions or use a local network connection if possible.

If the message “Not Encrypted” persists, it may be informational or related to specific features like secure print or scanning. Consult the printer’s manual for model-specific encryption options or security requirements.