Brother Printer Not Printing from Phone – How to Fix It

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If your Brother printer is not printing from your phone, the issue may be caused by connection problems, app settings, unsupported file types, or outdated software. Use the following steps to troubleshoot and fix the problem.

Ensure Printer and Phone Are on the Same Network
  1. Connect both your phone and printer to the same Wi-Fi network.
  2. Avoid guest networks, which may block devices from communicating.
  3. Restart your Wi-Fi router to resolve any temporary connectivity issues.

Use the Brother iPrint&Scan App
  1. Download the Brother iPrint&Scan app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android).
  2. Open the app and allow permissions (e.g., local network access).
  3. The app should automatically detect compatible Brother printers.
  4. If not detected, manually add the printer using its IP address.

Check App and Firmware Updates
  1. Ensure your Brother printer firmware is up to date using Brother’s Firmware Update Tool.
  2. Update the Brother iPrint&Scan app to the latest version on your phone.
  3. Update your phone’s operating system, especially if using AirPrint (iOS) or Mopria (Android).

Enable AirPrint (iPhone/iPad) or Mopria (Android)

For iOS Devices
  1. Make sure your Brother printer supports AirPrint (check model compatibility at Brother’s website).
  2. Open the file or photo, tap Share > Print, and select your Brother printer.
  3. If the printer is not listed, check the network connection and firmware.

For Android Devices
  1. Ensure your Brother printer supports Mopria or install the Mopria Print Service app.
  2. Go to the content you want to print, tap Print, and choose the Brother printer.
  3. If your printer doesn’t appear, try restarting your device and router.

Check Printer Settings for Mobile Printing
  1. On the printer control panel, go to Network > Mobile Device Settings.
  2. Ensure Wi-Fi Direct, AirPrint, or Google Cloud Print (if available) is enabled.
  3. If using Wi-Fi Direct, connect the phone to the printer’s Wi-Fi signal.

Reboot Devices
  1. Turn off and unplug the Brother printer for 30 seconds.
  2. Restart your smartphone.
  3. Reconnect both devices to the same Wi-Fi and try again.

Try Alternative Print Methods
  • Google Chrome on Android: Open file > Tap the three dots > Print.
  • Apple Files or Photos App: Tap Share > Print > Select printer.

Reset Network Settings on Printer
  1. On the printer’s control panel, navigate to Initial Setup > Reset > Network.
  2. After reset, reconnect to your Wi-Fi and reattempt printing from the phone.

Confirm File Compatibility
  1. Make sure the file type is supported by the printing method (e.g., PDF, JPG).
  2. Some file types may not be recognized by mobile print services or require conversion.

If printing still fails, test printing from a computer to isolate the issue. If that works, contact Brother Support for help with mobile-specific settings or compatibility.

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