The Brother MFC 7840W is a versatile and feature-rich printer designed to meet the printing, scanning, and faxing needs of home offices and small businesses. One of its most convenient features is the ability to connect to WiFi, allowing for wireless printing from computers, smartphones, and tablets. However, setting up this connection can sometimes be challenging, especially for those who are not tech-savvy. This article aims to provide a comprehensive and easy-to-follow guide on how to connect your Brother MFC 7840W printer to WiFi, ensuring that you can start enjoying the benefits of wireless printing in no time.
Preparation is Key
Before you begin the process of connecting your Brother MFC 7840W to WiFi, it’s essential to ensure that you have all the necessary information and equipment at your disposal. This includes:
- Your Brother MFC 7840W printer
- A computer or mobile device with internet access
- Your WiFi network name (SSID) and password
- The installation CD that came with your printer, or the downloaded printer software from the Brother website
It’s also crucial to place your printer close to your WiFi router to ensure a strong and stable connection during the setup process.
Understanding Your Printer’s Control Panel
The control panel of your Brother MFC 7840W printer is where you will interact with the device to set up the WiFi connection. Familiarize yourself with the panel, which typically includes a LCD display and several buttons for navigation and selection. The navigation buttons are used to scroll through menus, while the “OK” or “Enter” button is used to select options.
Navigating Through the Menu
To start the WiFi setup, you need to navigate through your printer’s menu. Here’s how:
– Press the “Menu” button on your control panel.
– Use the navigation buttons to select “Network,” and then press “OK.”
– Select “WLAN” (for wireless LAN), and then press “OK.”
– Choose “Setup Wizard,” and then press “OK” to start the wireless setup wizard.
Setting Up WiFi Connection
The setup wizard will guide you through the process of connecting your Brother MFC 7840W printer to your WiFi network. Here are the steps to follow:
- The printer will search for available WiFi networks. This might take a few seconds.
- Once the list of available networks appears on the LCD display, use the navigation buttons to find and select your network’s name (SSID).
- If your network is not listed, you might need to select the option to enter the SSID manually.
- After selecting your network, you will be prompted to enter your WiFi password. Use the keypad or the on-screen keyboard to enter your password, and then select “OK” to proceed.
- The printer will then attempt to connect to your WiFi network. This process may take a few minutes.
Troubleshooting Connection Issues
If your printer fails to connect to your WiFi network, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take:
– Ensure that your WiFi router is turned on and functioning properly.
– Check that your printer is close enough to the router to receive a strong signal.
– Verify that you have entered the correct WiFi network name (SSID) and password.
– Restart both your printer and WiFi router, and then try the connection process again.
Using the Brother Printer Software
Alternatively, you can use the Brother printer software installed on your computer to set up the WiFi connection. This method can be particularly useful if you encounter difficulties with the setup wizard on your printer. Here’s how to do it:
- Ensure your printer is turned on and connected to your computer via a USB cable.
- Open the Brother printer software on your computer.
- Follow the prompts to add your printer to the software.
- Select the option to configure the wireless settings.
- Enter your WiFi network name (SSID) and password when prompted.
Wireless Printing from Your Devices
Once your Brother MFC 7840W printer is connected to your WiFi network, you can start printing wirelessly from your computers, smartphones, and tablets. For most devices, you will need to install the Brother iPrint&Scan app, which is available for both Android and iOS devices. This app allows you to print photos, documents, and web pages directly from your mobile device to your printer.
To print from a computer, ensure that the Brother printer software is installed, and your computer and printer are connected to the same WiFi network. You can then select your Brother MFC 7840W as the printer when printing a document, just like you would with a wired printer.
Maintaining Your WiFi Connection
To ensure that your printer remains connected to your WiFi network and that you can continue to enjoy wireless printing, it’s essential to periodically update your printer’s firmware and to restart your printer and WiFi router if you notice any connectivity issues.
In conclusion, connecting your Brother MFC 7840W printer to WiFi is a straightforward process that can be completed by following the steps outlined in this guide. Whether you use the setup wizard on your printer or the Brother printer software on your computer, you’ll be able to start printing wirelessly in no time. Remember to keep your printer’s firmware updated and to troubleshoot any issues promptly to maintain a strong and reliable WiFi connection.
What are the requirements for connecting my Brother MFC 7840W printer to WiFi?
To connect your Brother MFC 7840W printer to WiFi, you will need a few things. First, ensure that your printer is turned on and that you have a wireless network available. You will also need to know the network name (SSID) and password (network key) of your wireless network. If you are using a secure wireless network, you will need to know the type of security used, such as WEP, WPA, or WPA2. Additionally, you will need to have a computer or mobile device connected to the same wireless network as the printer.
It is also important to note that your Brother MFC 7840W printer must be compatible with your wireless network. The printer supports 802.11b/g wireless networking, so ensure that your router is configured to support one of these protocols. If you are using a dual-band router, you may need to configure the router to operate in 2.4GHz mode, as the Brother MFC 7840W printer only supports this frequency band. By ensuring that you have all of the necessary requirements, you can easily connect your printer to your WiFi network and start printing wirelessly.
How do I find the WiFi network settings on my Brother MFC 7840W printer?
To find the WiFi network settings on your Brother MFC 7840W printer, you will need to access the printer’s control panel. The control panel is located on the front of the printer and consists of a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen and a series of buttons. To access the WiFi network settings, press the “Menu” button and use the arrow keys to navigate to the “Network” menu. From here, you can select the “WLAN” option and then choose “Setup Wizard” to begin the process of connecting your printer to your WiFi network.
Once you have accessed the WiFi network settings, you can follow the on-screen instructions to connect your printer to your network. The printer will automatically detect available wireless networks, and you can select your network from the list. You will then be prompted to enter your network password, after which the printer will connect to your network. The entire process should only take a few minutes, and once you have completed the setup wizard, your printer will be connected to your WiFi network and ready to use.
What if I forget my WiFi network password, can I still connect my Brother MFC 7840W printer to the network?
If you forget your WiFi network password, you can still connect your Brother MFC 7840W printer to the network. One option is to reset the printer to its default settings, which will allow you to start the setup process again from scratch. To reset the printer, press and hold the “Menu” button and the “Mono” button at the same time for several seconds, until the LCD screen displays the reset message. You can then release the buttons and follow the on-screen instructions to reset the printer.
After resetting the printer, you can start the setup process again and connect to your WiFi network. If you are still having trouble, you can also try checking your router or network device for the password, which is often printed on a sticker or stored in the device’s settings. Alternatively, you can contact your network administrator or internet service provider for assistance in recovering your network password. Once you have obtained the password, you can enter it into the printer and complete the connection process.
Can I connect my Brother MFC 7840W printer to a hidden WiFi network?
Yes, you can connect your Brother MFC 7840W printer to a hidden WiFi network. A hidden network is a network that does not broadcast its network name (SSID), making it more secure. To connect to a hidden network, you will need to know the network name (SSID) and password. On the printer’s control panel, navigate to the “Network” menu and select “WLAN” and then “Setup Wizard”. When prompted to select a network, choose the “Other” option and then enter the network name (SSID) and password manually.
When entering the network name (SSID), make sure to enter it exactly as it appears, including any uppercase or lowercase letters. You can usually find the network name (SSID) on the router or network device, or by contacting your network administrator. Once you have entered the network name (SSID) and password, the printer will connect to the hidden network. Note that connecting to a hidden network may take a little longer than connecting to a broadcast network, but the process is still relatively straightforward.
How do I troubleshoot WiFi connectivity issues with my Brother MFC 7840W printer?
If you are experiencing WiFi connectivity issues with your Brother MFC 7840W printer, there are several things you can try to troubleshoot the problem. First, ensure that the printer is turned on and that you are in range of the wireless network. Check that the network name (SSID) and password are entered correctly, and that the printer is configured to use the correct wireless channel. You can also try restarting the printer and the router to reset the connection.
If you are still having trouble, you can try checking the printer’s WiFi signal strength, which is usually indicated by a series of bars or a signal meter on the control panel. A weak signal can cause connectivity issues, so try moving the printer closer to the router or using a WiFi range extender to improve the signal strength. You can also try updating the printer’s firmware or driver to ensure that you have the latest software. If none of these troubleshooting steps resolve the issue, you may need to contact Brother support for further assistance.
Can I connect multiple devices to my Brother MFC 7840W printer over WiFi?
Yes, you can connect multiple devices to your Brother MFC 7840W printer over WiFi. The printer supports multiple device connections, allowing you to print from several computers, smartphones, or tablets at the same time. To connect multiple devices, simply follow the same setup process for each device, ensuring that each device is connected to the same WiFi network as the printer. You can then print from any of the connected devices, without the need for a physical connection to the printer.
When connecting multiple devices, keep in mind that the printer’s performance may be affected by the number of devices connected. If you are experiencing slow print speeds or other issues, you may need to adjust the printer’s settings or prioritize certain devices. Additionally, ensure that each device has the necessary printer driver or software installed, and that the devices are configured to use the correct printer settings. By connecting multiple devices to your Brother MFC 7840W printer, you can easily share the printer among multiple users and devices, making it a convenient and versatile printing solution.
Is my Brother MFC 7840W printer secure when connected to WiFi?
When connected to WiFi, your Brother MFC 7840W printer is generally secure, as long as you have taken the necessary precautions to secure your network. The printer supports WEP, WPA, and WPA2 wireless security protocols, which help to protect your data and prevent unauthorized access to the printer. To ensure the security of your printer, make sure to use a strong network password and keep the password confidential.
It is also a good idea to regularly update the printer’s firmware and software to ensure that you have the latest security patches and features. Additionally, you can enable the printer’s built-in security features, such as SSL/TLS encryption, to further protect your data. By taking these steps, you can help to ensure that your Brother MFC 7840W printer remains secure when connected to WiFi, and that your data is protected from unauthorized access. If you have any concerns about the security of your printer, you can contact Brother support for further guidance and assistance.