Your Brother MFC-J491DW, Now Wi-Fi Ready: A Simple Guide to Connection

Connecting your Brother MFC-J491DW printer to Wi-Fi is a simple and straightforward process that will allow you to print, scan, and copy wirelessly from your devices. Whether you’re using a laptop, smartphone, or tablet, this guide will walk you through the steps of establishing a stable Wi-Fi connection for your Brother printer.

Necessary Materials

Before you begin, ensure you have the following:

• Brother MFC-J491DW printer
• Wi-Fi network name and password
• Ethernet cable (optional)

Connecting via Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)

If your router supports WPS, this is the quickest and easiest way to connect your printer.

1. Enable WPS on your router: Refer to your router’s documentation for instructions on how to enable WPS.
2. Press the WPS button on your printer: Locate the WPS button on your printer and press and hold it for a few seconds.
3. Wait for the connection: The printer will automatically establish a Wi-Fi connection with your router.

Connecting via Wi-Fi Direct

Wi-Fi Direct allows you to connect your printer directly to your device without using a router.

1. Enable Wi-Fi Direct on your printer: Navigate to the printer’s settings menu and enable Wi-Fi Direct.
2. Connect your device to the printer’s Wi-Fi network: On your device, go to Wi-Fi settings and search for the printer’s Wi-Fi network name (e.g., “DIRECT-Brother_MFC-J491DW”). Connect to the network using the default password (typically “12345678”).

Connecting via Ethernet and Wi-Fi

If your router is not located near your printer, you can use an Ethernet cable to establish a wired connection and then configure the printer for Wi-Fi.

1. Connect the printer to your router via Ethernet: Plug one end of the Ethernet cable into the printer’s Ethernet port and the other end into a LAN port on your router.
2. Configure the printer for Wi-Fi: Navigate to the printer’s settings menu and select “Wireless LAN Setup.” Enter your Wi-Fi network name and password.
3. Disconnect the Ethernet cable: Once the printer is connected to Wi-Fi, you can unplug the Ethernet cable.

Connecting via USB and Wi-Fi

If you have a USB cable, you can temporarily connect your printer to your computer and use the Brother ControlCenter software to configure the Wi-Fi connection.

1. Connect the printer to your computer via USB: Plug one end of the USB cable into the printer’s USB port and the other end into your computer.
2. Install the Brother ControlCenter software: If you don’t have it already, download and install the Brother ControlCenter software from Brother’s website.
3. Configure the Wi-Fi connection: Launch the Brother ControlCenter software and navigate to the “Network” tab. Select “Wireless LAN Setup” and enter your Wi-Fi network name and password.
4. Disconnect the USB cable: Once the printer is connected to Wi-Fi, you can unplug the USB cable.

Troubleshooting Wi-Fi Connection Issues

If you encounter any issues connecting your printer to Wi-Fi, try the following troubleshooting steps:

• Ensure the printer is within range of your Wi-Fi router.
• Check if the Wi-Fi network name and password you entered are correct.
• Restart your printer and router.
• Reset the printer’s network settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is my printer not appearing on the Wi-Fi network list?

A: Make sure the printer is powered on and within range of your router. Ensure your router’s Wi-Fi is enabled and broadcasting.

Q: Can I connect my printer to multiple Wi-Fi networks?

A: Yes, but you need to configure the printer for each network separately.

Q: How can I improve the Wi-Fi signal strength for my printer?

A: Move the printer closer to the router or use a Wi-Fi extender to boost the signal.