Indeed, installing the Wi-Fi connection on Brother HL-2360DW printer may look impossible at first; however, it actually is pretty simple when you know how to do it. It shall furnish a guide to the entire process of setting up the Wi-Fi on Brother HL-2360DW with all its details. It will also talk about various ways of achieving such a task, common issues associated with setting this up as well as some tips that may help your printer in performing better wirelessly.
Wi-Fi Setup of Brother HL-2360DW
Brother HL-2360DW is the monochrome laser printer, having its wireless connectivity among its major features, i.e., printing from multiple devices, such as computers, mobile phones, or tablets, without the use of any cables physically. The wireless printing is a very important step for using a printer to enjoy the full capability of wireless printing.
Importance of Wi-Fi setup
Why to connect your Brother HL-2360DW to a Wi-Fi network:
Convenience: Now, it can be placed anywhere within the proximity of your Wi-Fi network, not necessarily right next to your computer.
Multi-device printing: Multiple devices printing simultaneously. This setup suits perfectly both for home and office environments.
Mobile printing: You can print from mobile devices with the help of Brother’s mobile applications or any compatible application through your Wi-Fi.
Less Mess: Forget USB cables cluttering your desk because now, you’ll be printing wirelessly.
Preparation before Wi-Fi Setup
Before setting up one’s Wi-Fi, thorough preparation should take place. This preparation entails putting together all those important components as well as relevant information.
Have All Information in Place
For setting the Wi-Fi, you must have the following:
Wi-Fi network name (SSID): This is the name of a Wi-Fi network for you to be able to connect the printer to it.
Wi-Fi network password (Security Key): This is the password for the Wi-Fi network, keep it handy because it is needed when setting up.
Unbox and Setup the Printer
Procedures to unbox and prepare your printer if you just bought Brother HL-2360DW:
Unboxing: Careful unpack the printer and remove all the packaging materials. Ensure that you remove all protective tapes and materials from the inside of the printer.
Install the toner cartridge: Open the front cover and insert the provided toner cartridge into the printer. Make sure that they are clicked in place.
Load the paper: Load paper in the paper tray. Adjust the guides to fitting to the size of the paper you are using.
Connect to Power: Plug in to the power outlet and turn it on. The printer goes through its startup process.
Wi-Fi Setup Methods
The Brother HL-2360DW offers different methods for setting up a Wi-Fi connection. We will discuss the following methods:
Using Printer Control Panel
Wifi Protected Setup
Using Brother Printer Driver
Using Brother iPrint&Scan App
1. Wi-Fi setup using the Printer Control Panel
The first method involves setting the Wi-Fi directly from the printer’s control panel. This is the most simplistic and does not need a computer, like the previous one.
Step-by-Step Guide:
First access the network settings:
Press the “Menu” button on the control panel of the printer.
Use the arrow keys to navigate to “Network” then press “OK.”
Choose “WLAN” and press “OK.”
Select “Setup Wizard”:
Select the Setup Wizard and hit OK.
It will show available networks to choose from.
Choose your Wi-Fi:
An arrow key will help scroll through the current available networks until you select your own (SSID). Press OK to confirm.
Enter Wi-Fi Password:
Use control panel to type in the Wi-Fi network password (Security Key). Go between characters using arrow keys and hit OK to enter that character. Then hit OK after you’ve entered the password.
Confirm Connection:
The printer will now connect to the Wi-Fi network. If the connection is OK, it will display Connected.
If the printer cannot connect, check the password and try again.
Test the print:
After printing the test page, check for the connection status. This can be actioned through the control panel or from the device using the connection.
This best suits those who want to do it themselves in a straightforward manner, but may be a little awkward due to the small display of the control panel when entering the password.
2. Wi-Fi Setup Using WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup):
WPS feature allows one to connect or bond to a wi-fi network without putting in the password. WPS is feature-rich and found in many routers as a standard. So, if having a WPS supported router, the above method will be faster and easier.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Locate WPS Settings of the Printer:
Press “Menu” on the control panel.
Then navigate “Network”>”WLAN”>”WPS/AOSS” then press “OK”.
Activate WPS on Router:
Within two minutes press the WPS button on your router. This is usually located behind or at the side of the router.
Then printer and router will sync and printer will connect automatically with the Wi-Fi network.
Confirm Connection:
A message will display confirming the connection.
You can print out a test page for confirmation of successful connection.
The WPS method is actually the easiest to connect to Wi-Fi, as it does not require any kind of password entry. It is advisable to use this method however if both the router and the printer support WPS.
3. Wi-Fi Setup using Brother Printer Driver
Another alternative for setting up a Wi-Fi connection is using the driver for Brother printers. This is useful if you prefer to configure the connection using your computer.
Step by Step Guide:
Driver Download:
Visit Brother Online and acquire the most current driver version for HL-2360DW.
Run the installation program on your computer.
Connect Printer Temporarily:
During your installation, you will be prompted to connect your printer temporarily to the computer with a USB cable for setup purposes.
Follow the on-screen instructions.
Select Wireless Setup:
When asked, select “Wireless Network Connection” as your method of setting up.
The installer should locate any available networks.
Select Your Network:
Select your Wi-Fi from the list and enter the password.
Then the software will set up the connection of the printer through the Wi-Fi network.
This arrangement is very well simple, once the connection is established, you can afford to disconnect the USB cable. Complete the whole installation and print a test page to verify the connection.
Using the Brother printer driver is a convenient method to set up the printer for the first time at a new computer. But it also ensures that the latest drivers are the ones that were installed.
4. Wi-Fi Setup Using Brother iPrint&Scan App
For some users who prefer connecting using their mobile devices, Brother iPrint&Scan app is very handy for setting up the Wi-Fi connection.
Following is the procedure step-by-step:
Application Downloads:
Download the Brother iPrint&Scan app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android).
Connect Mobile with Printer:
Connect your mobile device to the same Wi-Fi that you want your printer to connect to.
Open the app and choose “Set up a Brother machine.”
Follow On-screen Instructions:
Follow the instructions of the app for connecting the printer to the Wi-Fi.
You may be prompted to enter the network password.
Confirm Connection:
It will be connected and the app will confirm the setup.
Now you can print directly from your mobile device using the app.
The Brother iPrint&Scan app is designed especially for users who print very frequently from their mobile devices. This also gives them more functionality including scanning facilities and checking the printer’s status.
Troubleshoot Wi-Fi Setup Errors
You may still encounter issues in setting up Wi-Fi, however careful you may be with the setup steps. Here’s a list of some common problems and possible solutions:
1. Printer Not Recognizing Wi-Fi
Solution: Move the printer closer to the Wi-Fi router to increase its reception, then try to configure it again. Take note to not hide your SSID or network name by ensuring that it’s broadcasting its name.
2. Wrong Password Error
Solution: Check the spelling of the Wi-Fi password entered in the setup. Check if there are spaces or extra characters. For special characters, check that you have typed them correctly.
3. WPS Connection Fails
Solution: If WPS does not work enable WPS on your router again you may try pressing the WPS button or find another setup through, for example, control panel or driver installation.
4. Frequent Disconnection of Printer from Wi-Fi
Solution: This might be because of weak Wi-Fi signal or signal interference. Reposition the router or the printer to minimize disturbance. Make sure the firmware on the router is up to date, too.
5. Unable to Print After Setup
Solution: The printer may be on a wireless network but not able to print; try resetting and checking these items. Check Printer Status: Switch the printer on and make sure it is not in an error state (e.g., out of paper or low toner).
You can check for this on the printer’s control panel or download the Brother iPrint&Scan app to create a remote connection with the printer. Restart Devices: Sometimes, the best solutions come from restarting both the printer and the device you are printing from. Make sure an IP Address is Assigned: Check whether your router has assigned the printer an IP address.
You can then run a network configuration page from the printer to get the IP address. If there is none, reconnect it to the Wi-Fi.
Reinstalling the Printer Drivers: In case you print from a laptop or PC, the reason may lie in the printer drivers. Delete the current drivers and install the most recent version available on the Brother website.
Firewall or Security Software: Check if your home firewall or security software is blocking communication to your home printer. Temporarily disable these programs to check if it is working and, if so, add the printer to the allowed list.
6. The Printer Shows Offline
Solution: If your Brother HL-2360DW printer shows offline, although attached to Wi-Fi, try these simple tricks.
Printer Settings: Open the printer settings on your computer and check if the Brother HL-2360DW is set as a default printer and has not been “Configured to Use the Printer Offline”.
Re-Add Printer: Actually, the problem would take care of itself after deleting the printer from the list of devices on the computer and adding it. Refreshes the connection and makes detection easier.
Confirm Its Still Connected: Ensure the printer is still on your Wi-Fi network. In case it cuts off, you may need to run through the Wi-Fi configuration process again.
Optimizing Setup for Brother HL-2360DW Wi-Fi
The very first step is once you connect your Brother HL-2360DW to Wi-Fi and can print. Following that, further steps will help with the optimization and more smoothness while printing.
1. Placement of Printer and Router
The physical position of your printer and Wi-Fi router can greatly impact the soundness and performance of your wireless connection. Check out the following tip for placing them optimally:
The printer should be placed within reasonable closed distance to the router, that is to say, in the same room, or at least a nearby room, without much obstruction of physical walls and floors between the printer and router.
Keep Away from Interference
Position a printer, other than microwaves, cordless phones, baby monitors, and other electronic devices that encourage signal interference with Wi-Fi signals. Even though these are entailed in household electronics, the mean distance from the output process would be a slow drinking of the print speed or worse, the print dropping itself.
Place the printer on stable elevation such as a desk or shelf. Preferably keep it off the floor so that it doesn’t get increasingly dusty and impeded by signals.
2. To use a static IP Address
A static IP address attached to your Brother HL-2360DW will help avoid the case where the printer loses its IP address whenever the router goes off or is rebooted. Because a static IP implies the same network address for your printer, the problem of different locating devices while sending commands is avoided.
Assigning Static IP Address:
First, you have to get into the printer’s network setting on the printer’s control panel, wherein you are already at the Network settings. On the Internal Network, select TCP/IP. Then, select Manual IP or Static IP Address to set the IP address. Enter an IP Address – An IP Address that you have to give should be somewhere in range within your network itself, out of the DHCP range your router has assigned, such as your router IP range: 192.168.1.2 to 192.168.1.100, you could type an IP not assigned at 192.168.1.150. Save the settings and restart the printer; check for static IP acceptance from its new and that your devices are now talking with your printer.
Updating Firmware
Brother has his/her own firmware download shop, regularly updating firmware on its printers, so also one here for HL-2360DW. These typically cover Wi-Fi stability improvements, features, bug fixes, etc. Keeping the firmware of your printer up-to-date assures you of all optimal performance that the printer can offer.
Update Firmware:
Download Firmware – Head to Brother’s website, go to the support section for HL-2360DW, and download the latest firmware update.
Run the update – Follow directions provided with the firmware download for application. This could involve temporarily USB connecting your printer, or performing it direct over Wi-Fi.
Restart the Printer – After completing the update, restart your printer for the changes to take effect.
Mobile Printing Optimization
If printing from mobile devices is part of daily life for you, enhancing the Brother HL-2360DW for such a purpose will make things a lot better.
Brother iPrint&Scan: From all the apps that Brother developed for the mobile, there is iPrint&Scan, which makes it work such that you can directly print using mobile devices from the phone or tablets with access to extra features like scanning and checking ink/toner levels.
AirPrint: Make sure AirPrint is activated on your printer if you are working with an Apple device. By doing this, you can directly print using iOS devices without the need for additional apps.
Google Cloud Print: Although Google Cloud Print was actually sunsetted as early as December 2020, similar services might still be found, depending on your region or service provider. These services make it possible to print over the Internet, which can be invaluable if one should need to print documents when out of the country or away from their local network.
Conclusion
Setting up your Brother HL-2360DW wirelessly gives the printer convenience of usage, and you can print using any device without the use of cables. Whether you are adding a home office or small business or just having a multifunctional family printer, use reliable Wi-Fi to take full advantage of this device.
This review has provided different approaches on how to set up the Brother HL-2360DW into a wireless network, troubleshooting possible problems, and improving the wireless printing experience. Following guidelines defined here will not only connect your printer to the network but also run the printer at its best sophistication to quickly serve all your printing demands.
Irrespective of whether you plan to set it up via the printer’s control panel, via Brother printer driver, or even a mobile app, the choice you want to make with Brother HL-2360DW gives you that freedom. Provided regular maintenance, including firmware updates and strategic positioning, will give you a consistent quality performance of your Brother Printer.
Most importantly, preparation methods, knowing the installations, and troubleshooting should ensure the successful installation for wireless connection, where these guidelines can definitely assist in walking through the setup and in maximizing the best features of your Brother HL-2360DW.