Introduction

The Brother MFC-L8850CDW is a multifunctional color laser printer ideal for small and medium businesses. Its capacity for printing, scanning, copying and faxing all in one machine makes it a very suitable choice for fast-paced offices. In this article, we will explore the different stages of the Brother MFC-L8850CDW installation which are the initial setup, software installation, network configuration and troubleshooting tips. We will provide a detailed guide that takes care of any installation problems so that the users get a smooth experience.

Unboxing and Initial Setup
Packaging and Contents

The first thing to do upon receiving Brother MFC-L8850CDW is unboxing. The printer is intentionally packed well to make sure it arrives at its destination without any damage. The following items will be found in the box:

Brother MFC-L8850CDW printer
Power cord
Phone line cord (for fax)
Starter toner cartridges (Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow)

Drum unit
Quick setup guide
Installation CD
Warranty card

Take the printer out of the box with care and put it on a flat and stable surface. Remove all the plastic tapes and other packaging materials from the printer including those in the paper tray and drum area.

Installing the Toner Cartridges and Drum Unit

Four toner cartridges and a separate drum make up the Brother MFC-L8850CDW’s color printing unit. The installation is done by following these steps:

Open the Front Cover: To unveil the drum unit and toner cartridge slots, gently pull down the front cover.
Insert the Drum Unit: The drum unit must be slid into the printer. Make sure it is locked securely.

Insert the Toner Cartridges: Each toner cartridge (Black, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow) should be taken out of the package and shaken gently, so the toner will be distributed evenly. Insert each cartridge into the drum unit’s proper slot. A click will be heard when they are secured correctly.
Close the Front Cover: After the installation of all cartridges, the front cover should be closed.
Connecting the Printer

The printer can now be connected to a power source and network (if needed) as the next step.

Power Connection: Insert the power cord into the printer’s rear and the opposite end to a wall socket. To power on the printer, press the power button.
Network Connection: You can connect the printer to your network using either Ethernet or Wi-Fi, depending on how your network is set up.

Ethernet: Run an Ethernet cable from your router to the printer’s Ethernet port.
Wi-Fi: On the control panel of the printer, go to the network settings and choose your Wi-Fi network. When asked, type in the Wi-Fi password.

Software Installation
Using the Installation CD

The Brother MFC-L8850CDW is provided with an installation CD that holds the essential drivers and software. The CD needs to be inserted into the CD/DVD drive of the computer and the on-screen instructions need to be followed.

Run the Setup: The setup program is expected to automatically start. In case it does not, from your computer open the CD drive and double click the setup.exe file.
Follow the Wizard: The installation wizard will assist you through the procedure. Accept the license agreement and choose the installation type (usually, “Standard” is suggested).

Select Connection Type: Select the way to connect the printer to your computer (USB, Wired Network, Wireless Network). If you have, proceed with the connection type prompts.

Install Drivers and Software: The wizard will be accountable for setting up the drivers and software, among them the Brother ControlCenter4 utility, which simplifies the control of the printing and scanning tasks.

Downloading from Brother’s Website

In the event that your computer lacks a CD/DVD drive, or if you just want to make sure that you are using the most up-to-date drivers, you can download them from Brother’s website.

Visit the Brother Support Page: Go to the Brother support page and type in your printer model (MFC-L8850CDW).
Download Drivers: Download the complete driver and software suite corresponding to your operating system.
Run the Installer: After the download, launch the installer and proceed with on-screen instructions similar to the steps for installation from the CD.

Network Configuration
Wired Network Setup

For a wired network setup, confirm that an Ethernet cable is connected properly to the printer and the router. The printer will get an IP address from the router automatically. To check the connection, you can print a network configuration page:

Print Network Configuration Page: Through the printer’s control panel, access Menu > Print Reports > Network Configuration.
Confirm IP Address: Look at the IP address shown on the network configuration page. You are going to use this IP address for connecting the printer to your computer.

Wireless Network Setup

For a wireless network setup, the printer can be connected to your Wi-Fi network by following these steps:

Access Network Settings: The Menu button on the printer’s control panel should be pressed and then the user should navigate to Network > WLAN > Setup Wizard.
Select Your Network: Wi-Fi networks will be searched by the printer. From the list, select your network.

Enter Wi-Fi Password: The network password will be entered through the control panel. Alphanumeric characters should be entered using the keypad.
Confirm Connection: The printer will perform the Wi-Fi network connection. You can then print a network configuration page to check connection and get IP address.
Adding the Printer to Your Computer

Windows
Open Devices and Printers: Control Panel > Devices and Printers is the place to go.
Add a Printer: “Add a printer” should be clicked and “Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer” should be selected.
Select Your Printer: The search for available printers will be done by Windows. From the list, choose your Brother MFC-L8850CDW.

Complete the Installation: Installation will be completed by following the prompts. The printer’s IP address may be needed.
Mac
Open System Preferences: Apple menu > System Preferences > Printers & Scanners is where you go.

Add Printer: To add a printer, the “+” button should be clicked.
Select Your Printer: Your Brother MFC-L8850CDW should be chosen from the list of available printers.
Install Driver: The driver will be installed automatically. If you see a message, download the driver from Brother’s website.

Troubleshooting Tips

Even if installation procedure was simple, some problems might come up. Below are some most common problems along with suggested fixes:

Printer Not Detected

Check Connections: Make sure all wires are connected tightly.
Verify Network Settings: Check whether the printer is in the same network as your computer.
Restart Devices: Turn off the printer, router, and computer respectively, and than turn them on to renew the network connection.

Installation Errors

Update Drivers: Confirm that you are using the newest drivers obtained from brother’s site.

Disable Firewall/Antivirus: During installation, Firewall or Antivirus can sometimes unblock the installation process, so it is advisable to temporarily disable them.

Run as Administrator: For Windows user, right-click the installer and select “Run as administrator.”

Poor Print Quality

Check Toner Levels: Make sure that at least one toner cartridge is still full and none is empty.
Clean Drum Unit: Follow the manual guidelines for cleaning the drum unit.
Adjust Print Settings: Use printer driver for adjusting print quality settings.

Conclusion

Brother MFC-L8850CDW reflects the qualities of a multifunctional printer that is powerful and reliable enough to excel in a busy office environment. The installation procedure is lengthy but user-friendly. By merely sticking to the steps given out in this review, one will be able to enjoy a hassle-free setup experience. The whole process, which comprises unboxing and hardware installation, software setup and network configuration, is essential to the printer getting started and running efficiently. With proper setup, the Brother MFC-L8850CDW will be able to perform printing, scanning, copying, and faxing with high quality, hence becoming an indispensable asset to any company.