Brother AirPrint Not Working? 10 Easy Fixes for iPhone, iPad, and Mac

Brother AirPrint allows users to print documents, photos, emails, and webpages wirelessly from Apple devices without installing additional printer drivers. However, sometimes users encounter the Brother AirPrint Not Working problem, even when their printer is powered on and connected to WiFi.

If your Brother printer is not showing up on AirPrint, displays a "No AirPrint Printers Found" message, or refuses to print from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, the problem may involve network settings, outdated firmware, or communication errors.

This guide explains why Brother AirPrint stops working and provides practical troubleshooting solutions.

Why Is Brother AirPrint Not Working?

Several issues can prevent your Brother printer from communicating with Apple devices.

Common causes include:

• Different WiFi networks: The printer and Apple device are connected to separate networks.

• Weak wireless connection: Unstable WiFi signals interrupt printing.

• AirPrint compatibility: Some Brother printer models do not support AirPrint.

• Outdated firmware: Older printer software may cause compatibility issues.

• Router restrictions: Network isolation can prevent device discovery.

• VPN connections: Certain VPN configurations may interfere with local printer detection.

• Printer errors: Paper jams, empty cartridges, or offline status can stop printing.

Understanding these causes makes troubleshooting easier.

How to Fix Brother AirPrint Not Working: 10 Solutions

1. Check Brother Printer AirPrint Compatibility

First, confirm that your Brother printer supports Apple AirPrint.

Check your printer model's specifications in the official Brother documentation.

If AirPrint is unsupported, use a compatible Brother printing application or another supported printing method.

2. Connect Both Devices to the Same WiFi

AirPrint generally requires your Brother printer and Apple device to communicate over the same local network.

To verify:

1. Open Settings > WiFi on your iPhone or iPad.

2. Check the connected wireless network.

3. Open the network settings on your Brother printer.

4. Confirm that both devices can communicate over the network.

Avoid guest networks that isolate connected devices.

3. Restart Your Brother Printer

Temporary communication errors may prevent AirPrint from working.

1. Turn off your Brother printer.

2. Wait approximately 30 seconds.

3. Turn the printer back on.

4. Allow it to reconnect to WiFi.

5. Try printing again.

Restarting often resolves minor connectivity issues.

4. Restart Your iPhone, iPad, or Mac

Your Apple device may temporarily fail to detect wireless printers.

Restart your iPhone, iPad, or Mac and reconnect to WiFi.

Open a document or photo and try the Print option again.

5. Restart Your WiFi Router

Router connectivity problems can prevent AirPrint discovery.

Restart your router and wait until the wireless network becomes available.

Reconnect the printer and Apple device before testing AirPrint.

6. Update Brother Printer Firmware

Outdated firmware can sometimes cause wireless printing problems.

To update:

1. Identify your Brother printer model.

2. Visit Brother's official support website.

3. Check for available firmware updates.

4. Follow the instructions for your specific printer.

5. Restart the printer after completing the update, if instructed.

Do not disconnect power during a firmware update.

7. Check AirPrint Settings

Some Brother models provide an AirPrint setting through their web-based management interface.

If supported:

1. Find the printer's IP address.

2. Open the printer's management interface in a browser.

3. Locate the AirPrint settings.

4. Verify that AirPrint is enabled.

5. Save any changes.

Available options vary by model.

8. Disable VPN Temporarily

Some VPN connections prevent local network device discovery.

Temporarily disconnect the VPN on your Apple device and try printing again.

If AirPrint works, review your VPN's local network access settings before reconnecting.

9. Check Router Isolation Settings

Certain routers have security features that block communication between connected devices.

Review settings such as:

• AP isolation

• Client isolation

• Guest network isolation

• Multicast or Bonjour filtering

AirPrint uses Bonjour for printer discovery. Your network must allow the necessary local communication.

10. Reconnect Your Brother Printer to WiFi

If the problem continues, reconnect the printer to your wireless network.

1. Open the printer's network menu.

2. Select the wireless setup wizard.

3. Choose your WiFi network.

4. Enter the correct password.

5. Confirm the connection.

6. Try AirPrint again.

Use a network reset only when necessary because it can erase saved wireless settings.

Brother Printer Not Showing Up on AirPrint

If your Brother printer does not appear in the printer selection list, verify its wireless connection and confirm AirPrint compatibility.

On an iPhone or iPad, open a compatible application, select Share > Print, and tap Printer to search for available devices.

On a Mac, open System Settings > Printers & Scanners and try adding the printer. Select AirPrint when the option is available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my iPhone say No AirPrint Printers Found?

This message usually appears when your printer cannot be discovered over the local network, AirPrint is unsupported, or network restrictions prevent communication.

How do I enable AirPrint on my Brother printer?

AirPrint is available automatically on many compatible Brother printers. Some models also provide AirPrint settings through their web management interface.

Why is Brother AirPrint not working after changing WiFi?

Your printer may still have the previous network credentials. Reconnect it to the new WiFi network and confirm that your Apple device can reach it.

Can I use Brother AirPrint without installing drivers?

Yes. AirPrint-compatible Brother printers generally work with supported Apple devices without additional printer drivers.

Conclusion

The Brother AirPrint Not Working problem is commonly caused by network connectivity issues, printer discovery restrictions, outdated firmware, or incompatible settings. Checking WiFi connections, restarting devices, verifying AirPrint compatibility, and reviewing router settings can help restore wireless printing.

Need Additional Assistance?

If you’ve tried the troubleshooting steps above and still need help (Dial +1-803-866-1601 USA), our independent technical support team can assist with printer troubleshooting. We are not affiliated with or authorized by Brother or any other printer manufacturer.