In today’s digital age, wireless printing has become an essential function for many individuals and businesses alike. With the rise of Chromebooks, it’s no surprise that users are looking for ways to connect their devices to wireless printers. Brother, a renowned brand in the printing industry, offers a range of wireless printers that can be easily connected to Chromebooks. In this article, we’ll provide a comprehensive guide on how to connect your Chromebook to a Brother wireless printer, ensuring seamless printing experiences.
Preparing Your Chromebook and Brother Wireless Printer
Before we dive into the connection process, make sure your Chromebook and Brother wireless printer are ready for setup.
Ensure Your Chromebook is Updated
First, ensure your Chromebook is running the latest version of Chrome OS. This is crucial, as the latest updates often include bug fixes and feature enhancements that may affect the printing process. To check for updates, follow these steps:
- Click on the clock icon in the bottom right corner of your Chromebook’s screen.
- Click on the “Settings” icon (represented by a gear).
- Scroll down to the “About Chrome OS” section.
- Click on “Check for updates.”
- If an update is available, click on “Restart to update” to apply the changes.
Prepare Your Brother Wireless Printer
Next, ensure your Brother wireless printer is turned on and connected to the same network as your Chromebook. Make sure the printer is in wireless mode and not connected to a USB cable. Refer to your printer’s user manual if you’re unsure how to switch to wireless mode.
Connecting Your Chromebook to Brother Wireless Printer
Now that your Chromebook and Brother wireless printer are ready, let’s connect them wirelessly.
Method 1: Connect Using the Chrome OS Printing Feature
This method is the most straightforward and recommended way to connect your Chromebook to a Brother wireless printer.
- Click on the clock icon in the bottom right corner of your Chromebook’s screen.
- Click on the “Settings” icon (represented by a gear).
- Scroll down to the “Printing” section.
- Click on “Add a printer or scanner.”
- Select “Wireless network” as the printer type.
- Choose your Brother wireless printer from the list of available devices.
- If prompted, enter the printer’s network key (password) to complete the connection.
Method 2: Connect Using the Brother iPrint&Scan App
Alternatively, you can use the Brother iPrint&Scan app to connect your Chromebook to the wireless printer.
- Open the Google Play Store on your Chromebook.
- Search for “Brother iPrint&Scan” and install the app.
- Launch the app and select “Wireless Network” as the connection method.
- Choose your Brother wireless printer from the list of available devices.
- Enter the printer’s network key (password) to complete the connection.
Troubleshooting Common Connection Issues
If you encounter any issues during the connection process, try the following troubleshooting steps:
Printer Not Detected
If your Chromebook doesn’t detect your Brother wireless printer, ensure:
- The printer is turned on and in wireless mode.
- The printer is connected to the same network as your Chromebook.
- You’ve entered the correct network key (password) for the printer.
Printing Issues
If you’re experiencing printing issues, try:
- Restarting your Chromebook and Brother wireless printer.
- Checking the printer’s paper and ink levels.
- Ensuring the printer is set as the default printer on your Chromebook.
Printing from Your Chromebook to Brother Wireless Printer
Once you’ve successfully connected your Chromebook to your Brother wireless printer, you can start printing wirelessly.
Printing a Document or File
To print a document or file, follow these steps:
- Open the document or file you want to print.
- Click on the “File” menu and select “Print” or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + P.
- Select your Brother wireless printer from the list of available printers.
- Choose your preferred print settings, such as paper size and orientation.
- Click on “Print” to send the print job to your Brother wireless printer.
Printing from Google Apps
If you’re using Google apps like Google Docs, Google Sheets, or Google Slides, you can print directly from within the app.
- Open the Google app containing the document you want to print.
- Click on the “File” menu and select “Print” or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + P.
- Select your Brother wireless printer from the list of available printers.
- Choose your preferred print settings, such as paper size and orientation.
- Click on “Print” to send the print job to your Brother wireless printer.
Printing Tips and Tricks
To get the most out of your wireless printing experience, keep the following tips in mind:
Print Quality
For optimal print quality, ensure your Brother wireless printer is set to its default print settings.
Paper Size
Choose the correct paper size and orientation to avoid printing issues.
Ink Levels
Regularly check and maintain your printer’s ink levels to prevent print quality issues.
Network Connection
Ensure your Chromebook and Brother wireless printer are connected to the same network for seamless printing.
Conclusion
In this comprehensive guide, we’ve covered the steps to connect your Chromebook to a Brother wireless printer, troubleshoot common connection issues, and provided printing tips and tricks. With these instructions, you should be able to enjoy seamless wireless printing experiences from your Chromebook to your Brother wireless printer.
What are the system requirements for connecting a Chromebook to a Brother wireless printer?
To connect a Chromebook to a Brother wireless printer, your Chromebook must be running Chrome OS version 53 or later. Additionally, your Brother printer must be compatible with Google Cloud Print. You can check the Brother website for a list of compatible printers. Make sure your printer and Chromebook are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
It’s also essential to ensure that your Chromebook and printer have the latest software updates installed. You can check for updates on your Chromebook by clicking on the time in the bottom right corner, then clicking on the “settings” icon, and finally clicking on “About Chrome OS”. For your Brother printer, refer to the user manual or manufacturer’s website for instructions on how to update the firmware.
How do I enable Google Cloud Print on my Brother wireless printer?
To enable Google Cloud Print on your Brother wireless printer, you’ll need to register your printer on the Google Cloud Print website. First, open a web browser on your Chromebook and go to cloud.google.com/print. Click on the “Add a printer” button and sign in to your Google account. You’ll be prompted to enter your printer’s email address, which can be found in the printer’s user manual or on the manufacturer’s website.
Once you’ve entered the email address, click “Add” and your printer will be registered with Google Cloud Print. You may need to authenticate your printer by clicking on a link sent to the printer’s email address. After authentication, your printer will be listed on the Google Cloud Print website, and you can print from your Chromebook using Google Cloud Print.
What is the difference between Google Cloud Print and Brother’s iPrint&Scan app?
Google Cloud Print is a service provided by Google that allows you to print from your Chromebook to a compatible printer over the internet. It’s a cloud-based printing solution that doesn’t require any additional software or drivers to be installed on your Chromebook. Brother’s iPrint&Scan app, on the other hand, is a mobile printing app developed by Brother that allows you to print and scan from your Android or iOS device.
While both Google Cloud Print and Brother’s iPrint&Scan app allow wireless printing, they have different requirements and compatibility. Google Cloud Print is compatible with Brother printers that support Google Cloud Print, whereas Brother’s iPrint&Scan app is compatible with a wider range of Brother printers. However, the iPrint&Scan app may require additional setup and configuration on your Chromebook.
Why can’t I find my Brother wireless printer on the Google Cloud Print website?
If you can’t find your Brother wireless printer on the Google Cloud Print website, it may be due to a few reasons. First, ensure that your printer is compatible with Google Cloud Print. Check the Brother website for a list of compatible printers. Also, make sure that your printer is registered with Google Cloud Print and that you’ve entered the correct email address.
If you’ve checked all these and still can’t find your printer, try restarting your printer and Chromebook, and then try registering your printer again. If the issue persists, contact Brother support for further assistance. Additionally, ensure that your printer and Chromebook are connected to the same Wi-Fi network and that your printer is turned on and in a ready state.
Can I print from my Chromebook to a Brother wireless printer without an internet connection?
No, Google Cloud Print requires an internet connection to print from your Chromebook to a Brother wireless printer. If you don’t have an internet connection, you won’t be able to print using Google Cloud Print. However, if you have a Brother printer that supports Brother’s iPrint&Scan app, you may be able to print wirelessly from your Chromebook without an internet connection using the app.
Keep in mind that Brother’s iPrint&Scan app may have different requirements and compatibility compared to Google Cloud Print. Check the Brother website for more information on how to use the iPrint&Scan app with your specific printer model.
How do I print from a Chromebook app to a Brother wireless printer?
To print from a Chromebook app to a Brother wireless printer, open the app and click on the “Print” button. Select “Google Cloud Print” as the printer, and then choose your Brother wireless printer from the list of available printers. You can also adjust print settings such as paper size, orientation, and number of copies before printing.
Once you’ve selected your printer, click “Print” to send the print job to your Brother wireless printer. The printing process may take a few seconds, depending on the size of the print job and the speed of your printer. If you encounter any issues during printing, refer to the troubleshooting section of this guide or contact Brother support for further assistance.
What if my Brother wireless printer is not listed on the Google Cloud Print website?
If your Brother wireless printer is not listed on the Google Cloud Print website, it may not be compatible with Google Cloud Print. Check the Brother website for a list of compatible printers. If your printer is compatible but not listed, try registering your printer again on the Google Cloud Print website.
If your printer is not compatible with Google Cloud Print, you may still be able to print wirelessly from your Chromebook using Brother’s iPrint&Scan app. Check the Brother website for more information on how to use the iPrint&Scan app with your specific printer model. Alternatively, you can also consider using a different printing method, such as using a USB cable to connect your printer to your Chromebook.