In the era of wireless connectivity, it’s become increasingly frustrating to deal with tangled cords and cluttered workspaces. If you’re a Mac user with a Brother printer, you’re probably wondering how to scan from your printer to your computer without the hassle of cables. The good news is that it’s entirely possible to do so, and we’re here to guide you through the process.
Understanding the Basics of Wireless Scanning
Before we dive into the step-by-step guide, it’s essential to understand how wireless scanning works. Brother printers use a technology called Wireless Direct, which allows your printer to create its own wireless network, eliminating the need for a router. This feature enables your Mac to connect directly to the printer, making it possible to scan documents and photos wirelessly.
Brother Printer Models with Wireless Scanning Capability
Not all Brother printers come with wireless scanning capability. To ensure that your printer is compatible, check if your model is listed below:
- Brother MFC-J497DW
- Brother MFC-J6930DW
- Brother MFC-L2750DW
- Brother MFC-L3750CDW
If your printer model is not listed, you can still use a wireless adapter or an Ethernet connection to enable wireless scanning. However, this article will focus on Brother printers with built-in Wireless Direct technology.
Setting Up Your Brother Printer for Wireless Scanning
To scan from your Brother printer to your Mac wirelessly, you’ll need to set up your printer’s wireless network. Follow these steps:
- Press the “Menu” button on your Brother printer’s control panel and select “Network” > “Wi-Fi” > “Wireless Direct”.
- Choose “Enable Wireless Direct” and set a password for the printer’s wireless network. Make sure to note down the network name (SSID) and password, as you’ll need them later.
- On your Mac, go to “System Preferences” > “Network” and select the Brother printer’s wireless network from the list of available networks.
- Enter the password you set earlier to connect to the printer’s wireless network.
Installing the Brother Scan Software on Your Mac
To scan from your Brother printer to your Mac, you’ll need to install the Brother Scan software. Follow these steps:
Method 1: Downloading from the Brother Website
- Go to the Brother website and navigate to the “Support” section.
- Enter your printer model number and select your operating system (Mac OS).
- Click on “Full Driver & Software Package” and follow the on-screen instructions to download the software.
- Run the installer and follow the prompts to install the Brother Scan software.
Method 2: Using the Brother iPrint&Scan App
- Open the App Store on your Mac and search for “Brother iPrint&Scan”.
- Download and install the app.
- Launch the app and select your printer model from the list of available devices.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to connect to the printer and enable scanning.
Scanning from Your Brother Printer to Your Mac Wirelessly
Now that you’ve set up your printer’s wireless network and installed the Brother Scan software, you’re ready to scan from your Brother printer to your Mac wirelessly. Follow these steps:
Using the Brother Scan Software
- Launch the Brother Scan software on your Mac.
- Select “Scan” > “Image” or “Document” depending on the type of file you want to scan.
- Choose the scan settings, such as resolution and file format, according to your needs.
- Click “Scan” to start the scanning process.
- The scanned file will be saved to your Mac’s hard drive.
Using the Brother iPrint&Scan App
- Launch the Brother iPrint&Scan app on your Mac.
- Tap “Scan” > “Image” or “Document” depending on the type of file you want to scan.
- Choose the scan settings, such as resolution and file format, according to your needs.
- Tap “Scan” to start the scanning process.
- The scanned file will be saved to your Mac’s hard drive.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you encounter any issues while scanning from your Brother printer to your Mac wirelessly, try the following troubleshooting steps:
Printer Not Detected
- Check if your printer is turned on and in range of your Mac.
- Restart your printer and Mac to re-establish the wireless connection.
- Make sure that your printer’s wireless network is enabled and you’re connected to the correct network.
Scan Quality Issues
- Check the scan settings and adjust the resolution and file format as needed.
- Ensure that the original document is placed face down on the scanner bed.
- Clean the scanner glass to remove any dust or debris that may affect scan quality.
Software Installation Issues
- Check if you’ve downloaded the correct software package for your printer model and Mac operating system.
- Restart the installation process and follow the on-screen instructions carefully.
- Contact Brother support for assistance with software installation.
By following these steps and troubleshooting common issues, you should be able to scan from your Brother printer to your Mac wirelessly without any hassle. Remember to always refer to your printer’s user manual and the Brother website for more information on wireless scanning and troubleshooting.
What are the system requirements for scanning wirelessly from a Brother printer to a Mac?
To scan wirelessly from a Brother printer to a Mac, you’ll need to ensure your devices meet the minimum system requirements. First, your Brother printer should be compatible with AirPrint or have built-in Wi-Fi connectivity. Your Mac should be running macOS High Sierra (10.13) or later, with Wi-Fi enabled. Additionally, make sure your printer and Mac are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
It’s also essential to install the Brother iPrint&Scan software on your Mac. This software allows you to print and scan wirelessly from your Mac to your Brother printer. You can download the software from the Brother website or use the installation disc that came with your printer. Once installed, follow the on-screen instructions to set up the software and connect your printer to your Mac wirelessly.
How do I connect my Brother printer to my Wi-Fi network?
To connect your Brother printer to your Wi-Fi network, go to the printer’s control panel and navigate to the Network menu. Select Wireless Setup Wizard and follow the on-screen instructions to detect your Wi-Fi network. Select your network name (SSID) from the list of available networks and enter your network password (WEP/WPA/WPA2) when prompted.
Once connected, your printer should display a confirmation message indicating it’s connected to your Wi-Fi network. You can also print a network configuration page to verify the connection. On your Mac, make sure Wi-Fi is enabled, and you’re connected to the same network as your printer. This will allow you to scan wirelessly from your printer to your Mac.
How do I scan wirelessly from my Brother printer to my Mac?
To scan wirelessly from your Brother printer to your Mac, open the Brother iPrint&Scan software on your Mac. Select the Scan tab and choose your printer from the list of available devices. If prompted, select the document type and scanning settings, such as image quality and file format.
Click the Scan button to initiate the scanning process. The scanned document will be sent wirelessly from your printer to your Mac, where it will be saved to your preferred location. You can also select the Scan to Email option to send the scanned document directly to an email address. The software will guide you through the entire scanning process, making it easy to scan wirelessly from your Brother printer to your Mac.
What file formats are supported when scanning wirelessly from my Brother printer to my Mac?
When scanning wirelessly from your Brother printer to your Mac, you can save the scanned document in various file formats, including JPEG, TIFF, PDF, and BMP. The available file formats may vary depending on the Brother iPrint&Scan software version and your printer model.
Select the desired file format from the software’s scanning settings before initiating the scanning process. You can also choose to save the scanned document in multiple file formats simultaneously. For example, you can save a scanned image as both a JPEG and a PDF file.
Can I scan wirelessly from my Brother printer to my Mac using AirPrint?
Yes, you can scan wirelessly from your Brother printer to your Mac using AirPrint, but only if your printer is AirPrint-compatible. Check your printer’s specifications to ensure it supports AirPrint. To scan using AirPrint, open the AirPrint menu on your Mac and select the Scan option.
Choose your Brother printer from the list of available AirPrint devices, and select the document type and scanning settings as desired. Click the Scan button to initiate the scanning process. The scanned document will be sent wirelessly from your printer to your Mac, where it will be saved to your preferred location.
What if I encounter issues while scanning wirelessly from my Brother printer to my Mac?
If you encounter issues while scanning wirelessly from your Brother printer to your Mac, try restarting both devices and ensure they’re connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Check the Brother iPrint&Scan software for any updates and install the latest version.
Also, ensure your printer’s Wi-Fi is enabled, and the MAC address filtering is set to allow your Mac’s Wi-Fi adapter. If the issue persists, refer to the user manual or Brother’s support website for troubleshooting guides specific to your printer model. You can also contact Brother’s customer support for further assistance.