Last checked: 12 October 2026. Review method: official documentation review by Number Customer Care Editorial Desk; this is not a claim of testing on every printer.
If a Brother printer will not print wirelessly from a Mac, first confirm the printer is on the intended network, then check the Mac’s queue and the model’s macOS support. A printer with working Wi-Fi can still be absent from the Mac’s list; resetting the printer immediately hides the distinction.
1. Check the model and printer readiness
Note the complete model and your macOS version. Check the printer display for paper, cover, supply or service messages. Use its manual to print a local report if supported. If local printing fails too, resolve that printer message before changing the Mac.
Confirm the model has wireless networking and supports your intended printing method. AirPrint support is model-dependent; the Brother brand name alone does not establish compatibility. Printing and scanning support can also differ.
2. Confirm the wireless connection
Read the model’s network configuration report or display. Compare the selected network with the network intended for the Mac. A USB connection to another computer does not itself put the printer on Wi-Fi. If you recently replaced the router or changed its password, follow the model’s wireless setup instructions with the current information.
For example, Brother’s current setup article covers a specified MFC-L8730CDW/MFC-L8930CDW/MFC-L8970CDW and HL-L8430CDW/HL-L8570CDW family. Its control-panel sequence and supported security combination must not be copied to every Brother model. Select your own model at Brother Support.
A guest Wi-Fi network or workplace network segment may block access or discovery. A Mac on 5 GHz and a printer on 2.4 GHz can communicate on a properly bridged network; simply forcing both to the same band is not a universal fix. Ask the administrator about the permitted network path. Do not change office router security.
3. Add the right printer on current macOS
- Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
- Choose Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax and wait for discovery.
- Select the matching device. For an AirPrint-compatible model, use the offered AirPrint method; otherwise follow Brother’s model-specific macOS software guidance.
- Print one short document and confirm that the correct physical printer receives it.
Apple’s current printer guide also permits adding a network printer by address using a supported protocol. Obtain the current address and protocol from the model documentation or administrator. Do not guess a generic driver, protocol or queue name.
4. Choose the branch that matches the result
| Result | Next check |
|---|---|
| Printer never appears | Network readiness, AirPrint/model support and discovery restrictions. |
| Printer appears but jobs wait | The selected queue, paused job and printer display. |
| Only one application fails | Try a simple document from another app; compare the application’s selected printer and page settings. |
| Another device prints but this Mac does not | This Mac’s queue and supported printing software. |
| Printing works but scanning does not | The separate scanning support and software listed for the exact model/OS. |
In Print Center, resume a queue that was paused intentionally only when it is ready. Cancel a job you intend to discard, then submit one test job. Keep the original document: a cancelled job is not an automatic backup. Avoid sending the same large document repeatedly while diagnosing.
5. Recreate a queue before a full printing reset
Apple recommends trying a newly added queue and removing the old one if the new queue works. Record the old queue’s paper sizes, presets and special settings first. This is different from resetting the entire Mac printing system.
A full printing-system reset is a last resort: Apple’s documentation says it removes every printer, completed-job information and printer presets. You must add printers again. On a managed Mac, consult IT before doing this. A printer network reset is a separate operation and can disrupt other users.
The old macOS Network Utility/ping procedure and simplistic “matching IP prefixes” rule are not required for this workflow. Use current printer settings, the network report and an administrator’s diagnosis when network routing is involved.
Get help from the right place
Number Customer Care is an independent information publisher, not Brother’s support service. We do not offer a repair helpline or remote device access. For model-specific service, begin on the manufacturer’s official support website. Never send this website passwords, verification codes or payment details.