# [phone] Brother HL Series Printer Connectivity Problems: Solutions

Brother HL series printers are known for their reliability, high-speed printing, and low cost of ownership. However, like all electronic devices, they are not immune to technical issues. One of the most common and frustrating problems users face is **connectivity issues**—whether over USB, Wi-Fi, or a wired network.

This comprehensive 3000-word guide will walk you through **common connectivity problems with Brother HL series printers**, their causes, and proven **solutions**. If at any point you need live help, don’t hesitate to call **Brother Printer Support** at **[phone]** (toll-free for the USA).

### ✅ Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Common Connectivity Issues in Brother HL Series
3. Wi-Fi Connectivity Problems
4. USB Connection Issues
5. Wired LAN Connectivity Failures
6. Troubleshooting on Windows and macOS
7. Firewall and Antivirus Conflicts
8. Brother Printer Offline Issue
9. IP Address and Network Configuration Issues
10. Firmware and Driver Problems
11. Advanced Troubleshooting
12. When to Call Support: [phone]
13. Preventive Measures and Best Practices
14. Conclusion

### 1. 🔍 Introduction

Brother HL printers—including popular models like HL-L2350DW, HL-L2370DW, HL-L2390DW, HL-L6200DW, etc.—are built for high-efficiency office use. However, network or system changes often interrupt smooth communication between the printer and the host device.

Understanding and addressing these connectivity problems is essential to ensure uninterrupted printing, scanning, and device performance.

### 2. 🔧 Common Connectivity Issues in Brother HL Series

Before diving into the fixes, let’s identify the most reported issues:

* Printer not connecting to Wi-Fi
* USB not recognized
* Wired LAN not working
* Printer shows "Offline" status
* IP address conflict
* Driver installation problems
* Firewall or antivirus blocking printer
* Printer not found on network

### 3. 📶 Wi-Fi Connectivity Problems

**Symptoms:**

* Printer not listed in available network devices
* Frequent disconnections
* Unable to find SSID or connect to router

#### Causes:

* Incorrect Wi-Fi password
* Router signal interference
* DHCP misconfigurations
* Firmware incompatibility
* Outdated network drivers

#### Solutions:

**Step 1: Check Wi-Fi Settings**

* Press the printer's **Menu > Network > WLAN > Setup Wizard**
* Select your SSID and enter the correct password

**Step 2: Move the Printer Closer**

* Place the printer within 10-15 feet of the router for setup
* Remove any physical obstructions (walls, microwaves)

**Step 3: Reset Network Settings**

* Menu > Network > Network Reset

**Step 4: Update Firmware**

* Go to Brother's website > Download Firmware Update Tool > Run on PC

**Step 5: Use WPS**

* If supported, press WPS on your router and printer within 2 minutes to auto-connect

### 4. 🔌 USB Connection Issues

**Symptoms:**

* Printer not detected via USB
* "USB Device Not Recognized" error
* Printing stuck in queue

#### Causes:

* Faulty USB cable or port
* Corrupted USB drivers
* Conflicting USB device drivers

#### Solutions:

**Step 1: Try a Different USB Port and Cable**

* Plug into a direct USB 2.0/3.0 port, not a USB hub

**Step 2: Reinstall USB Drivers**

* Open *Device Manager* > *Universal Serial Bus Controllers*
* Right-click "Brother Printer USB" > Uninstall > Restart PC

**Step 3: Check Print Spooler**

* Press `Win + R` > Type `services.msc`
* Restart **Print Spooler** service

**Step 4: Download Updated Drivers**

* Visit: [https://support.brother.com](https://support.brother.com)
* Download latest USB drivers for your OS

### 5. 🌐 Wired LAN Connectivity Failures

**Symptoms:**

* No network access
* Printer not reachable via IP
* Printing fails from networked devices

#### Causes:

* Loose Ethernet cables
* DHCP not assigning IP
* Static IP conflicts

#### Solutions:

**Step 1: Verify Connection**

* Ensure Ethernet cable is securely connected
* Printer LCD should show “Connected” or IP address

**Step 2: Print Network Configuration**

* Menu > Print Reports > Network Configuration
* Check IP, Subnet, and Gateway

**Step 3: Set Static IP**

* Menu > Network > TCP/IP > Boot Method > Static
* Manually enter IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.50)

**Step 4: Ping Test**

* From PC, open CMD > type `ping 192.168.1.50`
* If timeout, there’s a router or switch issue

### 6. 🖥️ Troubleshooting on Windows and macOS

#### For Windows:

* Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers
* Right-click on Brother HL Printer > "See what's printing" > Cancel all documents
* Reinstall driver from Brother’s support site
* Run the Brother Printer Troubleshooter tool

#### For macOS:

* Go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners
* Delete and re-add the printer
* Use AirPrint or install the Brother CUPS driver

### 7. 🔥 Firewall and Antivirus Conflicts

Sometimes, your security software may block printer communication.

#### Steps to Resolve:

* Add printer software to firewall exceptions
* Temporarily disable antivirus and check printer connectivity
* Open TCP/IP Ports 9100 and 515 for Brother printers

### 8. 📴 Brother Printer Offline Issue

**Common Message:** “Brother HL Printer is offline” even when powered on.

#### Fixes:

**1. Set as Default Printer**

* Go to Devices and Printers > Right-click on your Brother printer > Set as default

**2. Disable "Use Printer Offline"**

* Right-click > See what’s printing > Printer > Uncheck "Use Printer Offline"

**3. Restart Print Spooler**

* See previous steps in section 4

**4. Reinstall the Printer**

* Remove printer and reinstall with updated drivers

### 9. 🌍 IP Address and Network Configuration Issues

Incorrect or duplicated IPs can cause communication errors.

#### Tips:

* Always assign static IP addresses to printers
* Avoid IPs in DHCP range (like 192.168.1.100 to 192.168.1.200)
* Access your router's admin page to reserve IP by MAC address

### 10. 🛠️ Firmware and Driver Problems

**Outdated firmware** can lead to incompatibility with new routers or OS updates.

#### Update Firmware:

* Download [Firmware Update Tool](https://support.brother.com)
* Connect printer to PC via USB or network
* Run the update tool

#### Update Driver:

* For Windows: Brother Full Driver & Software Package
* For macOS: Use Brother CUPS driver or AirPrint

### 11. ⚙️ Advanced Troubleshooting

**Reset Printer to Factory Defaults:**

* Menu > Initial Setup > Reset > All Settings
* Reconfigure Wi-Fi or network setup

**Use IP Address for Installation:**

* Add printer manually via IP:

* On Windows: "Add Printer" > "Add a printer using TCP/IP address"

**Check for Port Configuration:**

* Devices and Printers > Printer Properties > Ports
* Use “Standard TCP/IP Port” with correct IP

### 12. 📞 When to Call Support: [phone]

Still facing issues?

If you've tried all the above and your Brother HL printer still doesn't connect properly, don’t waste time—call **Brother Printer Technical Support** at:

**📱 Toll-Free: [phone] (USA)**

Their certified technicians can:

* Remotely diagnose your printer
* Fix Wi-Fi or USB connection issues
* Update your drivers or firmware
* Assist with configuration
* Resolve error codes and offline problems

**Available 24/7.** Fast, reliable, and tailored help.

### 13. 🛡️ Preventive Measures and Best Practices

* Always keep firmware and drivers up-to-date
* Use surge protectors to avoid hardware damage
* Avoid placing printers near microwaves or metal shelves (interference)
* Reserve printer IP in router settings
* Reboot router and printer monthly to refresh network assignments

### 14. 🧾 Conclusion

The Brother HL Series printers are excellent machines—but connectivity problems can severely impact productivity. Whether it's USB not working, Wi-Fi dropouts, or LAN setup failures, these issues can be solved with structured troubleshooting.

If you’ve followed the steps in this guide, you’re already ahead. For persistent or advanced problems, **professional help is just a phone call away**.

📞 Need Immediate Help? Call Now

**Brother Printer Support USA**
**Toll-Free: [phone]**
**Available 24/7**

Get fast assistance for:

* HL-L2350DW
* HL-L2370DW
* HL-L2390DW
* HL-L6200DW
* And all other HL series models.