Brother MFC‑9130CW Printer Wireless Setup
The Brother MFC‑9130CW is a compact color laser all‑in‑one with fast duplex printing, a document feeder, and both Wi‑Fi and Ethernet networking. It’s popular in small offices because once it’s on the network it behaves like a workhorse—jobs arrive quickly and scans are consistent. Wireless setup is straightforward, but the menus are older, so it helps to know where Brother hides network options. This guide covers WPS pairing, manual SSID setup, driver installation, and the network tweaks that prevent “offline” surprises later.
Before You Start
- Confirm your Wi‑Fi SSID and password; the MFC‑9130CW uses 2.4 GHz only.
- Place the printer near the router during setup.
- If the printer was previously connected elsewhere, reset network settings.
To reset: press Menu > Network > Network Reset, then confirm.
Method 1: WPS Connection
- Press Menu on the printer.
- Select Network > WLAN > WPS/AOSS.
- When the printer prompts, press the WPS button on your router.
- Wait for the printer to display “Connected.”
If it fails, ensure WPS is enabled on the router and try again within the two‑minute window.
Method 2: Setup Wizard (Manual)
- Press Menu > Network > WLAN.
- Choose Setup Wizard.
- Select your SSID and enter the password using the keypad.
- Confirm and wait for the connection message.
Print a Network Report
After connecting, print a Network Configuration sheet: Menu > Print Reports > Network Config. Note the IP address. For office reliability, reserve this IP in your router so it doesn’t change.
Ethernet Option for Heavy Use
If the printer sits near your router or a switch, Ethernet is worth considering. Laser printers push larger spooled jobs and can be more sensitive to weak Wi‑Fi. Plug in Ethernet, let the printer acquire an IP, and then reinstall or re‑add the printer on your computers so they use the wired address. Many offices start on Wi‑Fi and later switch to Ethernet when they want maximum uptime.
Advanced Network Settings
In the Network menu you can set a static IP, disable IPv6 if your router doesn’t use it, and run built‑in connection tests. A static or reserved IP prevents port drift on Windows. If you manage multiple Brother devices, Brother’s BRAdmin Light utility can find the printer quickly and show signal strength, firmware level, and current IP without digging through menus.
Install Drivers on Windows
Download the MFC‑9130CW full driver package from Brother. Run the installer and select Wireless Network Connection. The installer should detect the printer by name. If not, choose the option to specify the printer by IP and enter the address from your network report.
Install on macOS
Add the printer via System Settings > Printers & Scanners. AirPrint works for printing, but Brother’s driver gives better color options and scan controls. If the printer doesn’t appear automatically, add it under the IP tab with protocol IPP.
Set Up Scanning to Computer
Install Brother iPrint&Scan or ControlCenter on your computer. This enables Scan‑to‑PC shortcuts. If you want to scan from the printer panel directly, register your computer inside Brother Utilities so the printer knows where to send files.
Scan to Email or Network Folder
The MFC‑9130CW supports handy office workflows like Scan to Email Server or Scan to Network (SMB). These are configured from EWS or BRAdmin using the printer’s IP address. If you set up Scan to Network, be sure your shared folder allows a dedicated username and password; guest or public shares are often blocked by modern Windows security.
Color Laser Maintenance Basics
Wireless setup is only part of keeping this printer happy. Use genuine or high‑quality toner, and run a color calibration from the menu if prints look uneven. If you see background haze or repeating marks, clean the drum units and check the belt area. Keeping the inside free of loose toner also helps the scanner optics stay clean for sharp copies.
Troubleshooting Network Issues
Printer connected, but shows offline: On Windows, make sure you’re using a Standard TCP/IP port rather than a WSD port. Wi‑Fi drops under load: Switch to Ethernet, or move the printer closer to a mesh node. Laser printers can be sensitive to weak 2.4 GHz signals. SSID not found: Confirm the router is broadcasting 2.4 GHz and not hidden; temporarily disable band steering if needed.
With a stable IP and the correct Brother drivers installed, the MFC‑9130CW becomes a reliable wireless laser printer for fast color documents and clean multi‑page scans.