Brother MFC‑J5910DW Printer Setup
The Brother MFC‑J5910DW is a wide‑format inkjet all‑in‑one designed for small offices. It supports Wi‑Fi, Ethernet, USB, duplex printing, fax, and an automatic document feeder. Because it’s an older model, setup is easiest when you follow a clear order: physical installation, network connection, driver install, then print/scan tests. This guide covers all of that, plus common fixes for offline status or ADF problems.
Unboxing and Physical Setup
Remove packing materials and orange tape. Install the power cord into a wall outlet and turn the printer on. Open the ink access area and install each cartridge in its labeled slot until it clicks. Load plain paper in the main tray and extend the output tray. Let the printer complete its initial alignment.
Choose Wi‑Fi, Ethernet, or USB
The J5910DW supports three connections:
- Wi‑Fi: Flexible placement; use 2.4 GHz for best compatibility.
- Ethernet: Most stable; recommended for offices.
- USB: For a single computer or diagnostics.
Connect to Wi‑Fi
On the printer, go to Menu > Network > WLAN > Setup Wizard. Choose your SSID and enter the password. If you changed routers, run Network Reset first to clear old profiles. When the printer confirms connection, print a network configuration report to note the IP address.
WPS Push‑Button Setup (Optional)
If your router supports WPS, choose WPS/AOSS in the WLAN menu and press the router’s WPS button within two minutes. Wait for a success message. If WPS fails, use manual SSID/password setup instead.
Ethernet Setup
Plug an Ethernet cable into the printer and router/switch. In Network settings, select Wired LAN if needed. The printer will obtain an IP automatically. Print the network report and reserve the IP in your router for stability.
Install Drivers on Windows
Download the Brother full driver and software package for the MFC‑J5910DW. Run it, choose your connection type, and let it detect the printer. If it doesn’t appear, add by IP using the network report. After install, print a test page and scan a document with Brother ControlCenter to confirm everything works.
Install Drivers on macOS
Download Brother drivers for your macOS version. Add the printer in System Settings > Printers & Scanners. Choose the Brother driver in the Use dropdown. If Bonjour discovery fails, add by IP with protocol IPP or LPD. Test print and scan with Image Capture or Brother iPrint&Scan.
Set Up Scanning and ADF
The J5910DW’s ADF supports multi‑page scanning. Load pages face up, top edge first, within the guides. In Brother ControlCenter (Windows) or iPrint&Scan (macOS), select ADF as the source and PDF as the output for multi‑page files. Clean the ADF strip glass if scans show vertical lines.
Wide‑Format Printing Tips
The J5910DW supports paper up to 11×17. Make sure your driver paper size matches the physical paper and tray. Use the rear feed for thick media. Choose the correct media type to avoid smears. For duplex wide‑format jobs, use supported paper weights to prevent curl.
Fix Offline or Not Found
Print a network report to confirm IP. On Windows, avoid WSD ports—use Standard TCP/IP ports matching the printer IP. Clear Use Printer Offline and cancel stuck jobs. On macOS, remove and re‑add by IP if needed. Reserve the printer IP to prevent recurrence.
Ink and Maintenance
Run nozzle checks if output is faint. Clean the head once if gaps appear, then re‑prime with a few pages. Print weekly to keep ink flowing. Use genuine Brother or reputable compatible cartridges.
Use Brother Utilities and Web Interface
After installation, open Brother ControlCenter (Windows) or iPrint&Scan (macOS) to confirm scanning and ADF features. If your computer cannot find the printer, type its IP address into a browser to open the Brother web interface. From there you can confirm connection status, check ink levels, and set a static IP or DHCP reservation to prevent offline issues.\n
Prevent Offline Problems Long-Term
Reserve the printer’s IP in your router and avoid WSD ports on Windows. If you print from multiple devices, keep everything on the main network (not a guest SSID) and disable client isolation. The J5910DW is happiest on a steady 2.4 GHz signal or Ethernet.\n
Firmware Updates
Update firmware via Brother utilities or the printer’s web interface to improve Wi‑Fi stability and ADF behavior.
Quick Checklist
- Install cartridges, load paper, and complete alignment.
- Connect by Wi‑Fi/Ethernet and print a network report for IP.
- Install Brother full drivers on Windows/macOS.
- Test wide‑format printing and ADF scanning.
- Reserve the IP to prevent offline errors.
With the correct driver and a stable network IP, the Brother MFC‑J5910DW remains a capable wide‑format office printer and scanner.