Brother HL-4070CDW will not set up to print on my network

It would appear that the printer drivers for Brother HL-4070CDW color laser are not installing. Either that, or the computer is failing to acknowledge they're there. I followed the instructions to install drivers from the Brother CD and then also installed the "optional installs" from the Leopard 10.5.1 original disc. I then attempted the Apple Hardware Test, both with the Leopard install disc in and then without it. I had all the peripherals, included my Airport Express, disconnected, but it would not bring up the test at "restart."

No devices appear in "Available Wireless Devices" in BRADmin for Mac (think that's a Brother deal). Also, in "About this Mac," the printers list is empty, and I'm unable to find any when I click the "+" button to set up in System Preferences. Hard drive library reveals Brother printer files, but nothing that looks like a driver. Address of the Brother print server is 192.0.0.192.

I'm pretty well stumped for where to go next. I have tried to install printer with USB cable (that seemed most straightforward) and as wireless setup. The only way it will print is directly from the printer. It has printed a test page and a jpg file from my thumb drive.

Any ideas/suggestions will be gratefully accepted.

iMac, Mac OS X (10.4.11), virtual windows xp with vm fusionware

Posted on Apr 30, 2009 8:06 AM

22 replies

jayelyn Author

Level 1

8 points

May 8, 2009 7:12 AM in response to John Galt

Just a quick note (I'm going to try the ad-hoc setup later today)--when I go directly to Utilities/Airport Utility the message is it's "unable to find any Apple wireless devices." However, in System Preferences/Network, the Airport says "AirPort is connected to MBR-f6b and has the IP address 192.168.0.197," the same IP as the Mac. Does that mean the router's not working as it should in assigning unique IP addresses? Is it another brain glitch on my part?

Is it a requirement of "geeks/nerds" like yourself to be beyond bonkers? 🙂

John Galt

Level 10

155,882 points

May 12, 2009 10:20 PM in response to jayelyn

Not going to happen tonite. Too late, too tired

You'll never rise (or sink???) to the level of geekdom that way. I do my best work when it's late and I'm tired. Like now.

The problem is out there, mocking you. Don't let it win 🙂

jayelyn Author

Level 1

8 points

May 21, 2009 1:23 PM in response to John Galt

Thanks for your (long ago) encouragement! I basically took a break for Mother's Day and my birthday (no excuse, I know, and really not a good idea since I ended up very discouraged and not wanting to pursue it further!), but this week I have been on the phone with Brother support and Cradlepoint. Brother actually has a "Mac support" division with a couple of English speakers (yay). They emailed me quite a lengthy set of instructions to set up wirelessly because we were unable to get past whether my Cradlepoint password was a WPA or WEP (it's neither, but rather a custom login built for Cradlepoint). So now I'm going to see if I can get there with the written instructions or whether I need to call them back. We'll see if I have enough time this afternoon during Grandson's nap to get through the instructions. At any rate, WHEN the printer is successfully networked, you'll be the first to know!

jayelyn Author

Level 1

8 points

May 21, 2009 5:27 PM in response to John Galt

I won; the problem did not!! I wish I tell you exactly what the problem WAS, but once I had the SSID to input into the Brother along with knowing that there is no encryption and no authentication, plus the fact that Cradlepoint is neither WPA or WEP, I just followed the instructions. I'm printing from my desktop, the laptop is printing, and I'm happy and almost done.

Now (possibly after a meeting this evening, or tomorrow's naptime at the latest) I'll check to make sure we can both print from our Windows side. I'm hoping that Bonjour will just take care of that, but need to stop writing and get on with dinner. Thanks very very much for all your patient instruction and encouragement. It'll be great to put this particular problem to rest now and get it off my list.

John Galt

Level 10

155,882 points

May 21, 2009 6:03 PM in response to jayelyn

Awesome. Glad it's all working for you.

Now that it is and everything's fresh in your mind, write down all the stuff you might need to know when some glitch strikes and all of a sudden you can't print.

If all else, fails, I'll still be here 🙂

jayelyn Author

Level 1

8 points

May 23, 2009 7:08 AM in response to John Galt

So in probably less than half an hour after getting up this morning (that's when my thinking is clear and hope is strong), I had both of our computers printing with Bonjour without any apparent glitches. We're happy in this house, and I really like the Brother printer!!

I've been taking notes throughout the process--think I do need to go back and highlight the more salient points, however. Good advice.

Again, many thanks and blessings--

jayelyn Author

Level 1

8 points

May 8, 2009 7:59 PM in response to jayelyn

Not going to happen tonite. Too late, too tired

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Brother HL-4070CDW will not set up to print on my network