How do I reconnect a Brother Laser Printer to my iMac?
My Brother Laser Printer HL-L2340DW stopped responding to my iMac printing via WiFi. It has suddenly stopped responding. How do I reset this device.
The printer responds if I plug in a HSB cable but this is of limited use as I also wish to use my MacBook Pro laptop on the same WiFi connection.
iMac 27″, macOS 10.13
That printer predates AirPrint, but does support IPP. macOS has IPP support built in, using CUPS.
I’d first try to access the printer embedded web server. Specify the printer’s IP address in your browser (print a configuration test page, or look up the IP address using the control panel), and see if it responds.
If it fails to respond, I’d restart the Wi-Fi router, and would reset the printer network settings and re-configure the printer (wired and wireless setup info). You can re-establish the Wi-Fi connection, or can use an Ethernet patch cable to connect into the Wi-Fi router.
I’d also check for new firmware for the printer, either using the embedded web server (if/when that’s accessible) or using the front panel. Latest firmware for this printer appears to be version 1.29 from August 2025.
This printer is old enough that it tries to use WPS or AOSS for its automated Wi-Fi setup. That’s all been found to be insecure, and is long gone from modern networking gear. Which means you’ll be re-entering the Wi-Fi SSID network name and network password manually, and very likely WPA2 pre-shared key (PSK) (Personal) authentication.
To try using CUPS and IPP/IPPS printing, you will need the IP address information for the printer, and the following steps to enable and access CUPS:
cupsctl WebInterface=yes
AirPrint is related to IPP/IPPS, and (like IPP/IPPS) is intended to eliminate the need for vendor printer drivers.
This is also why AirPrint is usually a feature usually recommended when selecting a printer for Apple platforms.
CUPS quick intro, and adding a printer using the web interface: https://www.cups.org/doc/overview.html
Detailed technical CUPS network configuration info: https://www.cups.org/doc/network.html
Vendor drivers are an option too, where available.
That printer predates AirPrint, but does support IPP. macOS has IPP support built in, using CUPS.
I’d first try to access the printer embedded web server. Specify the printer’s IP address in your browser (print a configuration test page, or look up the IP address using the control panel), and see if it responds.
If it fails to respond, I’d restart the Wi-Fi router, and would reset the printer network settings and re-configure the printer (wired and wireless setup info). You can re-establish the Wi-Fi connection, or can use an Ethernet patch cable to connect into the Wi-Fi router.
I’d also check for new firmware for the printer, either using the embedded web server (if/when that’s accessible) or using the front panel. Latest firmware for this printer appears to be version 1.29 from August 2025.
This printer is old enough that it tries to use WPS or AOSS for its automated Wi-Fi setup. That’s all been found to be insecure, and is long gone from modern networking gear. Which means you’ll be re-entering the Wi-Fi SSID network name and network password manually, and very likely WPA2 pre-shared key (PSK) (Personal) authentication.
To try using CUPS and IPP/IPPS printing, you will need the IP address information for the printer, and the following steps to enable and access CUPS:
cupsctl WebInterface=yes
AirPrint is related to IPP/IPPS, and (like IPP/IPPS) is intended to eliminate the need for vendor printer drivers.
This is also why AirPrint is usually a feature usually recommended when selecting a printer for Apple platforms.
CUPS quick intro, and adding a printer using the web interface: https://www.cups.org/doc/overview.html
Detailed technical CUPS network configuration info: https://www.cups.org/doc/network.html
Vendor drivers are an option too, where available.
Reconnect Brother HL-L2340DW printer to iMac Wi-Fi
