A Brother factory reset returns the printer to its original settings. It can clear stubborn configuration problems, prepare a used printer for setup, or remove personal network and address-book data before selling. If only Wi-Fi is broken, a network reset is usually better.
Does this affect you?
Use this when a Brother printer has wrong settings stuck in memory, you are setting up a used machine, or you need a clean start. Use network reset instead if you only need to forget Wi-Fi.
Full factory reset on touchscreen models
Menu wording varies, but most modern Brother all-in-ones follow this pattern.
- Tap Settings, usually a gear or wrench icon.
- Open All Settings.
- Choose Initial Setup.
- Open Reset.
- Choose All Settings or Factory Reset.
- Confirm the reset prompts.
- Wait while the printer restarts into its out-of-box state.
Reset only network settings
Use this for Wi-Fi trouble without erasing every printer preference.
- Open Settings > All Settings > Initial Setup > Reset.
- Choose Network or Network Reset.
- Confirm the reset. Wi-Fi names, passwords, and IP settings are cleared.
- Run the Wi-Fi setup wizard again afterward.
More control
Button-only models
On models without touchscreens, press Menu, use arrow keys to Initial Setup, choose Reset, then select All Settings or Network with OK. Check Brother Support for the exact button path if the menu differs.
After a full reset
You will need to set language, date/time, Wi-Fi, and re-add the printer on computers and phones. Install the full Brother driver package to restore scanning features.
Used Brother printers
Factory reset a used printer before connecting it. Saved Wi-Fi credentials, fax numbers, and address book entries may still be stored.
If reset does not fix it
A problem that returns immediately after full reset is likely hardware or model-specific error related, not a settings issue.
Sources
- Brother Support – Reset Your Brother Machine to Factory Settings (2025)
- Brother Support – Reset the Network Settings on Your Brother Machine (2025)
- Brother Support – How to Set Up a Used or Refurbished Brother Machine (2025)