Connecting Printer to 2 Ethernet computers !

Hi,
Just upgraded 2 computers in the home. Replaced the hard drives and reinstalled Windows 10 Pro on both. I have a Brothers MFC-L2680W that I used wireless on my wifes pc. After the upgrade I have 2 separate Ethernet cables out of the Router to the Desktops (Needed faster speed for my wifes). I have tried to connect the printer to be shared by each but cannot seem to get it done correctly. Maybe it's not possible since I'm using Ethernet on both? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Many Thanks

Welcome to TenForums!

First, I would suggest installing the actual driver package from Brother. While the printer may work with the fairly generic drivers that come with Windows 10, I've always found that I get better results from the actual Brother drivers.

I have a rather old Brother printer so the exact steps may be a bit different from yours, but in my case when I install the drivers it will search the network for available printers and allow me to specify the printer that it finds. If it does not find a printer, it may ask you to initially setup the printer via a direct connection (USB), and then configure the printer for network use (WiFi).

In any case, the installation wizard should guide you through the steps.

Thank You hsehestedt and Berton,
I have the Brothers Printer installed on my Pc with the Brothers Drivers. No USB or Ethernet Connections to the printer. I have a Ethernet Connections from the Router to my Desktop. Also, I have a Ethernet cable from the Router to my Wifes Desktop (For faster Internet speed). I have all the shared settings correct I believe. Is it possible to use a wireless printer on hers while having a Ethernet Cable plugged in also? I hope this all makes sense? I really do appreciate the help.

Yes, it should be possible to connect to a printer that is connected to the wireless network while the computer is connected via ethernet.

You just need to be sure that both the wireless network and the wired network are configured to be a part of the same logical network.

You may want to check the user guide for your printer. There should be a way to press a key combination on the printer or go through a menu to print a status page. You want to be sure that the printer is connecting to your network successfully.

Once that is done, you should be able to go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners. If your printer does not show up in the list already, you should be able to select "Add a printer or scanner" to add that printer to the list.

EDIT: I should note that this is exactly how my older Brother printer is connected. It is connected using WiFi and my machines that use WiFi as well as those that use Ethernet can access it.

Does your router also include a WiFi Access Point? You would connect the printer via WiFi to the router which would then make it visible on the network. You may have the printer's WiFi set to ad hoc mode, which creates it's own WiFi hotspot that will be completely separate and disconnected from your home network. Your goal is to connect the printer to your network, not to an individual computer.

Maybe I don't understand...but once you have the wifi setup on the printer and one of the PCs can connect to it via wifi then ALL pc's should be able to connect to it via wifi no matter if those PCs are hard wired or wifi. Isn't that the idea behind a wifi printer? That's how mine works.

flhthemi said:

Maybe I don't understand...but once you have the wifi setup on the printer and one of the PCs can connect to it via wifi then ALL pc's should be able to connect to it via wifi no matter if those PCs are hard wired or wifi. Isn't that the idea behind a wifi printer? That's how mine works.

The printer should connect to the router. The computers connect to the router. The computers communicate with the printer through the router.

NavyLCDR said:

The printer should connect to the router. The computers connect to the router. The computers communicate with the printer through the router.

Yup exactly, you said it better than I did. So Ethernet or not on a PC isn't a factor in setting up a wifi printer. That's what I'm confused about from the OP. No need for "sharing" with Windows when setting it up on each PC because the router will handle that. You just have to connect each to the printer.

NavyLCDR and flhthemi,
First of all I want to Thank You for your help ! It has been 7 years since I built our computers and and admit I'm not very sharp anymore. (73) lol So , I thought I would throw that out first before I go on with my mistake. I did get the problem fixed and what you said made since - it makes no difference whether computers are hard wired or not , the WiFi should work if configured correctly. After installing the new hard drive I installed the Brother Drivers for the printer. It printed fine on my computer but was not showing up on my wifes. So bottom line, it helps to have the Security KEY Entered correctly !! OUCH I really appreciate the help and offer my apologies for being so dumb. Many Thanks !!
Rick W