Brother MFC-280W Manual

The Brother MFC-280W is a monochrome laser All-in-One printer featuring print, copy, scan, and fax capabilities with wireless connectivity. It supports mobile printing, automatic duplex printing, and has a flatbed scanner. Below are key sections for safety, features, installation, setup, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

1. Features at a Glance 2. Installation 3. First-Time Setup 4. Specifications 5. Controls and Settings 6. Connecting Devices 7. Printing & Scanning 8. Maintenance 9. Regulatory Information 10. Troubleshooting

Features at a Glance

Key components: Monochrome laser engine, flatbed scanner, automatic document feeder (optional), control panel with LCD, wireless adapter, paper trays.

Feature	Description
Print Speed	Up to 30 pages per minute (black)
Print Resolution	Up to 1200 x 1200 dpi
Connectivity	Wireless (Wi-Fi), USB 2.0, Ethernet
Paper Capacity	250-sheet input tray
Duplex Printing	Automatic two-sided printing
Scanner Type	Flatbed color scanner
Fax	Super G3 with 33.6 kbps modem
Mobile Printing	Apple AirPrint, Google Cloud Print, Brother iPrint&Scan
Display	2-line LCD with navigation buttons
Power Consumption	Approx. 360W (printing), 65W (ready), 1.5W (sleep)

Installation

Unpack and inspect contents. Place on stable, level surface near power outlet.

Remove packaging materials and tape from printer interior.
Install toner cartridge: Open front cover, remove cartridge from packaging, shake gently, insert until it clicks.
Load paper: Adjust paper guides in input tray, load up to 250 sheets of plain paper.
Connect power cord to printer and wall outlet.

WARNING! Do not touch the green drum surface of the toner cartridge. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight or high humidity.

First-Time Setup

Power on printer; follow on-screen prompts on LCD display.

Set language: Use control panel arrows to select language, press OK.
Connect to network: For wireless, select Wi-Fi setup from menu, choose network, enter password.
Install drivers: Insert installation CD or download from Brother website, follow on-screen instructions.
Test print: Print configuration report to verify installation.

CAUTION! Ensure proper ventilation; keep at least 4 inches clearance on all sides.

Specifications

Print Technology: Monochrome laser.
Print Speed: Up to 30 ppm.
First Print Out Time: Less than 10 seconds.
Recommended Monthly Volume: 750 to 3,000 pages.
Scanner Resolution: Up to 1200 x 2400 dpi (optical).
Fax Transmission Speed: Approx. 3 seconds per page.
Memory: 32 MB standard.
Supported Media: Plain, recycled, bond, labels, envelopes, cardstock.
Operating Systems: Windows, macOS, Linux.
Power Source: 120V AC, 60Hz.

Controls and Settings

Control Panel: POWER, LCD display, navigation arrows, OK, BACK, COPY, SCAN, FAX, MENU, STOP/EXIT.

Menu Options: Network, Fax Settings, Print Settings, Scan Settings, Maintenance, Reports.

Print Settings: Density, toner save mode, duplex, paper size, orientation. Scan Settings: Resolution, file format (PDF, JPEG), destination (email, folder). Fax Settings: Speed dial, redial, contrast, resolution. Network: Wi-Fi setup, IP address, WPS.

Connecting Devices

Wireless: Via Wi-Fi setup wizard. USB: Direct connection to computer. Ethernet: Network cable to router.

Turn on printer and device (computer/phone).
For wireless: Use control panel to select network and enter password.
For USB: Connect USB cable to computer and printer, install drivers.
For Ethernet: Connect cable to router and printer, configure IP if needed.

Tip: Use WPS button on router for quick wireless connection.

Printing & Scanning

Supports standard and custom media sizes.

Print document: Select print from application, choose Brother MFC-280W, adjust settings as needed.
Copy: Place original on scanner glass or in ADF, press COPY, select number of copies, density, press START.
Scan: Place document, press SCAN, select destination (computer, email, USB), adjust settings, press START.
Fax: Load document, dial number using keypad or speed dial, press START.
Mobile print: Install Brother iPrint&Scan app, connect to same network, select document to print.

WARNING! Do not touch scanner glass with fingers; use clean cloth if needed.

Maintenance

Replace toner when low message appears. Clean exterior with dry cloth. Clean scanner glass with soft, lint-free cloth.

CAUTION! Unplug before cleaning. Do not use alcohol or abrasive cleaners.

Regulatory Information

FCC Part 15: Class B digital device; complies with interference limits for residential use. Energy Star certified. Copyright © 2025 Brother Industries, Ltd. For support, visit support.brother.com or contact 1-877-267-8437.

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Possible Cause	Corrective Action
Printer not printing	Connection/paper/jam	Check wireless/USB connection; ensure paper loaded; clear paper jam.
Poor print quality	Toner/low density	Replace toner cartridge; adjust print density in settings; clean drum.
Scanner not working	Driver/connection	Reinstall scanner driver; ensure USB cable secure; restart printer.
Wireless connection lost	Router distance/settings	Move printer closer to router; re-enter Wi-Fi password; restart router.
Paper jam	Paper misloaded/damaged	Open covers, remove jammed paper gently; reload paper correctly.

Reset: Menu > Initial Setup > Reset Settings if available.

Service: 1-877-267-8437; support.brother.com