How to Set Up Brother DCP-J1260W Printer: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Setting up a new printer can seem complicated, especially when you want to use it with both your phone and computer. Fortunately, the Brother DCP-J1260W is designed for wireless printing and scanning, as well as USB connectivity.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to get your Brother DCP-J1260W up and running, from installing the ink and loading paper to connecting your phone or computer and printing and scanning documents.

What You’ll Need

Before starting, make sure you have:

• Brother DCP-J1260W printer
• Power cable
• The four supplied ink cartridges
• A4 printer paper
• Wi-Fi network and password
• Smartphone, tablet or computer, if you want to print or scan wirelessly

For the easiest setup, have your Wi-Fi password available before you begin.

Turn On the Brother DCP-J1260W

Start by removing the printer from its packaging and placing it on a stable, level surface.

Remove any protective tape, packaging material and protective inserts from the printer.

Next:

1. Connect the power cable to the printer.
2. Plug the other end into a suitable power socket.
3. The printer will power on automatically.
4. Follow the initial setup instructions shown by the printer.

Complete the initial ink and paper setup before configuring the printer on your wireless network.

How to Install Ink in the Brother DCP-J1260W

The DCP-J1260W uses four separate ink cartridges. During initial setup, install all four cartridges.

Step-by-step ink installation:

1. Make sure the printer is switched on.
2. Open the ink cartridge cover.
3. Remove the supplied ink cartridges from their packaging.
4. Remove the protective covers from the cartridges.
5. Match each cartridge to the corresponding colour indicated inside the printer.
6. Insert each cartridge into its correct slot.
7. Push each cartridge firmly until it clicks into place.
8. Install all four cartridges.
9. Close the ink cartridge cover.

Once the cartridges have been installed, the printer will perform an initial ink system cleaning. This can take several minutes.

The printer may then print a print-quality check sheet. Check the page to make sure the colours and lines are printing correctly.

Important ink tips:

• Do not remove an ink cartridge unnecessarily once it has been installed.
• Make sure each cartridge is installed in the correct colour position.
• If the test page shows missing lines or poor print quality, run the printer’s print-head cleaning procedure.

How to Load Paper in the Brother DCP-J1260W

The Brother DCP-J1260W has a 150-sheet paper input tray and supports common paper sizes such as A4.

To load A4 paper:

1. Pull out the paper tray.
2. Adjust the paper guides to match the size of the paper.
3. Fan the stack of paper to separate the sheets.
4. Place the paper into the tray.
5. Make sure the paper is positioned correctly and isn’t folded or damaged.
6. Adjust the paper guides so they lightly touch the edges of the paper.
7. Reinsert the paper tray into the printer.

Avoid overfilling the tray.

For the best results, use the correct paper type and select the matching paper type in your print settings. The printer can be used with plain paper, inkjet paper, glossy paper and recycled paper.

How to Connect the Brother DCP-J1260W to Wi-Fi

Before printing wirelessly from your phone or computer, connect the printer to your Wi-Fi network.

There are several ways to configure the wireless connection. One of the easiest options is to use the Brother Mobile Connect app. You can also use WPS if your router supports it.

Option 1: Connect using WPS

If your router has a WPS button:

1. Turn on the Brother printer.
2. Press the Wi-Fi button on the printer three times.
3. The Wi-Fi LED should begin flashing.
4. Press the WPS button on your wireless router.
5. Wait for the printer to establish the connection.
6. When the connection is successful, the printer’s Power and Wi-Fi LEDs should be illuminated.

The printer is now connected to your wireless network.

Option 2: Connect using Brother Mobile Connect

You can also configure the printer’s wireless connection through the Brother Mobile Connect app.

This is particularly useful if you’re setting up the printer from your smartphone.

How to Connect the Brother DCP-J1260W to Your Phone

The DCP-J1260W works with Brother Mobile Connect on compatible Android and iPhone/iPad devices. It also supports wireless printing through services such as Apple AirPrint and Mopria.

Step 1: Download Brother Mobile Connect

Install the Brother Mobile Connect app on your smartphone.

The app is available for both Android and Apple devices.

Step 2: Connect your phone to Wi-Fi

Connect your phone to the same Wi-Fi network that you want the Brother printer to use.

Your phone and printer should be connected to the same network for wireless printing and scanning.

Step 3: Add your printer

Open Brother Mobile Connect and follow the on-screen instructions to add the DCP-J1260W.

The app should search for compatible Brother printers on your network.

Once your DCP-J1260W appears, select it and complete the setup.

Your phone should now be connected to the printer.

How to Print From Your Phone

Once your DCP-J1260W is connected to your phone, you can print photos and documents wirelessly.

Using Brother Mobile Connect:

1. Open Brother Mobile Connect.
2. Select the print option.
3. Choose whether you want to print a photo or document.
4. Select the file you want to print.
5. Choose your print settings.
6. Select colour or black-and-white printing if available.
7. Choose the paper size and type.
8. Select the number of copies.
9. Tap Print.

The printer will receive the job over your wireless network.

Printing with AirPrint

If you’re using an iPhone or iPad, you can also use Apple AirPrint.

Open the document or photo you want to print, select the Share or Print option, choose the Brother DCP-J1260W, select your settings and start printing.

Make sure your Apple device and printer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

How to Scan From the Brother DCP-J1260W to Your Phone

The Brother Mobile Connect app can also be used to scan documents and photos.

Scan using Brother Mobile Connect:

1. Place the document or photo on the scanner glass.
2. Open Brother Mobile Connect.
3. Select the Scan option.
4. Choose your preferred scan settings.
5. Start the scan.
6. Wait for the printer to scan the document.
7. Save the scanned file to your phone.

You can then share the scanned document, save it to your phone or send it through another app.

How to Connect the Brother DCP-J1260W to a PC

You can connect the printer to a computer using either Wi-Fi or USB.

For wireless setup, make sure your computer and printer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Wireless connection:

1. Connect the printer to your Wi-Fi network.
2. Connect your PC to the same network.
3. Open Brother’s support website.
4. Find the DCP-J1260W.
5. Download the appropriate drivers and software for your operating system.
6. Run the installer.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions.
8. Select the wireless or network connection when prompted.
9. Allow the installer to find your printer.
10. Complete the installation.

USB connection:

If you’d rather connect directly:

1. Install the Brother printer software on your computer.
2. Connect the printer to the PC using a compatible USB cable.
3. Follow the installation instructions.
4. Allow Windows or macOS to finish detecting the printer.
5. How to Print From a PC

Once your printer has been installed, you can print directly from Windows or macOS.

Printing from Windows:

1. Open the document, photo or webpage you want to print.
2. Select Print.
3. Choose Brother DCP-J1260W.
4. Open the printer’s preferences if you need to change settings.
5. Select the paper size.
6. Select the paper or media type.
7. Choose colour or greyscale.
8. Select portrait or landscape orientation.
9. Choose the number of copies.
10. Click Print.

Make sure the paper type selected in your computer matches the paper loaded in the printer. This can help improve print quality.

Printing with Brother iPrint&Scan

Brother also provides Brother iPrint&Scan for Windows and Mac.

With iPrint&Scan, you can:

• Print documents
• Print photos
• Select pages to print
• Change print settings
• Scan documents

To use it, install the application for your operating system, open it and select your DCP-J1260W.

How to Scan From the Brother DCP-J1260W to a PC

You can scan documents and photos directly to your Windows PC or Mac.

Method 1: Scan using Brother iPrint&Scan

1. Place your document face-down on the scanner glass.
2. Open Brother iPrint&Scan on your computer.
3. Select your Brother DCP-J1260W if it isn’t already selected.
4. Choose Scan.
5. Select your scan settings.
6. Start the scan.
7. Review the scanned document.
8. Save it to your preferred folder.

Method 2: Scan using the printer’s buttons

You can also configure the printer’s Scan function to send a scan directly to your computer.

Once configured:

1. Place the document on the scanner glass.
2. Make sure the computer is available on the network.
3. Press the Mono Copy and Colour Copy buttons simultaneously.
4. If prompted to choose a scanning application, select Brother iPrint&Scan.
5. The document will be scanned and sent to the configured computer.
6. Brother DCP-J1260W Setup Troubleshooting

If something isn’t working, try these quick solutions.

Printer won’t connect to Wi-Fi

Check that:

• The printer is switched on.
• Your Wi-Fi router is working.
• Your phone or computer is connected to the same network.
• The Wi-Fi password was entered correctly.
• The printer’s Wi-Fi connection is active.

Phone can’t find the printer

Make sure your phone and printer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Then close and reopen Brother Mobile Connect and try adding the printer again.

Computer can’t find the printer

Restart the printer and computer, then check that they’re connected to the same network.

If necessary, reinstall the latest Brother drivers and software.

Prints have missing lines or poor quality

Run the printer’s print-quality check and clean the print head if necessary.

12. Final Setup Checklist

Once you’ve completed the setup, you should have:

• Installed all four ink cartridges
• Loaded A4 paper
• Completed the initial print-quality check
• Connected the printer to Wi-Fi
• Connected your smartphone using Brother Mobile Connect
• Printed a test document from your phone
• Scanned a document to your phone
• Installed the printer software on your PC
• Printed a document from your computer
• Scanned a document to your computer

Final Thoughts

Setting up the Brother DCP-J1260W is relatively straightforward once the initial ink, paper and Wi-Fi configuration is complete. After setup, you can use the printer from your smartphone or computer without having to physically connect the device each time.

For the most reliable results, keep your printer, phone and computer connected to the same Wi-Fi network when using wireless printing and scanning.

Once everything is configured, the Brother DCP-J1260W can handle everyday printing and scanning from both your mobile devices and computers, making it a convenient all-in-one printer for home and office use.