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Brother printers use multiple passwords for different functions — the web-based management (admin) password, the Wi-Fi Direct password, and sometimes a Secure Function Lock password. Knowing the Brother printer default password is essential when you need to access the printer's web interface for the first time, connect via Wi-Fi Direct, or reset the printer after being locked out. The default password depends on your Brother printer model and when it was manufactured.
This guide covers how to find the default password for any Brother printer model (MFC, HL, DCP series), how to change it for security, and how to reset it if you have forgotten a custom password.
For most Brother printers, the default web admin password is either initpass (newer models manufactured after 2019) or access (older models). Try both when logging into the printer's web interface at its IP address.
Brother Web Based Management: Enter the password to access the printer settings.
Default password for newer models: initpass
Default password for older models: access
Method 1: Find the Default Admin Password
The admin password is used to access the Brother printer's Web Based Management interface — the settings page you access by typing the printer's IP address into a web browser.
Check the Printer Label
Look at the back or bottom of your Brother printer for a label that says "Pwd" followed by a password. On newer Brother printers (2019+), the unique default password is printed on this label. This password is unique to each printer.
Try Common Default Passwords
If there is no label or you cannot read it:
Newer models (2019+): initpass
Older models (pre-2019): access
Some MFC models: The last 4 digits of the serial number
The default username is usually admin or left blank.
Access the Web Interface
Find the printer's IP address: on the printer's control panel, go to Settings > Network > WLAN/Wired > TCP/IP > IP Address. Type this IP address into your browser's address bar (e.g., http://192.168.1.50). Enter the default password when prompted.
Change the Password Immediately
After logging in with the default password, go to Administrator > Login Password and set a new, secure password. This prevents unauthorized access to your printer settings.
Tip: Print a Network Configuration page to find the printer's IP address without navigating the menu: press Menu > Print Reports > Network Config (exact path varies by model). The IP address and other network details are listed on the printed page.
Method 2: Find and Change the Wi-Fi Direct Password
The Wi-Fi Direct password is separate from the admin password. It is used when connecting a phone or tablet directly to the printer without going through a Wi-Fi router.
View the Current Wi-Fi Direct Password
On the printer's control panel: go to Settings > Network > Wi-Fi Direct > Password. The current password is displayed. If the printer has a touchscreen, you can see and edit it directly.
Check the Default
The default Wi-Fi Direct password for most Brother printers is printed on the Network Configuration report. It is typically a random string of numbers set at the factory. Common defaults include patterns like the last 8 characters of the printer's MAC address.
Change the Wi-Fi Direct Password
In the Web Based Management interface: go to Network > Wi-Fi Direct > Password. Enter a new password (minimum 8 characters). Click Submit. All devices previously connected via Wi-Fi Direct will need the new password to reconnect.
Method 3: Reset the Password (When Locked Out)
If you set a custom admin password and forgot it, you need to factory reset the printer's network settings to restore the default password.
Factory Reset via Control Panel
Touchscreen models: Settings > All Settings > Network > Network Reset > Yes.
Non-touchscreen models: Menu > Network > Network Reset > Yes/1.
This resets ALL network settings including the admin password back to default.
Full Factory Reset (If Network Reset Doesn't Work)
Touchscreen: Settings > All Settings > Initial Setup > Reset > All Settings > Yes.
Non-touchscreen: Menu > Initial Setup > Reset > All Settings.
This resets everything — network settings, fax settings, speed dials, and all custom configurations.
Reconnect and Set New Password
After the reset, the printer restarts with factory defaults. Reconnect it to your Wi-Fi network using the setup wizard on the printer's display. Access the web interface using the default password and immediately set a new custom password.
Method 4: Find the Secure Function Lock Password
Some Brother printers have Secure Function Lock — a feature that restricts printer functions (copying, scanning, faxing) to authorized users. If you are locked out of this feature, here is how to reset it.
Access Secure Function Lock via Web Interface
Log into the Web Based Management interface. Go to Administrator > Restriction Management or Secure Function Lock. The admin password (not the function lock password) is required to access this page.
Reset Individual User Passwords
In the Secure Function Lock settings, you can view all registered users and reset their passwords. Set new passwords for locked-out users or delete and recreate user accounts.
Disable Secure Function Lock
If you no longer need restricted access, toggle Secure Function Lock to Off in the same settings page. This removes all user restrictions and allows anyone to use all printer functions.
Warning: A factory reset erases all custom settings including Wi-Fi network connections, fax speed dial numbers, address books, and scan-to-email configurations. Write down important settings before performing a reset.
Frequently Asked Questions
For models manufactured after 2019: check the label on the back/bottom of the printer for a unique password, or try "initpass." For older models: try "access." The default username is usually "admin" or blank.
On the printer panel: Settings > Network > WLAN or Wired > TCP/IP > IP Address. Alternatively, print a Network Configuration report from the printer's Reports menu. You can also check your router's connected devices list.
No. Resetting the password (via network reset) does not affect any documents stored on your computer. It only resets the printer's network and admin settings. Pending print jobs in the queue may be lost.
The password protects against unauthorized changes to printer settings, network configuration, and security features. In office environments, this prevents users from changing settings that IT administrators have configured.
You can view some status information (ink levels, page count, network status) without a password. However, changing any settings requires the admin password. If locked out, perform a network reset to restore the default password.
No. The admin password is for the web management interface. The Wi-Fi password is your home network password used to connect the printer to Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi Direct password is yet another separate password for direct device-to-printer connections.
Someone previously changed the password from the default. Perform a network reset (Method 3) to restore the default password. Check both "initpass" and "access" after the reset, and look for a unique password on the printer's label.
Open a web browser on your phone (while connected to the same network as the printer). Navigate to the printer's IP address. Log in with the current password. Go to Administrator > Login Password and set a new password. The Brother iPrint&Scan app does not support password changes directly.