Brother HL-2280DW: Setup, Drivers, Ink and Common Problems

Is the Brother HL-2280DW right for you?

Despite the HL prefix, the HL-2280DW is a compact print-copy-scan laser that sits between the HL-2270DW and the DCP line. It added a flatbed scanner and small LCD while keeping the same fast duplex engine and cheap TN-450 toner. Scanning on modern Windows needs the Brother scanner driver rather than the print driver alone, which trips up many owners after a PC upgrade. Mechanically these units last, although the drum warning and toner override are routine chores.

Best for: Home offices that want a tiny laser copier with bargain supplies

Setting up the Brother HL-2280DW

Install the Full Driver & Software Package so ControlCenter4 and the TWAIN scanner driver come along with the print driver. Wireless setup is done through the LCD menu under Network, choosing your 2.4 GHz SSID. For scan-to-PC, the PC must be on the same subnet and ControlCenter must be running.

1. Unbox and prepare. Remove every piece of shipping tape and packing material, install the toner cartridge and drum unit, and load paper in the tray.
2. Join your Wi-Fi. Keep the printer close to the router for setup. Most printers only connect to the 2.4GHz band, so if your router broadcasts one merged network name you may need to split the bands temporarily. See our Wi-Fi guide if it will not join.
3. Install the setup app. Use Brother's official app rather than a driver you found on a search result — third-party driver sites are the most common source of printer malware.
4. Add the printer. On Windows 11: Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Printers & scanners › Add device. On macOS: System Settings › Printers & Scanners › Add Printer.
5. Print a test page and run a scan if this is an all-in-one, so you find any problem now rather than when you are in a hurry.

Ink, toner and supplies

The Brother HL-2280DW uses the following consumables. Match the number exactly when you buy: the same printer family often uses several different cartridge numbers by region.

• TN-420 toner (1,200 pages)
• TN-450 high-yield toner (2,600 pages)
• DR-420 drum unit

High-yield (XL) versions almost always cost less per page if you print regularly. On third-party ink and toner, read our honest assessment first, and note that some manufacturers push firmware that rejects non-original chips.

Full specifications