Brother printer error codes

Every code below opens a full page: what Brother documents the code to mean, what to check before acting on it, what to do if it returns, and a link to the Brother document it was verified against.

56 of 56 catalogued Brother codes published. The rest stay unpublished until their documentation has been read.

• 2-sided DisabledThe back cover is not fully closed, or the 2-sided (duplex) tray is not installed correctly, so duplex printing is disabled. Close the back cover completely and reseat the duplex tray.
• Authentication Error 01The four-digit PIN entered for a Web Connect service account doesn't match the registered account PIN. Re-enter the correct PIN.
• Authentication Error 02The temporary ID used to link a Web Connect account is wrong, already used, or expired (temporary IDs are valid only 24 hours). Get a new temporary ID and retry.
• B&W Print OnlyOne or more colour ink cartridges have reached end of life. The machine still prints in black and white for roughly four weeks before stopping.
• Cannot DetectAppears when a new ink cartridge was installed too quickly, a non-Brother cartridge was used, or the cartridge isn't seated correctly. Remove and reinstall the cartridge slowly until it clicks into place, using genuine Brother ink.
• Cannot Detect Ink VolumeThe machine cannot measure the remaining ink. Brother attributes this to non-genuine ink not being detected. Also displayed as "Cannot Detect Ink".
• Cannot Print XXA mechanical problem, often a foreign object inside the machine. Brother's remedy is to open the machine and remove any foreign object before escalating.
• Cartridge ErrorThe toner cartridge is not installed correctly. Remove the cartridge/drum unit assembly and reinstall it.
• Change Unable XX / Clean Unable XX / Init Unable XXThe machine has detected a mechanical problem, often caused by foreign objects (paper clips, torn paper scraps) inside it. Remove debris from the jam-clear cover area; on some models, transfer stored faxes off the machine before power-cycling.
• Comm.ErrorPoor telephone line quality disrupted a fax transmission. Resend the fax or connect to a different telephone line.
• CondensationCondensation may have formed inside the machine after a room temperature change. Brother's remedy is to leave the machine switched on and wait 30 minutes with the top cover open.
• Connection Error 02Network connection failed while using Brother Web Connect because the machine lacks network connectivity or the connection hasn't stabilized after startup. Verify the network connection is good and try again.
• Connection Error 03Connection to the Brother Web Connect server failed, indicating incorrect network/server configuration or a server-side issue. Check network settings.
• Connection Error 07Connection to the Brother Web Connect server failed because the machine's date and time settings are wrong. Correct the machine's date/time and retry.
• Connection Error (wireless session overlap)During Wi-Fi Protected Setup/AOSS wireless configuration, the machine detected more than one access point/router advertising WPS or AOSS mode at once. Ensure only one router/access point has WPS or AOSS mode enabled, then restart the wireless setup.
• Cooling DownThe temperature inside the machine is too hot. It pauses until it has cooled; Brother says to check that all vents are clear.
• Document JamThe document was not inserted properly into the ADF, or an ADF-scanned document was too long. Check the ADF usage guide and clear the jammed document per the document-jam procedure.
• DR Mode in UseDistinctive Ring is enabled, which prevents changing the machine's Receive Mode. Disable the Distinctive Ring feature first.
• Drum !The corona wire on the drum unit needs cleaning. This is a cleaning prompt, not a request to replace the drum.
• High TemperatureThe print head has overheated. Allow the machine to cool before it will resume printing.
• Hub is UnusableA USB hub, or a USB flash drive with a built-in hub, was plugged into the machine's front USB direct interface, which the machine cannot use. Disconnect the hub device.
• Ink Absorber Near FullThe ink absorber box is nearly full. This is the warning stage before printing stops; Brother directs the owner to Customer Service. Also displayed as "Absorber Near Full".
• Ink Absorber Pad FullThe ink absorber box is full. Brother does not document this as a user-replaceable part — it directs the owner to Brother Customer Service or an authorised service centre. Also displayed as "Ink Absorber Full" on some models.
• Ink Empty XXOne or more ink cartridges are depleted; the machine converts incoming color faxes to black & white until cartridges are replaced. Replace the indicated ink cartridge(s).
• Jam 2-sidedPaper is jammed underneath the paper tray or the fuser unit.
• Jam InsidePaper is jammed inside the machine. Clearing it means opening the top cover and removing the drum and toner assembly.
• Jam RearPaper is jammed in the back of the machine, in or beside the fuser unit.
• Jam Tray 1Paper has jammed in the feed path of paper tray 1. Pull out the indicated tray and remove the jammed paper.
• Low TemperatureThe print head is too cold to operate. Allow the machine to warm up before printing resumes.
• Machine Error 30, 33, 34 or 35The print head carriage is failing to return to its home position at the far right of the unit, often because carriage springs are misaligned or a cartridge cover is not fully locked. Check/reposition the carriage springs and ensure ink cartridge covers are securely locked; if the carriage still won't move, the unit needs service.
• Manual FeedThe driver is set to feed from the manual feed slot but no paper is loaded there. Place paper in the manual feed slot.
• Media ErrorThe inserted memory card is corrupted, incorrectly formatted, or defective. Reseat the card, or test with a known-working card.
• Media is FullThe connected memory card or USB drive already contains 999 or more files, so the machine cannot write new scans/photos to it. Delete unused files to free space.
• Media MismatchThe paper type selected in the print driver does not match the paper type configured on the machine. Load the correct paper type and adjust the machine's tray settings.
• Near EmptyOne or more ink cartridges are running low. Order replacement cartridges for when printing stops.
• No Access PointDuring automatic wireless setup, the machine could not detect any access point/router. Move the machine closer to the access point/router and retry; if it persists, reset the machine to factory settings.
• No Drum UnitThe drum unit is not properly installed in the machine. Reinstall the toner cartridge and drum unit assembly together.
• No Paper T1Tray 1 failed to feed paper — the tray may be empty or paper loaded incorrectly. Refill or reload the tray, check the paper guides, and avoid overfilling.
• No Response/BusyThe dialed fax number was busy or the recipient's machine did not respond. The sending unit automatically redials within 5 minutes; if still busy/unanswered it displays this message and prints a report noting the same. Verify the number and phone line, and check that the recipient's machine/line isn't at fault.
• No TonerThe toner cartridge is not installed correctly in the drum unit. Remove and reinstall the cartridge.
• Print Data FullThe machine's memory is full of stored print data. Hold the Go button and delete previously stored print data.
• Print Unable ##The machine reports a mechanical problem, where ## is a two-character code. Brother's remedy is a power cycle, then contacting Brother Customer Service if it returns. On some models this appears as "Machine Error 32" and is caused by paper or labels stuck inside the printer or drum unit.
• Repetitive No Paper FedPaper dust has built up on the pick-up rollers, so sheets are not being picked. Brother's remedy is cleaning the rollers. Also displayed as "No Paper Fed Again".
• Replace BeltThe belt unit has reached the end of its life and must be replaced. On colour models a failed Calibration or Registration can also escalate to this.
• Replace Drum / Drum End SoonDrum counter not reset after replacement
• Replace TonerToner counter not reset after replacement
• Replace WT BoxThe waste toner box is full and must be replaced. "WT Box End Soon" is the earlier warning stage.
• Scan Unable ##The scanner reports a mechanical problem. Brother's remedy is a power cycle, then contacting Brother Customer Service.
• Self-DiagnosticThe fuser unit reported a temperature fault. Brother's documented remedy is to power the machine off, then leave it switched on and idle for 15 minutes before using it again.
• Server Error 01Authentication with the Web Connect service failed because credentials expired or became invalid. Go to bwc.brother.com to obtain a new temporary ID.
• Server Error 03A file upload to a Web Connect service failed because the file exceeds size limits, uses an unsupported format, or is corrupted. Confirm the file and retry.
• Shortcut Error 02A saved Web Connect shortcut is invalid because the linked account was deleted after the shortcut was created. Register the account and recreate the shortcut.
• Size Error DXThe loaded paper size is not compatible with 2-sided (duplex) printing. Load a supported size (e.g. Letter, Legal, Mexico Legal, India Legal, Folio).
• Size MismatchThe paper loaded in the tray does not match the size configured for that tray. Load the correct size, adjust the tray setting, and press Go.
• Unusable DeviceA broken or unsupported USB device (camera, flash drive, or high-power-draw device) was connected to the machine's USB direct interface. Disconnect the device and power-cycle the machine.
• Wrong Ink CartridgeThe ink cartridge model number is not compatible with this machine. A cartridge that physically fits is not proof of compatibility.