Brand notes
Brother printer fixes and tips
Independent notes on Brother HL, DCP and MFC laser and inkjet printers: drum and toner messages, drum resets, jam messages and Unable to Print codes.
About these printers
Brother makes HL printers, DCP and MFC all-in-ones in both laser and inkjet versions, along with label printers and other products. The model name tells you a lot: a J after the prefix, as in MFC-J, usually marks an inkjet; an L, as in HL-L or MFC-L, a laser; and a T, as in DCP-T, a refillable ink-tank model.
On most Brother lasers the toner cartridge and the drum unit are separate parts that click together. That means two kinds of supply message, two replacement schedules, and a drum counter that often has to be reset by hand when a new drum goes in. Brother inkjets report many faults with a short message and a number, which narrows down where the problem is.
Brother’s support site offers a full driver and software package for each model, plus firmware updates and manuals. Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, iOS and Android can also print to most current network models with their built-in support.
Common printer families
- HL printers
- Print-only models. Most HL-L models are monochrome or color lasers; a few HL-J models are inkjets.
- DCP and MFC all-in-ones
- DCP models print, copy and scan; MFC models add fax on most units. Both come in laser and inkjet versions.
- INKvestment Tank and refill tank models
- INKvestment Tank models are MFC-J inkjets with high-capacity cartridges and an internal ink reservoir. Refill tank models, with a T in the model name, are filled from bottles.
Habits worth knowing
Toner and drum are separate parts
On most Brother lasers you replace the toner cartridge more often than the drum unit it sits in. Toner Low or Replace Toner is about the cartridge; Drum End Soon or Replace Drum is about the drum unit. Check which part the message names before you buy supplies.
Reset the drum counter after a new drum
The printer counts pages on the drum, and on many models the count isn’t reset automatically when you fit a new one. On some models the reset is in the machine information or reset menu; on others it’s a button hold with the front cover open. Follow the exact steps in your model’s manual, and reset only when a new drum is actually installed.
Clean the corona wire for drum errors and stripes
Many Brother drum units have a green tab that slides along the corona wire. With the printer off and cooled, lift out the drum and toner assembly, slide the tab from end to end several times, then return it to the home position marked on the drum. A Drum Error message or a single vertical streak often clears after this; a tab left out of position causes a stripe of its own.
Jam messages tell you where to look
Brother lasers usually name the jam location, with messages such as Jam Inside, Jam Rear, Jam Duplex or a tray jam. Open that area first and pull paper out slowly in the direction it travels. If the message stays after the paper is gone, look for a torn corner near the drum and behind the back cover; the fuser area is hot, so let it cool first.
Unable to Print and Unable to Clean on inkjets
Brother inkjets often show a fault as Unable to Print, Unable to Clean or Unable to Init followed by a two-digit number. Turn the printer off for a few minutes, unplug it, and check for paper scraps or packing material in the carriage path. If the same number returns, look it up in your model’s manual; some numbers point to a full ink absorber or a mechanical fault, which are repair jobs.
Toner end and Continue mode
Brother lasers stop printing when they decide the toner is used up. Some models have a setting that lets printing continue after the Replace Toner message, with fading expected, and it’s in the setup menu where the model supports it. If a new cartridge still shows Replace Toner, take it out, rock it gently side to side and reseat it firmly in the drum until it clicks.
Common fixes for Brother printers
- Ink, toner & tanks Still says toner low after replacing the cartridge New toner in, but the printer still says low, empty or replace? Check whether it means the drum, remove the packaging, reseat it and read a supplies page.
- Paper & feeding Paper is jammed in the printer Paper stuck inside? Remove it safely in the direction it travels, find any torn scraps, then reload the tray so it doesn’t happen again. Covers inkjet and laser.
- Paper & feeding Paper jam error but no paper is stuck The printer reports a jam but nothing is inside. Find hidden scraps, free the carriage, check doors and sensors, and spot the worn parts behind phantom jams.
- Print quality Prints are faded or too light Pages come out pale, gray or washed out. Rule out draft and toner-save settings, then check ink or toner, clogged nozzles and a worn laser drum, in that order.
- Print quality Prints have streaks or lines Lines, bands or streaks run across or down your printouts. Read which way they run, then fix the clogged nozzles, misalignment or dirty laser parts behind them.
- Connection & offline Printer says it’s offline Your computer lists the printer as offline even though it’s switched on. Wake it, check its Wi-Fi, clear the offline flag and fix the port, in that order.
- Setup & mobile Printer won’t join your Wi-Fi network Get a printer onto Wi-Fi from its panel, the WPS button or the maker’s app, and clear the usual blockers: 5 GHz-only networks, password typos and guest Wi-Fi.
- Scan & copy Copies or scans have lines, streaks or marks Copies and scans show lines, dark streaks or spots that aren’t on the original. Find out whether the scanner glass or the print side is to blame, then clean it.
Error codes and messages
Brother’s own support
Drivers, firmware, manuals, warranty claims and repairs come from the manufacturer. This link leaves Printwright.
Brother Support Website (opens in a new tab)Common questions
Why does my Brother printer still say Replace Toner after I fitted a new cartridge?
Most often the cartridge isn’t fully seated in the drum unit, or a non-Brother cartridge isn’t being detected as new. Reseat the cartridge firmly, clean the corona wire, and if a genuine new cartridge still isn’t accepted, follow the toner steps in the manual for your model.
Do I have to replace the drum when the toner runs out?
No. On most Brother lasers the drum unit lasts through several toner cartridges. Replace it when the printer says the drum has reached its end, or when repeating marks persist after you’ve cleaned the corona wire.
Which Brother app should I use on my phone?
Many recent models use Brother Mobile Connect, and Brother iPrint&Scan covers many others; both are in the app stores. AirPrint on iPhone and iPad and the default print service on Android also work with most network models.
Where do I get Brother drivers?
From Brother’s support site: choose your model, then your operating system, and download the full driver and software package for scanning and all features. Windows Update and macOS can also supply basic drivers for many models.