Error code
Brother Unable to Print XX: machine error with a number
Brother’s Unable to Print XX means the machine hit an error it can’t clear itself. Find what the number means, clear any blockage and know when to get service.
Printer display · Brother
What it means
On Brother inkjet printers and all-in-ones, Unable to Print followed by a two-character number means the machine hit a mechanical or electronic problem it can’t clear by itself, and the number identifies the area at fault. Most often a torn piece of paper or a small object is blocking the print head carriage or the paper path. Some numbers point to parts that need service; on many models, 46 means the ink absorber is full. The same numbers can appear as Unable to Clean or Unable to Init, and meanings vary by model, so check your manual’s error list.
When you’ll see it
- After a paper jam where a sheet tore
- At power-on, before anything prints
- After a clip, label or envelope flap went through the printer
- After many cleaning cycles (number 46 on many models)
- After a power cut or an unplug during printing
Usually caused by
- Most commonTorn paper or a small object in the paper path or carriage area
- SometimesA temporary fault that a longer power-off clears
- SometimesInk absorber full (number 46 on many models)
- SometimesA worn or failed part such as a motor or sensor
How to clear it
Work down the list in order. Tick off each step as you go: your progress is saved on this device.
On the printer itself
0 of 8 tried
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Note the number and save any faxes
Write down the number after Unable to Print. If you use the fax and messages are waiting in memory, print or forward them first if the machine allows it; on some models they can be lost when the power stays off for a while.
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Unplug the machine
Pull the power cord from the wall socket and leave it out while you work.
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Pull out the paper tray and look inside
Slide the paper tray all the way out and shine a flashlight into the opening. Remove any scraps, folded corners or labels you can see, and check the back corners of the tray itself.
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Lift the scanner cover and check the path
Using both hands, lift the scanner cover until it stays open. Look along the width of the carriage path and into both corners, and remove paper, clips or other objects.
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Move the carriage gently to see underneath
If paper is trapped under the print head, slide the carriage slowly to one side by hand. If it won’t move without force, leave it where it is.
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Check the rear jam clear cover
If your model has a cover at the back, open it, remove any paper, then close it firmly.
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Close up and wait before restarting
Lower the scanner cover gently as your manual shows, refit the tray, and wait several minutes before you plug the machine back in and turn it on.
You should see: The machine runs its normal startup and returns to the home screen without the message.
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Look up a number that stays
If the same number returns, find it in your manual’s error list or on your model’s page on Brother’s official support site. A number linked to the ink absorber, or to a part that needs replacing, means service.
Common questions
What does the number after Unable to Print mean?
It identifies the type of fault. Numbers differ between models, so use your manual’s error list or your model’s page on Brother’s official support site to look yours up.
Is Unable to Clean the same problem?
It’s the same family of errors. Unable to Clean, Unable to Init and Unable to Print with the same number usually point to the same fault, reported while the machine was doing different things.
Does Unable to Print 46 mean my printer is broken?
Not broken, but it needs service. On many Brother inkjets, 46 means the ink absorber has reached its limit, and replacing it is a job for a service provider.