Do you have a Brother Printer Error and don’t know what to do? Then allow this article to guide you on how to solve this problem.
Table of Contents
Brother Printer Error State Troubleshooting
Try out the following methods to troubleshoot your Brother Printer in error state:
1. Check Your Brother Printer Connections
Check and confirm that all your connections are in place and rightly done. Make sure the power cable is well connected to the electric outlet. You also need to confirm that the USB cable connecting your printer to your computer is properly connected as well.
And if you are using wireless connections, make sure that your Brother Printer is connected to your wireless router/access points.
2. Restart Your Brother Printer and Your Computer
Sometimes, something as simple as a restart can solve the error issue. So, restart both your Brother Printer and computer. Put both of them off for a few minutes before putting them back on.
3. Check Your Brother Printer’s Ink Levels
Low ink levels can cause an error with your Brother Printer. Therefore, check to see if this is the case and replace it with genuine Brother Ink.
4. Check for Paper Jams
When there is a paper jam, it could lead to a Brother Printer error when printing. Therefore, check for any paper jams and remove any found. After that, we recommend you make use of supported Brother Papers.
If this troubleshooting does not fix your Brother Printer Error, then try the fixes below.
Brother Printer is in Error State [How to Fix]
Do the following to fix your Brother Printer if it is in an error state:
1. Remove Brother Printer from Offline or Pause Status
If your Brother Printer is offline or paused, the Brother Printer error message might appear on your screen.
To fix this, all you need is to remove the printer from these states.
How to Remove Brother Printer from Offline or Pause status
The following steps will guide you on how to remove your Brother printer from offline or pause status:
Step 1: Search for “Control Panel” in the Search Box on your computer.
Step 2: Click “Control Panel” to continue.
Step 3: Click “View devices and printers” under “Hardware and Sound”.
Step 4: Right-click on your Brother printer.
Step 5: Click on “Set as default printer”.
Step 6: Then right-click on your Brother printer again.
Step 7: Click “See what’s printing”
Step 8: Click “Printer” at the upper-left of the screen.
Step 9: If “Pause Printing” and “Use Printer Offline” are checked, click on them to uncheck them.
Step 10: You can then restart the Brother Printer to see if the error is fixed.
Check out the video below…
2. Restart Print Spooler Service
How to Restart Print Spooler Service
Follow these steps to restart the print spooler service to fix your Brother Printer error printing:
Step 1: Search for “cmd” in the Search Box on your computer.
Step 2: Right-click on “Command Prompt”.
Step 3: Click on “Run as administrator”.
Step 4: Then click “Yes”.
Step 5: Now type “net stop pooler”, then press the “Enter” key on your keyboard.
Step 6: Allow it to display “The Print Spooler services was stopped successfully”, then type “net start spooler”, and press the “Enter” key on your keyboard.
Step 7: Once it displays “The Print Spooler service was started successfully”.
Step 8: Close the Command Prompt App.
Step 9: Restart your Brother Printer and computer.
Step 10: Then print a test page.
If the above doesn’t work, try the 3rd fix below.
3. Delete Print Spooler Files
How to Delete Print Spooler Files
Follow these steps to delete print spooler files:
Step 1: Copy and paste this “C:\Windows\System32\Spool\Printers” in your Windows search box.
Step 2: Delete all the files inside the opened folder.
Step 3: Close the folder.
Step 4: Copy and paste this “C:\Windows\System32\Spool\Drivers\W32X86” in your Windows search box.
Step 5: Delete all the files inside the opened folder.
Step 6: Close the folder.
Step 7: You will need to restart the Print Spooler service at this point. To do this, type “Services” in the Windows search box.
Step 8: Click on “Services”.
Step 9: Locate and right-click on “Print Spooler”.
Step 10: Then click “Restart”.
Step 11: Restart your Brother Printer and computer to see if the problem is fixed.
4. Enable Plug and Play Detection
This solution is only for those who use Windows 10.
How to Enable Plug and Play Detection
Follow these steps to enable Legacy Plug and Play detection on your computer.
Step 1: Restart your computer.
Step 2: Then type “Device Manager” in your Windows 10 search box and click “OK”.
Step 3: Click “View” at the top of the screen.
Step 4: Then click on “Show hidden devices”.
Step 5: Locate and click on “Ports (COM & LPT1)”. Once you do this, the list will expand.
Step 6: Now right-click “ECP Printer Port (LPT1).
Step 7: Then click on “Properties”.
Step 8: Click the “Ports Settings” tab.
Step 9: Choose “Use any interrupt assigned to the port”.
Step 10: Then check “Enable legacy plug and play detection”.
Step 11: Click “OK”.
Step 12: Restart your Brother Printer to see if the issue is fixed.
5. Update your Brother Printer Drivers
An out-of-date printer driver can cause a Brother Printer Error state. You can update your Brother Printer automatically or manually.
How to Update Brother Printer Driver Automatically
The following steps will guide you on how to update your Brother Printer driver automatically:
Step 1: Type “Device Manager” in the search box on your Windows computer.
Step 2: Click “Device Manager” from the search results.
Step 3: Click the “View” tab at the top of your screen.
Step 4: Click “Show hidden devices”.
Step 5: Click “Print queues”. This action will enlarge the list.
Step 6: Right-click “Brother Driver”.
Step 7: Then click “Update driver”. This will cause your computer to search for the updated driver version. Then follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the driver.
Note: Make sure you have an internet connection while you do the above.
How to Update Brother Printer Driver Manually
The following steps will guide you on how to update your Brother Printer driver manually to stop your Brother Printer error when printing:
Step 1: Visit the Brother Download website.
Step 2: Choose your Brother Printer category from the “Search by Product Category”.
Step 3: Choose your printer series.
Step 4: Click on your Brother Printer model.
Step 5: Choose your computer’s Operating System.
Step 6: Click “Full Driver & Software Package”.
Step 7: Click “Agree to the EULA and Download”.
Step 8: Then follow the on-screen instructions to install the driver.
6. Uninstall and Reinstall your Brother Printer
This should be your last option when the above have all failed.
How to Uninstall your Brother Printer from your Computer
Follow the steps below to uninstall your Brother Printer from your computer:
Step 1: Go to Settings on your Windows computer.
Step 2: Click “Devices”.
Step 3: Click on “Printer and Scanners”.
Step 4: Click on your Brother Printer.
Step 5: Click “Remove Device”.
Step 6: Click on “Yes” to confirm.
We recommend you watch the video below…
How to Reinstall your Brother Printer from Your Computer
Follow the steps below to reinstall your Brother Printer from your computer:
Step 1: Type “Printer” in the search box on your Windows computer
Step 2: Click “Printers and Scanners”.
Step 3: Click on “Add a printer or scanner”.
Step 4: Choose your Brother Printer.
Step 5: Click “Add Device”.
Step 6: Follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall your Brother Printer.
If you didn’t find your printer on the list, do the following:
i. Click on “The printer that I want isn’t listed”.
ii. Choose “Add a Bluetooth, wireless or network discoverable printer”.
iii. Click “Next”.
iv. Choose your Brother Printer and then follow the onscreen instructions to add the printer.
v. Restart your computer and Brother Printer to see if the problem is fixed.
7. Contact Brother
If all else fails, then you have to contact Brother to help you with the problem.
To read more awesome articles, click any of the links below…
Brother Printer Goes Offline [How to Fix]
Brother Printer Goes to Sleep [Quick Fix]
Fax with Brother Printer [Detailed Guide]
How to Fix Printer Streaks [Detailed Guide]
How to Login To Brother Printer [Quick Guide]
Brother Printer Error Codes [Reasons & Solutions]
In this section, we will discuss common Brother Printer error codes, what they mean, and how to fix them:
1. Brother Printer Error TS-02
This error with Brother Printer happens when cannot detect the WLAN of your router/access point.
Reasons for Brother Printer Error TS-02
The following are the reasons for Brother Printer Error TS-02:
i. System files entries that are corrupted.
ii. Damage to Windows system file.
iii. Your Brother Printer was not well installed or properly uninstalled.
iv. Incomplete or improper hardware or application deletion.
How to Fix Brother Printer Error TS-02
Do the following to fix Brother Printer Error TS-02:
i. Unplug your Brother Printer from the electric outlet. Then plug it back in after 10 seconds.
ii. Uninstall your Brother Printer driver and reinstall it again as described above. This is for Windows 10 only.
iii. If your router or access point uses MAC address filtering, make sure your Brother Printer’s MAC address has filter permission. The MAC address can be obtained by printing a Network configuration report.
iv. Verify that you entered the correct SSID and security information.
v. Make sure the router/access point is set to 2.GHz or dual 2.4GHz/5GHz signal. Do not set it to 5GHz.
If you see “connection error 2” on Brother Printer, then it is still the same as “Error TS-02”.
2. Brother Printer 0B Error
This error also known as “Print Unable 0B” happens when any hardware malfunctions.
How to Fix Brother Printer Error 0B
Follow the steps below to fix Brother Printer Error 0B Error:
Step 1: Turn off your Brother Printer and turn it back on after 10 seconds.
If there is no Brother Printer error message on the display, do step 2. If the error message still appears, do step 3.
Step 2: Print out a settings report of your Brother Printer by doing the following:
i. Press the “Menu” button.
ii. Use the navigation keys to select “Print Reports”, and then press “OK”.
iii. Then navigate to “Print Settings”, and then press “OK”.
iv. Press the “Start” button. This will cause the printer to print the settings report.
v. Once it finishes printing, press the “Stop/Exit” button.
If the error message is not cleared at this point, do the next step.
Step 3: Clean the metal contacts and the Corona wire on the drum by doing the following:
i. Open your Brother Printer’s front cover.
ii. Take out the drum and toner assembly.
iii. Slide the green tab in the drum unit from its original left position to the right severally to clean the corona wire. Once you are done, return it to its original position or you could have vertical lines on your print jobs.
This action is also used to solve Brother Printer green tab error.
iv. Take a lint-free cloth and clean the metal drum contacts on the side of the drum unit.
v. Place the toner assembly and the drum unit back into your Brother Printer.
vi. Close your Brother Printer’s front cover.
vii. Print out a settings report of your Brother Printer using the process we discussed in step 2.
Doing the above also resolves drum error in Brother Printer.
If the error message is not cleared at this point, then you need to check the warranty status of your printer. You can do this with the aid of the Machine Warranty Calculator.
If it is still in warranty, you’ll be instructed on how to schedule a repair or replacement for your Brother Printer.
If it is out of warranty, then you will need to pay for repairs. You could contact a technician or find a Brother Authorized Service Center. We recommend you do the latter.
3. Brother Printer ZC Error
Brother Printer ZC Error also known as “Print Unable ZC” error occurs when your Brother Printer detects an unstable power supply. This usually occurs when you are powering your printer with a special power source like a generator, a UPS battery (Uninterruptible Power Supply), or a power inverter.
How to Fix Brother Printer ZC Error
Do the following to fix Brother Printer ZC Error:
Step 1: If you don’t use any of such power sources listed above, do step 2 next.
If you use any of such power sources listed above, do step 3 next.
Step 2: If your Brother Printer is plugged into other devices, do step 3.
If your Brother Printer is plugged into a standard electrical wall outlet, do step 5.
Step 3: Turn off your Brother Printer.
Step 4: Unplug it from any other power source and plug it into a standard electrical wall outlet. Then do step 6.
Step 5: Turn off your Brother Printer. Then allow it to stay off for 10 seconds, then do step 6.
Step 6: Turn on your Brother Printer.
If there is no error on Brother Printer on the display, do step 7.
If there is still an error on Brother Printer, contact Warranty and Service Options.
Step 7: Print out a settings report of your Brother Printer. We already discussed how to do this above.
If there is no error displayed, then the issue has been fixed. And if there is an error displayed, contact Warranty and Service Options or find a Brother Authorized Service Center close to you.
4. Brother Printer Error 0A
This happens only to Brother Printers with Fax like the MFC-J6930DW.
Brother Printer Error 0A or “Machine Error 0A” or “Print Unable 0A” happens when your Brother Printer malfunctions.
How to Fix Brother Printer Error 0
The following steps will guide you on how to fix Brother Printer Error 05:
Step 1: Turn off the Brother Printer and remove the power cord from the back of your printer. This will cause the printer to reset.
Step 2: Allow it to remain that way for 10 seconds then plug back the cord into your Brother Printer and turn it on.
If you see the date and time on the printer’s display, then the issue is fixed.
If it still displays the error, then you need to service the device. We recommend you transfer your faxes to another device before doing so.
This fix also works for Brother Printer error 02, Brother Printer Error 04, Brother Printer Error 05, and Brother Printer Error 09.
5. Brother Printer Error 03
This error also known as “connection error 3” occurs when Proxy settings are enabled and your network doesn’t need it for connection purposes. It also happens when the Proxy settings albeit needed are not entered correctly.
How to Fix Brother Printer Error 03
Do the following to fix Brother Printer Error 03:
Step 1: Press the “Menu” button on your printer.
Step 2: Use the navigation arrow keys to choose “Network”, and then press “OK”.
Step 3: Navigate through the options and choose “Proxy Settings” and press “OK”.
Step 4: Choose “Proxy Connection”, and press “OK”.
Step 5: Choose “Off”, and then press “OK”.
Step 7: Press “Stop/Exit”.
If this doesn’t solve the issue and grant you connection, then you need to contact the manufacturer of your access point/router.
6. Brother Printer 4F Error
This error is also displayed as “Unable to Print 4F” on Brother Printer. And it usually occurs on Printers with scanners like the MFC-J6530DW.
Reasons for Brother Printer 4F Error
The following are reasons for the Brother Printer 4F error:
i. An object is stuck in your Brother Printer.
ii. There is a mechanical malfunction.
How to Fix Brother Printer 4F Error
Follow the steps below to fix the Brother Printer 4F error:
Step 1: Turn off and unplug your printer from the outlet.
Step 2: Lift the scanner cover.
Step 3: Check for any sort of jammed paper or foreign object at the corners and inside the printer. If you find any, remove such.
Step 4: Check the print head for any jam. If found, remove such.
Step 5: Go to the back of the printer and open the Jam Clear Cover.
Step 6: Check for any jammed paper or foreign objects. If found, remove such.
Step 7: Close the Jam Clear Cover and the scanner cover.
If the error is still being displayed, do step 8.
If the error has cleared, do step 9.
Step 8: Unplug your Brother Printer from the outlet and plug it back in after 1 minute.
If the error is still being displayed, do step 10.
If the error has cleared, do step 9.
Step 9: Print a PQCS (Print Quality Check Sheet) by doing the following:
i. Press the icon with different colored-stripes on your Printer’s touchscreen.
ii. Press “Test Print”.
iii. Press “Print Quality”.
iv. Press “OK”. This will print the PQCS.
If the PQCS prints, then the issue is fixed.
If the error still appears, then do step 10.
Step 10: Contact Brother to service the printer.
Brother Printer Error Light [Quick Fix]
The following are the reasons for Brother Printer error light and corresponding solutions:
1. Empty Toner
When your toner is empty, you will get a Brother Printer Replace Toner Error. This will cause the error light to blink on your Brother Printer.
To fix this, replace the empty toner. However, when replacing the toner, ensure that it is perfectly done or you might have a Brother Printer error after replacing the toner.
2. Brother Printer Door Open Error
If your Brother Printer door is left open or not properly closed, you’ll get an error in Brother Printer. This action will cause your Brother Printer Error light to keep flashing.
To fix this issue, make sure the printer door is properly closed.
3. Brother Printer Top Cover Open Error
Another reason your error light keeps flashing is when the top cover of your Brother Printer is opened. Cover the printer’s top to solve this problem.
4. Brother Printer Out of Paper Error
Once the printer is out of paper, the error light will start flashing. This issue can be corrected by putting new paper into the paper tray.
5. Brother Printer Out of Memory Error
This error also causes your error light to blink and is caused when the printer’s memory is full.
Do the following to solve this error:
i. Press the button labeled “GO” on your Brother Printer. This action will cause the remaining data to be printed out.
ii. Then press down the Go button for 4 seconds to cancel the print job. As a result, the error light will flash.
iii. Reduce the printer’s resolution in the settings to further clear the memory.
6. Brother Printer Waste Toner Box Error
This error usually displays as “Waste Toner Full” and it also causes the Error light to flash. You can fix this issue by replacing the box.
How to Replace Brother Printer Waste Toner Box
The following steps will guide you on how to replace Brother Printer Waste Toner Box:
Step 1: Turn off and unplug your Brother Printer.
Step 2: Open the front cover of the printer.
Step 3: Release the lock lever by the left of the printer.
Step 4: Hold the drum unit handle; lift it and pull out completely. Make sure you hold the drum unit only by the handles and not the sides.
To prevent toner spillage, place the drum unit on a disposable paper resting on a flat surface.
Step 5: Lift and pull out the belt unit with both hands while holding only the green parts.
To prevent toner spillage, place the belt unit on a disposable paper resting on a flat surface.
Step 6: Hold the green handle of the Waste Toner Box and bring it out of the printer.
Ensure you dispose of the box in per local regulations.
Step 7: Fix in the new Waste Toner Box.
Make sure you don’t insert the box with packing materials.
Step 8: Reinsert the bell unit into the printer.
Step 9: Reinsert the drum unit into the printer.
Make sure that both units are well fixed.
Step 10: Plug and turn on your Brother Printer.
Step 11: Run a test print.
If it works, the issue is fixed.
If the error message is still displayed, do step 12.
Step 12: Make sure the replacement box is a genuine Brother Waster Toner Box.
If it is not, the error will remain.
If it is, then try steps 1 to 10 again. And if the error persists, do the final step.
Step 13: Contact Brother for service if your machine is still within warranty.
If it is out of warranty, find a Brother Authorized Service Center close to you.
