What do the indicator lights mean?

The indicators are lit and flash to indicate the printer’s status.  Each indicator may be lit or flash in green, red or orange.
The symbols used in this FAQ explain the meaning of the different indicator colors and patterns:

Lit Green / Lit Orange / Lit Red Indicator is lit in the color shown
Flash Green / Flash Orange / Flash Red Indicator is flashing in the color shown
Lit or Flash Indicator is lit or flashing in any color
Off Indicator is off
POWER DATA STATUS Description Solution
Lit Green Lit or Flash Off Battery charge completed with the AC Adapter, Car Adapter, or USB Type-C® AC Adapter connected -
Lit Green Lit or Flash Lit Orange Battery charging in progress -
Lit Orange Lit or Flash Off Rechargeable Li-ion Battery in use, battery charge is full -
Lit Orange Lit or Flash

Flash Orange

(Once every four seconds)

Rechargeable Li-ion Battery in use, battery charge is half-full -
Lit Orange Lit or Flash

Flash Orange

(Twice every four seconds)

Rechargeable Li-ion Battery in use, battery charge is low -
Flash Red Off

Flash Orange

(Once every second)

Rechargeable Li-ion Battery in use, charge the battery -
Off Off Lit Orange Battery charging while printer is turned off -
Lit Green / Lit Orange Off Lit or Flash Printer in idle mode -

Flash Green

(Once every 3.5 seconds)

Off Lit Orange Printer in sleep mode (Battery charging) -

Flash Green

(Once every 3.5 seconds)

Off Off Printer in sleep mode (Battery not charging) -
Lit Green / Lit Orange


Flash Green

(Once every two seconds)

Lit or Flash Receiving data -
Lit Green / Lit Orange Lit Green Lit or Flash Printing -
Lit Green / Lit Orange Lit Green Lit Green Buffer contains unprinted data -
Lit Green / Lit Orange


Flash Green

(Once every two seconds)

Off Transferring data -
Lit Green / Lit Orange Lit Red Lit or Flash Maintenance/ configuration report printing /Cleaning mode -
Lit Red Lit Red Lit Red Printer in boot mode To resolve the issue, contact your Brother dealer or Brother Customer Service for assistance.
Lit Green / Lit Orange Lit Orange Off Printer in cooling down mode The printer is in cooling down mode. Wait until the paper is fed and printing starts.

Flash Orange

(Once every second)

Off Lit Orange Communication error A command outside the specifications or corrupted data was transferred. Reconfirm the command and data, and then send them again.
No template error
  • There is no template with the specified number. Specify a correct number.
  • When printing a template, an error is indicated if the specified template does not exist.
    Select the correct template, and then print again.
  • The template was not transferred.
    Register the template with the specified number to the printer.
Memory full error There is not enough internal memory available when you try to save a label file.
Delete any unnecessary files, and then print again.
BLF file error
  • Confirm that your printer supports .blf files, and then transfer the data again.
  • When sending a template as a .blf file, make sure that the model name is correct in file and then transfer the data again.
Maximum print length exceeded error -
Disconnected adapter error (Only when Hybrid Power Supply device setting is enabled.) -
ESC/P Memory full error The data size to send with the ESC/P command is too large. Adjust the data and send it again.
JPEG file error Confirm the size of .jpg files, and then transfer the data again.
Remaining battery error -

Flash Red

(Once every second)

Flash Red

(Once every second)

Off Mass storage mode error The file system becomes corrupted or a file is copied while a mass storage file is being processed. Turn off the printer and then turn it on again.

Flash Red

(Once every second)

Flash Red

(Once every second)

Flash Red

(Once every second)

System error Turn off the printer and then turn it on again. If the problem still occurs, contact Brother Customer Service.

If your question was not answered, have you checked other FAQs?

Have you checked manuals?

If you need further assistance, please contact Brother customer service:

Related Models

PJ-822, PJ-823

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