If one of the following messages is displayed on the LCD, the machine may have a mechanical problem, a dirty encoder strip or a foreign object such as a clip or ripped paper inside the machine.

• Unable to Clean (Clean Unable)
• Unable to Init. (Init Unable)
• Unable to Print (Print Unable)
• Unable to Scan (Scan Unable)

To solve the problem please follow the steps below:

The most common cause of this issue is dirt on the encoder strip.  Clean the encoder strip by following the steps listed below:

CLEAN THE ENCODER STRIP

NOTE:  The images shown below are from the representative product. The customer's model may look different from the picture.

1. Locate a lint free cloth such as a T-shirt, DRY eye glass cleaner cloth, DRY monitor cloth or wash cloth. 
   DO NOT USE ANY TYPE OF PAPER PRODUCTS (EX: paper towel, tissue paper, napkin, filter, news paper etc.)  This will help ensure that the dirt will be removed from the encoder strip. 
   
   
2. Lift the scanner cover using the plastic tabs, located on the left and right side of the machine until it locks securely into the open position.
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Confirm the location of the print head.  If it is in the middle or to the left side, using your fingers, slide the print head over to the right side under the cover to make sure you clean the entire encoder strip.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. The encoder strip is the clear plastic strip located in front of the white vinyl band. (Outlined in red as shown in the picture below). 
   
   
   

   There is a warning in the machine to not touch the strip; however, this warning is to stop users from touching the strip with fingers because of the oils on your skin.  It is OK to touch and clean the strip with a lint free cloth.

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. With the lint free cloth, firmly grab the encoder strip on both sides and rub the cloth down the strip from one end to the other (left to right then right to left) at least three times.  In most cases, you have to rub firmly and aggressively to completely clean the strip and resolve the issue.  The encoder strip is very flexible, durable and has slack so do not be afraid of breaking the strip.  It does not easily break.
   
   

   After cleaning the encoder strip for the second time and if you have already checked for foreign material, go to STEP 9.

   
   
   

CHECK FOR FOREIGN OBJECTS

6. After thoroughly cleaning the encoder strip, look inside the machine and in the two corners for jammed paper or foreign objects and remove them if any are found.  Pieces of paper may be jammed under the print head.
   
   
   • If the print head is locked to the right side of the machine, press and hold the STOP/EXIT key for 5 seconds.  This will cause the print head to move automatically to the middle of the machine and allow you to look for debris in the right corner.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
   • If you physically moved the print head under the cover when cleaning the encoder strip, move the print head back to the middle with your fingers to allow you to look for debris in the right corner.
   
   
   

   Do not close the scanner cover until step 8.  This will cause the error message to stay if the scanner cover is closed before step 7.

   
   
   
7. Turn the machine around and open the Jam Clear Cover (1). Look inside the machine and remove any jammed paper.  Then close the Jam Clear Cover (1).
   
   
   
   
   
8. Turn the machine back around to the front.  Gently close the scanner cover and verify the error message cleared from the display.
   
   
   • If the error message is cleared, go to STEP 10.
     
     
   • If the message continues to appear on the display, clean the encoder strip again by following STEPS 2 through 5. It is common to have to clean the encoder strip multiple times to resolve the issue.
     
     
     

CYCLE THE POWER

9. Unplug the machine from the power outlet for 2 seconds and plug it back in to cycle the power. 
   
   
   
   • If the error message is cleared, continue to STEP 10.
     
     
   • If the error message is not cleared, continue to STEP 11.

TEST THE MACHINE

10. Print the Help List to test the machine by pressing MENU and choosing Print Reports => Help List. Press BLACK START.
    
    
    
    • If the test sheet does not print because an error message reappeared AND you have NOT cycled the power, go to STEP 9.
      
      
    • If the test sheet does not print because an error message reappeared AND you HAVE cycled the power, continue to STEP 11.
      
      
    • If the test sheet prints, the issue has been resolved.
    
    
     
11. Your machine may require service.  Any faxes received while the error message is on the display will automatically go into the machine's memory due to the machine's inability to print.  If there are faxes in memory, you can transfer them to another fax machine so they are not lost.  If you do not want to transfer faxes, please contact Brother Customer Service from "Contact Us". If you want to confirm and transfer received faxes in memory, follow the procedure below: 
    
    
    

    In order to transfer data from your fax machine to another fax machine, you had to have programmed your Station ID in your Brother machine prior to getting the error message on the LCD.  If you have not programmed your Station ID, you will not be able to transfer faxes in memory.  Please contact Brother Customer Service from "Contact Us".

    1. Press MENU and choose Service => Data Transfer => Fax Transfer.(e.g. MENU, 9, 0, 1)
       
       
       
       • If NO DATA appears on the LCD, there are NO faxes in memory and continue to STEP b.
         
         
       • If the LCD prompts you to enter a fax number, there ARE faxes in memory.  If you want to transfer the faxes to another fax machine, enter the appropriate fax number to receive the faxes and go to STEP b.
         
         
    2. Press BLACK START and please contact Brother Customer Service from "Contact Us".