HL-3040CN

FAQs & Troubleshooting

FAQs & Troubleshooting

Carry out calibration to improve the color density

Calibration helps you to improve the color density.


The output density for each color may vary depending on the environment the printer is in such as temperature and humidity.


The instruction varies depending on what kind of the printer driver you are using.

Follow the appropriate instructions for your printer driver and Operation System (OS).



Perform the calibration from the printer driver or using the status monitor:


From the printer driver (Windows users only):


The screens are from Windows XP. The screens on your computer may vary depending on your operating system.

  1. Open Printing Preferences. (Click here to see the details of how to open Printing Preferences.)

  2. Open the Advanced tab and click the "Other Print Options".
    Advanced Tab

  3. Choose "Color Calibration" and make sure the Use Calibration Data checkbox is checked.
    * Only when the latest calibration data is available, the Use Calibration Data checkbox will be checked.

  4. Click the "Start Color Calibration".
    Print Calibration

  5. Color Calibration window appears. Read the message and click OK.
    The printer starts color calibration and then the printer driver attempt to get the calibration data from the printer.

If you want to reset the color calibration parameters back to the setting at the factory, please refer to the instructions at the bottom of this FAQ.


Using the status monitor (Macintosh users only):

  1. Click the Apple icon and open the "System Preferences".

  2. Click the "Print & Fax", "Print & Scan" or "Printers & Scanners" icon.

  3. [Mac OS X 10.3.9 or 10.4.x users]

    1. Choose your printer model name from the printer list. E.g. Brother HL-3040CN series
      Make sure your printer model name is chosen in Selected Printer section.

    2. Click the "Print Queue".
      Print Calibration


    [Mac OS  X10.5.x or greater users]


    1. Choose your printer model name from the printer list. E.g. Brother HL-3040CN series
      Make sure your printer model name is chosen in Default Printer section.  

    2. Click the "Open Print Queue".
      Print Calibraion

  4. Click the "Utility" icon in the top menu.
    (For Mac OS X 10.6 or later Users: Click Printer Setup or Settings. Choose the Utility tab then click Open Printer Utility. )


    Now the status monitor is turned on.

  5. Go to the menu bar, click "Control" => "Color Calibration".
    Color Calibration

  6. Color Calibration dialogue appears. Read the message and click OK.
    The printer starts color calibration and then the printer driver attempt to get the calibration data from the printer.



Perform the calibration from the control panel of the printer:

  1. Press + or - to choose "Color Correction". Press OK.
  2. Press + or - to choose "ColorCalibration". Press OK.
  3. Press + or - to choose "Calibrate". Press OK.
  4. When the message "OK?" appears on the LCD, press OK.


    For BR-Script printer driver(PS driver) users :
    * This instruction is both for Windows and Mac OS X 10.3.9  or greater users.

    The printer automatically adjusts the color density after performing the calibration from the control panel. So, you don't need to perform the calibration from the printer driver or using the status monitor. Please finish the step here.


If you want to reset the color calibration parameters back to the setting at the factory, do the following by using the control panel:

  1. Press + or - to choose "Color Correction". Press OK.
  2. Press + or - to choose "ColorCalibration". Press OK.
  3. Press + or - to choose "Reset". Press OK.
  4. When the message "OK?" appears on the LCD, press OK.
    Now the setting is reset.

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

Have you checked the manuals?

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

Related Models

HL-3040CN

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