FAQs & Troubleshooting

The indicators light and blink to indicate the printer's status.  The following symbols are used in this FAQ to explain the meaning of the different indicator colors and patterns.

or  or	Indicator is lit in the color shown
or  or	Indicator is flashing in the color shown
	Indicator can be off, lit or flashing in any color
	Indicator is off

 

[Indicators and conditions]
Click the "Condition" with a hyperlink to see its cause and solution.

 

Status, Power, Wi-Fi® indicator

Indicator			Condition
			During the processing of the power-off
			Idle mode Initializing mode Mode can be used only when the Touch Panel Display (TDU) is installed (includes the error mode) (PT-P950NW only)
			Printing mode
(2 times for 1.8 seconds)			No media error Tape end error
			Cover open mode
			Cover open error when printing
			Receiving data
			Transferring data
			Now cooling
			System error
			In boot mode
			Reset mode (when the mode is starting)
			Reset mode (when the button is pressed 1 / 3 / 5 times)
			Reset mode (when the button is pressed 2 / 4 / 6 times)
(3 times)	(3 times)		Reset mode (when reset is confirmed)
	(Repeat 4 times)		IP address fixed notification (USB ID fixed notification)
			Mass storage mode
(1 time)			Mass storage processing mode
(2 times for 1.8 seconds)			PT-P950NW Only: USB host unsupported device connection error USB host HUB connection error
(1 time for 1 second)			USB host power supply excessive voltage error (PT-P950NW Only) Mass storage error
(1 time for 2 seconds)			Roller holder error
(2 times for 1.8 seconds)			Adapter error
			Option connection error (PT-P950NW Only)
			Adapter connection error
			When blinking alternately: Cutter error When blinking simultaneously: High temperature error
(2 times for 1.8 seconds)			Non-compliant tape error
			Wrong media error
(2 times for 1.8 seconds)	(2 times for 1.8 seconds)		Communication error Memory full error Number of lines / character size error
(1 time for 1 second)	(1 time for 1 second)		When blinking alternately: Database search error When blinking simultaneously: No template error
(2 times for 1.8 seconds)	(2 times for 1.8 seconds)		High-resolution / draft printing error
			Black mark not detected error

 

Battery indicator

Indicator		Condition
		Rechargeable battery power: full Charging complete
		Charging
(1 time for 4 seconds)		Rechargeable battery power: half
(2 times for 4 seconds)		Rechargeable battery power: low
		Rechargeable battery error
		Rechargeable battery power: empty

 

Wi-Fi indicator

Indicator			Condition
			No available WPS access point was found
			WPS access point connection error
		(2 times for 1.8 seconds)	Incorrect security settings
		(2 times for 1.8 seconds)	WPS access point search error
			Wi-Fi on, not connected
			Wi-Fi on, connected
			Wi-Fi: WPS setting mode
		(3 times)	BT switching complete notification (PT-P950NW Only)

 

[Causes and Solutions]
Tube, Label, Power indicator

Condition	Cause	Solution
Now cooling	The thermal head is too hot.  The printer stops and resumes printing only after the thermal head has cooled down. The head may become too hot if you are printing a large number of labels. When the thermal head becomes too hot, it may produce imaging on the labels in areas not intended to be printed. This condition may occur more often when the printer is used at high altitude (more than 10,000 ft (3,048 m)) due to a lower air density available to cool the printer. High temperature error.	To avoid or delay overheating, make sure the printer has adequate ventilation and is not located in an enclosed space. Do not use the printer continuously or the print head will become too hot.  In this case, the printer will stop and resume printing after the motor has cooled down. Wait for approximately 5 minutes.
System error	-	Try turning the printer off and on.  If the error occurs again, contact your Brother dealer or Brother customer service for assistance.
Adapter error	An incompatible AC adapter is connected.	Connect a correct adapter. (DC IN 24V)
USB host power supply excessive voltage error (PT-P950NW Only) Mass storage error	USB host power supply excessive voltage error: A USB device with excessive voltage is connected. Mass storage error: You tried to copy a file while the printer is processing another file in mass storage mode.	USB host power supply excessive voltage error: Disconnect the USB device and connect a compatible one. Mass storage error: Press any key except the Power button.
Roller holder error	The roller holder did not operate correctly	Press any key except the Power button.  If the error occurs again, contact your Brother dealer or Brother customer service for assistance.
In boot mode	-	Try turning the printer off and on.  If the error occurs again, contact your Brother dealer or Brother customer service for assistance.
When blinking alternately: Cutter error When blinking simultaneously: High temperature error	Cutter error: The tape cutter is closed when you try to print. This error also appears if the cutter does not operate correctly while cutting. High temperature error: The thermal head is too hot.	Cutter error: Turn the printer off and on, and then try again to print. If this error still occurs, clean the tape cutter. (See "The label does not cut well.") High temperature error: Wait 10 minutes and try again to print.  If the problem remains unsolved, turn the printer on and off.  If the problem remains unsolved, contact your Brother dealer or Brother customer service for assistance.
Non-compliant tape error	When the user inserted the noncompliant tape.	Install a compatible tape.
Wrong media error	The tape width specified in the printer driver or P-touch Editor does not match the tape that is installed.	In the printer driver or P-touch Editor, specify the tape width to match the tape that is installed.
No media error Tape end error	Appears when printing with no label cassette installed.	No media error: Install the tape cassette. Tape end error: Because you have reached the end of the tape, replace the tape cassette. (See "How do I set a tape cassette?")
Cover open error when printing	Pressed the print button with cover opened.	Close the cover completely.
High-resolution / draft printing error	Cannot print labels in high-resolution mode when non-supported media (fabric tape, heat shrink tube etc.) is installed in the printer.	Print using laminated TZe tape with black ink.
Black mark not detected error	No FLe label remains.	Check the remaining amount of FLe label.  If you have reached the end of the label, replace the label cassette.
Adapter connection error	Adapter is connected / disconnected during printing with battery installed.	Do not connect or disconnect AC adapter while printing. To print again: close the cover or press any key other than the Power button. To cancel the job: press the Power button.
Option connection error (PT-P950NW Only)	Switch on the Bluetooth® interface is turned off while the printer's Bluetooth function is enabled and the printer is connected using Bluetooth.	Press any key except the Power button.  After this error occurs, the printer turns off.  Turn the printer on with the Bluetooth Interface switch on.

 

Battery indicator

Condition	Cause	Solution
Rechargeable battery error	Charge is not completed after a period of time passed.	Press any key except the Power button.  If this error occurs again, replace the battery with a new one.

 

Wi-Fi indicator

Condition	Cause	Solution
WPS access point connection error	This printer does not support the authentication method and encryption mode that are specified for the wireless access point.	Confirm and change the settings of the access point, or use another access point.
WPS access point search error	There found 2 access points or more, or no access point was found.	Try again to search.