FAQs & Troubleshooting

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MFC-J491DW

FAQs & Troubleshooting

FAQs & Troubleshooting

MFC-J491DW

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Date: 01/23/2020 ID: faq00100359_502

Check the Print Quality

If faded or streaked colors and text appear or if text is missing on your printouts, the print head nozzles may be clogged. Print the Print Quality Check Sheet and look at the nozzle check pattern.

MFC-J491DW/MFC-J497DW

  1. Press Settings.
  2. Press or to select the following:
    1. Select [General Setup]. Press OK.
    2. Select [Maintenance]. Press OK.
    3. Select [Impr. PrintQuality]. Press OK.
    4. Select [Impr. PrintQuality] again. Press OK.
  3. Press .
    The machine prints the Print Quality Check Sheet.
  4. Check the quality of the four color blocks on the sheet.
  5. The LCD asks about the print quality. Do one of the following:
    • If all lines are clear and visible, press to select [No].

      The Print Quality check finishes.

    • If lines are missing (see Poor, below), press to select [Yes].

      OK

      Poor

  6. The LCD asks you to check the print quality of each color. Press or to select the pattern (1–4) that most closely matches the printing result, and then press OK.
  7. Do one of the following:
    • If print head cleaning is needed, press to start the cleaning procedure.
    • If print head cleaning is not needed, the Ink or Maintenance screen reappears on the LCD.
  8. After the cleaning procedure is finished, the LCD asks if you want to check the print quality again.

    Press [Yes] to start the print quality check.

  9. Press again.
    The machine prints the Print Quality Check Sheet again. Check the quality of the four color blocks on the sheet again.
If you clean the print head and the print has not improved, try installing a new Genuine Brother Brand replacement ink cartridge for each problem color. Try cleaning the print head again. If the print has not improved, contact Brother Customer Service.
IMPORTANT
DO NOT touch the print head. Touching the print head may cause permanent damage and may void the print head's warranty.
When a print head nozzle is clogged, the printed sample looks like this.

After the print head nozzle is cleaned, the horizontal lines are gone.

MFC-J690DW/MFC-J895DW

  1. Press [Settings]>[Maintenance]>[Improve Print Quality]>[Check Print Quality].
  2. Press [Start].
    The machine prints the Print Quality Check Sheet.
  3. Check the quality of the four color blocks on the sheet.
  4. The touchscreen asks about the print quality. Do one of the following:
    • If all lines are clear and visible, press [No], and then press to finish the Print Quality check.
    • If lines are missing (see Poor, as follows), press [Yes].

      OK

      Poor

  5. The touchscreen asks you to check the print quality of each color. Press the number of the pattern (1–4) that most closely matches the printing result.
  6. Do one of the following:

    • If print head cleaning is needed, press [Start] to start the cleaning procedure.

    • If print head cleaning is not needed, the Maintenance screen reappears on the touchscreen. Press .
  7. After the cleaning procedure is finished, the touchscreen asks if you want to print the Print Quality Check Sheet again. Press [Yes], and then press [Start].
    The machine prints the Print Quality Check Sheet again. Check the quality of the four color blocks on the sheet again.
If you clean the print head and the print has not improved, try installing a Genuine Brother Brand replacement ink cartridge for each problem color. Try cleaning the print head again. If the print has not improved, contact Brother Customer Service.
IMPORTANT
DO NOT touch the print head. Touching the print head may cause permanent damage and may void the print head's warranty.
When a print head nozzle is clogged, the printed sample looks like this.

After the print head nozzle is cleaned, the lines are gone.

Related Models

MFC-J491DW, MFC-J497DW, MFC-J690DW, MFC-J895DW

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

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