Search

Home > Troubleshooting > Error and Maintenance Messages

Error and Maintenance Messages

As with any sophisticated office product, errors may occur and supply items may have to be replaced. If this happens, your machine identifies the error or required routine maintenance and shows the appropriate message. The most common error and maintenance messages are shown in the table.

You can correct most errors and perform routine maintenance yourself. If you need more tips, go to your model's FAQs & Troubleshooting page at support.brother.com.

image
  • Related Information references are at the bottom of this page.

DCP-J1050DW/MFC-J1010DW

Error Message

Cause

Action

Absorber NearFull

The ink absorber box is nearly full.

The ink absorber box must be replaced soon. Contact Brother customer service or your local Brother dealer.

  • The ink absorber box absorbs the small amount of ink emitted during print head cleaning.

B&W Print Only

One or more of the colour ink cartridges have reached the end of their lives.

You can use the machine in monochrome mode for approximately four weeks depending on the number of pages you print.

While this message appears on the LCD, each operation works in the following way:

  • Printing

    If the media type is set to Plain Paper and you selected Greyscale in the printer driver, you can use the machine as a monochrome printer.

  • Copying

    If the paper type is set to Plain Paper, you can make copies in monochrome.

  • Faxing

    If the paper type is set to Plain Paper, the machine will receive and print the faxes in monochrome.

Replace the ink cartridges.

See Related Information: Replace the Ink Cartridges.

Although the Cause column lists options for using the machine after this error appears, you will not be able to use the machine until you replace one or more of the ink cartridges under the following condition:

  • If you unplug the machine or remove the ink cartridge.

Cannot Clean XX

Cannot Start XX

Cannot Print XX

The machine has a mechanical problem.

-OR-

A foreign object, such as a paper clip or a piece of ripped paper, is in the machine.

Open the scanner cover and remove any foreign objects and paper scraps from inside the machine. If the error message continues, disconnect the machine from the power for several minutes, and then reconnect it.

See Related Information: Paper is Jammed Inside and in the Front of the Machine (Jam Inside/Front).

If you cannot print documents and received faxes, transfer them to another fax machine or to your computer before disconnecting the machine so you will not lose any important messages. Then, disconnect the machine from the power for several minutes and reconnect it.

See Related Information: Transfer Your Faxes or Fax Journal Report.

Cannot Detect

You installed a new ink cartridge too quickly and the machine did not detect it.

Take out the new ink cartridge and reinstall it slowly and firmly until it locks into place.

See Related Information: Replace the Ink Cartridges.

An ink cartridge is not installed correctly.

A used ink cartridge was reinstalled.

Remove the used ink cartridge and install a new one.

The ink cartridge must be replaced.

The new ink cartridge has an air bubble.

Slowly turn the ink cartridge so that the ink supply port is pointing downwards, and then reinstall the cartridge.

The wrong Brother model ink cartridge was installed.

Check the model numbers of the ink cartridges and install the correct ink cartridges.

Cannot Scan XX

The machine has a mechanical problem.

Disconnect the machine from the power for several minutes, and then reconnect it.

If you cannot print documents and received faxes, transfer them to another fax machine or to your computer before disconnecting the machine so you will not lose any important messages. Then, disconnect the machine from the power for several minutes and reconnect it.

See Related Information: Transfer Your Faxes or Fax Journal Report.

Comm. Error

Poor telephone line quality caused a communication error.

Send the fax again or connect the machine to another telephone line. If the problem continues, contact the telephone company and ask them to check your telephone line.

Connection Error

Other devices are trying to connect to the Wi-Fi Direct network at the same time.

Make sure there are no other devices trying to connect to the Wi-Fi Direct network, and then try to configure the Wi-Fi Direct settings again.

Connection Failed

The Brother machine and your mobile device cannot communicate during the Wi-Fi Direct network configuration.

  • Move the mobile device closer to your Brother machine.
  • Move your Brother machine and the mobile device to an obstruction-free area.
  • If you are using the PIN Method of WPS, make sure you have entered the correct PIN.

Cover is Open.

The scanner cover is not locked in the closed position.

Lift the scanner cover and then close it again.

Make sure the interface cable (if used) has been guided correctly through the cable channel and out the back of the machine.

The ink cartridge cover is not locked in the closed position.

Firmly close the ink cartridge cover until it locks into place.

Data Remaining

Print data is left in the machine's memory.

Press Stop/Exit. The machine will cancel the job and clear it from the memory. Try to print again.

Disconnected

The other person or other person's fax machine stopped the call.

Try to send or receive again.

If calls are stopped repeatedly and you are using a VoIP (Voice over IP) system, try changing the Compatibility to Basic (for VoIP).

See Related Information: Telephone Line Interference/VoIP.

Document Jam

The document was not inserted or fed correctly, or the document scanned from the ADF was too long.

Remove the jammed document, and then press Stop/Exit. Set the document in the ADF correctly.

See Related Information: Load Documents in the Automatic Document Feeder (ADF).

See Related Information: Document Jams.

DR Mode in Use

The machine is in Distinctive Ring mode. You cannot change the Receive Mode from Manual to another mode.

Set Distinctive Ring to Off.

See Related Information: Turn off Distinctive Ring.

FaxAbility On

The machine is in FaxAbility mode. You cannot change the Receive Mode from Manual to another mode.

Set FaxAbility to Off.

See Related Information: Turn FaxAbility Off or On.

High Temperature

The room temperature is too high.

After cooling the room, allow the machine to cool down to room temperature. Try again when the machine has cooled down.

Ink Absorber Full

The ink absorber box is full. These components are periodic maintenance items that may require replacement after a period of time to ensure optimum performance from your Brother machine. Because these components are periodic maintenance items, the replacement is not covered under the warranty. The need to replace these items and the time period before replacement is dependent on the number of purges and flushes required to clean the ink system. These boxes acquire amounts of ink during the different purging and flushing operations. The number of times a machine purges and flushes for cleaning varies depending on different situations. For example, frequently powering the machine on and off will cause numerous cleaning cycles since the machine automatically cleans upon power up.

The ink absorber box must be replaced. Contact Brother customer service or your local Brother Authorised Service Centre to have your machine serviced.

Ink Low

The ink level is low. If the sending machine has the ability to convert it, the colour fax will be printed at your machine as a monochrome fax.

Prepare a new ink cartridge. You can continue printing until the LCD displays Replace Ink.

See Related Information: Replace the Ink Cartridges.

  • You can still scan even if the ink is low or needs to be replaced.

Jam Front

Repeat Jam Front

The paper is jammed in the machine.

Gently remove the jammed paper.

See Related Information: Paper is Jammed in the Front of the Machine (Jam Front).

Make sure the paper guides are set to the correct paper size.

Jam Inside/Front

Repeat Jam

The paper is jammed in the machine.

Gently remove the jammed paper.

See Related Information: Paper is Jammed Inside and in the Front of the Machine (Jam Inside/Front).

Make sure the paper guides are set to the correct paper size.

Jam Rear

The paper is jammed in the machine.

Gently remove the jammed paper.

See Related Information: Paper is Jammed in the Back of the Machine (Jam Rear).

Make sure the paper guides are set to the correct paper size.

Paper dust has accumulated on the surface of the paper pick-up rollers.

Clean the paper pick-up rollers.

See Related Information: Clean the Paper Pick-up Rollers.

Low Temperature

The room temperature is too low.

After warming the room, allow the machine to warm up to room temperature. Try again when the machine has warmed up.

No Caller ID

There is no incoming call history. You did not receive calls or you have not subscribed to the Caller ID service from your telephone company.

To use the Caller ID feature, contact your telephone company.

See Related Information: Caller ID.

No Device

When configuring the Wi-Fi Direct network, the Brother machine cannot find your mobile device.

  • Make sure your machine and mobile device are in the Wi-Fi Direct mode.
  • Move the mobile device closer to your Brother machine.
  • Move your Brother machine and the mobile device to an obstruction-free area.
  • If you are manually configuring the Wi-Fi Direct network, make sure you have entered the correct password.
  • If your mobile device has a configuration page for how to obtain an IP address, make sure the IP address of your mobile device has been configured via DHCP.

No Ink Cartridge

An ink cartridge is not installed correctly.

Remove the ink cartridge and re-install it slowly and firmly until it locks into place.

See Related Information: Replace the Ink Cartridges.

No Paper Fed

The machine is out of paper or paper is not correctly loaded in the paper tray.

Do one of the following:

  • Refill the paper tray, and then press image.
  • Remove and reload the paper, and then press image.

See Related Information: Load Paper.

The Jam Clear Cover is not closed correctly.

Make sure the Jam Clear Cover is closed evenly at both ends.

See Related Information: Printer Jam or Paper Jam.

Paper dust has accumulated on the surface of the paper pick-up rollers.

Clean the paper pick-up rollers.

See Related Information: Clean the Paper Pick-up Rollers.

No Paper Fed Again

Paper dust has accumulated on the surface of the paper pick-up rollers.

Clean the paper pick-up rollers.

See Related Information: Clean the Paper Pick-up Rollers.

No Response/Busy

The number you dialled does not answer or is busy.

Verify the number and try again.

Not Registered

You tried to access a Speed Dial number that has not been stored in the machine.

Set up the Speed Dial number.

Out of Fax Memory

The fax memory is full.

Print the faxes that are in the memory.

See Related Information: Print a Fax Stored in the Machine's Memory.

Out of Memory

The machine's memory is full.

If a fax-sending or copy operation is in progress:

  • Press Stop/Exit and wait until the other operations that are in progress finish, and then try again.
  • Press image to select Partial Print to copy the pages scanned so far.
  • (MFC-J1010DW) Print the faxes that are in the memory.

    See Related Information: Print a Fax Stored in the Machine's Memory.

Paper Size Mismatch

The paper size setting does not match the size of paper in the tray.

-OR-

You did not set the paper guides in the tray to the indicators for the paper size you are using.

  1. Check that the paper size you chose on the machine's display matches the size of the paper in the tray.

    See Related Information: Change the Paper Size and Paper Type.

  2. Make sure you loaded the paper in a Portrait position, by setting the paper guides at the indicators for your paper size.

    See Related Information: Load Paper.

  3. After you have checked the paper size and the paper position, press image.

If you are printing from your computer, make sure the paper size you selected in the printer driver or in the application you use to print matches the size of paper in the tray.

See Related Information: Print Settings (Windows).

Replace Ink

One or more of the ink cartridges have reached the end of their lives. The machine will stop all print operations. While memory is available, monochrome faxes will be stored in the memory. If the sending machine has the ability to convert it, the colour fax will be stored in the memory as a monochrome fax.

Replace the ink cartridges.

See Related Information: Replace the Ink Cartridges.

  • You can still scan even if the ink is low or needs to be replaced.

The maximum number of devices are already connected using Wi-Fi Direct.

The maximum number of mobile devices are already connected to the Wi-Fi Direct network when the Brother machine is the Group Owner.

After the current connection between your Brother machine and another mobile device has shut down, try to configure the Wi-Fi Direct settings again. You can confirm the connection status by printing the Network Configuration Report.

See Related Information: Print the Network Configuration Report.

Tray not detected

The paper tray is not completely inserted.

Slowly push the paper tray completely into the machine.

Paper or a foreign object has prevented the paper tray from being inserted correctly.

Pull the paper tray out of the machine, and remove the jammed paper or foreign object. If you cannot find or remove the jammed paper, see Related Information: Printer Jam or Paper Jam.

Tray Settings

This message is displayed when the setting to confirm the paper type and size is enabled.

To not display this confirmation message, change the setting to Off.

See Related Information: Change the Check Paper Setting.

Wrong Ink Cartridge

The ink cartridge model number is not compatible with your machine.

Verify whether the cartridge model number will work with your machine.

Wrong Ink Colour

An ink cartridge has been installed in the wrong position.

Check which ink cartridges are not matched by colour to their ink cartridge positions and move them to their correct positions.

DCP-J1140DW

Error Message

Cause

Action

B&W Print Only

One or more of the colour ink cartridges have reached the end of their lives.

You can use the machine in monochrome mode for approximately four weeks depending on the number of pages you print.

While this message appears on the LCD, each operation works in the following way:

  • Printing

    If the media type is set to Plain Paper and you selected Greyscale in the printer driver, you can use the machine as a monochrome printer.

  • Copying

    If the paper type is set to Plain Paper, you can make copies in monochrome.

Replace the ink cartridges.

See Related Information: Replace the Ink Cartridges.

Although the Cause column lists options for using the machine after this error appears, you may not be able to use the machine until you replace one or more of the ink cartridges under the following condition:

  • If you unplug the machine or remove the ink cartridge.

Cannot Clean XX

Cannot Initialize XX

Cannot Print XX

The machine has a mechanical problem.

-OR-

A foreign object, such as a paper clip or a piece of ripped paper, is in the machine.

Open the scanner cover and remove any foreign objects and paper scraps from inside the machine. If the error message continues, disconnect the machine from the power for several minutes, and then reconnect it.

See Related Information: Paper is Jammed Inside and in the Front of the Machine (Jam Inside/Front).

See Related Information: Transfer Your Faxes or Fax Journal Report.

Cannot Detect

You installed a new ink cartridge too quickly and the machine did not detect it.

Take out the new ink cartridge and reinstall it slowly and firmly until it locks into place.

See Related Information: Replace the Ink Cartridges.

An ink cartridge is not installed correctly.

The new ink cartridge has an air bubble.

Slowly turn the ink cartridge so that the ink supply port is pointing downwards, and then reinstall the cartridge.

The wrong Brother model ink cartridge was installed.

Check the model numbers of the ink cartridges and install the correct ink cartridges.

Cannot Scan XX

The machine has a mechanical problem.

Disconnect the machine from the power for several minutes, and then reconnect it.

See Related Information: Transfer Your Faxes or Fax Journal Report.

Connection Error

Other devices are trying to connect to the Wi-Fi Direct network at the same time.

Make sure there are no other devices trying to connect to the Wi-Fi Direct network, and then try to configure the Wi-Fi Direct settings again.

Connection Failed

The Brother machine and your mobile device cannot communicate during the Wi-Fi Direct network configuration.

  • Move the mobile device closer to your Brother machine.
  • Move your Brother machine and the mobile device to an obstruction-free area.
  • If you are using the PIN Method of WPS, make sure you have entered the correct PIN.

Cover is Open.

The scanner cover is not locked in the closed position.

Lift the scanner cover and then close it again.

Make sure the interface cable (if used) has been guided correctly through the cable channel and out the back of the machine.

The ink cartridge cover is not locked in the closed position.

Firmly close the ink cartridge cover until it locks into place.

Data Remaining in Memory

Print data is left in the machine's memory.

Press image. The machine will cancel the job and clear it from the memory. Try to print again.

Document Jam/too Long

The document was not inserted or fed correctly, or the document scanned from the ADF was too long.

Remove the jammed document, and then press image. Set the document in the ADF correctly.

See Related Information: Load Documents in the Automatic Document Feeder (ADF).

See Related Information: Document Jams.

DR Mode in Use

The machine is in Distinctive Ring mode. You cannot change the Receive Mode from Manual to another mode.

Set Distinctive Ring to Off.

See Related Information: Turn off Distinctive Ring.

FaxAbility On

The machine is in FaxAbility mode. You cannot change the Receive Mode from Manual to another mode.

Set FaxAbility to Off.

See Related Information: Turn FaxAbility Off or On.

High Temperature

The room temperature is too high.

After cooling the room, allow the machine to cool down to room temperature. Try again when the machine has cooled down.

Ink Absorber NearFull

The ink absorber box is nearly full.

The ink absorber box must be replaced soon. Contact Brother customer service or your local Brother dealer.

  • The ink absorber box absorbs the small amount of ink emitted during print head cleaning.

Ink Absorber Pad Full

The ink absorber box is full. These components are periodic maintenance items that may require replacement after a period of time to ensure optimum performance from your Brother machine. Because these components are periodic maintenance items, the replacement is not covered under the warranty. The need to replace these items and the time period before replacement is dependent on the number of purges and flushes required to clean the ink system. These boxes acquire amounts of ink during the different purging and flushing operations. The number of times a machine purges and flushes for cleaning varies depending on different situations. For example, frequently powering the machine on and off will cause numerous cleaning cycles since the machine automatically cleans upon power up.

The ink absorber box must be replaced. Contact Brother customer service or your local Brother Authorised Service Centre to have your machine serviced.

Ink Low

The ink level is low. If the sending machine has the ability to convert it, the colour fax will be printed at your machine as a monochrome fax.

Prepare a new ink cartridge. You can continue printing until the touchscreen displays Replace Ink.

See Related Information: Replace the Ink Cartridges.

  • You can still scan even if the ink is low or needs to be replaced.

Jam Front

Repeat Jam Front

The paper is jammed in the machine.

Gently remove the jammed paper.

See Related Information: Paper is Jammed in the Front of the Machine (Jam Front).

Make sure the paper guides are set to the correct paper size.

Jam Inside/Front

Repeat Jam Inside/Front

The paper is jammed in the machine.

Gently remove the jammed paper.

See Related Information: Paper is Jammed Inside and in the Front of the Machine (Jam Inside/Front).

Make sure the paper guides are set to the correct paper size.

Jam Rear

The paper is jammed in the machine.

Gently remove the jammed paper.

See Related Information: Paper is Jammed in the Back of the Machine (Jam Rear).

Make sure the paper guides are set to the correct paper size.

Paper dust has accumulated on the surface of the paper pick-up rollers.

Clean the paper pick-up rollers.

See Related Information: Clean the Paper Pick-up Rollers.

Low Temperature

The room temperature is too low.

After warming the room, allow the machine to warm up to room temperature. Try again when the machine has warmed up.

No Device

No device found.

When configuring the Wi-Fi Direct network, the Brother machine cannot find your mobile device.

  • Make sure your machine and mobile device are in the Wi-Fi Direct mode.
  • Move the mobile device closer to your Brother machine.
  • Move your Brother machine and the mobile device to an obstruction-free area.
  • If you are manually configuring the Wi-Fi Direct network, make sure you have entered the correct password.
  • If your mobile device has a configuration page for how to obtain an IP address, make sure the IP address of your mobile device has been configured via DHCP.

No Ink Cartridge

An ink cartridge is not installed correctly.

Remove the ink cartridge and re-install it slowly and firmly until it locks into place.

See Related Information: Replace the Ink Cartridges.

No Paper Fed

The machine is out of paper or paper is not correctly loaded in the paper tray.

Do one of the following:

  • Refill the paper tray, and then follow the LCD instructions.
  • Remove and reload the paper, and then follow the LCD instructions.

See Related Information: Load Paper.

The Jam Clear Cover is not closed correctly.

Make sure the Jam Clear Cover is closed evenly at both ends.

See Related Information: Printer Jam or Paper Jam.

Paper dust has accumulated on the surface of the paper pick-up rollers.

Clean the paper pick-up rollers.

See Related Information: Clean the Paper Pick-up Rollers.

Out of Memory

The machine's memory is full.

If a copy operation is in progress:

  • Press image or Quit and wait until the other operations that are in progress finish, and then try again.
  • Press Partial Print to copy the pages scanned so far.

Paper Size Mismatch

The paper size setting does not match the size of paper in the tray.

-OR-

You did not set the paper guides in the tray to the indicators for the paper size you are using.

  1. Check that the paper size you selected on the machine's display matches the size of the paper in the tray.

    See Related Information: Change the Paper Size and Paper Type.

  2. Make sure you loaded the paper in the correct orientation and set the paper guides at the indicators for your paper size.

    See Related Information: Load Paper.

  3. After you have checked the paper size and the paper orientation, follow the LCD instructions.

If you are printing from your computer, make sure the paper size you selected in the printer driver or in the application you use to print matches the size of paper in the tray.

See Related Information: Print Settings (Windows).

Paper Tray not detected

The paper tray is not completely inserted.

Slowly push the paper tray completely into the machine.

Paper or a foreign object has prevented the paper tray from being inserted correctly.

Pull the paper tray out of the machine, and remove the jammed paper or foreign object. If you cannot find or remove the jammed paper, see Related Information: Printer Jam or Paper Jam.

Repetitive No Paper Fed

The machine is out of paper or paper is not correctly loaded in the paper tray.

Do one of the following:

  • Refill the paper tray, and then follow the LCD instructions.
  • Remove and reload the paper, and then follow the LCD instructions.

See Related Information: Load Paper.

Paper dust has accumulated on the surface of the paper pick-up rollers.

Clean the paper pick-up rollers.

See Related Information: Clean the Paper Pick-up Rollers.

Replace Ink

One or more of the ink cartridges have reached the end of their lives. The machine will stop all print operations. While memory is available, monochrome faxes will be stored in the memory. If the sending machine has the ability to convert it, the colour fax will be stored in the memory as a monochrome fax.

Replace the ink cartridges.

See Related Information: Replace the Ink Cartridges.

  • You can still scan even if the ink is low or needs to be replaced.

The maximum number of devices are already connected using Wi-Fi Direct.

The maximum number of mobile devices are already connected to the Wi-Fi Direct network when the Brother machine is the Group Owner.

After the current connection between your Brother machine and another mobile device has shut down, try to configure the Wi-Fi Direct settings again. You can confirm the connection status by printing the Network Configuration Report.

See Related Information: Print the Network Configuration Report.

Touchscreen Init. Failed

The touchscreen was pressed before the power on initialisation was completed.

Make sure nothing is touching or resting on the touchscreen, especially when plugging the machine in.

Debris may be stuck between the lower part of the touchscreen and its frame.

Insert a piece of stiff paper between the lower part of the touchscreen and its frame and slide it back and forth to push out the debris.

Tray Settings

This message is displayed when the setting to confirm the paper type and size is enabled.

To not display this confirmation message, change the setting to Off.

See Related Information: Change the Check Paper Setting.

Wrong Ink Cartridge

The ink cartridge model number is not compatible with your machine.

Verify whether the cartridge model number will work with your machine.

Wrong Ink Colour

An ink cartridge has been installed in the wrong position.

Check which ink cartridges are not matched by colour to their ink cartridge positions and move them to their correct positions.

Did you find the information you needed?