Brother printers are well known for their reliability, but even the best devices can show error messages from time to time. Whether it’s a paper jam, connection issue, or a specific code flashing on the screen, understanding what those error messages mean can save you a lot of frustration.
This guide explains what Brother printer error codes mean, how to fix the most common ones, and when it’s best to call in a professional.
Why Brother Printers Display Error Codes
What Brother Printer Error Codes Mean
Brother printers use error codes to alert you when something isn’t working as expected. Each code points to a specific issue, such as a jammed roller, a sensor fault, or a network error.
Instead of guessing the problem, these codes act as a shortcut — helping you identify where to start your troubleshooting.
How Error Codes Help Identify the Root Cause
Most Brother printer issues fall into one of three categories:
1. Mechanical – problems with the paper feed, rollers, or print head.
2. Software or Firmware – corrupted drivers or outdated firmware.
3. Connection – network, Wi-Fi, or USB communication errors.
Understanding the type of error helps narrow down the cause before you even open the printer.
A Systematic Approach to Troubleshooting
When you see an error code, follow these steps:
1. Turn off the printer for 30 seconds and restart it.
2. Note the exact error code displayed.
3. Check your manual or Brother’s online support for confirmation.
4. Work through the relevant fix step by step.
Quick Checks Before Diving Into Specific Error Codes
Before tackling specific error codes, it’s worth doing a few simple checks that solve most issues:
1. Power Supply and Connection Check
Ensure the printer is properly plugged in and not connected through a faulty extension cable. For Wi-Fi models, confirm the printer is connected to the correct network.
2. Software and Firmware Updates
Outdated software or firmware can trigger error codes. Visit Brother’s official website, download the latest driver or firmware for your model, and install it before retrying your print job.
3. Paper and Toner Maintenance
Remove paper from all trays, check for jams or torn paper, and inspect the toner and drum units. If toner levels are low, replace the cartridge.
4. When to Seek Professional Help
If the same error returns repeatedly, or you see smoke, smell burning, or hear grinding noises, stop using the printer immediately. Mechanical issues often require service to prevent further damage.
Common Brother Printer Error Codes and Their Solutions
Error 50 / Print Unable 50 – Fuser or Mechanical Issue
Cause: This usually means there’s a fuser unit problem or an obstruction inside the printer.
Fix:
- Turn off the power.
- Remove all paper trays and check for any jammed paper or debris.
- Open the back cover and gently clean the rollers.
- Restart the printer. If the error persists, the fuser or motor assembly may need replacing.
Error 30 – Unable to Print / Paper Feed Issue
Cause: Paper or foreign objects blocking the print head path.
Fix:
- Open the scanner cover and move the print head to the centre.
- Check both ends for obstructions such as torn paper or paper clips.
- Close the cover, restart the printer and test again.
Error 35 – Paper Feed or Separator Pad Fault
Cause: Faulty feed roller or sensor detecting paper incorrectly.
Fix:
- Remove paper from the tray and fan it out to prevent sticking.
- Clean the feed rollers using a lint-free cloth slightly dampened with water.
- Reinsert the tray and restart the printer.
Error 52e – Laser or Motor Issue
Cause: The laser unit or scanner motor is malfunctioning.
Fix:
- Power off the printer and unplug it for five minutes.
- Plug it back in and test again.
- If the error remains, it may require a technician to service or replace the laser unit.
Machine Error 89 – Internal Hardware Error
Cause: Fault within the printer’s main board or sensor system.
Fix:
- Unplug the machine and leave it off for at least 10 minutes.
- Reconnect power and restart.
- If the error persists, contact Brother support as this is usually a service-level issue.
Connection Error 06 / Server Error 05 – Network or Scanner Issue
Cause: Connectivity or scanning error, usually due to an unstable network or configuration problem.
Fix:
- Ensure the printer and computer are on the same network.
- Restart both router and printer.
- Reinstall the Brother scanning utility.
- If using a VPN, disable it temporarily.
Brother Printer Error Code List
Below is a reference list of common Brother printer error codes and what they indicate:
Brother printer error - E50
A malfunction has occurred in the fuser unit, particularly related to the temperature. Turn off the printer and wait 5 minutes before turning it back on again. If the problem persists, contact the manufacturer.
Brother printer error - E51
A malfunction has occurred in the laser unit and the laser beam is not being detected. Turn off the printer and wait 5 minutes before turning it back on again. If the problem persists, contact the manufacturer.
Brother printer error - E52
A malfunction has occurred in the laser unit, in particular with the spinning mirror and motor. Turn off the printer and wait 5 minutes before turning it back on again. If the problem persists, contact the manufacturer.
Brother printer error - E54
A malfunction has occurred in the main motor, which is responsible for driving all print functions. Turn off the printer and wait 5 minutes before turning it back on again. If the problem persists, contact the manufacturer.
Brother printer error - E60
A malfunction has occurred in the fan. Turn off the printer and wait 5 minutes before turning it back on again. If the problem persists, contact the manufacturer.
Replace Fuser Unit
The fuser unit has reached the end of its life cycle and needs to be replaced. Contact an engineer to assist you.
Replace Laser Unit
The laser unit has reached the end of its life cycle and needs to be replaced. Contact an engineer to assist you.
Clean Drum Unit
Loose toner or dust has been detected around the drum unit and needs to be cleaned. Remove the unit and wipe off any toner residue or dust.
Brother printer error - 20
There has been a failure with the laser diode, which is used to write the information to be printed onto the drum surfaces. Turn off the printer and wait 5 minutes before turning it back on again. If the problem persists, contact the manufacturer.
Brother printer error - 21
There has been a failure with the laser diode, which is used to write the information to be printed onto the drum surfaces. Turn off the printer and wait 5 minutes before turning it back on again. If the problem persists, contact the manufacturer.
Brother printer error - 22
There has been a failure with the laser diode, which is used to write the information to be printed onto the drum surfaces. Turn off the printer and wait 5 minutes before turning it back on again. If the problem persists, contact the manufacturer.
Brother printer error - 23
There has been a failure with the laser diode, which is used to write the information to be printed onto the drum surfaces. Turn off the printer and wait 5 minutes before turning it back on again. If the problem persists, contact the manufacturer.
Brother printer error - 31
There has been a fault with the density sensor shutter, which is used to check the print density.
Turn off the printer and wait 5 minutes before turning it back on again. If the problem persists, contact the manufacturer.
Brother printer error - 32
There has been a fault with the density sensor shutter, which is used to check the print density.
Turn off the printer and wait 5 minutes before turning it back on again. If the problem persists, contact the manufacturer.
Brother printer error - 50
The drum unit has reached the end of its life cycle and needs to be replaced. Contact an engineer to assist you.
Brother printer error - 51
The feed roller and separation pad for the manual feed tray may need replacing.
Brother printer error - 52
The feed roller and separation pad for the manual feed tray may need replacing.
Brother printer error - 54
The fuser unit has reached the end of its life cycle and needs to be replaced. Contact an engineer to assist you.
Brother printer error - 55
The laser unit has reached the end of its life cycle and needs to be replaced. Contact an engineer to assist you.
Brother printer error - 57
There is a paper jam in the duplex unit, which is responsible for double-sided printing. Check the paper in the unit and carefully remove it.
Brother printer error - 5E
The transfer belt has reached the end of its life cycle and needs to be replaced. Contact an engineer to assist you and reset the counter once done.
Brother printer error - 68
A failure has occurred in the fuser unit, either because it is too hot or not hot enough. Turn off the printer and wait 5 minutes before turning it back on again. If the problem persists, contact the manufacturer.
Brother printer error - 69
A failure has occurred in the fuser unit, either because it is too hot or not hot enough. Turn off the printer and wait 5 minutes before turning it back on again. If the problem persists, contact the manufacturer.
Brother printer error - 6A
A failure has occurred in the fuser unit, either because it is too hot or not hot enough. Turn off the printer and wait 5 minutes before turning it back on again. If the problem persists, contact the manufacturer.
Brother printer error - 6B
A failure has occurred in the fuser unit, either because it is too hot or not hot enough. Turn off the printer and wait 5 minutes before turning it back on again. If the problem persists, contact the manufacturer.
Brother printer error - 6C
A failure has occurred in the fuser unit, either because it is too hot or not hot enough. Turn off the printer and wait 5 minutes before turning it back on again. If the problem persists, contact the manufacturer.
Brother printer error - 6D
A failure has occurred in the fuser unit, either because it is too hot or not hot enough. Turn off the printer and wait 5 minutes before turning it back on again. If the problem persists, contact the manufacturer.
Brother printer error - 6E
A failure has occurred in the fuser unit, either because it is too hot or not hot enough. Turn off the printer and wait 5 minutes before turning it back on again. If the problem persists, contact the manufacturer.
Brother printer error - 6F
A failure has occurred in the fuser unit, either because it is too hot or not hot enough. Turn off the printer and wait 5 minutes before turning it back on again. If the problem persists, contact the manufacturer.
Brother printer error - 7D
Dirt has accumulated on the drum unit. Follow the manufacturer instructions on how to clean it.
Brother printer error - CF
The waste toner box is full and must be replaced.
Brother printer error - 71
A problem has occurred with the scanner motor in the laser unit. Turn off the printer and wait 5 minutes before turning it back on again. If the problem persists, contact the manufacturer.
Brother printer error - 72
A malfunction has occurred in the laser unit and the laser beam signal is not being detected. Turn off the printer and wait 5 minutes before turning it back on again. If the problem persists, contact the manufacturer.
Brother printer error - 74
You have run out of toner and need to replace it.
Brother printer error - 76
A temperature issue has occurred in the fuser unit. Turn off the printer and wait 5 minutes before turning it back on again. If the problem persists, contact the manufacturer.
Brother printer error - 78
A temperature issue has occurred in the fuser unit. Turn off the printer and wait 5 minutes before turning it back on again. If the problem persists, contact the manufacturer.
Brother printer error - 83
There is a paper jam. Remove the paper carefully.
Brother printer error - 84
There is a paper jam. Remove the paper carefully.
Brother printer error - 88
There is a paper jam. Remove the paper carefully.
Brother printer error - A2
There is a paper jam in the automatic document feeder. Ensure the feeder is correctly set and remove the paper carefully.
Brother printer error - A3
There is a paper jam in the automatic document feeder. Ensure the feeder is correctly set and remove the paper carefully.
Brother printer error - A5
The scanner is unable to read the outgoing documents. Turn off the printer and wait 5 minutes before turning it back on again. If the problem persists, contact the manufacturer.
Brother printer error - B9
There is an issue with the scanning unit light. Turn the printer off and then on again. If the scan light doesn’t illuminate, it may need to be replaced. Contact an engineer to assist you.
Brother printer error - 30
There is a fault in the print head. Remove any obstructions and try again.
Brother printer error - 33
There is a fault in the print head. Remove any obstructions and try again.
Brother printer error - 34
There is a fault in the print head. Remove any obstructions and try again.
Brother printer error - 35
There is a fault in the print head. Remove any obstructions and try again.
Brother printer error - 36
There is a fault in the print head. Remove any obstructions and try again.
Brother printer error - 37
There is a fault in the print head. Remove any obstructions and try again.
Brother printer error - 38
There is a fault in the print head. Remove any obstructions and try again.
Brother printer error - 41
There is an issue with the print head. Contact an engineer to assist you.
Brother printer error - 46
The waste toner box is full and must be replaced.
Brother printer error - 82
An issue has occurred when feeding the recording paper. Remove the paper tray and reseat the paper.
Brother printer error - DF
There is a problem with the modem. Turn off the printer and wait 5 minutes before turning it back on again. If the problem persists, contact the manufacturer.
Brother printer error - 26
The printer is unable to detect an ink cartridge. Remove and refit the cartridge. If the problem persists, contact the manufacturer.
Brother printer error - 27
The printer is unable to detect an ink cartridge. Remove and refit the cartridge. If the problem persists, contact the manufacturer.
Brother printer error - 28
The printer is unable to detect an ink cartridge. Remove and refit the cartridge. If the problem persists, contact the manufacturer.
Brother printer error - 29
The printer is unable to detect an ink cartridge. Remove and refit the cartridge. If the problem persists, contact the manufacturer.
When Your Printer Code Persists – What to Do
Sometimes an error may keep returning even after trying all the standard fixes.
1. Escalate to Technical Support:
If you have checked for jams, updated software and restarted multiple times, contact Brother support with your model number and the exact error code.
2. Record Key Details:
Make a note of:
- The full error message
- When the issue started
- Any recent toner or drum replacements
- The number of pages printed since your last maintenance
3. Check Warranty and Service Options:
If your printer is under warranty, service or replacement may be covered at no cost. Always check your purchase date and registration details.
Maintaining Your Brother Printer to Avoid Future Error Codes
Regular maintenance can drastically reduce error messages.
- Keep your printer clean and dust-free.
- Replace toner and drum units when prompted.
- Update firmware and drivers regularly.
- Avoid overloading trays or using poor-quality paper.
- Keep the printer in a stable, well-ventilated environment.
Good printer habits prevent many of the errors listed above and extend your printer’s lifespan.
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