Attention required Brother

Brother Error Unable to Print XX

What the code means · Diagnosis at a glance

Brother uses "Unable to Print XX", "Print Unable XX" and "Cannot Print XX" for the same family of machine errors. The XX part is a number or letter pair, and Brother says it is a different error message depending on the condition of the machine. On its inkjet models Brother gives two causes, a mechanical issue or a foreign object such as a paper clip or ripped paper, and one set of steps: open the scanner cover (or top cover), remove any objects and paper scraps, unplug the machine for several minutes, reconnect it, and contact Brother Customer Service if the message continues. On the colour laser models listed in its "Print Unable XX" FAQ, Brother says to turn the machine off for a few minutes; if the error continues, there is a problem with a sensor, motor or substrate and the machine needs service. Only one Brother FAQ, for older inkjet MFC models, explains individual numbers.

Jump to the fix ↓ Brother FAQ faq00002677_003: Unable to Print XX ↗
Disconnect power firstUnplug the machine before you open covers or reach inside to remove paper scraps or objects.
Do not open internal partsIf your machine has fax functions, transfer faxes you cannot print to another fax machine or your PC before switching off. Some MFC models with flash memory keep faxes in memory after the power is turned off.
Model-specificBrother says the XX changes with the condition of the machine. Individual code meanings on this page come from a Brother FAQ for older inkjet MFC models (MFC-250C to MFC-990CW) and apply only to those models.
May need a technicianIf the error continues after these steps, Brother sends you to Brother Customer Service. On the listed colour laser models, a persistent error needs service for a sensor, motor or substrate problem.

Affected brands & models

Brother inkjet DCP-J, DCP-T, MFC-J and MFC-T models listed in Brother FAQ faq00002677_003, for example DCP-T300, DCP-T310, DCP-T500W, DCP-T700W, DCP-J105, MFC-J480DW, MFC-J680DW, MFC-T800W, MFC-T910DW and HL-T4000DWBrother MFC-J5010DW, MFC-J5110DW, MFC-J5340DW, MFC-J5855DW, MFC-J6540DW, MFC-J6940DW, MFC-J6975DW and the other models on the "Cannot Print XX" FAQBrother colour laser HL-3140CW, HL-3170CDW, HL-3180CDW, HL-4150CDN, HL-4570CDW, HL-S7000DN, MFC-9130CW, MFC-9330CDW, MFC-9340CDW, MFC-9460CDN, MFC-9560CDW and MFC-9970CDW ("Print Unable XX")Older Brother inkjet MFC models with a numbered code table: MFC-250C, MFC-255CW, MFC-290C, MFC-295CN, MFC-490CW, MFC-495CW, MFC-5490CN, MFC-5890CN, MFC-5895CW, MFC-6490CW, MFC-6890CDW, MFC-790CW, MFC-795CW and MFC-990CW

Diagnosis at a glance

Likely causes ranked, with severity and the recommended action.

A foreign object such as a paper clip or ripped paper inside the machine (inkjet models) Attention Likelihood: Listed by BrotherAction: Unplug, open the scanner cover or top cover and remove objects and paper scraps
A mechanical issue in the machine (inkjet models) Service Likelihood: Listed by BrotherAction: Unplug for several minutes and reconnect; if the message continues, contact Brother Customer Service
A mechanical problem on a colour laser model Attention Likelihood: Listed by BrotherAction: Turn the machine off, wait a few minutes and turn it on again
A sensor, motor or substrate problem (colour laser, error persists after restart) Service Likelihood: Listed by BrotherAction: Call your dealer or contact Brother Customer Service for repair
Older MFC models only (MFC-250C to MFC-990CW): 30 to 39, 3C, 3E or 3F, the machine does not work due to a paper jam Attention Likelihood: Brother code table, older MFC models onlyAction: Clear the paper jam
Older MFC models only (MFC-250C to MFC-990CW): 40, 42, 43 or 44, the internal temperature is too low or too high Attention Likelihood: Brother code table, older MFC models onlyAction: Unplug from the AC outlet and, if possible, warm or cool the room
Older MFC models only (MFC-250C to MFC-990CW): 49, the internal temperature is too low Attention Likelihood: Brother code table, older MFC models onlyAction: Unplug from the AC outlet and, if possible, warm the room
Older MFC models only (MFC-250C to MFC-990CW): 50, 51, 52, 57, 5A to 5E, 6C, 6F, 70 to 73, 7A or 7D, a paper jam or some sensor problem Attention Likelihood: Brother code table, older MFC models onlyAction: Clear the paper jam; if it continues, contact Brother Customer Service
Older MFC models only (MFC-250C to MFC-990CW): 8F, a problem on the paper feed motor Attention Likelihood: Brother code table, older MFC models onlyAction: Power the machine off and back on; if it continues, contact Brother Customer Service
Older MFC models only (MFC-250C to MFC-990CW): 46, the ink absorber pad is full and needs replacing Service Likelihood: Brother code table, older MFC models onlyAction: Contact Brother Customer Service
Older MFC models only (MFC-250C to MFC-990CW): 48 or 4F, a problem on the print head Service Likelihood: Brother code table, older MFC models onlyAction: Contact Brother Customer Service
Older MFC models only (MFC-250C to MFC-990CW): 10, 11, 12, 1A or 1D, a problem on the duplex unit Service Likelihood: Brother code table, older MFC models onlyAction: Contact Brother Customer Service
Older MFC models only (MFC-250C to MFC-990CW): A5, A6, A7, A8 or AF (scanner), E0 (modem), E2 or E3 (main PCB) Service Likelihood: Brother code table, older MFC models onlyAction: Contact Brother Customer Service

What the code means

Brother's FAQs describe "Unable to Print XX" and "Print Unable XX" as an indication that the machine has an issue. The XX is not a fixed value: Brother says it is a different error message depending on the condition of your machine. Newer MFC-J5000 and MFC-J6000 series models show the same error as "Cannot Print XX". Brother also publishes separate pages for the 3X and 5X families on inkjet models, with the same causes and steps as the general XX page.

Which steps apply depends on the type of machine. On the inkjet models Brother lists, the causes are a mechanical issue or a foreign object such as a paper clip or ripped paper, and the fix is to clear the inside and unplug the machine for several minutes. On the colour laser models in the "Print Unable XX" FAQ, Brother calls it a mechanical problem, asks you to switch the machine off for a few minutes, and says a persistent error points to the sensor, motor or substrate and needs service.

What does each number mean? Brother's open FAQs for these models do not explain each XX value one by one. The exception is a Brother FAQ for older inkjet MFC models (MFC-250C to MFC-990CW): it says these error codes mean machine problems and that in many cases the machine will require service, and its code table is summarised in the cause table on this page. Those meanings apply only to the models on that list.

Most frequent causes

  • A foreign object such as a paper clip inside the machine.
  • Ripped paper or paper scraps left inside the machine.
  • A mechanical issue in the machine.
  • On the listed colour laser models, a problem with a sensor, motor or substrate when the error survives a restart.
  • On the older MFC models with Brother's code table, the specific cause linked to the number (for example a paper jam, internal temperature, the print head or the paper feed motor).

Quick fix: try this first

  1. If your machine has fax functions, transfer any faxes you cannot print to another fax machine or your PC first.
  2. Unplug the machine, open the scanner cover (or top cover) and remove any foreign objects and paper scraps.
  3. Leave the machine unplugged for several minutes, then reconnect it.
  4. On a colour laser model, turn the machine off, wait a few minutes and turn it on again.
  5. If the message is still there, contact Brother Customer Service.

Step-by-step solution

0 / 5 done

Tick each step as you go. Your progress is kept while you work.

Before you start

  • Note the full message and the two characters shown in place of XX.
  • Check your exact model name on the machine.
  • If the machine has fax functions, transfer received faxes before you unplug it.

What not to do

  • ×Do not reach inside the machine while it is plugged in.
  • ×Do not unplug a fax model before transferring faxes you cannot print, unless your model keeps faxes in flash memory.
  • ×Do not apply the numbered code table for older MFC models (MFC-250C to MFC-990CW) to a DCP-T, MFC-J or laser model: Brother publishes it only for those older models.
  • ×Do not keep restarting a colour laser model whose error returns: Brother says it then needs service.

When to stop & call support

Stop and contact Brother Customer Service if the message is still there after you have removed foreign objects and paper scraps and unplugged the machine for several minutes. On the listed colour laser models, a Print Unable XX that survives a restart points to a sensor, motor or substrate problem, and Brother says the machine will require service from your dealer or Brother. On the older MFC models, codes such as 46, 48, 4F, the duplex, scanner, modem and main PCB codes go straight to Brother Customer Service.

If the error comes back

If the same Unable to Print XX returns after you have cleared the inside and unplugged the machine, Brother's next step is to contact Brother Customer Service. A message that comes back on a colour laser model after a restart is the case Brother describes as a sensor, motor or substrate problem that needs service.

Questions about Brother Unable to Print XX

What does Brother Print Unable 50 mean?

On the older Brother inkjet MFC models (MFC-250C to MFC-990CW), Brother's code table lists 50 with 51, 52, 57 and others as "the machine does not work due to a paper jam or some sensor problem": clear the paper jam, then contact Brother Customer Service if it continues. On other models Brother does not publish a separate meaning for 50, so follow the general Unable to Print XX steps.

What is Brother error 48?

In Brother's code table for the older inkjet MFC models (MFC-250C to MFC-990CW), 48 is a problem with the print head and the action is to contact Brother Customer Service. For other models, Brother's open FAQs give no separate meaning for 48.

How do I fix Brother Print Unable 35?

On the older MFC models in Brother's code table, 30 to 3F (including 35) means the machine does not work due to a paper jam, and the fix is to clear the jam. On the DCP-T and MFC-J models in Brother's 3X FAQ, remove foreign objects and paper scraps under the scanner cover, unplug for several minutes, and contact Brother if it stays.

What do Brother Print Unable 05, 0A and 3B mean?

Brother's open FAQs do not give a separate meaning for 05, 0A or 3B. They appear in the list of possible XX values in Brother's "Print Unable XX" FAQ for colour laser models, where the fix is to turn the machine off for a few minutes and get service if it continues. On inkjet models, follow the general steps: clear the inside, unplug for several minutes, then contact Brother.

What is error 8F on a Brother DCP-T300?

Brother's table for older inkjet MFC models lists 8F as a problem on the paper feed motor: power the machine off and on, then contact Brother if it continues. That table does not cover the DCP-T300. For the DCP-T300, Brother's Unable to Print XX FAQ applies: remove objects and paper scraps, unplug for several minutes, then contact Brother.

Is Cannot Print XX the same as Print Unable XX?

Yes. Brother's FAQ for the MFC-J5000 and MFC-J6000 series covers both messages together, with the same causes and steps as Unable to Print XX on other inkjet models.

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Related error codes

0B Print Unable 0B: mechanical malfunction 46 Ink absorber pad full (needs replacing by Brother service) 4F Unable to Print 4F: print head problem
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