How to Solve Error State in Brother Printer
Brother printers—laser and inkjet—can show “printer in error state” when the device has a hardware fault, a blocked queue, or a broken network connection. The message is generic, so the key is to troubleshoot in a reliable order: clear physical errors, reset the printer, confirm connection, then repair drivers and ports. This guide walks through each step so you can restore “Ready” status quickly.
1) Clear Physical Errors
Check the printer’s display for specific codes (paper jam, toner low, cover open, drum error). Open the front and rear doors, remove any jammed paper or scraps, and close all covers firmly. For lasers, remove the toner/drum unit, inspect for debris, then reinstall until it clicks. For inkjets, reseat cartridges and ensure the carriage moves freely. Power the printer on and confirm the panel shows no active error.
2) Power Reset the Printer
Turn the printer off, unplug it for 30 seconds, then plug it directly into a wall outlet and power it back on. Avoid surge strips during troubleshooting—voltage dips can trigger repeated error states.
3) Confirm the Connection
If you print over Wi‑Fi, ensure the printer is connected to the same network as your computer. Most Brother home models prefer 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi. Print a network configuration sheet to confirm status and note the IP address. If you use Ethernet, reseat the cable and confirm link lights. For USB, connect directly to the computer with a short cable and avoid hubs.
4) Reconnect Wi‑Fi if Needed
From the printer menu, go to Network > WLAN > Setup Wizard and rejoin your SSID with the correct password. If your router supports WPS, use WPS Push Button. If the printer previously connected to another router, perform a network reset from Network settings first.
5) Clear the Print Queue
On Windows, open the printer queue, cancel all jobs, and restart the Print Spooler service (or reboot). On macOS, cancel jobs in the queue; if one sticks, remove and re‑add the printer. A jammed queue can keep Windows showing “error state” even after the printer is fine.
6) Fix Ports and Drivers on Windows
Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, select the Brother printer, and open Printer properties. Under Ports, choose the port that matches the current IP from your network sheet (or a Brother network port). Uncheck Use Printer Offline. If the port points to an old IP, add a new Standard TCP/IP port and select it. Reinstall the full Brother driver package if features are missing.
7) Fix on macOS
In System Settings > Printers & Scanners, remove the printer and re‑add it. If discovery fails, add by IP with protocol IPP and the printer’s address. Choose the Brother driver instead of AirPrint when available to keep maintenance tools.
8) Maintenance for Quality‑Related Error States
Some Brother lasers throw errors when drum or toner units are near end‑of‑life. Clean the corona wire (slide the green tab across several times) and gently rock the toner to redistribute powder. Replace toner or drum if the panel indicates low life. For inkjets, run nozzle checks and cleaning cycles if printheads clog.
9) Firmware Updates
Update firmware via Brother’s utilities or the printer’s web interface (enter IP in a browser). Firmware can fix Wi‑Fi stability bugs and false error reports. Power‑cycle the printer after updating.
10) Stabilize the Network Long‑Term
Reserve the printer IP in your router so Windows/macOS ports don’t break when DHCP changes. Avoid guest networks with client isolation. If you use a mesh system, pair to the main node and keep the printer within strong signal range.
11) Notes for Older Models and Windows 11
On newer Windows versions, Brother printers may be added as generic WSD devices, which can be less reliable and sometimes report an “error state” when the printer is actually fine. If that happens, remove the WSD entry and re‑add the printer by TCP/IP using its fixed IP address, then select Brother’s full driver package or the Brother Universal Printer Driver. This restores proper status reporting and reduces random offline/error messages.\n
12) When to Do a Full Reset
If the printer keeps returning to an error state immediately after power resets and fresh drivers, perform a factory reset from the control panel (often under Initial Setup or Reset). This clears corrupted settings and network profiles. After the reset, rejoin Wi‑Fi and re-add the printer by IP so your computer and phone see a clean, stable device.\n
Quick Recovery Checklist
- Clear jams, reseat toner/drum or cartridges, and close covers.
- Power reset using a wall outlet.
- Verify Wi‑Fi/Ethernet/USB connection; print a network sheet for IP.
- Clear stuck jobs and restart the spooler.
- Fix ports and reinstall Brother drivers if needed.
- Update firmware and reserve the printer IP.
With these steps, most Brother “error state” messages clear quickly. If the printer continues to show a specific hardware code after resets and maintenance, it likely needs part replacement (drum, fuser, carriage) or professional service.