Brother
Printer troubleshooting · Brother
Brother printer troubleshooting: error messages and fixes by model
Scheduled visits to check, clean and adjust your printers and spot worn parts before they fail.
In brief. TIMCOD technicians have documented 120 problems across 5 Brother printers: industrial (TJ-4420TN), desktop (TD-2, TD-4) and mobile (PJ-8, RJ-4250WB). Most of them signal the error through the colour and pattern of their lights: on the TD-4, a solid red light indicates an open printhead or a cutter error, and a flashing red light indicates out of paper or ribbon, a jam or memory full; on the TD-2, the STATUS light flashing red once every two seconds corresponds to “Error 1”, a media problem. The RJ-4250WB shows its errors as text on its display (Erreur de média! [media error]); for the TD-4 and TJ-4420TN, the Brother Printer Management Tool (BPM) gives the exact status on the computer (Out of Paper). The most frequent causes remain an incorrectly loaded roll or ribbon, a printhead not properly closed and a sensor that needs calibrating.
Examples:
Brother troubleshooting guides by model
Each guide lists the model's messages and lights, then one entry per fault: cause, steps to follow, and when a technician is needed.
Brother industrial printers 1 model
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Industrial
TJ-4420TN
- Plus de Papier (out of paper)
- Plus de Ruban (out of ribbon)
- Paper Jam
Brother desktop printers 2 models
Brother error messages: meaning and first action
The messages below appear on several Brother models. The detailed entry for each model gives the exact procedure.
| Message | Meaning | What to do first | Models |
|---|---|---|---|
Out of PaperPlus de Papier [out of paper] (TJ-4420TN), Erreur de média! [media error] (RJ-4250WB), Error 1 (TD-2) | Roll used up or incorrectly installed; on the TD-4 and TJ-4420TN, sensor not calibrated; on the TD-2, unsuitable media, guides badly positioned or cover open. | Replace or reinstall the roll; on the TD-4 and TJ-4420TN, calibrate the sensor. | |
Out of RibbonPlus de Ruban [out of ribbon] (TJ-4420TN), Ribbon Encoder Err., Ribbon End Err. | Ribbon used up or incorrectly installed. | Replace the ribbon, or reinstall it correctly if some is left. | |
Head OpenChariot ouvert [carriage open] (TJ-4420TN), Erreur capot ouvert [cover open error] (RJ-4250WB), STATUS solid orange (TD-2) | Printhead or cover not fully closed and latched. | Open again and close until it latches; on the TD-4 and TJ-4420TN, close the printhead by pressing on both sides. | |
Paper Jam | Media jammed, sensor not calibrated or paper size different from the roll. | Remove the jammed media, calibrate the sensor, check the paper width and height in BPM. | |
Cutter errorsolid red light | Error on the optional cutter; on the TD-4, Brother indicates media jammed at the cutter entry or exit. | Remove the jammed media; if the error persists, contact the reseller or Brother customer service. | |
Memory full errorErreur Mémoire pleine [memory full error] (RJ-4250WB) | Data sent too large; on the RJ-4250WB, a job longer than 3 m or not enough internal memory for the stored files. | Reduce the data sent; on the RJ-4250WB, delete unneeded files from the printer. | |
Cooling Down modePOWER flashing orange (TD-2) | Long continuous or very dense printing: printhead, motor (and battery on the PJ-8) cooling down. | Let it cool: printing resumes on its own. To limit these pauses: lighter density, fewer black areas, a well-ventilated location. | |
Communication errorErreur communication [communication error] (RJ-4250WB) | On the PJ-8, a status covering missing template, memory full, BLF or JPEG file rejected, maximum length exceeded, adapter unplugged or insufficient battery; on the RJ-4250WB, data transfer failed. | PJ-8: check the battery and power supply first. RJ-4250WB: check the data sent and the connection with the computer or mobile device. | |
Mass Storage Mode errorErreur Stockage de Masse [mass storage error] (RJ-4250WB) | Mass storage mode error: unsupported or corrupted file, or a file copied while another one was being processed. | Switch the printer off and on again; on the PJ-8, send the files again one at a time (BIN, BLF or JPG, without a folder). | |
System errorErreur système [system error] (RJ-4250WB), POWER and STATUS flashing red (TD-2) | Internal printer error. | Switch the printer off (then on again on the RJ-4250WB); if the error persists, contact the reseller or Brother customer service. | |
Boot modeMode amorçage [boot mode] (RJ-4250WB) | The printer has started in boot mode; on the TD-2, after the AC adapter was unplugged during a firmware update. | Contact the reseller or Brother customer service. | |
Rechargez la batterie![recharge the battery!] · Status flashing (PJ-8), Batt.TrèsFaible [battery very low] / Replacer batterie [replace battery] (RJ-4250WB) | Battery low or empty; battery badly deteriorated when the RJ-4250WB asks for it to be replaced. | Recharge between 0 and 40 °C using a source specified by Brother; replace a battery reported as deteriorated. |
Messages as worded in the Brother documentation. The TD-4420TN and TD-4520TN have only one light: the BPM tool shows their detailed status, as it does for the TJ-4420TN (Plus de Papier [out of paper], Plus de Ruban [out of ribbon]). The RJ-4250WB shows its errors as text on its display, in French if the display is set to French. The TD-2 and PJ-8 indicate their status through the combination of their lights.
No message? The most common symptoms on Brother printers
These guides cover one symptom across all brands; the Brother models concerned are shown on each card.
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Why is my label printer skipping labels or shifting the print?
In most cases, the printer is no longer calibrated for the media loaded: it no longer detects the gap, notch or black mark between two labels. Run a sensor calibration again after every label change, and check that the sensor is clean and correctly positioned.
Read the full guide -
Why does my printer say “paper out” when the labels are loaded?
The sensor cannot see the media: roll not correctly fed under the sensor, sensor out of position or dirty, or printer not calibrated. Reload the roll, reposition the sensor, then calibrate.
Read the full guide -
Why is my thermal printer printing faded labels or unreadable barcodes?
Dirty printhead or platen roller, darkness too low, insufficient printhead pressure or ribbon unsuited to the media. Clean the printhead first, then increase the darkness step by step; if nothing changes, the printhead may be worn.
Read the full guide -
Why are vertical white lines appearing on my labels?
White lines that stay in the same place on every label indicate dirty or failed heating elements. Clean the printhead: if the lines persist, it must be replaced.
Read the full guide -
Why is my printer printing blank labels?
The print mode does not match the media (direct thermal or thermal transfer), the ribbon is loaded with the ink side facing the wrong way, or the thermal roll is loaded the wrong way round. Check these three points before changing the darkness.
Read the full guide -
Why does my printer say “Ribbon Out” when the ribbon is loaded?
The ribbon is incorrectly loaded or not detected, the printer has not been calibrated for this ribbon, or it is set to thermal transfer when your labels do not use a ribbon. Reload the ribbon, calibrate, or switch to direct thermal.
Read the full guide -
Why is my printer ribbon wrinkling or breaking?
Ribbon incorrectly loaded or tensioned, darkness too high, printhead pressure too high or uneven, or ribbon too wide for the labels. Reload the ribbon, then set darkness and pressure to the minimum that gives a good print.
Read the full guide -
Why does my printer say “head open” when it is closed?
The printhead or cover is not fully latched, or the open sensor is dirty or faulty. Open it and close it again until it clicks; if the message is still displayed with the printhead closed, have the sensor checked by a technician.
Read the full guide -
Why does my label printer not respond when I send a print job?
The job does not reach the printer (driver, port, cable, network or Bluetooth pairing), or it arrives in a language the printer does not recognise. Check whether the data light reacts when you send the job: it is the first clue as to which side to investigate.
Read the full guide -
Why is my mobile printer battery not charging?
Battery discharged, worn or charged outside its temperature range. Recharge within the specified range with an original charger; a battery reported as worn must be replaced.
Read the full guide
Three checks before calling a technician
They resolve most of the messages documented on Brother printers.
- Are the media and ribbon loaded correctly?Roll fed under the sensor and against the guide, ribbon fitted the right way round (ink side facing the label) and taut. Most out-of-paper and out-of-ribbon messages come from this.
- Is the printer calibrated for this media?Recalibrate after any change of labels or ribbon, and as soon as the printer skips labels. Each model's own procedure is given in its guide.
- Is the printhead clean?Printhead cooled, cleaned with the product specified by the manufacturer, then the platen roller. A dirty printhead explains most faded print and white lines.
The most common faults on Brother printers
Breakdown of the 120 documented problems by category. Error messages (30) and connection problems (17) top the list.
Maintenance and repair of Brother printers
When a message persists after reloading, calibration and cleaning, or when Brother refers you to a technician, TIMCOD teams take over: phone support, repair, express exchange and preventive maintenance contracts.
Maintenance contract
Preventive maintenance (printer checks, minor fault fixes, detailed report) and corrective maintenance (phone support, repair, express exchange). Essentiel, Confort or Premium plans.
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Brother printer out of order? Give the model and the problem in the repair request form (in French) and our team will get back to you.
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Printer bought elsewhere, a fleet to bring up to date or a contract to set up: describe what you need and our team will get back to you.
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Also at TIMCOD (in French)
Brother printers: frequently asked questions
Why is the light on my Brother printer red?
On the TD-4 and TJ-4420TN, a solid red light signals an open printhead or a cutter error, and a flashing red light signals out of paper or ribbon, a jam or a memory error; the BPM tool on the computer shows the exact cause. On the RJ-4250WB, the light mainly gives information about the battery (flashing red: battery empty) and errors are shown on the display. On the TD-2 and PocketJet printers, it is the combination and pattern of the lights that tells you: the lookup table in each guide links them to their cause. See the guide for your model.
What does “Error 1” mean on a Brother TD-2?
The STATUS light flashes red once every two seconds. According to Brother, the cause lies first with the media: unsuitable roll, incorrectly installed or nearly empty, guides badly positioned or cover open. If the media is correct, Brother points to data-related causes, such as a label longer than one metre or a file created for another printer model. See the TD-2 lights.
How do I calibrate a Brother label printer?
On the TD-4420TN and TD-4520TN, with the printer off, hold down the Feed/Pause button while switching it on and release it after 5 red flashes; the BPM tool can also start the calibration. On the TJ-4420TN, the Capteur (sensor) menu on the display offers “Auto Calibration”. Recalibrate at every media change and as soon as the printer skips labels. For the TD-2, the RJ-4250WB and PocketJet printers, Brother does not describe a calibration using the buttons: each model's guide gives the sensor and paper size settings. See the guide for your model.
Why does my Brother printer stop in the middle of a long print run?
On the TD-2 (POWER light flashing orange) and PocketJet printers (Cooling Down mode), it is most often the printhead or the motor cooling down: printing resumes by itself once the temperature has dropped. To limit these pauses, Brother advises a lighter print density and fewer black areas.
What is the Brother BPM tool used for?
Brother Printer Management Tool (BPM) is Brother's Windows utility for the TD-4 and TJ-4 printers. It shows the printer status (Head Open, Out of Paper, Paper Jam…), sets the media size and label detection, and starts the calibration. It is the most reliable way to find out the exact error on a TD-4420TN or TD-4520TN, which has only one light.
How do I clean the printhead on a Brother printer?
On the TD-4 and TJ-4420TN, switch the printer off and let the printhead cool for at least one minute before cleaning it. Wipe it with the item specified in the model's guide: a cotton bud moistened with isopropyl alcohol on the TD-4 and TD-2, a lint-free cloth on the TJ-4420TN and RJ-4250WB. Brother recommends this cleaning at every roll change on the TD-4, once a day or at every roll on the TD-2, and frequently on the RJ-4250WB. On PocketJet printers, the Brother guide does not provide for cleaning the printhead: only the platen roller is cleaned, using the Brother cleaning sheet. See the guide for your model.
Sources consulted
The official Brother documents most cited in this brand's guides. Each model guide lists all its documents.
- Indicateurs lumineux – Brother RJ-4250WB/RJ-4230B user guide (version 03, PDF) (opens in a new window) official
- 2.3.1 LED indicators and buttons – Brother TJ-4420TN/TJ-4520TN/TJ-4620TN/TJ-4422TN/TJ-4522TN user guide (version 05, PDF) (opens in a new window) official
- Printing Problems – Brother PJ-822/PJ-823/PJ-862/PJ-863/PJ-883 user guide (online version) (opens in a new window) official
- What do the indicator lights mean? – Brother France support FAQ (RJ-4250WB) (opens in a new window) official
- LED Patterns and Indications – Brother PJ-822/PJ-823/PJ-862/PJ-863/PJ-883 user guide (online version) (opens in a new window) official
- Device Settings of the Printer Setting Tool (Windows) – Brother PJ-822/PJ-823/PJ-862/PJ-863/PJ-883 user guide (online version) (opens in a new window) official
- What do the indicator lights mean? – Brother TD-2125N FAQs and troubleshooting (support.brother.com, United States) (opens in a new window) official
- What do the indicator lights mean? – Brother France support FAQ (TJ-4420TN) (opens in a new window) official
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