Brother Printer Not Working? 5 Quick Self-Diagnosis and Troubleshooting

Brother Printer Not Working? 5 Quick Self-Diagnosis and Troubleshooting

Written by: BernauLena

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Time to read 3 min

Brother printers are popular among users for their easy operation and flexible printing modes. However, like any machine, they can encounter issues that prevent them from functioning properly. Today, we’ll discuss five common reasons why your Brother printers don’t work and provide solutions for quick self-diagnosis, including incorrect label setting, Label holder issues, improperly printed black marks on the label roll, label loading issues and Brother programming bug. They're not technically challenging—anyone can do them with ease. Let's get started!

Incorrect Size Settings

When switching between different label sizes, the Brother P-touch software does not automatically adjust to the new size and displays the previous label's dimensions. This can lead to errors and refusal to print.


Solution:

1. Manually select the current label size in the Paper property from the tool bar.

2. Ensure the correct size is selected before proceeding with printing.

Label Loading Issues

When loading a label roll into the printer, we need to ensure that the holes on the label roll align well with the holes on the printer and that the black mark is positioned correctly under the sensor. Misalignment can cause the printer to fail to recognize the paper and function correctly.


Solution:

  • 1. Properly place the label roll according to the instructions, ensuring alignment with the holes.

2. Reposition the label by sliding it through the sensor.

3. Retry printing to check if the issue is resolved.

Label Holder Issues

Improper installation or poor quality of the label holder can prevent the printer from functioning correctly. Common issues include incompatible hole sizes or uneven edges, causing recognition problems.


Solution:

1. Verify the correct installation of the label holder.

2. Check the quality of the tray’s holes and edges. Replace the label holder if necessary. It is advisable to check other simpler issues before addressing label holder problems.

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Improperly Printed Black Marks

Black marks on the label roll makes the sensor knows whether the printer is out of paper. Poorly printed marks can cause the printer to think it’s out of paper, leading to printing issues.


Solution:

1. Check if the black marks on the label paper are clear and complete.

2. Replace the label roll to have another test print.

Brother Programming Bug

Brother DK 1247 (4.07 in x 6.4 in) and Brother DK 1241 (4 in x 6 in) are very similar, causing the printer to confuse them. This occurs because Brother's coding does not differentiate between these two sizes, requiring manual adjustment before printing. This issue is unavoidable for users of these two label sizes. However, Betckey includes a small tip with the parcel when selling these two labels to help resolve this inconvenience.


Solution:

Correct the "Paper Size" to DK-11241: 4" x 6" or 102mm x 152mm.

1.1 Printing with Brother P-Touch:

Solution:

Print→Media Size→Media→Select 4" x 6" or 102mm x 152mm.

More Details:

1. Click “Print" in the upper left corner, and then go the "Media Size" section

2. Select DK-11241 size: 4" x 6" or 102mm x 152mm under "Media".


1241 label size setting

Conclusion

These 5 aspects are the most common reasons that cause a Brother printer not working and they are easy for a quick check. So if your printer cannot print labels, remember to check these aspects first. They can save you a lot of time!

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