Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Solution for Error "Clean Unable 46" for Brother Printers

Posted by Alei at 6/08/2010
I encountered the error message "Clean Unable 46"" with my Brother Printer. For some reasons I have no idea of, it stopped working. Everytime I turn it on, the LCD displays the error message. The LCD suggests to read the manual for troubleshooting. The thing is, I misplaced my guide leaving me searching the Google for a manual source. But, the user manual was of no help. It only stated these probable causes:
a.) The machine has a mechanical problem and/or
b.)Foreign objects such as paper clip or ripped paper is in the machine.

Their solution is to “Open the scanner cover and remove any foreign objects inside the machine. If the error message continues, disconnect the machine from the power for several minutes and then reconnect it.” I followed the instructions as the manual stated. And yet, the it did not worked. I was alarmed that I might need to buy a new printer.

I googled once more and found the cause of the problem. The ink waste pads were full so the only solution is to reset the purge counter or the waste counter. I thought it can only be done by Brother technician until, I found these steps and I was able to fix it. No need to visit the Brother Service Centers. I saved time and effort. =)

Just follow these steps carefully and accurately. This also works with DCP 130C, DCP 110C, DCP 115C, DCP 315CN, DCP 330C, DCP 357C. Good luck!

1. To enter MAINTENANCE Mode, press Menu, then Mono and press UP 4 times.
2. Using arrow up button look for the following:
a. 8 then press SET/OK
b. 0 then press SET/OK
3. Using MONO START, just press it until the word "PURGE XXXXX" comes out.
4. Using arrow up button look for the following:
a. 2 then press SET/OK
b. 7 then press SET/OK
a. 8 then press SET/OK
b. 3 then press SET/OK
This is to reset the purge counter.
When “PURGE 00000” appear press STOP/EXIT
5. Using arrow up button look for the following:
a. 0 then press SET/OK
b. 1 then press SET/OK (To reset unit)
a. 9 then press SET/OK
b. 9 then press SET/OK (To exit Maintenance mode) Your printer should be fine now. I hope I was able to help. :)

40 comments on "Solution for Error "Clean Unable 46" for Brother Printers"

Unknown on Fri Jun 25, 09:19:00 PM 2010 said...

10x folks

Alei on Sun Jul 11, 03:50:00 PM 2010 said...

mine still worked out fine with only 4 press

Martin said...

tks very much, I could fix my printer...

ronnie said...

many thanks...

Anonymous said...

OMG! your blog helps me a lot!
i thought my printer needs repair or i should buy a new one!
i followed your instructions and it worked!
a million thanks!

Anonymous said...

Thanks a lot! Ass saver! Hehe

lindac said...

OMG AMAZING!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

Rui said...

thank you so much!

it worked on DCP150C also...

Anonymous said...

You saved me from going out and getting another printer. Thanks a million!!

Rik said...

it works!!
thanks

eli_ar on Mon Oct 17, 11:25:00 AM 2011 said...

I have some doubts:

What do you mean by "mono" in the first step?

Why did you write
a
b
a
b
and so on?

My printer is a Brother LC51, I don't know if your solution applies to mine

Anonymous said...

thanks lot..God Bless

Anonymous said...

hay! tnx for the help, it really help me alot! many thanks!!.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the tips , its great !!! Solved my Brother MFC -260C as well

Ricea said...

Thank you very very much for posting this! It works :)

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for posting this! Everything is back to normal - saves us a lot of inconvenience :-)

Anonymous said...

thank you so much for posting this guideline,"clean unable 46".

April 4,2012taq

Anonymous said...

Legend! Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Good, sound advice and help TYVM - two Brother DCP-315CN's now working perfectly!

Anonymous said...

Thanks very much..I was just about to chuck the printer out the window! Fixed it for my DCP-315CN

dLyNn on Wed Sep 12, 11:21:00 PM 2012 said...

omg ur post from 201o saved my old printer in 2012... i love you..thanks!

Anonymous said...

Trank you from Spain.

Anonymous said...

Ca fonctionne, it has worked , Thanks a lot ! from France

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much... =)

Anonymous said...

Super job! Thanks for the help!
Eileen :-)

Ginny G said...

Followed your list to the letter and my printer came back to life! :D Thank you so much!

Anonymous said...

It work. Thounsand of thanks.

Anonymous said...

If you keep just resetting the counter then eventually you'll end up with a puddle of ink on your (real) desktop.

So I dismantled my DCP-130C, removed the plastic ink absorbant pad box, cut it open, washed out the pads and dried them fully, put the pads back in the box and glued box back together with wood glue (PVA - didn't need anything fancier than that, just holds the box lid on).

I then followed the routine above exactly as stated and it was like new. Hurrah!

Thanks for the rest info :0)

Anonymous said...

Many Many Thanks
Just to say on my DCP315-CN use Mono Start where the instructions say Mono and
To start I had to press Set/OK Menu Mono 4 times up, all in rapid succession. I then got a blank screen and the up arrow showed a single digit as at 2a

Thanks again.

Anonymous said...

Yes all fixed thank you so much!!!!! :-)

Anonymous said...

It worked a treat. Thanks very much.

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much, it worked!

Unknown on Wed Sep 09, 11:05:00 PM 2015 said...

Thank You! Good as new!

Anonymous said...

Thank you!

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Anonymous said...

Thanks a lot!!!

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This is so me Copyright 2010Think Pink Credits to Gisele Jaquenod Modified by Alei