One of the most common inkjet printer errors, Brother Printer Error 4F – Unable to Print, is utterly frustrating when you really need to use your machine.
This error affects most of the Brother inkjet printer range, and unlike Error 46, this one is a lot more difficult to fix, but I’m going to list as many tips as possible and hopefully, you will be up and running again with a small amount of effort!
Here’s what you’ll learn from this post:
- What does Brother Printer error 4F mean?
- What is a print head / what causes the fault?
- How to fix Error 4F
What Does Brother Printer Error 4F mean?
Aside from your Brother printer offering you a very robotically cryptic message and not telling you what the actual problem is, Error 4F means that you will be unable to print.
Error 4F unable to print is a message related to the print head and specifically means that your print head has either an electrical fault or that it has a temperature error.
There are a few things you can try to fix the issue, however, not wanting to be the harbinger of doom, it’s fair for me to give you an advanced warning; this could mean the end of your printer and you may want to prepare yourself for that bad news…I’ll do my best to be the hero you deserve.
What is a print head?
A print head sits beneath each of the Brother ink cartridges (in some printers they are built into an ink cartridge) and has several chambers that the ink fills up. Once filled, thousands of tiny nozzles in the print head spray droplets of ink onto the page to make up a print.
They do this by heating a tiny resister with electricity that pushes the droplets out. So this particular printer error refers to the fact that those resisters are not getting electricity to them, or they are overheating.
What causes the 4F fault?
Well, the most common answer you get from manufacturers is that the use of compatible or remanufactured inks has blocked the print head nozzles, and whilst this could be the case if you’ve been using really cheap, low-quality inks (I can’t rule that out), it hardly ever is!
Here’s the most common reason; but let me first ask you a question…. When your printer says your ink cartridge needs replacing, do you keep printing until the cartridge runs dryer than the Sahara desert?
Yes? That’s your problem! If there is no or little ink in the print head and the resisters begin to heat, they tend to overheat and burn out! Doh!
How to fix Brother Printer Error 4F
Here’s the best tips on how to fix your printer error:
Tip 1:
The first and best tip I can offer you is to check your Brother printer warranty. If you have had your printer for less than a year, then you will have a standard 1 year warranty. Simply visit Brother Support and get them to fix or replace your printer for you.
Tip 2:
Check your printer manual. Some printer models have a removable and replaceable print head, so the easiest option is to buy a new print head and replace the existing one. If you no longer have a manual, search google for ‘[your printer model goes here] manual’ eg. Brother MFC-J4510DW printer manual or check Manualslib.com.
Tip 3 – Fixing a temperature error:
If the resisters are simply overheating, it’s possible that given time to cool down that the printer error could be fixed. Follow these steps:
- Remove all ink cartridges from the printer and gently clean the contacts on the printer and cartridges.
- Unplug your printer and leave for 10 – 20 minutes.
- Plug the printer back in and wait for the message to insert new cartridges.
- Replacing any that are almost empty, install all inks back in the printer.
If you then still get the error, unfortunately it looks like the print head needs to be replaced.
Tip 4 – Check for Foreign objects:
Sometimes foreign objects such as dust, staples or paper can get lodged in the machine and cause issues, unplug your printer and check around the print head to see if there seems to be anything there. You can also possibly use an air duster to gently blow any objects out from the inside of the printer.
Hopefully this fixed your Error 4F! Let us know how you got on in the comments.
Unfortunately if you still aren’t having any luck, it could spell the end of your printer. The only way to fix it would be to get a technician to have a look and replace the damaged parts, and this can often cost a lot more than the printer itself! 🙁
About Stuart DeavallI have been working in the printing industry with TonerGiant for over 16 years, and I'm the resident technical printer expert, helping people fix their printer problems for over 14 years. I have taken part in many training courses with HP, Samsung, Brother, Canon and Xerox to further my knowledge, and I'm also the Digital Marketing Manager at TonerGiant.co.uk (degree qualified).
merci, j’ai enfin compris ce qui cloche grâce à vos commentaires et je vais m’empresser d’essayer vos conseils.
Bien à vous et merci encore.
De rien
Pl what to do to sort out error print 4F
The tips on what you need to do to fix the 4F error are on this page above.
Dear Stuart,, I am not a happy camper . I have tried every tactic you suggested, I love this printer,.( I finally have all it’s workings down pat. Even my hubby asks me to do what is needed ,rom new ink, to paper issues etc. I am fairly broke (poorer than the local church mouse, lol so no printing will be done,, Question ? (as I haven’t tried it yet) Will the other functions work like his needed every week faxing to his WC office.? Anyway thanks for the help, though not effective unfortunately for me,, be well be blessed, and thank you Chris H.
Hi Chris, this may be because the print head is no longer working. The fax function may not work due to the error message not being cleared. The only thing I can suggest is to give it a try! Thanks, Stu.
I have a brother dcp-195c printer which has worked fine for several years but now does not appear to receive commands from my computer, it’s as though they’ve had an argument and no longer talking! Any ideas?
If you open the printer properties from the control panel settings on your PC, does the printer status say it’s online? If it says offline it’s probably a cable issue. If it is online, it could be a spooler issue where some print jobs have got stuck in the queue. The printer dialogue will have a list of print jobs that you can right click and cancel. If you cancel them all and then try again, it normally corrects the issue.
I have A DCP-J125 printer. It has been giving the error 4F and I think it may be terminal. The scanner still works fine when operated from the control centre. I am a big fan of Brother since my printers have been robust and survived various abuses which should have killed them and been reliable for years (home office use). BTW nice, clear instructions.
After 3 long years of printing abuse, finally my J125 giving error 4F. Love Brother’s printer, robust n reliable. RiP.
Really a nice post
Thanks for the helpful tips. My printer is a Brother MFC-J3720. At least there are still several options to consider before finally calling it quits for the printer or its printer head.
My Brother DCP-J125 has given me wonderful service for the past 7 years. I so appreciate your assistance in this matter – I perused all Brother user guides and troubleshooting tips, but to no avail. I am trying out your solution with removing the cartridges and cleaning as much as I can. Maybe tomorrow a miracle will occur and the dreaded 4F message will disappear. If not, at least I have tried.
Hi Denise, it sounds like the resistors on the print head could now be burnt out or are overheating. Your printer may still work if it cools down enough but it could mean that your printer has come to the end of the road unfortunately.
Step by step easy solution. Good job Mr. Stuart
Thank you Stuart for the helpful tips .
Tried everything suggested but time to go for a new printer I guess. Cannot complain as the DCP-585CW has been trouble free since purchase years ago.
Also a fan of Brother ..
Dreaded 4F is not going to leave. I just hope the new printers are as reliable and forgiving.
I just found the error message on my old brother ink jet printer – has anyone tried to clean the print head on j415 – I have. It worked pretty good. I did the paper towel rolled up skipped under the printer head – after I got the printer head to the centre of the printer (unplug it just as its,rolling across) anyway the inkwell sponge – has anyone created a new sponge? I did – but the ink I think is a mix! Big mistake. I’ll try to clean it out reload the cartridges – silly question.. has anyone…used food colouring?? : ) Yes it works!!! Neon colours are a lot of fun!
I just wish we wouldn’t get the sudden snoop connections to our printers from brother. It wakes up during the night starts reving then stops after a few minutes then I get an email from brother…..special price of ink. I’d really like to put a stop to that- un-brotherly connection.
Hi Jen, I believe there will be a setting in the printer somewhere to stop the printer from connecting to the internet.
Hello I have a Brother HL-L6300 DW
When the printer prints, there are black stripes(fields) across the page.
I have cleaned the drum with a lint-free soft cloth.
I have pulled the corona wire back and forth 25 times.
Hi there, I would imagine that the fuser unit or the drum is the culprit (drum could have a mark on it that is difficult to spot and not possible to fix). It’s a trial and error fix so the best thing is to try a new drum and if that doesn’t fix the issue then the fuser could be clogged and at fault.
Thank you it worked! Will not run cartridges completely dry in future….. never knew the damage it could cause.
I have a MFC J870DW, I cleaned the printer head with a solution kit. after doing this I got the dreaded 4F error message-any suggestions?
Its likely that the resistors in the print head are over heating. You may need to replace the print head.
Our printer is running but does not print view 4F error. how to manage print head block at the right side corner. help us to correct it .
The best thing you can do is check your printer manual for instructions. Each model is different so needs unique instructions.