This guide should be used to clear instances of the error message ‘Error 46’ or ‘Unable to Clean’ that will be presented to Brother Printer users when the machine estimates that the waste ink sponge may have become full.
Due to the specific steps necessary this method of resetting a purge counter is not applicable to Brother inkjet printers that have a touchscreen or feature a numerical key pad on the front of the printer. Please ensure your printer does not have either of these before continuing to read. We have made a guide for printers with a touchscreen here and another for printers with a numerical pad here.
What is a purge counter and why do I need to reset it?
As many users will know, performing a printer head clean uses a large amount of ink. What many don’t realise is that this ink is actually deposited in to a large sponge in the base of the printer. Your machine will keep track of approximately how much ink has been deposited and will then cease to function at a point when it determines that sufficient ink has been deposited for the sponge to be considered full.
Ideally you would remove and replace the waste ink sponge or take the printer to a Brother Authorised Service Centre so that they could do it for you. This is a labour intensive task however and if you were to pay a professional to do it then the cost will likely be more than the actual value of the unit.
Many users find that the printer has presented this error unnecessarily by relying on an overly cautious estimation. As such they choose to simply reset the counter and continue printing unimpeded. In a worst case scenario the sponge will at some point become legitimately full at which point you may get excess ink on your prints or in the base of the machine; use of the printer should then cease and it should either be disposed of or the sponge replaced.
Will this method work for my printer?
This guide is designed for resetting the error 46 or unable to clean message on practically every Brother printer that doesn’t have a numerical keypad or a touchscreen. Models that we’ve tested this reset routine on include the following:
Brother DCP-110C, DCP-115C, DCP-117C, DCP-120C, DCP-310CN, DCP-315CN, DCP-340CW, DCP-585CW, DCP-130C, DCP-135C, DCP-145C, DCP-150C, DCP-153C. DCP-157C, DCP-163C, DCP-165C, DCP-167C, DCP-195C, DCP-197C, DCP-330C, DCP-340CN, DCP-350C, DCP-365, DCP-365CN, DCP-375CW, DCP-377CW, DCP-385C, DCP-395C, DCP-540CN, DCP-560CN, DCP-6690CW, DCP-750CN, DCP-750CW, DCP-770CW, DCP-J125, DCP-J140W, DCP-J315W, DCP-J515W and DCP-J715W.
This isn’t necessarily an extensive list and it’s likely the routine will work on any printer which doesn’t have a keypad or touchscreen. If you come across a model that it doesn’t work on or if you have any issues then please let us know so we can update this guide accordingly.
Video Guide
Reset Instructions
It should be pointed out there are some variances of the button names which can include:
- Set / OK could be referred to as Set/OK, Set or OK.
- Mono Start could be referred to as Mono Start, Mono or it could be a simple grey key.
- Stop / Exit could be referred to as Stop/Exit, Stop, Exit or it could be a simple red key
To get started turn the machine on and wait for it to start up.
- Press the Set/OK button, then Menu, then Mono Start followed by the up arrow key four times. These buttons have to be pressed independently and should be done in rapid succession. If you have done this stage right you should be presented with the word ‘maintenance’.
- Using the Up/Down arrow keys select the number 8 and then press Set/OK. Then select the number 0 and then press Set/OK.
- At this point we need to get in to the Purge option which, depending on the machine will either be a case of pressing Mono Start repeatedly or using the Up/Down arrow. We recommend trying one method and if it isn’t right for your machine turn the printer off and back on again, start the process from the beginning then try the second method.
- Once PURGE is on the screen (usually the word purge will be followed by a reading indicating how much ink has been deposited) use the up/down arrows and the set/ok key again to enter the numbers 2, 7, 8 and then 3 on the screen.
- The number after PURGE should now reset to zero. Press the Stop/Exit key to go back to the main maintenance mode menu.
- Using the up/down and SET/OK keys enter 9 and then 9 again to exit maintenance mode.
The printer should now reset and the level of ink recorded as being present in the waste ink sponge should be reset back to zero. Any errors relating to ‘Unable to Clean’ or ‘Error 46’ should have disappeared and the printer should function as normal.
If the printer is still yielding the same error message then please try going through the routine again from the beginning. If problems persist then please submit the issue to the Igloo Forum and we’ll attempt to tailor our advice to include your specific printer.
I hope you have found this guide useful. If however you have anything to add or any further questions please don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments.
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38 comments
sidhir
October 18, 2012 at 7:11 am (UTC 0)
And as goes for MFC990CW?
sid
RefreshCarts
October 18, 2012 at 8:24 am (UTC 0)
The method for a MFC-990CW is different. I have however created another guide that applies to the MFC-990CW which can be found here:
http://www.refreshcartridges.co.uk/igloo/how-to-t…
arturo
November 22, 2012 at 11:32 pm (UTC 0)
una pregunta como resetar la dcp-j125 la enciendo y me aparece absorb de tinta lleno y no encuentro la solucion de antemano les agradesco sus comentarios
“a question as the DCP-J125 reset turn it on and I get full absorb ink and can not find the solution in advance I thank you your comments”
RefreshCarts
November 23, 2012 at 9:34 am (UTC 0)
This method should work just fine for you DCP-J125. I would run through it again if I were you. I fear something may have simply been lost in translation.
Steve Altenberg
November 23, 2012 at 5:25 pm (UTC 0)
I have a DCP-750CW. As soon as I plug it in, even when holding the start button, I see the unable to clean 46 error message. I cannot turn the printer off with any button. If I press the red stop button I can see the page where I can select quality, enlarge, etc. I can then get the menu by selecting that button, but cannot do anything to get the maintenance page.
Please advise.
john hayes
December 1, 2012 at 2:33 pm (UTC 0)
hello chris and everyone, i have followed your advise on the above info on "Reset Instructions" got as far as setting the purge counter back to zero but after purge was displayed there was no reading of (usually the word purge will be followed by a reading indicating how much ink has been deposited), i did however flick through the other abreviations using arrow keys but still no luck machine still has the same error messages unable to clean and unable to print with error message 50, the machine is brother dcp 150c can you let me know if there is somthing i have overlooked thanks
Emma
December 4, 2012 at 1:27 pm (UTC 0)
Hi,
I follow the above instructions and reset it successfully but I still receive the same message. I have done it many times and turnt it on off etc still having same message 4f showing…
I have the j515w model???
Any ideas??
RefreshCarts
December 4, 2012 at 4:07 pm (UTC 0)
Could you please confirm for me that the error message you are getting is the ‘Error 46’ one?
carin weeks
December 4, 2012 at 11:55 pm (UTC 0)
this does not work with mfc-295cn brother printer !! how do i clear "clean unable 46" on this model ?
RefreshCarts
December 5, 2012 at 3:58 pm (UTC 0)
The Brother MFC-295CN has a numerical pad, so this guide is not applicable. I would advise checking out this guide: http://www.refreshcartridges.co.uk/igloo/how-to-t…
Jonboy
January 3, 2013 at 6:53 pm (UTC 0)
Have a Brother DCP-310CN that I'm trying to reset. Have pressed set/menu/mono start/up arrowx4 as instructed but it keeps just saying 'machine error 46' – no sign of 'maintenance' as expected. Have tried several times; Photo capture button/light also flashing. Any ideas how to progress
emil
January 7, 2013 at 2:16 am (UTC 0)
I have a brother dcp 130c that i was trying to reset. Although the methodology used is very much different from the one recommended by the author, I finally found the purge screen and put in the 2783 numbers. After which I still cannot end the `maintenance mode'. I then pulled out the power cord. When the printer turned on, the machine error 46 was gone.
Thanks for the tip.
john Muir
January 22, 2013 at 5:33 pm (UTC 0)
My printer is DCP 117C. I get as far as "Maintenance" and then the "unable to clean" appears and the photo capture button lights up. Any suggestions please. Thanks
Colin
January 30, 2013 at 9:03 pm (UTC 0)
Thanks i now have a working printer and managed to change the filter.
Elena
February 15, 2013 at 12:37 pm (UTC 0)
Anyone can help me?? I have Brother printer model DCP-340CW, and I got the message "unable to clean" , thank you!!
ame5599
February 26, 2013 at 4:49 pm (UTC 0)
thank you for video and text all was helpfull for me and solve the problem.have any help for epson stylus photo 1410 ,where i need to reset it .
with my best wishies
ena
March 8, 2013 at 3:35 pm (UTC 0)
how about unable to init.4f??
sapura
March 8, 2013 at 3:47 pm (UTC 0)
my printer DCP-J315W has the error shows unable to init.4f..what can i do?
czegs
March 12, 2013 at 4:40 am (UTC 0)
hi…im using DCP-385C brother…and when i turned it on today..it says unable to init. 4F…what does this mean and how can i fix the said problem
RefreshCarts
March 12, 2013 at 10:40 am (UTC 0)
As far as I am aware 4F is a mechanical error. Unfortunately and I have no quick fix for it.
jpam
March 12, 2013 at 11:02 am (UTC 0)
Hi! it works in my DCP-385C actually I am using a continuous ink also, thanks for your help.
Seep
March 13, 2013 at 4:59 pm (UTC 0)
Really helpful
Worked for my DCP-340CW
Thanks.
Alvin
March 14, 2013 at 1:46 am (UTC 0)
Hi! I have my DCP-J140w its always Paper Jam even it has print almost 5 lines and it stop and displays Paper Jam…. have anyone have a solution for this
lllj
March 17, 2013 at 10:05 am (UTC 0)
thank you very much. i was in need to print my assignment that has to be handed up within an hour. my saviour!
Beryl Russell
March 21, 2013 at 8:43 pm (UTC 0)
DCP-315CN Unable to clean – see trouble shooting etc. Hit Set. Mono. Up 4 times. No menu just same message scrolling across. It was printing fine yesterday, then threw a hissy fit , churned out 20 empty pages, and since then won't print. I lost the manual a long while ago.
RefreshCarts
March 26, 2013 at 5:38 pm (UTC 0)
Sorry to hear you have been having problems. On some of these older models I have heard that you can get the printer into maintenance mode by pressing just Menu & Mono on the printer before UP four times. I have been unable to get my hands on a printer to try it and am unsure whether Menu & Mono should be pressed sequentially or at the same time.
If you are able to get your printer into maintenance mode using this method please let me know so I can amend this guide for others. Thanks.
Niran
March 25, 2013 at 12:52 pm (UTC 0)
My MFC-6490CW alway says "No Cartridge".
How can I solve this?
Thanks.
RefreshCarts
March 26, 2013 at 10:56 am (UTC 0)
This would be down to a sensor error inside the printer. No quick fix that I am aware of sadly. I would recommend contacting Brother or a printer technician.
Roy
April 1, 2013 at 11:47 am (UTC 0)
Brother printer DCP-110c – “unable to clean” message
reset my brother printer 110c – “error 46”
1. pull out the AC mains plug
2. whilst holding down the “menu” button, push the AC mains plug back in
3. MAINTENANCE mode and “error 46” appears on the display
4. use the +/UP arrow button repeatedly until it says “8” then press SET
5. use the +/UP arrow button repeatedly until it says “0” then press SET
6. 00:00 00:01 OK is displayed
7. press the MONO button 24 times until you see PURGE: xxxxx
8. use the +/UP arrow button repeatedly until it says “2” then press SET
9. use the +/UP arrow button repeatedly until it says “7” then press SET
10. use the +/UP arrow button repeatedly until it says “8” then press SET
11. use the +/UP arrow button repeatedly until it says “3” then press SET
12. the purge counter displays: purge: 00000
13. switch off the printer, and then switch it on
14. the printer is now ready to print
paula
April 4, 2013 at 5:30 pm (UTC 0)
worked for me thank you for this. I contacted Brother priinters yesterday – took them 45 mins to finally have a human techi voice tell me to bin the printer as it costs more to replace/repair the sponge than to buy a new one! You way works great, cheers. Paula
RefreshCarts
April 5, 2013 at 9:05 am (UTC 0)
Thanks Paula. Glad you found this guide useful. I always like to know I have helped people save money.
Mike
April 29, 2013 at 1:22 pm (UTC 0)
This worked for me on my dcp315 cn.
tommy
April 4, 2013 at 7:20 am (UTC 0)
is not help one my dcp-165c
franco
April 4, 2013 at 6:13 pm (UTC 0)
FINE and CLEAR – good, thanks
Emilia Vincent
April 7, 2013 at 1:10 pm (UTC 0)
THANK YOU!!!
Debbie
April 17, 2013 at 12:19 am (UTC 0)
Genius! Thank u
anil
May 3, 2013 at 12:55 am (UTC 0)
i have purchased dcp 195c it is showing maintenance46 error
Mariam
May 12, 2013 at 3:48 pm (UTC 0)
Works for the DCP-115C!
The photo capture button started blinking in step one, I just pressed the 'arrow up' once more and an arrow appeared on the display instead of the word 'Maintenance'… just continue to push arrows up to 8.
In step three the 'Mono' button worked.
Thank you!!!