Brother machines sit on desks and in back offices right across Brisbane: MFC multifunctions that print, scan, copy and fax, DCP copier models, and HL printers. They are simple machines to live with, and most of them are well worth repairing when something wears out. We service them on site, casual or on a service agreement.
On a Brother mono laser the toner cartridge and the drum unit are separate, and the fuser unit, laser unit and paper feed kits each have a page life of their own. Most calls we get come back to one of those, or to the document feeder on top. The sections below set out what each one does when it starts to go, in the words your screen uses.
The Brother machines we repair in Brisbane
MFC-L5700DN, MFC-L5750DW, MFC-L5800DW, MFC-L5900DW, MFC-L6700DW, MFC-L6750DW, MFC-L6800DW, MFC-L6900DW, and the earlier MFC-8530DN and MFC-8540DN.
Brother's busiest office multifunctions, with a document feeder on top. The paper feed kits, the fuser unit and the document feeder rollers are what we fit most as the page count climbs.
DCP-L5500D, DCP-L5500DN, DCP-L5600DN, DCP-L5650DN and DCP-L6600DW.
The same print engine as the MFC models without the fax. Drum units, paper feed kits and fuser units wear on a page count.
HL-L5100DN, HL-L5200DW, HL-L6200DW and HL-L6400DW, and smaller models such as the HL-L2350DW.
Print only machines, often shared by a whole office. Pickup rollers, separation pads and fusers are the usual wear.
HL-L3270CDW, MFC-L3770CDW, HL-L8360CDW and MFC-L8900CDW.
Brother colour lasers use a drum unit, a belt unit and a waste toner box alongside the four toners. Streaks in one colour usually point to one drum or its toner.
MFC-J6945DW and MFC-J5945DW, and the INKvestment models.
Brother's office inkjets. Print head cleaning, paper feed and the ink system are the usual work, and we will tell you honestly when an inkjet is not worth the repair.
What goes wrong on a Brother, in Brother's terms
The 05xx codes and a Maintenance Replace Fuser message. Fuser temperature faults stop the machine for safety. Once the cause is fixed, the unit is replaced and its counter is reset in maintenance mode.
Separate parts on most Brother lasers. Repeating marks, grey backgrounds and the Drum ! message usually start at the drum unit and its corona wire, not the toner.
Brother calls these PF kits, one for each tray and one for the MP tray. No Paper Fed and Jam Tray messages on a busy tray, and a Replace PF Kit message when a kit reaches its page life.
The 03xx and 04xx codes, when the motor inside the laser unit fails to lock or stay in step. A Replace Laser message means it has reached its page life.
Document Jam messages, originals that skew or double feed through the ADF unit, and the Axxx codes from the scanning sensors on each side of the page.
The optional lower trays (LT) and tower tray (TT) talk to the machine through a connector at the base. Communication, fan and motor faults there show as 17xx to 1Fxx codes.
The Exxx codes: memory, flash and program errors after a power event, and firmware that no longer matches an added tray or the touchscreen.
Scan to email and to network folders, the Log Access Error messages when a server or password changes, and wireless setup after a router change.
Brother error codes we are called to
Quote the code on the panel when you book. It tells the technician which part of the machine to look at, and which parts to bring.
| Code | What it points to |
|---|---|
| Print Unable and Machine Error | Brother's fault screens. The code shown after the message points to the four character codes in the guide. |
| 0501 to 050C | Fuser unit temperature faults. One restart is worth trying once the machine has cooled; if the code returns, the fuser needs a technician. |
| 6901 and 6902 | A fuser fault found at power on or on waking from sleep. The screen asks you to switch off and wait; if it comes back, book a call. |
| 0300 to 0405 | The motor inside the laser unit did not lock on or stay in step. |
| 0B01 and 0B02 | High voltage board errors. A broken corona wire in the drum unit can cause it, so the drum unit is the first check. |
| 4500, 4600, 5001 to 5006 | Maintenance messages: the fuser unit, laser unit or a paper feed kit has reached its page life and is due for replacement. |
| 7000 to 7800 | Paper jams, such as Jam Inside, Jam Rear and Jam Tray. The message names where to look. |
| E000 to E702 | Program, memory and flash errors on the main board. Usually firmware first, then the board. |
Every Brother code family, and which ones clear with a restart
Where in Brisbane
We attend Brother machines on site right across Brisbane, all booked through one service desk:
- Brisbane CBD and inner city
- Brisbane north and Moreton Bay
- Logan and the Redlands
- Ipswich and Brisbane west
For planned servicing rather than a breakdown, see photocopier servicing in Brisbane. For Brother toner, parts and new machines, see our Brother page.
How a service call works
- Tell us the faultMake, model and what the machine is doing. A photo of any error on the screen helps.
- Charge confirmedWe confirm the attendance charge when you book, before anyone is sent.
- Diagnosed on siteThe technician finds the cause and fixes what can be fixed on the visit.
- Nothing extra without a yesAny part or further work is quoted to you before it goes ahead.
Common questions
Can I clear a Brother error code myself?
Often. Jams, open covers, toner, the Drum ! message and paper size mismatches are all things you can sort out at the machine, and the screen tells you how. A few codes, such as Print Unable ZC, clear with a switch off and on. Fuser codes in the 05xx range can be tried once with a restart after the machine has cooled, but if the same code comes back, stop and book a call.
Do you repair Brother inkjets as well as lasers?
Yes. We service Brother MFC business inkjets as well as the MFC, DCP and HL lasers, whether or not the machine came from us.
My Brother says Replace Drum. Is it broken?
No. The drum unit on most Brother lasers is separate from the toner and wears out on its own schedule. Replace Drum means it has reached the end of its life; the machine keeps printing for now, but quality will drop. Fit a new drum unit and reset its counter.
Is an older Brother worth repairing?
Usually, if it is a business laser and parts are still available. Once a Brother is past about ten years old, parts and software support tend to run out, and we generally stop repairing them. If a repair would cost more than the machine is worth to you, we will say so before any work goes ahead.
Where in Brisbane do you attend?
All over Brisbane: the CBD and inner city, the north side and Moreton Bay, Logan and the Redlands, and Ipswich and the west, all booked through the one service desk.
Are your technicians qualified?
All our technicians are trained and certified.
DSA is an independent service provider. Brother is a trademark of their owner and are used here only to describe the machines we service.