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Alex Turner
Published: May 27, 2025 | Updated: May 27, 2025 | 11 min read
How to Reset Brother Printer: Complete Step-by-Step Guide for All Models
Quick fix: Most Brother printers reset by holding the 'Go' button while powering on, but the exact method varies by series. I'll show you the specific reset procedure for your Brother model - plus the drum and toner resets you probably need too.
Your Brother printer is giving you attitude again, isn't it? Maybe it's stuck on some mysterious error message, refusing to recognize your perfectly good toner cartridge, or just acting like it's never seen your WiFi network before. I feel your pain - I've wrestled with Brother printers in three different offices over the years.
Brother makes solid, reliable printers, but they can be quirky when things go wrong. The good news? Most Brother printer problems can be solved with the right kind of reset. The bad news? Brother has about five different reset procedures depending on what you're trying to accomplish.
When Your Brother Printer Needs a Reset (The Warning Signs)
After dealing with Brother printers in corporate environments for years, I've learned to recognize the classic signs that usually mean "reset time." Here's what to watch for:
Network connectivity meltdowns: Your printer was happily printing wirelessly yesterday, today it acts like WiFi is a foreign concept. Or it shows connected but your computer can't find it. This drives me crazy, especially during busy workdays.
Toner cartridge drama: You just installed a brand new toner cartridge, but the printer insists it's empty or incompatible. Brother printers are notorious for this - they really want you to use their expensive cartridges.
Drum unit confusion: The dreaded "Replace Drum" message appears even though you just replaced it, or the drum counter is completely wrong. This happens more often than it should with Brother printers.
Error codes that stick around: You've cleared paper jams, replaced cartridges, sacrificed a USB cable to the printer gods, but that error code just won't go away. Some errors get stuck in the printer's memory.
Print quality weirdness: Everything comes out faded, streaky, or with random marks. Sometimes the printer's calibration gets confused and needs a fresh start to remember how to print properly.
Brother HL Series: The Laser Workhorses
The HL series are Brother's bread-and-butter laser printers. I've probably set up dozens of these in small offices. They're reliable, but when they need a reset, here's the playbook:
1
Power down completely - Turn off the printer and unplug the power cord for at least 10 seconds. This clears any temporary errors from memory.
2
The Go button method - Hold down the 'Go' button while plugging the power cord back in and turning on the printer. Keep holding until all LEDs light up, then release.
3
Alternative reset sequence - For newer HL models, try holding 'Go' and 'Cancel' buttons simultaneously while powering on. Release when you see the Ready LED turn on.
4
Network settings reset - If you only need to reset network settings, press and hold 'Go' for 10 seconds while the printer is on and ready.
5
Print a test page - After any reset, print a test page to make sure everything's working. The printer might need a minute to warm up first.
Brother MFC Series: The All-in-One Champions
MFC printers are the Swiss Army knives of the Brother world - they print, scan, copy, and fax. With all those features, there are more things that can go wrong, but also more reset options:
1
Menu-based factory reset - Press Menu, then navigate to Initial Setup > Reset > Factory Reset. This is the cleanest method for models with LCD displays.
2
Button combination reset - For models without menus, hold 'Function' + '1' + '9' while turning on the printer. Keep holding until you see "Maintenance" on the display.
3
Network-only reset - Press Menu > Network > Network Reset to clear only WiFi settings. This saves you from reprogramming fax numbers and other settings.
4
Confirm the reset - The printer will ask for confirmation before wiping settings. Make sure you really want to proceed - there's no undo button.
5
Reconfigure everything - You'll need to set up WiFi, fax settings, and any custom preferences again. Have your network information ready.
MFC tip: If your MFC has a touchscreen, the menu path might be slightly different. Look for "Settings" or "All Settings" instead of "Menu." Brother loves to change interface layouts between firmware versions.
Brother DCP Series: The Compact Solutions
DCP printers are the smaller siblings of the MFC line - they do everything except fax. Perfect for home offices, but they have their own reset personality:
1
Access the settings menu - Press the Settings or Menu button (depending on your model) and navigate to the reset options.
2
Choose your reset type - Look for "Reset Network," "Factory Reset," or "Initialize." Network reset is usually sufficient for connectivity issues.
3
Manual reset method - If the menu isn't working, try holding 'Cancel' and 'Secure' buttons while powering on. This works on most DCP models.
4
Wait for confirmation - The printer will show "Reset" or "Please Wait" during the process. Don't turn it off during this time - you could corrupt the firmware.
5
Test all functions - After reset, test printing, scanning, and copying to make sure everything's working properly.
Brother LC Series: The Inkjet Specialists
Brother's inkjet printers are less common but still solid performers. They have some unique reset procedures, especially for ink-related issues:
1
Ink cartridge reset - When you get ink errors with new cartridges, press and hold the 'Color' or 'Black' start button for 4 seconds to reset the ink counter.
2
General reset procedure - Hold 'Menu' and 'Options' buttons while turning on the printer. Keep holding until you see the maintenance menu.
3
Print head cleaning reset - Go to Maintenance > Cleaning to reset the print head cleaning cycles. This often fixes print quality issues.
4
Factory restore - Navigate to Settings > All Settings > Initial Setup > Reset to restore factory defaults.
Brother P-touch: The Label Makers
P-touch label makers are technically printers too, and they occasionally need resets when they get confused about tape sizes or connectivity:
1
Basic reset - Hold the 'Power' and 'Print' buttons together for 7 seconds to reset most P-touch models.
2
Menu reset - For models with displays, go to Settings > Device Settings > Reset to Factory Default.
3
Tape detection reset - Remove the tape cassette, turn off the device, then turn it back on. This forces the printer to redetect tape type and size.
Special Brother Resets: Drum and Toner Procedures
Drum Unit Reset (The One Everyone Forgets)
This is probably the most important Brother-specific reset, and it trips up everyone. When you replace a drum unit, you need to reset the drum counter or the printer will keep complaining:
1
Power on and open - Turn on the printer and open the front cover to access the drum unit.
2
Press and hold Go - Hold the 'Go' button for 4 seconds while the cover is open. The Drum LED should turn off.
3
Close and test - Close the front cover. The printer should no longer show drum-related error messages.
Toner Reset (For New Cartridges)
When you install new toner and the printer doesn't recognize it, try this reset:
1
Install the new toner - Make sure the cartridge is properly seated and the cover is closed.
2
Reset sequence - When you see the toner error, press and hold 'Go' for 4 seconds. The error should clear.
3
Alternative method - Some models require holding 'Go' and 'Job Cancel' together for 2 seconds.
Advanced Troubleshooting (When Standard Resets Fail)
Firmware Recovery Mode
The nuclear option: If your Brother printer is completely unresponsive, you might need firmware recovery. This involves holding specific button combinations while powering on to enter recovery mode. Each model is different, so check Brother's support site for your specific model.
Network card reset: For persistent WiFi issues, some Brother printers have a separate network card that can be reset independently. Look for a small reset button on the back of the printer near the network ports.
Common Issues and Quick Fixes
Printer won't wake from sleep: Brother printers sometimes get stuck in deep sleep mode. Unplug for 30 seconds, then plug back in. This forces a cold boot and usually fixes sleep issues.
USB connection problems: If USB printing stops working after a reset, try a different USB port on your computer. Sometimes the printer gets assigned to a different port after a reset.
Mobile printing issues: After resetting WiFi settings, you'll need to reconnect mobile devices. Delete the printer from your phone's WiFi Direct list and set it up again.
What to Expect After Resetting Your Brother Printer
Here's what happens after you reset your Brother printer and what you'll need to configure again:
Network settings wiped: You'll need to reconnect to WiFi and set up any wireless direct connections. Have your network password ready - Brother's setup wizard will walk you through it.
Print quality back to defaults: Any custom print quality settings, paper size preferences, or duplex settings return to factory defaults. You'll need to adjust these in your printer preferences.
Fax settings gone (MFC models): If you use fax functionality, you'll need to reprogram phone numbers, fax headers, and any speed dial numbers. This is probably the most tedious part of resetting an MFC.
Computer connections: Your computer might not recognize the printer immediately after a reset. You may need to remove and re-add the printer in your system settings.
Mobile app connections: The Brother Mobile Connect app will need to rediscover your printer. Delete the old connection and set it up fresh for the best results.
Questions I Get Asked All the Time
Will resetting my Brother printer clear the drum counter?
A factory reset won't automatically reset the drum counter - that's a separate procedure. You need to specifically reset the drum unit through the maintenance menu. I've had to do this countless times when replacing drum units, and Brother is pretty particular about the exact button sequence.
How do I reset Brother printer WiFi without losing other settings?
Most Brother printers have a 'Network Reset' option in the Network menu that only clears WiFi settings. This is way better than a full factory reset because you keep your paper settings, print quality preferences, and other configurations intact.
Why does my Brother printer need frequent resets?
If you're resetting frequently, there's usually an underlying issue. Common causes include outdated firmware, network interference, or a failing network card. I'd recommend updating the firmware first and checking your WiFi signal strength near the printer.
Can I reset Brother printer toner levels?
Yes, Brother printers have a toner reset procedure when you install new cartridges. Usually it's holding the 'Go' button for 4 seconds when the toner error appears. But be careful - only do this with genuinely new toner, not when trying to trick the printer into using empty cartridges.
Bottom Line
Brother printers are generally reliable machines, but they do have their quirks when it comes to resets. The key is knowing which type of reset you need - network-only, factory reset, or the specialized drum and toner resets that are unique to Brother.
I've found that most Brother printer issues can be solved with a targeted reset rather than going nuclear with a full factory reset. Start with the least disruptive option and work your way up. And always remember the drum reset procedure - it's probably the most common Brother-specific issue you'll encounter.
Brother makes solid printers that last for years with proper care. Don't be afraid to reset when needed, but if you're resetting frequently, it's time to look for underlying issues like firmware updates or network problems.
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