Clean Unable 46, Brother All in one Printer
Posted in: Troubleshooting
Our all in one printer, Brother MFC-240C had a problem and for some reason it stop working. Every time I turn on the printer it shows on the LCD “Clean Unable 46″ error message. What the LCD suggests is to read the User’s Guide for further troubleshooting. That didn’t help me at all because it stated in the guide, probable causes are 1. The machine has a mechanical problem and/or 2. A 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 and did a total clean over. I used q-tips, glass cleaner, cloth to remove the dust that could be interfering for the printer to work, apparently to no avail it still ain’t working.
I googled it and finally I found the answer to my problem. All you need to do is to reset the purge counter. These steps worked in MFC620CN/420CN/410CN/210C/240C and FAX2440C model.
To reset purge counter
1) Enter machine maintenance mode (on MFC240C all four photo/copy/fax/scan lights flash in maintenance mode). Care is needed in maintenance mode, otherwise critical settings may be inadvertently corrupted.
FAX models with numerical keypads: Press the Menu/Set, *, 2, 8, 6 and 4 keys within two seconds. (if you fail to complete the correct key sequence within two seconds, press the Stop key to try again).
Other (non-FAX) models: Press the Menu/Set and Black Start keys. Next press the “up arrow” key four times to enter the maintenance mode).
2) Press the 8 then 0 keys in the initial stage of the maintenance mode to call up the machine’s log information list (function code 80).
3) Press the Black Start key several times to scroll through the log information list to reach the purge counter. The purge counter is the 25th item in the list.
4) Press the 2, 7, 8, and 3 keys in this order to reset the purge count to zero.
5) Press the Stop/Exit key to return to the initial stage of the maintenance mode.
6) Press the 9 key twice to return to the standby state.
Source: Fixyourownprinter.com
I just want to thank you for the tip on how to fix a Brother Printer that has the message “unable to clean”.
I went through your steps on how to reset the purge counter (I have no idea what a purge counter is) and it works just fine now. Much appreciated, was ready to junk my printer.
Purge set to zero - still says unable to clean. I think it must be something else.
Thank you very much for helping me get through with my “clean unable 46″ prob with my Brother MCF-240C printer. I was just following all the steps you’ve suggested me to do and it works! Congratulations for an effective tips..Its a job well done!
thank you very much…i solved the problem already!
Problem solved! Worked exactly! Much appreciated.
Thanks, I can use my printer now. ^_^
muchas gracias por la solucionme4 ha servido solo quisiera saber como arreglar cuando el error el 50 escriban ami correo si pueden de ante mano gracias
thanx best advice =)
Hi, interesting post! I’m an assistant in computer hardware store as part of my part time job till end of my college. I sometimes help out in the online promotion of the store
I too was ready to toss my printer aftre several attemps to clean. UNABLE TO CLEAN kept coming up. My printer is several years old so I expect that someday I’ll need to replace it but thanks to you it won’t be TODAY!
Thanks again better info the the Troubleshoting guide and more to the point.
Very good. I took long time to find this website. Just followed instructions for my MFC-215C. Worked fine. I was getting “unable to clean” error.
Thanks so much
Wow. I called Brother customer care for the Unable to Clean error. He claimed since I have error 46, I have to take it to a repair center which will cost me about $80 to repair or better yet was to junk it and buy a new one for that price.
Your solution is definetely more professional and thanks a lot for your time and expertise.
By the way, mine is a MFC 420CN and the same sequence worked.
Ned
thanks!!! *grateful*
Hi Thanks very much for great advice. Reset my MFC620CN perfectly.
The only thing now according to the manual is to find out how to replace the “ink absorber” or is this unnecessary?
Thanks again, at least I can print now
THANK YOU !!!!!!! I take good care of all my belongings. I knew my Brother 420-CN was still usable, but I kept getting the run around when I called Brother. I am so glad that you have this website to help peolpe. Once again, Thank You so much.
DUDE! You are AWEsome! Thanks for the tip. You totALLY rOcK!
Hey I love you for posting this excellent solution for the cleaning error problem! I was so ready to give up but then I stumbled upon this site and my printer’s working fine now! thanks to y ou!
thank you so much, had tried everything else I could find online to fix my MFC-215C but to no avail. Tried one last attempt and came across your instructions and it worked. Very much appreciated.
u r a genius…thanku so much
Thank You! It worked perfectly!
Thx for info.. i got this problem also with my DCP-135c printer…and its been solved ..hooray!!
Thanks so much!!! This tip works for MFC 235C as well
Great! It recovered after death!
You saved some my money. Thanks!
Excellent! Thanks very much for this! How did you figure that deal out?
Thanks again!
Thank you to whoever posted these instructions. It really worked! You saved me a bunch of $$.
fantastic! just made my day!! it worked!!! THANKS!
Thanks for that!
just got mine going again, was begining to think it was going to be very expensive!
Used your info and got my MFC-240C to print again. I had to use the Other (non-FAX) method to get into the maintenance mode though. The site http://www.fixyourownprinter.com/forums/inkjet/35840 helped me also. THANKS.
Thankyou very much for your post. it was very helpful and i fixed my problem. kudos to you.
Thanks mate!! My MFC620CN was showing the ‘unable to clean’ error when I got back after xmas holidays.
Luckily this was the third site I found and thought it was the best option to try as it was less invasive.
My gosh! It worked!! As the printer is old, I was also planning to replace it as I expected Brother repair to be expensive - yet your solution fixed it!! THANKS FOR SAVING ME MONEY WITH SUCH AN EASY SOLUTION!
Thank you so very much for posting this help. I’d tried everything, with no positive results. I then followed your instructions and … voila…my printer is working again. HOORAY!! Thanks again.
ir worked thanks a lot MFC240C jan 21 2010
It worked like wonder on my MFC-410CN! Thanks man, you’re a life saver!
I appreciate you,
Melvin Neo
Thanks for those instructions to resent the purge counter. It has saved the printer from going to the tip. I appreciate the advice.
The steps to clear the purge counter worked GREAT on my Brother MFC 420CN!
After putting in 4 new cartridges, the screen read “unable to clean” I called Brother, and like others here, was told to bring the machine to an authorized repair shop.
I was thrilled to find this solution here to reset the purge counter. (Mine was at 06450.)
I like this machine, though it comsumes a lot of ink since the routine cleaning cyles cannot be shut off. If the problem utimately is with the ink absorber, then I will be in the market for another machine when these cartridges run out. At least with the purge counter reset, these cartridges will not be wasted. THANKS ALL!!!
Excellent - my printer works again ! Do i need to replace the ink absorber or juct clean it regualarly? I so where can i buy one? like most users i didnt know this existed.
PROBLEM SOLVED!!! THIS IS CRAZY!!!
This really works for MFC235C. Spot on, my printer is back in working condition. Thanks a lot . You saved me some money.