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.
Worked like a charm for me! Thanks!!
Thanks. The “unable to clean” problem is now fixed with your advice. I had checked my filter and it’s less than half used I think this is just a way for Brother to make more money out of us by selling filters we don’t yet need and for us to pay them to reset the counter that takes just a few seconds.
Stuart
hi can u help me… my printer is brother DCP 385c “unable to clean 46″….
ThaNKS A LOT FOR YOUR HELP
Fantastic, My trusty Brother is now back working. £110 saved, Kerching, Kerching.
Thank you for your great knowledge with printers! These steps were very clear and resulted in a job well done! Thanks again!
I can’t thank you enough. An expert told me it was time to purchase a new printer. I’ve had it over 8 years now. I wanted to try one more time, so I found your advice and it worked like a charm. I can’t wait to tell the expert. How did you find the information to solve this problem? I’m thrilled. You just saved me a bunch of money. Thank you again.
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.
Amigo Muchas gracias! Me has ayudado un mundo!
You are terrific. You did what the help desk at Brother could not do. They were telling me to take my printer to a Brother dealer!
Thank You for a great tip.
Man You Rock. I just fixed my printer
It’s really work in my 215C, Thank you very much.
Many people will thanks to you for this help…because save some money.
Thanks again.
Your instructions worked like magic on my MFC-425 cn. Thank you so much.
Thanks man, but how do you put it in maintenance mode?
Thank . it resolved the error and started to print. Thanks once again!!
Works like a charm!!
Awesome. Thanks mate!
Totally awesome tip! Thanks a Million! Fixed my MFC-240C in less than 2 minutes.
Excellent, muchas gracias. It worked it
it’s work!!!!.Many Thank!!!!
Thanks for this post, it worked and my machine is back to normal.
Just does the job!
But what i really wonder is WHO came up with the solution, he/she is thee MAN!
Unbelievable, my printer works again. I am dissapointed in Brother that they couldn’t share this with me. Oh well, as long as there is the internet and people like you out there all is well. Thank You
thanks for helping this site! my problem has solve!
You help me alot…Thank you!!!
You rock. Your guide works on the MFC-465CN also.
Thank you! This fixed the 46 unable to clean error on my MFC-495CW printer. I really appreciate it. I was ready to toss it but I love these Brother printers. On the 495 I use the following other non-fax models to enter maintenance mode.
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).
Thank you so much for helping me solve this issue. As many have already said, I was ready to chuck this printer in the dumpster, but I couldn’t live without the quality of this printer. Again, thanks for the help and thanks for saving me $$$
Thanks. I fixed the clean unable 46 on the brother MFC-240C.
HOW ABOUT ..BROTHER DCP-385C…IS UNABLE TO CLEA 46 HOW CAN I SOLVE THIS…
I cannot thank you enough. It works!
you sir are a legend.
Thank you very much,This even works on my Brother MCF-250C. Saves me a lot of bucks from the service center.
amazing! that was so easily done. can’t believe it. you just saved me heaps of time.
can’t thank you enough.
clean unable 46 brother printer dcp 195c
After following the BROTHER maintenance instructions ( Waste of Time) I was ready to launch my MFC-235C into the nearest bin… But “Thanks” to this marvellous page of instructions….. We are back in business…. Cheers !
Worked like a charm. Thank you!!
Yes I’m another person who needs to thank you. I’ve had my MFC 425CN for about 5 years and its never missed a beat until the “Cannot clean” error message. I was going to throw it out and now its working perfectly again.
Thanks very much!! I stripped and cleaned out the Ink absorber and cleaned the Head bed, but to no avail! I found your site, tried the advice, it worked 100% on the 620CN as suggested it would. First time for this one, but SO easy to follow your instructions! Again, THANKS!!
Phil T.
Thanx for the tip..my printer is working just fine now….
Thanks. Instructions worked for DCP-750CW. Note that in these printers the “Set” button has been replaced by the “Menu” button, but the rest of the procedure is exactly the same.
Thanks for avoiding me to send the printer to assistance and spend some money. I agree that manufacturers should be more transparent with such issues and don’t block people on their daily activity just because a stupid counter has reached a stupid limit.
Besides in my case the counter limit was just increased by a firmware update but I couldn’t install it due to Signal 46 error that was blocking this procedure!
Now I was able to restore the counter and install the new firmware.
Carlo
Thanks. Fixed the #46 error on my MFC-465CN
Nice one! I thought it mightn’t work on the mfc425cn since not listed. I too was set to call Brother – glad I didn’t have to get the run around from them. Thanks a million!!
This worked for me too! Thank you!
Thnks a lot
Fabulous tip.
Thank you very much. I’m glad I found you. I love my MFC420CN but it just stopped printing and gave the error message “unable to clean, check maintenance section of the user’s guide”. This section was useless,just like Brother’s website. I searched and searched until I came across your webpage. Thanks a million. I’ll recommend you to all my friends for tech problems. You’re the best.
Brilliant. I needed a work document printed quicky and “Brother” is closed today, Sunday. Desperate, I searched for an online solution, found yours, tried it – but I got the same error 46 code. Still desperate, I read your readers responses and tried it again. It worked! I printed my letter and I’m a happy camper. How’d you get so smart?!?
Thank you sooooooo sooooooooo much. It worked, what a bloody miracle, man time for a new printer I think, a bueat new laser printer with cheaper ink catridges.
Works wonderfully…. saved my ass as needed to print something urgently!!
Thanks!!!!
Its already late when I found out about resetting the purge count on my MFC 240C. An authorized technician stupidly advised me that the problem is with the printer head.
Anyway, thanks a lot. But can you share how to clean the purge tank? I’ve learned that it could be a mess if it leaks.
Hi,
Thanks so much, just fixed my Brother MFC 420 CN with unable to clean message. I got into maintenace no problem. How complicated they made it! It didn’t work the first try, so I went back into maintainence a second time and cleared a lot of the other counters that looked like errors and then it worked. Feels so good not to throw out a perfectly good printer. Made my day!
Thanks,
Peg
Thank you so much ! I have never posted a reply on a board like this but your response is so incredibly helpful ! I was already shopping for a new printer, getting ready to return the ink cartridges I just bought, when I found this !! My MFC-210C now works again !
You saved me so much time !
Cannot thank you enough !
THANKS WORKED FOR ME!
MY PURGE COUNT WASNT EVEN 3000+
thanks alot
Thank you so much. Your solution worked like a charm on my MFC-235C.
Thank you so much!
Thanks buddy ! Brought my 240c back to life.
Great Post !
After resetting the Purge, do i still need to clean out the ink absorber?
Can you post some pics on how to locate the ink absorber and clean it.
Cheers !
actually i found this online video..that might help everybody:
http://software-remote.com/hardware-remote-desktop/Disassemble-the-Brother-MFC240C.html
Hi,
got this error 46 just today on my DCP150C, found this perfect ‘manual’ and was able to fix the problem. Purge count value was 9706, reset to zero in a few minutes.
Great! I love my printer! And this fantastic website!
Thanks to the author!
Stebo
YOU are the bestest!! Was so ready to trash this machine. After sitting on it for months, and numerous times trying to google a solution, I figured, I’d try one last time & FINALLY came across this site…and what do ya know! Yours was the first & final solution that helped my “sick” printer. THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH!
Thanks… worked wonders!
I tried to reset the mono counter as well of my mfc-6490 with the same code after the purge counter. Bless you!
Thanks a million, it worked on the second time I tried (I thought PC was Purge Counter) so wait until you get the ‘Purge’ and follow the instructions as above. Thanks again, Donagh
This is awesome. It worked like a charm on my 420 CN. I was getting the same “Unable to Clean” message and had started looking to buy a new machine (it is a few years old machine).
As a last effort, I decided to google the issue and found this site. And the problem was solved.
Magic and a very good post/service/help to ever one.
Thank you Thank you Thank you.
All is back to normal. Saved me time and money. You are my hero for the day.
It worked!!! Thanks.
Thank you ,You saved me alot of money.That was amazing Thank you thank you !
thank you so much for the quick fix. you saved me a lot of bucks. thank you. bless you
Thanks so much.You just saved me heaps.Fix Error message”UNABLE TO PRINT”
Worked perfectly. Thank you very much.
What else can I add, but Thank You. I was also fixing to dump the printer.
after Brother works in Manchester smugly,refused to give the code needed,this worked perfect ,on my MFC 235 C.Thank you .
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!!!!!! I just fixed my Brother MFC 420-CN that was displaying unable to clean/ check maintenance section of the user’s guide”message. This section was useless,just like Brother’s website. I have no idea what a purge counter is. I followed the simple steps on this website and NOW my printer works again. I had a little trouble with the first step. You have to press *,2,8,6 and 4 very FAST to get into the maintenance mode. Like the instrutions read, you have to press the correct key sequence within 2 seconds. If you fail like I did, just try again faster. I searched and searched until I came across your website. I’m sure glad I found this webpage. I was about to go out and buy a new printer and junk this one. THANKS A MILLION!!!!! YOU ROCK !!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Cool, thank you.
Your fix worked first time. Thank you sincerly.
Thank you for your very helpful instruction! Followed the steps and ‘clean unable’ fixed!
Thank You!!!!!!
You saved me money. Your instructions were great. thank you so very much.
This solution worked on a MFC-5440 as well. Looks like Brother has a built in you need to buy a new Brother printer function.
You Rock! I was ready to throw the printer away. I have had great results on my 420cn. Thanks for saving me money and sanity. You made my day as well.
Many Thanks,
Michelle
It worked perfectly for my MFC235C. Thank goodness for this solution. I am glad I searched the web and found this page.
Thanks a lot, followed your instruction to reset the purge counter, and I got rid off the message “Unable to Clean” for my Brother printer MFC-420CN, and the printer works normally now. Brother made it so complicated and purposely do not leave a resolution in the MFC-420CN User guide, the intention is obvious. I think I will not buy anymore Brother’s printer, because I don’t know when I am going to encounter another ulterior situation like this.
This is the best tip I ever found on the web bar none! My boss believes that I can fix anything, from cars to woodwork to computers and printers (and so far, I have!). I didn’t want to disappoint her, but was baffled about this problem until I found your site. I fixed it while she went out to have her nails done. She now thinks I’m a genius. I know who the real genius is… but for the sake of my job security, we’ll keep that between you and me. LOL
I’m one happy camper!
That’s great ! Thank you very much for the advice.
This Rocks! What a great fix for my Brother MFC-440CN; thanks very much.
Now if I can only stop the printer cleaning all the time and using my ink up unnecessarily. Any ideas anyone? Cheers
Worked like a charm.
Second time I had to do this to the printer.
YES!!! it worx for me, awesome,cheers mate
i must be the only one who can’t get this to work. Can’t get into the maintanace mode and even if i did, how can i enter any numerical keys if my printer doesn’t have a fax and hence no number keys!?!
i got error 50 with my mfc 470 printer?
thks dood. you are the best.
Thank you for your help!!!!!
Thanks, I was about to throw the printer in the dumpster.
Re-setting the purge counter to zero worked.
Now if I could only get it to use all the ink in my cartridges
before it tells me to replace them and prevents me
from printing.
DAN :O)
Thank you, thank you, thank you!! Just got my MFC 420 tCN to work again after your help with unable to clean message.1st method where you had to enter a series of numbers in 2 seconds, well, that didn’t work too well for me. But, the non fax method did and now I don’t have to get rid of my machine, because I can;t afford another one.
Thanks again,
Susan
Bloody brilliant. Thanks heaps. Why don’t the manuals make it this easy?
Amazing! I thought I was going to have to splash out on another printer. Thank you for such comprehensive assistance. Worked for me!
G
Thank you very much… very helpful……
Hi,
Thanks for a FIVE STAR RATING post.
GREAT SOCIAL SERVICE I MUST ACKNOWLEDGE.
Thanks for the wonderful and clear post that solved an almost “ransom like situation”. Packing, Carrying, Cabing it and then have them advise “most likely cause” is Printer Head failure.
My MFC425CN needed JUST YOUR SINCERE GUIDANCE.
The best guidance, with first shot success posting, I have ever read in over 15 years on the internet.
There should be a mandatory LAW that all details, for equipment with system controlled maintenance MUST be published in USER / Workshop Manuals and be available to USERS all over the world.
(Posted from China where the first hurdle is language and second hurdle is having friendly agents crop up to fleece you for everything once you have spent hours getting your problems understood through a translator.)
Warm Regards,
D.S.Bamji
Just another thank you so.
I’m not sure how you figured this out the, but you saved me from buying a new printer you saved my cfm 420cn from being destroyed with a hammer.
Thanks so much.
Thank you very much! Couldn’t find anything blocking it and the ink was fine. You are a genius. Have printed out the info for future use.
I tried this for my MFC-5440CN , and all the steps were as you described and it reset the Purge Counter to 00000, but my problem persists. Any other suggestions? Thanks.
Thanks a lot! ive been trying to fix this problem for two months now. good thing i found your site!..
btw it worked for mfc-215c model..thanks again
ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC ADVICE. WORKED A DREAM!!!!!!!!! LIFE SAVER!! THANK YOU
Thank you so much. I talked to someone from Brother on live chat and they told me that I couldnt fix this on my own and needed to take it to an authorized repair shop. Was ready to look for another printer but decided to try a search and found your site and did what you said and it worked the first time. My printer is working great again. Want to thank you again since I had just put in new ink that I had invested quite a bit in and would have been out enough to buy another printer if it wasnt for your site. Thank you over and over again. Shame on Brother for not giving out this info.
It worked. Dude you rock!!! Thanks.
Thanks a million!!
Finally the problem is solved and it works for MFC-260C as well!
I know this is an old article but still very resourceful and put to good use today as I was trying to print my school finals, so this helped immensely. Thanks so much for sharing.
This process works like magic. It saved me a good amount of money. My machine is back to live after months in the wilderness.
Thanks a million.
This worked for my MFC-440CN. Thanks very much for sharing the info.
Thanks mate , u r great ,solved my Brother MFC 260-C “Clean Unable 46″ problem.
thanks a lot!
I LOVE YOU!!!!!!…
well thanks, it worked perfectly
Hello there!!! anybody help me to solf my problem, i try many time to make sure my Brother printer MFC64-90CW Printer i can’t do nothing i have no idea so anyone can help me kindly !!!!!!
thank you very much…i solved the problem already!
Thank you so much for that great tip, it has sorted out my printer just like that. i wondered ifyou knew how to disable the WiFi transmitter? i suffer from a rare condition known as Electrohypersensitive and the WiFi is causing me great pains!!!
thanks again
thanks, worked great and quickly !!!
my faith in human nature got a boost, my trust in the corporate world …….???
i have a brother MFC-490CW and i had the error 46 problem as well i reset the purge counter per the instructions above but it did not work so i restarted the printer got back into maintenance mode and went item by item and reset all the things i could using the 2,7,8,3 combination exited mode restart printer fixed
hope this helps others Great website
as a side note to get into maintenance mode on the 490 you have to hit the OK button first so it goes like this OK,Menu,Black/Start,UP arrow 4 times. in you go
Hi, what is the purge counter for dcp 135c? cos there’s no 25th item as mentioned in your instructions. Help me please and quick!!! Thanks
Worked on my MFC235c, you just saved me the cost of a new printer, and many others too by the look of it. You are doing your bit to save the planet! Thanks soooooooooo
much.
Was just about to throw away £60 worth of cartridges when I saw your article,works fine on a 425cn,many thanks
WOW you just saved me big time. I thought I was going to have to retire my old trusted all in one.
Wow !!!!! Thank you – Thank you. !!!
Thank a lot for the tip. It worked well on Brother MFC 235C printer.
Cheerio
Worked exactly as you said. Thanks. I have another problem ” paper jam”pen rear door. I’ve done this a dozen times. Any ideas.
Great advice , worked beautifully THANKS
thanks for the tip, my printer now is on the go again
THANK YOU!!! worked perfectly, saved me alot of legwork
THANK YOU…..I too was ready to toss the printer out. You saved me from having to replace my machine.
Thanks Dude! It also work on DCP-165C.
I want to thank you for all your help. This was amazing and saved me a ton of money.
http://donalyza.com/2008/08/clean-unable-46-brother-all-in-one-printer/
I refer to the above link but failed to take away the message of Clean Unable Refer to troubleshooting page 46
Please help
work like a dream ….UNBELEIVABLE
Good Job that..!!!!
It’s amazing to me that the stores I contacted didn’t have a clue how to fix this problem with my printeer, they were more interested in trying to get me to buy another printer. I looked on several sites trying to resolve this problem with my printer, you are simply amazing and worth your weight in gold. You could surely show them a thing or two.
Thanks a million you kept me from throwing out a ton of ink I still has left.