Unable to continue cleaning message for Brother 5840CN

Machine Error 46 - Purged Ink Box Full MFC620CN/420CN/410CN/210C and FAX2440C

The machine counts all purge (cleaning) operations in order to prevent the internal ink absorber box from overflowing with purged ink. An "initial purge", for example, advances the purge counter by 187 + 420 = 607. When the purge counter approaches 6400, an internal "Machine Error 46" is generated. Further purge operations are prohibited, and therefore the printer becomes unuseable.

When an internal Machine Error 46 is generated, the user will see an "Unable to Clean" external message and will be unable to use the printer. The "Unable to Clean" external message can relate to many different internal error codes however.

The user can establish the internal Machine Error Code as follows: pull the mains cable out of the machine (power off), hold down the Menu/Set key, re-insert the mains cable into the machine (power on). The internal Machine Error Code will be displayed.

If there is a Machine Error 46, it is necessary to dismantle the printer, replace the ink absorber box (or possibly break the ink absorber box open and clean its absorbent sponges under a tap), re-assemble the printer and reset the purge counter to zero.


Resetting purge counter MFC620CN/420CN/410CN/210C and FAX2440C

1) Enter machine maintenance mode (on MFC210C 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.

The error message "Clean Unable 46" is an indication that the machines ink absorbers are full or almost full. The ink absorbers hold liquid and dried ink after it has been purged from the print head. These absorbers can control enough ink for the expected life of the machine.

There is a possibility that this message may have occurred in error. Upgrading the firmware of the Brother machine may resolve the issue. Follow the procedure below to determine if a firmware update is required:
-if the display screen is displaying an error message, press the STOP/EXIT key to change the LCD to the main screen.
-press the # and * key at the same time. The first 2 characters on the top row will determine the ROM version.

If the ROM version is OE or greater (example: OF, OG, OH, etc), the firmware does NOT need to be upgraded. If the ROM version is OA, OB, OC or OD, follow the procedure on this link to upgrade the firmware.

If the message "Clean Unable 46" continues to appear on the display the Brother machine after completing the firmware upgrade and your machine is within warranty (even if it's not under warranty you have to do the same thing), you have to take it to a Brother Authorized Service Center. http://welcome.solutions.brother.com/BSC/public/us/us/en/faq/faq/000000/002600/000059/faq002659_000.html?reg=us&c=us&lang=en&prod=mfc290c_all&Cat=11

Hi you can try
This works with most Brother printers

Procedure how to reset the error 46 error (unable to clean). This can be done on every Brother inkjet machine with a numeric keypad.

- Machine off
- Switch on the machine while holding down the “menu” button until all the leds are flashing on/off. Now you are in “maintenance” mode.
- press 80
- press the “mono start” button several times until you see “purge: xxxx”
- press “2783” in order to reset the purge counter. You will see: “purge:0000”
- press “99” to exit the maintenance mode

Now you are able to print again, but actually your ink absorber box is now full with ink. Ink flooding can happen if you don’t replace this ink box

Also can try.

Reset code.
Press menu then*2864 within 2 seconds (maint should be on the display and all the lights should be flashing, if not try again) press 80
then keep pressing black/mono start button until screen displays ‘purge count’
press 2783 to reset purge count
press stop/exit key
press 99
machine should return to normal

Inside the machine is a large plastic box packed with felt pads. The machine cleans its printheads by squirting ink through all the nozzles to blast them clear, then pumps that used ink into the Ink Absorber Box. When it calculates the the box is getting full, it puts up the message you reported. The box (Brother part number LF4818001) is a fairly cheap part, but getting to it is kind of complicated. Instructions for the nearly-identical model 5440 are here. Two other options worth considering are finding a local servicer on brother's website, or replacing the machine.

That error means the ink absorber box is full, no more room for waste ink. There are instructions on this site to reset, but best to have the box replaced at a shop and reset. The whole job about $80.00

That error means the ink absorber is full when there's no paper caught inside, you need a shop to replace it and reset the count.

The ink absorber box and the flushing case will need to be replaced. Then the purge counter and the flushing counter will need to be reset to 0.

Your Ink Absorber box is full. The machine cleans its print nozzles by blasting them out with ink; it collects that waste ink and pumps it into a plastic box filled with thick, felt pads. After a certain number of cleaning operations, it decides it's not safe to squirt more ink into the box and gives this Error 46. Replacing the ink absorber box and flushing box and resetting the purge counter is fairly complex. Maybe someone has instructions all typed out, but your best bet is probably to take it to a Brother tech.

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