The printer status is listed as "error: 3 documents waiting". What do I need to do to get it to print properly again?

Here's what the owner's manual has to say:

Error status (Amber, blinking): you cannot continue to use the
printer. Intervention is required to recover from the error. Fatal
errors are irrecoverable and require a service call.

Blinking 1 (2S cycle)
An error has occurred but
printing can continue if you
press the ON LINE or CANCEL
switch.

Blinking 2 (500mS cycle)
An error has occurred. You
need to replace consumables
or remove jammed paper, for
example. The printer then
recovers from the error and
printing becomes possible
again.

Blinking 3 (120mS cycle)
A serious error has occurred.
rebooting or a service call is
required.

The Status Monitor in Windows provides a readable description
of the printer status corresponding to the indications of the
LEDs. In Mac, the printer driver provides status information
once you have sent a document to print. In Windows, if you
have the Status Monitor Preferences set to Pop up on alerts,
this readable message will be presented on screen whenever
an abnormal condition occurs.

There's no further information. Sorry.

1. Verify USB cable is connected directly from USB port of printer and the USB port on back of computer. If not, connect directly to both the printer and computer and try to print. If the printer does not print, go to step 3.
2. VERIFY THAT THE BROTHER PRINTER IS SET AS DEFAULT
This is especially important if you use the print icon to print from within applications. If the Brother printer is set as the default printer, it will have a check mark. If it is not set as default:
To set your Brother machine as the default printer, RIGHT CLICK on the Brother printer and select SET AS DEFAULT (PRINTER).
3. VERIFY THAT THE PRINTER STATUS IS READY AND THE PRINT QUEUE IS EMPTY
A. Click on START, RUN
B. Type: CONTROL PRINTERS and click OK.
C. Locate the Brother printer in the list and hover your mouse over the Brother printer icon. Below is an example of what you may see:
Status: Ready (Could also state: USE PRINTER OFFLINE or PAUSED)
Documents: 0 (Could be any number)
D. If there are any documents waiting in the queue, right-click on the Brother printer and select CANCEL ALL DOCUMENTS, depending on your operating system. This should clear the queue.
E. If the status states: USE PRINTER OFFLINE, right-click on the Brother printer and select USE PRINTER ONLINE depending on your operating system. This should set the printer driver ONLINE.
F. If the status states: PAUSED, right-click on the Brother printer and uncheck PAUSE PRINTING. This should allow the printer to resume printing.
G. If the status is ready and no documents are in the queue, attempt to print the Windows test page. If not successful, verify the selected port. If USB is the selected port follow step 4. If USB is not selected,change the port to USB, then attempt to print the Windows test page. If not successful proceed to step 4.
4. Turn the printer OFF.
5. Close any open programs.
6. Click Start, Run, type: control printers
7. Right click Printer, left click Cancel All Documents (if available). Confirm if necessary (click OK).
8. Right click Printer, left click Delete. Confirm if necessary (click OK).
9. Left click File menu, left click Server Properties, left click Driver tab, left click print model name, left click Remove button, click Confirm.
10. Close the Print Server Properties window to return Printers and Faxes window.
11. Check that the USB cable is properly connected at both ends.
12. Turn the printer ON.
13. Wait until printer has ready light or green status, watch the Printers and Faxes window to see if printer is automatically reinstalled.
14.a. If printer was automatically reinstalled, right click Printer icon, left click Properties, left click Print Test Page button. If the printer is not automatically reinstalled, call Brother Customer Service at 1-877-Brother (1-877-276-8437).
b. If printer was not automatically reinstalled, try a new USB cable. Ifthe printer still is unable to print, call Brother Customer Service at1-877-Brother (1-877-276-8437).

reboot your pc or laptop.unplug printer cables and plug again,check if there is paper jams located at the back

restart the PC.

open command prompt and give following commands
net stop spooler
net start spooler
repeat 34 times restart computer

You need to cancel all print jobs for a printer, you must have permission to manage documents on the printer.

1. Open printers by clicking the "Start" button , clicking "Control Panel," clicking "Hardware and Sound," and then clicking "Printers."

2. To open the print queue, double-click the printer you are using.

3. Click the "Printer" menu, and then click "Cancel All Documents." Depending on the printer, the item currently printing might finish, but the remaining items will be cancelled.

Next, you may have to change the communication format called the "Spool format."
Please follow the steps given below to change the spool data format:
1. Click on "Start," "Control Panel," "Hardware and Sound" and "Printers."
2. Then, right click on the Lexmark printer icon and left click "Properties."
3. Either on the "Advanced" tab or the "General" tab for some models, there is a "Print Processor" button, left click it.
4. This is the spool format setting. Under "Print processor" it should be set to "Lexmark 4800 series print processor." Next, under "Default datatype," select "NT EMF 1.008."
5. Click "OK" and exit back out to your desktop.
6. Please try printing again.
If this does not help the situation, please describe any differences it does make.

Normal 0 Driver could be corrupt.
Disconnect the printer or at least be sure it is turned off. I'd do both and reinstall the CD software program that came with the printer. When the software program asks you to connect the printer to the USB port, do so and it should again work properly.
Hope this helps. Bud

the brother printer may not be supported on Vista, check the system requirements of the printer to confirm this

kind regards

shut down the printer and computer both then on only the pc and cancel allthe pending documents from it then again shut down your pc check allthe wires connected properly then on both printer and pc.it will work properly.feel free for further assistance.