Question about Brother MFC 420CN All-In-One InkJet Printer

Printer trouble I cleaned the print head. Put the printer back together. Tried to clean the print head. Now I get this error 51 and unable to clean routine maintenance. What do I do?? HELP! please!

5 more comments
ivy12 Dec 10, 2007

Unable to clean Unable to clean
ladybirdrl Jan 14, 2008

I have replaced the cartridges I keep getting error 51. Where can I take this printer to in the Framingham MA area. contact me at [email protected]
Anonymous Mar 23, 2008

my printer is MFC 5440CN,I have the same problem getting error 41, I called brother and they asked me to take the machine to certified maintenance center to be fixed on my account.

Now I understand that this problem is well known among every customer, as brother have used the worst type of printing head in their printers.

if the problem is known to Brother, their moral obligation is to replace the printer or the head at their cost

it is unfair that customers has to accept brother's liability, sham on you brother you let down your customers
bellmarcial Jul 15, 2008

My black in was out, I put in a new one, and it printed very light, then not at all. I purchased a new ink, installed it, and it has a message "unable to clean review troubleshooting and maintanance in you user guide.
Anonymous Jul 30, 2008

Brother MFC 5440CN : The Magenta ink won't print with the other colors. Cleaning head automaticly does not fix the problem.
Anonymous Jan 16, 2009

unable to clean troubleshooting and routine maintenance chapter in user's guide
Anonymous Mar 18, 2014

display only tells me that routine maintenance is needed. Done that and it still does nothing.

1 Answer

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832 Answers

Read my answer here:

http://www.fixya.com/support/t247395-brother_dcp_110c_error_51

Posted on Nov 30, 2007

1 Related Answer

error 51 = The purge cam switch does not come ON or OFF even after the purge cam has been driven by the specified number of pulses.
Fix is
Switching arm assembly not engaged correctly If the switching arm does not move smoothly, clean it.

Ink cartridge/purge switch harness not connected correctly
Correct the connection.

Purge cam switch broken Replace the purge cam switch.

Gear(s) on the maintenance unit broken Replace the maintenance unit.

Paper feed motor broken Replace the paper feed motor.

Main PCB defective. Replace the main PCB.

Cleaning of these print heads rarely if ever is successfull, they are electronic devices unlike other brands of printers

Posted on Dec 04, 2007

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SeeTroubleschooting and Routine Maintenace chapter in user's quite.see clean unable 51 to MFC-230C

Hello and Welcome to FixYa!
"Unable 51" is most likely a print head issue. The print head is what the cartridges sit in inside of the printer. To attempt to resolve it, do the following:

(1) Open the printer
(2) Remove the ink cartridges from the print head.
(3) Use cotton swabs dipped in hot water or a mix of hot water and isopropyl alcohol to thoroughly clean the print head.
(4) Repeat this until there is no ink residue coming off on the cotton swab.
(5) Once finished, allow to dry and replace the cartridges
(6) Try to print something now

Your problem will be solved.

For any further help, you can take my valuable,professional help by taking my Service

Thank You for using FixYa

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It means that the printer is unable to clean the print head number(s) 46. The print head is located under the ink cartridges. Remove the cartridges, and you should see a plastic piece with a hole in it to put your finger under and snap open. This allows you to see the print heads. The print heads look like a sponge type dabber on top of a plastic case. Grab a hold of the print head and pull it out. Look for ink that has spilled behind it or on any of the brass colored computer connections. use warm water and a lint free cloth to scrub it off. Press the print head sponge with your finger and make sure that ink primes and fills the head then put the printer back together and try a test page. If you stll get the error then you need to contact brother for a print head replacement.

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Unplug the printer from power cord.Press and hold the "menu" button, then plug the device.You'll see on the LCD screen a "machine error" code.If this code is 40,41,49 or 4F the print head is defective.If the error is 48 - defective print head cable or circuit board.If the error is 50 or 51 there is error in Purge unit and printer require service.If the error is 46 the waste ink tank is full.Follow this:
Enter 80, then scroll down with the arrow down (round) key. You'll find an entry listed as purge count. If number is over 6000, enter 2 7 8 3.This will reset the purge count value. Then restart the printer, hopefully without the annoying cannot clean message.

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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.
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Ok Please follow this link and it has your answer.

Please rate me when it was a FIXYA

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and even if you did get rid of error 51 that you have created, you will find that you still cant print in black, original problem is the print head is stuffed probally from dodgy non gen ink running threw it and the fix is to replace head. I don't know who is telling all you brother mfc owners to clean your print head but your paddling up the wrong creek, these heads are electronic deivices that dont take kindly to cleaning, they are not the same as other brands. Re error 51 goto different machine same engine post
http://www.fixya.com/support/t277162-brother_420

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