Error 51 i am getting a message error 51, first it said unable to clean, then ink empty and now error 51, please help

Error 51 normally indicates a paper jam or a sensor problem. Check the paper path and the printer head movement zones (far left and right) for any foreign objects (even small pieces of paper). If there has been a paper jam, was the paper forcibly removed? If so, possibly one of the sensors has been knocked out of position or damaged. Dust, dirt, grease or spilled ink may also be contaminating a sensor. This is maybe one of the most elusive problems to solve..!

Please note that this error code appears when the container in the printer that is responsible for storing used / discarded ink is full or registers as full.

The following instructions will guide you through the process of resetting the printers self clean counter so the error will go away but in the event that the ink absorbing box is actually full and this is not an erroneous message the error message will trigger again immediately.

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.


Also please note that if the ink box is full and the error code is reset the printer may begin to spill out excess used / discarded ink.

I suggest purchasing a new ink absorber box and installing it.

The messages unable to print, unable to clean, unable 36, error 46 and error 32 are all print head errors.

1. Remove all the ink cartridges from the machine
2. Clean the contacts on the cartridges as well as inside the machine itself with a small amount of warm water or alcohol on a cotton swab until no ink comes off on the swab.

Note: if any of the other cartridges are low, empty, leaking or bulging replace them

3. Then turn off the machine and unplug it for 70 seconds
4. Plug it back it and wait for the insert cartridges message
5. Insert the cartridges and check to see if the problem is still there. If it is it means the print head has failed and in order to fix this the print head inside the printer needs to be replaced. The print head is the part of the printer that puts ink from the cartridges onto the page

Unfortunately this can sometimes cost more to replace then the machine itself.

Error code 51 means that there is due to wate ink pads which are full. You'll need to clean these pads to remove the error message. Also check for any small bits of paper stuck under the printhead (check under the carriage). Try removing the cartridges and check for any bits of paper. Before doing any of the above said things please turn off the printer and unplug it from power source.

If this doesn't work then its an issue with the purge unit. The purge unit is responsible for carriage movement on the chrome bar.

Please tell me if you need further assistance,

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.

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.

Do you mean "unable to clean"?If it this follow this instruction.
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 or 4F the print head is defective.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 numberis 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.

unable to clean apear in display when one ink yet is empty... verify all ink's and always use original ink to prevent this problem again.

hi karn..you need to disasemble your printer and clean your Maintenance unit....the coz of this error 51 is usually you are using competetor ink and then you have reset the counter (error 46) ,after you reset it, you need to change ink absorber if not it will bank those waste ink in the ink absorber and after it is full the waste ink have no place to store and it will jam the mantenance unit and the worse case it the ink maybe spoil other part of the printer go and find engineer  asap if not you need to replace new unit....

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