Brother Printer Error Code 26 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Brother error code 26 indicates a paper feed failure. The printer attempted to pull paper from the tray but was unable to do so correctly. This can mean no paper is loaded, the paper is jammed at the entry point, or the feed rollers are not gripping the paper.

Affected Models

Brother MFC-L2710DW
Brother HL-L2350DW
Brother MFC-J895DW
Brother HL-L3210CW
Brother DCP-L2550DW

Common Causes

The paper tray is empty or has less paper than the minimum needed for reliable feeding
A small piece of torn paper or a foreign object is blocking the paper entry path
The paper loaded in the tray is damp, curled, or stuck together, preventing clean separation
The paper feed rollers are dirty or worn and can no longer reliably grab the top sheet
The paper size guides in the tray are set incorrectly, causing sheets to skew at the entry point

How to Fix It

Open the paper tray and check the paper supply. Reload with a fresh stack of plain paper, fanned out first to reduce static cling between sheets.

Make sure the paper stack does not exceed the MAX fill line marked inside the tray. Too much paper causes multi-feeds.
Remove all paper from the tray and look inside the tray slot for any torn paper, paper clips, or debris. Remove anything you find.

Use a flashlight to inspect the deeper sections of the paper path — even a small scrap can block the feed rollers.
Adjust the paper width guides and the length guide in the tray so they are snug but not tight against the paper edges.

Guides set too wide let paper skew. Guides set too tight can buckle the paper. The paper should slide in easily but not have room to shift around.
Clean the paper feed rollers. On most Brother printers, you can access the rollers by opening the front cover. Wipe them with a slightly damp lint-free cloth, then let them dry before printing.

Brother also has a built-in roller cleaning function in some models — check Maintenance in the printer's menu.
Run a test print using the printer's built-in test page function (usually under Reports or Print Settings in the menu). If it prints successfully, the issue was temporary. If error 26 returns, the rollers likely need replacement.

Replacement roller kits for Brother printers typically cost $10 to $25 and include step-by-step instructions.

When to Call a Professional

If error 26 continues after clearing jams and cleaning the rollers, the feed roller assembly may need to be replaced. Brother sells replacement roller kits for most of their popular models at low cost. A local printer repair shop can install them if you are not comfortable doing it yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of paper causes error 26 the least?

Standard 20 lb (75 gsm) plain white copy paper works best with Brother printers. Avoid using very thin paper (under 16 lb), very thick paper (over 28 lb), or paper that has been stored in a humid environment. Humidity causes paper to absorb moisture and stick together, which is a leading cause of feed errors.

Can I print envelopes after getting error 26?

Yes, but envelopes are more likely to trigger feed errors than regular paper. Always use the manual feed slot (not the main tray) for envelopes, and feed them one at a time. Make sure the envelope is not sealed and has no raised areas that could catch on the rollers.

Why does error 26 happen more in winter?

Cold, dry air in winter increases static electricity between paper sheets, causing them to stick together. Heating systems also dry out paper stored near vents. Try storing paper in a sealed ream bag away from heating vents, and fan the paper well before loading it in winter months.