27
Brother Printer
Severity: MinorWhat Does This Error Mean?
Brother error code 27 means the printer detected multiple sheets of paper being fed at the same time — also called a double-feed or multi-feed error. Instead of pulling one sheet, the printer picked up two or more at once. It stops to avoid a paper jam further inside the machine.
Affected Models
- Brother MFC-L2710DW
- Brother HL-L2350DW
- Brother MFC-J895DW
- Brother ADS-1700W
- Brother DCP-L2550DW
Common Causes
- Sheets of paper are stuck together due to static electricity or humidity, causing them to feed as a unit
- The paper tray is overfilled, putting too much weight on the feed rollers and causing multiple sheets to be grabbed at once
- The separation pad inside the printer is worn and can no longer stop the second sheet from following the first
- The paper loaded in the tray is too light or too thin for the printer's rollers to handle individually
- The paper was loaded while still in a tight, compressed state fresh from a new ream without being fanned
How to Fix It
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Remove all paper from the tray. Hold the stack and riffle through it firmly to create air gaps between the sheets and reduce static cling.
Think of how a card dealer shuffles cards — you want air between every single sheet before loading them.
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Reload only about half the maximum capacity of the tray. Fewer sheets put less weight on the separation mechanism, making single-sheet feeding more reliable.
If you need to print a large job, just reload more paper in batches as the tray empties rather than filling it to the max.
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Check the paper type you are using. If it is very thin (below 16 lb / 60 gsm), switch to standard 20 lb (75 gsm) copy paper and see if the error goes away.
Very thin paper is notoriously difficult for separation pads to handle — the pad cannot generate enough friction to stop a second thin sheet from riding along with the first.
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Store your paper properly. Paper that has absorbed moisture from the air becomes limp and sticky. Store paper in its sealed ream packaging until use and keep it away from humid areas.
If the paper feels slightly soft or damp to the touch, let it sit in a dry room for a few hours before using it.
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If multi-feeds continue, inspect the separation pad — it is a small rubber or cork pad near the paper entry slot. If it is smooth, shiny, or cracked, it needs to be replaced.
The separation pad on most Brother models can be replaced without tools by snapping it out of its mounting bracket.
When to Call a Professional
If multi-feed errors happen on every print job regardless of paper type, the separation pad assembly almost certainly needs to be replaced. Separation pad kits for Brother printers are inexpensive ($5 to $15) and are available online. A repair shop can install a replacement in under 30 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is error 27 damaging to my Brother printer?
Not usually. The printer detects the double-feed and stops before the extra sheet can cause a jam inside the machine. However, if you repeatedly clear error 27 and keep printing without fixing the root cause, the extra sheets can eventually get further into the printer and cause a harder-to-clear jam.
My Brother ADF (document feeder) keeps multi-feeding — is that also error 27?
Yes, multi-feed errors in the ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) used for scanning and copying can produce error 27 or similar codes. The fix is the same concept — clean the ADF feed rollers and separation pad, and make sure documents are not stuck together before loading them.
Does the paper brand matter for multi-feed errors?
Yes, it can. Cheap or off-brand paper tends to have more surface coating variation, which can make sheets stick together more easily. Name-brand copy paper from companies like Hammermill, HP, or Staples is manufactured more consistently and generally feeds more reliably.