38
Brother Printer
Severity: CriticalWhat Does This Error Mean?
Error 38 on a Brother laser printer means a problem was detected with the drum or toner unit. The drum is the part that transfers toner onto paper. This error can often be resolved by reseating the toner and drum unit.
Affected Models
- Brother HL-L2350DW
- Brother HL-L2370DW
- Brother MFC-L2710DW
- Brother MFC-L2750DW
- Brother DCP-L2550DW
Common Causes
- The toner cartridge or drum unit is not fully seated in the printer
- The drum unit has reached the end of its rated lifespan
- The toner cartridge is empty or nearly empty
- A non-Brother or incompatible toner cartridge is installed
- The drum counter was not reset after a drum unit replacement
How to Fix It
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Open the front cover of the printer. Pull out the drum unit and toner cartridge together.
On most Brother HL and MFC laser models, the drum and toner come out as a combined unit.
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Separate the toner cartridge from the drum unit. Check both for damage or visible issues.
Look at the drum surface — it should be smooth and free from deep scratches or damage.
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Reinstall the toner cartridge into the drum unit and push it in firmly until it clicks.
Then reinsert the combined unit back into the printer until it locks into place.
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If the drum unit has reached its page limit, the drum counter needs to be reset.
After replacing the drum unit, hold the OK button on the printer for a few seconds to reset the counter.
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Close the front cover and power cycle the printer. Check if error 38 has cleared.
If the error persists with a new drum unit, contact Brother support.
When to Call a Professional
If replacing or reseating the drum and toner does not fix error 38, the printer may have a hardware fault. Contact Brother support or a service center. Brother laser printers are generally reliable — error 38 is usually resolved with a new drum unit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a Brother drum unit last?
Brother drum units are typically rated for 12,000 to 30,000 pages depending on the model. A drum error or end-of-life message tells you it is time to replace it. Drum units are separate from toner cartridges — you replace them independently.
I replaced the drum unit but error 38 is still there. What is wrong?
Did you reset the drum counter after replacing the drum? On most Brother models, hold the OK button for several seconds after replacing the drum to reset the counter. If that does not work, also try replacing the toner cartridge.
Can I use third-party drum units in my Brother printer?
Third-party drum units are available and many work correctly. However, some may trigger error 38 or drum-related warnings due to chip differences. Genuine Brother drum units are the safest choice for avoiding compatibility errors.