Brother Printer Error Code 40 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Brother error 40 means the printer has detected a problem with the print head. The print head is the part that actually puts ink on paper. This is a critical error — the printer will not print until the problem is resolved.

Affected Models

Brother MFC-J480DW
Brother MFC-J680DW
Brother MFC-J880DW
Brother MFC-J985DW
Brother MFC-J5830DW

Common Causes

The print head has failed or been damaged due to age or heavy use
Dried ink is clogging the print head nozzles and blocking normal operation
The printer was moved or bumped while the print head was mid-operation
A power surge or sudden power loss occurred while the printer was printing
The print head ribbon cable has come loose or been damaged internally

How to Fix It

Turn the printer off completely. Unplug it from the wall and leave it for at least 5 minutes.

A full power reset sometimes clears temporary errors caused by a firmware glitch rather than a hardware failure.
Plug the printer back in and turn it on. If the printer has a menu, navigate to Maintenance and run a Head Cleaning cycle.

On most Brother inkjet models, go to Menu > Ink > Cleaning. Select All to clean all print head channels at once.
After the cleaning cycle finishes, print a test page. Check the test print for any missing colors or streaks.

You may need to run two or three cleaning cycles if the first one does not fully clear the clog.
If cleaning does not help, open the printer lid and check that the print head carriage moves freely from left to right with no obstructions.

Look for any paper scraps, fallen objects, or clumps of dried ink blocking the carriage path.
If the error 40 persists after all of the above, contact Brother support or a local printer repair shop. The print head may need to be replaced.

Note your printer model number from the label on the bottom or back of the machine before calling support.

When to Call a Professional

Error 40 is a serious hardware error that often cannot be fixed at home. If cleaning cycles do not resolve it, the print head likely needs to be replaced. Print head replacement can cost $60 to $150 — if your printer is old, replacing it may make more sense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I replace the print head on a Brother printer myself?

It depends on the model. Some Brother inkjet printers have user-replaceable print heads. Others have the print head permanently attached to the printer body. Check your model's manual or Brother's support site to see if your model supports print head replacement.

How do I know if the print head is the problem and not something else?

Error 40 is specifically a print head error code on Brother printers. If cleaning cycles do not help and the carriage moves freely, the print head itself is very likely the cause. A repair technician can confirm this with a diagnostic test.

Is it worth repairing a Brother printer with error 40?

It depends on the printer's age and the cost of the repair. If the printer is less than 2 years old, a print head replacement is worth considering. If it is older and has seen heavy use, a new entry-level Brother printer may cost less than the repair.