Brother Printer Error Code 93 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Brother error 93 is a drum end soon warning. The drum unit inside your printer is approaching the end of its rated lifespan. You can continue printing for now, but you should order a replacement drum unit soon to avoid being caught off guard when it fully wears out.

Affected Models

Brother HL-L2350DW
Brother HL-L2395DW
Brother MFC-L2730DW
Brother MFC-L2750DW
Brother DCP-L2550DW

Common Causes

The drum unit has printed close to its rated page yield, typically 12,000 to 15,000 pages depending on the model
The drum unit counter was not reset after a previous replacement, causing the counter to run ahead of actual usage
Heavy print coverage on each page (large solid areas of black) depletes drum life faster than text-only printing
Frequent printing of test pages or running cleaning cycles adds to the drum's page count without producing useful output
Using third-party toner cartridges with coarser toner particles can accelerate drum wear

How to Fix It

Note the drum unit model number by checking your printer's current drum unit label or your printer's manual. Order a replacement drum unit before the current one fully expires.

Common Brother drum units like the DR-730, DR-630, and DR-420 are widely available at office supply stores and online retailers.
Continue using the printer normally. Error 93 is a warning, not a stop. The printer will keep printing until the drum is fully depleted.

The drum will continue to work for some time after error 93 appears. How long depends on how close to full usage you are. You may get anywhere from a few dozen to several hundred more pages.
When you are ready to replace the drum, open the front cover, remove the toner cartridge and drum assembly together, then separate the toner cartridge from the old drum.

The toner cartridge slides out of the drum unit. Keep the toner cartridge — you reuse it with the new drum unit unless the toner is also empty.
Insert your toner cartridge into the new drum unit. Slide the combined assembly into the printer and close the front cover.

Make sure the drum unit is fully inserted and the front cover closes and latches properly.
Reset the drum counter after installing the new drum. Open the front cover, hold down the OK or Go button for a few seconds until the display shows the counter reset confirmation, then close the cover.

If you do not reset the drum counter, the printer will continue to show error 93 even with a new drum installed. The reset step is mandatory.

When to Call a Professional

Error 93 is a warning you can act on yourself — no professional service is needed. Simply order a replacement drum unit for your Brother printer model and install it when the drum fully expires. Drum units for common Brother laser printers cost $25 to $60 and take about 5 minutes to swap.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a drum unit and why does it wear out?

The drum unit is a rotating cylinder coated with a light-sensitive material. When you print, a laser beam draws the image on the drum, and toner sticks to the charged areas. Each page printed physically wears down the drum's coating a tiny amount. After tens of thousands of rotations, the coating becomes uneven and print quality starts to degrade.

Is the drum unit the same as the toner cartridge?

No — they are separate parts on most Brother printers. The toner cartridge holds the black powder that creates the text and images. The drum unit is a reusable cylinder that transfers the toner to the paper. Drum units last for 3 to 5 toner cartridge changes before needing replacement.

What happens if I ignore error 93 and do not replace the drum?

The printer will eventually upgrade the error from a warning to a full stop. Before it stops completely, you will notice deteriorating print quality — faded areas, white streaks, or repetitive spots on every page. These are signs the drum surface is worn through. Replace the drum as soon as print quality drops noticeably.