Brother Printer Error Code A2 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Brother error A2 means a paper jam has occurred inside the printer. Paper got stuck somewhere in the paper path and the printer stopped to prevent damage. You need to locate and remove the jammed paper before the printer will work again.

Affected Models

Brother MFC-J497DW
Brother MFC-J995DW
Brother MFC-J1010DW
Brother DCP-J1050DW
Brother MFC-J815DW

Common Causes

A sheet of paper became caught in the feed rollers and could not advance through the printer
Multiple sheets of paper fed at once and jammed together in the paper path
The paper loaded in the tray is wrinkled, damp, or outside the printer's supported size range
A small torn piece of paper from a previous jam is still inside the printer blocking the feed path
The paper tray is overloaded, causing the paper stack to feed unevenly

How to Fix It

Press the Stop/Exit button on the printer. This acknowledges the error and stops the printer safely.

Do not pull paper while the printer is still running — wait for it to stop completely.
Open the front cover and the back panel to access the paper path. Use a flashlight to look for jammed paper from both ends.

Paper often jams partway through the printer — you may need to reach in from the back.
Gently pull the jammed paper in the direction of travel — forward and out toward the front of the printer.

If you cannot reach it from the front, try pulling it out from the rear access panel. Always pull in the direction of paper travel to avoid tearing.
Check for any remaining torn paper fragments. After the main piece is removed, inspect the paper path carefully with a flashlight.

A small fragment stuck inside will trigger another A2 error on the very next print job.
Reload the paper tray correctly. Make sure the paper is flat, undamaged, and within the maximum fill line. Adjust the paper guides to gently touch the sides of the stack.

Overfilling the tray is a common cause of jams. Never load more than the maximum paper capacity marked inside the tray.

When to Call a Professional

Error A2 is almost always a jam you can clear at home. No repair technician is needed. If paper jams occur frequently with correctly loaded paper, the feed rollers may be worn and need professional cleaning or replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Brother printer keep jamming at the same spot?

If jams always happen in the same place, the rollers in that area may be worn or there may be debris built up on them. Try cleaning the rollers using a slightly dampened lint-free cloth. Brother printers also have a built-in roller clean function in the maintenance menu.

Can I prevent paper jams by using different paper?

Yes. Using the correct paper for your printer reduces jams significantly. Brother recommends 80 gsm plain paper for most models. Avoid using wrinkled, damp, or previously used paper. Always fan the paper stack before loading to separate the sheets.

My paper is not visibly jammed but I still see error A2. Why?

A small piece of torn paper inside the printer can trigger the jam sensor even though you cannot see it. Use a flashlight to look deep into both the front and rear paper paths. If you still cannot find anything, the jam sensor itself may be stuck or faulty, which would require professional service.