Brother Printer Error Code A4 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Brother error A4 is a paper jam error indicating the jam is in the rear section of the printer. The paper became stuck in the back portion of the paper path — usually near the feed rollers or the duplex unit. Accessing the rear of the printer to remove the jammed paper will resolve this.

Affected Models

Brother MFC-J497DW
Brother MFC-J995DW
Brother MFC-J1010DW
Brother DCP-J1050DW
Brother HL-L2350DW

Common Causes

The paper jammed in the rear feed rollers before it could advance into the printer
The paper was loaded too far into the rear manual feed slot and crumpled against the rollers
The duplex unit (automatic double-sided print mechanism) has a paper stuck inside it
Paper that is too thin or too slippery was not gripped firmly by the rear rollers
A previous jam left a fragment near the rear rollers that is causing new jams

How to Fix It

Press Stop/Exit to safely stop the printer. Do not pull paper while the printer is still running.

The printer must be stopped before you reach into the paper path.
Open the rear access panel or remove the rear cover of the printer. On most Brother models, there is a lever or button to release the rear panel.

Check your printer's quick setup guide or Brother's support website for instructions specific to your model.
Look for jammed paper inside the rear paper path. Gently pull the paper out in the direction of travel — forward and through the printer.

If you can see the paper from both the front and rear, grip it from the rear and pull slowly.
If your printer has a duplex unit, open it and check for jammed paper inside the duplex mechanism.

The duplex unit flips paper for double-sided printing and has its own paper path where jams can occur.
After clearing the jam, check for fragments, then reload the paper tray and close all panels. Turn the printer off and back on to reset the jam error.

Sometimes the error persists until the printer is power-cycled even after the paper is removed.

When to Call a Professional

Error A4 is a rear paper jam that you can usually clear at home. No repair technician is needed. If the jam is in the duplex unit and you cannot reach it, the rear cover may need to be removed — check your printer's manual for instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a duplex unit and can I disable it?

The duplex unit is the mechanism inside your printer that allows it to automatically print on both sides of the paper. If you are not using double-sided printing and keep getting duplex-related jams, you can select Single-Sided in the print settings. This bypasses the duplex unit entirely and reduces the chance of A4 jams.

My rear panel is hard to open. Am I doing something wrong?

Rear panels on Brother printers usually have a latch or release button — they are not meant to be forced open. Look for a tab, lever, or button near the top or sides of the rear panel. Your printer's quick start guide (or Brother's website) has a diagram showing exactly how to open the rear cover for your specific model.

Does using thinner paper cause more rear jams?

Thin paper (below 75 gsm) can sometimes slip through the rear rollers without being gripped firmly. This can result in the paper crumpling or folding inside the rear paper path. Using standard 80 gsm plain paper — within the manufacturer's recommended range — reduces rear jams significantly.