Brother Printer Error Code A5 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Brother error A5 means the printer has detected a paper jam inside the machine. A sensor along the paper path has reported that paper has stopped moving when it should be moving, or is present somewhere it should not be. This may be a real jam with a visible sheet of paper stuck inside, or in some cases a small torn piece of paper that is not immediately visible. Clearing the jam and resetting the printer is all that is needed in most cases.

Affected Models

Brother HL-L2350DW
Brother MFC-L2710DW
Brother MFC-L2750DW
Brother DCP-L2550DW
Brother HL-L3270CDW

Common Causes

A sheet of paper became crumpled or skewed as it fed through the printer and lodged in the paper path
A torn piece of paper from a previous jam was left behind and is now blocking the sensors
The paper loaded in the tray is damp, curled, or the wrong size for the current print job settings
Multiple sheets fed at once (multi-feed) and the overlapping sheets jammed in the roller area
The paper feed rollers are worn and slipping, causing paper to feed at an angle and jam

How to Fix It

Turn the printer off before reaching inside to clear any jam. Never pull paper out while the printer is powered on — the rollers can engage and cause injury or damage. Press the power button to turn it off and wait for all indicator lights to go off.

Always clear jams with the printer powered off. This is both safer for you and prevents the printer from trying to advance the paper while you are removing it.
Open the printer's back cover or rear access door (if equipped) and gently pull any jammed paper straight out toward you. Use both hands if the paper is large. Pull slowly and steadily — do not yank. If the paper tears, carefully remove all torn pieces before closing the cover.

On most Brother laser printers, paper jams are best cleared from the rear. Rear access prevents tearing, which is more likely when pulling forward against the paper path direction.
Open the front cover and remove the drum unit and toner cartridge together as one unit. Check for any paper caught around the drum or in the space where the drum sits. Look carefully with a flashlight — small torn pieces are easy to miss in the dark interior.

Handle the drum unit carefully and keep it away from bright light. Exposing the drum to light for more than a minute can affect print quality.
Remove the paper tray and check for any sheets that are crumpled at the bottom of the tray or caught at the tray's exit point. Fan the paper stack before reloading it to separate any sheets that have stuck together. Make sure the paper guides are snug against the stack but not squeezing it tightly.

Overfilling the paper tray is a common cause of multi-feeds and jams. Do not load paper above the maximum fill line marked inside the tray.
Once all paper has been removed and you have checked every access point, close all covers, reinstall the drum unit, reinsert the paper tray, and power the printer back on. The printer will go through a brief startup check. If A5 does not return, print a test page from Settings or by pressing the Go button.

If A5 returns immediately on power-up without any paper in the machine, a jam sensor may be stuck or there is a small piece of paper still inside. Open all doors again and inspect thoroughly with a flashlight.

When to Call a Professional

Most paper jams are easy to clear yourself. If A5 keeps appearing after clearing the jam and you cannot find any remaining paper, a sensor or roller may be faulty. Brother authorized service centers can replace feed rollers for $50-$100. If the printer is under warranty, Brother's support line is 1-877-276-8437.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Brother error A5 keep coming back?

If A5 returns after every few print jobs, there are usually two reasons. First, a small torn piece of paper is still inside triggering the sensor even though the main jam is cleared. Second, the paper feed rollers are worn out and feeding paper crookedly. Rollers can be cleaned with a lint-free cloth moistened with isopropyl alcohol. If cleaning does not help, roller replacement is needed.

Can I print on the first available paper while A5 is showing?

No — the printer will not print while any error code is active. A5 locks the printer until the jam is cleared and the error is reset. Attempting to send print jobs while A5 is showing just queues them up. They will print automatically once the jam is cleared and the printer returns to a ready state.

How do I prevent paper jams in the future?

Store paper in a dry place — humidity causes paper to curl and stick together. Fan the paper stack before loading. Never overfill the tray past the maximum fill line. Use paper that matches the weight specifications in your printer manual (most Brother laser printers handle 60-105 gsm). Clean the rollers every few months with a damp lint-free cloth.