Brother Printer Error Code A6 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Brother error A6 means a paper jam has been detected in the duplex unit — the mechanism that flips paper over for double-sided printing. When you print on both sides of a page, the paper makes an extra pass through a section of the printer called the duplex assembly. If paper gets stuck during that flip, A6 appears. This error only occurs when you are printing double-sided (duplex) jobs. Single-sided printing is not affected by the duplex unit.

Affected Models

Brother MFC-L2710DW
Brother MFC-L2750DW
Brother DCP-L2550DW
Brother HL-L3270CDW
Brother MFC-J4335DW

Common Causes

Paper curled from humidity or heat as it exited the first-side print and jammed when entering the duplex feed path
Paper that is too light in weight (under 60gsm) bent and crumpled in the duplex flip mechanism
A small piece of torn paper from a previous jam lodged in the duplex rollers and is blocking new paper
The duplex tray or cover is not fully seated, causing paper to misalign as it enters the duplex unit
Paper loaded in the tray has a curl or wave that causes it to feed at an angle into the duplex mechanism

How to Fix It

Turn the printer off immediately. Do not try to clear the jam while the printer is powered on. The duplex mechanism can still be trying to move paper and pulling against you. Power the printer off fully and wait for all lights to go out before opening any covers.

Clearing jams from a powered-on printer risks tearing the paper and leaving fragments inside, which causes future jams.
Locate the duplex tray or duplex cover. On most Brother printers it is a separate tray that slides out from the bottom front of the machine, or a flap on the rear. Open or remove it completely. Look for any paper that is partially in the duplex path. Gently pull it straight out in the direction it was travelling.

Check your model's manual if you are not sure where the duplex tray is. On some Brother models it is labelled 'DX' or has a double-arrow symbol.
Open the rear cover of the printer and look inside the duplex paper path with a flashlight. Paper jams in the duplex section often lodge just around the corner of the paper path where it reverses direction to flip the sheet. Remove any paper you find by pulling slowly and steadily.

The duplex path runs paper backward through a curved channel. Jams here are often harder to see and require looking at an angle with good lighting.
Check for any torn paper pieces. Even a fingernail-sized piece of paper can trigger A6 repeatedly. Run your fingers along the visible parts of the duplex path feeling for any small fragments. Use tweezers to remove tiny pieces if needed.

Take your time on this step. A missed paper fragment is the most common reason A6 comes back immediately after you think the jam is cleared.
Reload the paper tray with fresh, flat paper. Fan the stack before loading and check that sheets are not curled. Reinsert the duplex tray firmly until it clicks. Power the printer back on and run a single-sided test print first to confirm normal operation. Then attempt a duplex print job.

If A6 only appears on duplex printing and never on single-sided, the problem is definitely in the duplex mechanism. Consider printing single-sided temporarily if you need documents urgently while arranging service.

When to Call a Professional

A6 is usually a self-service fix. If the jam clears but A6 returns consistently on duplex jobs, the duplex feed rollers may be worn or a sensor is stuck. Brother service centers can replace duplex unit components. For warranty support, call Brother at 1-877-276-8437 with your model number ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I print single-sided while getting error A6?

A6 locks the entire printer, not just duplex mode. You cannot print anything — single or double-sided — until the error is cleared. However, once the jam is cleared, you can temporarily set your print jobs to single-sided if you want to avoid the duplex mechanism until you get the issue fully resolved.

What paper weight should I use for duplex printing on a Brother printer?

For duplex (double-sided) printing, Brother recommends 75-90gsm paper for most laser models. Thinner paper (under 60gsm) is too flexible and tends to curl after the first-side printing, causing duplex jams. Thicker paper (over 105gsm) may be too stiff for the duplex mechanism to flip smoothly. Standard office copy paper at 80gsm works well for most Brother duplex printers.

Why does paper curl after printing one side?

Laser printers use heat (the fuser) to melt toner onto the page. This heat causes one side of the paper to expand slightly, creating a curl. When the paper then enters the duplex unit to flip for side two, the curl can cause it to feed at an angle. Using good quality paper stored in dry conditions reduces curling. Some Brother printers have a fuser pressure adjustment for lightweight or thick media — check your model's manual.