Brother Printer Error Code B1 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Brother error B1 means one or more ink cartridges in your printer have run out of ink. The printer stops when a cartridge is empty to prevent print head damage from running dry. Replacing the empty cartridge will clear this error.

Affected Models

Brother MFC-J497DW
Brother MFC-J895DW
Brother MFC-J995DW
Brother MFC-J1010DW
Brother DCP-J1050DW

Common Causes

One or more ink cartridges have been completely depleted through normal printing
A large print job consumed the remaining ink in one or more cartridges
A cartridge that was already very low ran out during a printing session
Multiple cleaning cycles consumed the last of the ink in a low cartridge
A third-party cartridge's ink level reporting was inaccurate, leading to unexpected empty cartridge behavior

How to Fix It

Open the ink cartridge cover on the front of the printer. Wait for the carriage to move to the replacement position.

Brother printers automatically move the carriage when you open the ink cover, making it easy to access the cartridges.
Identify which cartridge is empty. The printer display will show which color is empty, and the empty cartridge often has a flashing LED indicator above it.

Remove only the empty cartridge. Leave the others in place unless they are also empty.
Remove the empty cartridge by pressing the release tab and pulling it out.

Each cartridge has a small tab that you press to release it. Avoid squeezing the cartridge body — the ink contacts are fragile.
Open the packaging on the new cartridge and remove the protective tape from the ink ports. Install the new cartridge and press firmly until it clicks.

Never touch the ink ports or copper contacts on the new cartridge. Hold it by its sides.
Close the ink cover and wait for the printer to initialize the new cartridge. This takes about 30 to 60 seconds.

The printer will charge the new cartridge's ink delivery system before resuming printing.

When to Call a Professional

Error B1 is an empty ink cartridge — not a hardware fault. No repair is needed. Simply replace the empty cartridge with a new genuine Brother cartridge to clear the error.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I print in black when a color cartridge is empty?

Yes, many Brother printers allow black-only printing when a color cartridge is empty. In the printer driver settings on your computer, look for an option like Print in Black or Monochrome. Note that the printer may refuse to print in any mode on some models until all cartridges have some ink.

How do I find the right cartridge for my Brother printer?

The cartridge number is printed on the label inside the ink cover of the printer. You can also check the Brother website at brother.com — enter your printer model to find compatible cartridges. Brother ink cartridge numbers typically look like LC3017, LC3019, or similar.

Is it safe to use third-party ink in a Brother printer?

Third-party cartridges often work in Brother printers, but quality varies between brands. Some third-party inks can produce good results at a lower cost. However, Brother printers may show ink level warnings as empty sooner with third-party cartridges because the ink chip may not be calibrated the same way. For warranty-sensitive situations, use genuine Brother cartridges.