B9
Brother Printer
Severity: MinorWhat Does This Error Mean?
Brother error B9 means a cartridge has been detected as empty, unrecognized, or incorrectly installed. The printer stopped because it could not confirm all cartridges are properly working. Installing a new genuine Brother cartridge in the correct slot resolves this in most cases.
Affected Models
- Brother MFC-J497DW
- Brother MFC-J895DW
- Brother MFC-J995DW
- Brother MFC-J1010DW
- Brother DCP-J1050DW
Common Causes
- A cartridge has run completely empty
- A cartridge is not seated properly in its slot and has a poor electrical connection
- The protective tape on a new cartridge was not removed before installation
- A third-party or refilled cartridge is not being recognized by the printer's chip reader
- The cartridge slot contacts inside the printer are dirty, preventing the chip from being read
How to Fix It
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Open the ink cartridge cover. Wait for the carriage to stop at the replacement position before reaching inside.
The carriage moves automatically when you open the cover — wait until it stops completely.
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Remove all cartridges one at a time and set them on a clean surface.
Inspect each one as you remove it. Look for any that appear empty, or for any tape that might not have been removed.
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Check for protective tape on each cartridge. New cartridges have a yellow or orange tape strip covering the ink ports. This must be removed before installation.
The tape is easy to miss. It is usually a yellow pull tab or a clear strip over the bottom of the cartridge.
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Clean the copper contacts on each cartridge with a dry, lint-free cloth. Also gently clean the contacts inside each cartridge slot.
Ink residue or dust on the contacts can prevent the printer from reading the cartridge chip.
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Reinsert each cartridge firmly until it clicks. Close the cover and wait for the printer to initialize.
If one cartridge is empty, replace it with a new genuine Brother cartridge of the same color.
When to Call a Professional
Error B9 is an ink cartridge issue you can fix at home. No repair technician is needed. If new genuine Brother cartridges correctly installed still show this error, the cartridge slot contacts may be damaged and need inspection by a professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Brother errors B1 and B9?
B1 specifically indicates a cartridge is empty. B9 is a broader cartridge error that includes empty cartridges, unrecognized cartridges, and installation issues. Both errors stop printing until the cartridge issue is resolved. The troubleshooting steps for B9 include all the same steps as B1, plus additional checks for cartridge recognition.
My cartridge clicked in properly but I still see B9. What next?
If the cartridge clicked in correctly, the issue may be dirty contacts. Remove the cartridge again and gently wipe both the contacts on the cartridge and the contacts in the slot. If cleaning does not help, try a different cartridge. If the error continues with multiple different cartridges, the slot itself may be faulty.
Can I reset error B9 without replacing the cartridge?
You can dismiss the error by pressing Stop/Exit and continuing to print — but only if the cartridge is not actually empty. If the cartridge is truly empty, the printer will not continue printing. For a non-empty cartridge showing B9 due to a recognition issue, cleaning the contacts and reinserting the cartridge is the proper fix.