Brother Printer Not Printing Black – How to Fix It

If your Brother printer is not printing black, the issue may be caused by empty or clogged black ink/toner cartridges, incorrect settings, blocked nozzles, or software problems. This guide provides all possible solutions to restore black printing.

Check Black Ink or Toner Level

1. On the printer’s display, go to Ink or Toner Status.
2. Verify the level of the black cartridge.
3. Replace the cartridge if it’s empty or marked low.
4. Use genuine Brother supplies for best results.

Clean the Print Head (Inkjet Models)

1. On the printer control panel, go to Settings > Ink > Cleaning.
2. Select Black or All.
3. Perform the cleaning cycle and then print a Print Quality Check Sheet.
4. If the problem persists, repeat cleaning up to 3 times.

Perform a Nozzle Check (Inkjet Models)

1. Go to Settings > Ink > Test Print > Print Quality.
2. Review the pattern for missing black lines or gaps.
3. If gaps appear, clean the print head again.

Shake the Toner Cartridge (Laser Models)

1. Turn off the printer and open the toner access door.
2. Remove the black toner cartridge.
3. Gently shake it side to side to redistribute toner.
4. Reinstall the cartridge and test print.

Replace the Drum Unit or Toner (Laser Models)

1. If the black print is still faint or missing, the drum unit may be worn out.
2. Replace the black drum or toner with a new, compatible Brother unit.
3. Reset the toner or drum counter if prompted.

Check Printer Settings on Computer

1. Open the print dialog from your application.
2. Go to Properties > Advanced or Preferences.
3. Ensure Grayscale or Black & White is selected if printing only in black.
4. Disable Toner Save Mode, as it may reduce print density.

Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers

1. Go to the official Brother Support website.
2. Download the latest driver for your specific model and operating system.
3. Uninstall the old driver from your computer.
4. Install the updated driver and try printing again.

Use the Brother iPrint&Scan Utility

1. Download and install Brother iPrint&Scan on your computer.
2. Use it to run maintenance tasks, including head cleaning and test printing.
3. Confirm black ink/toner output from test pages.

Check for Clogged Nozzles or Vent Issues (Inkjet)

1. Remove the black ink cartridge.
2. Check the cartridge for dried ink or blocked nozzles.
3. Use a lint-free cloth or cleaning solution to gently wipe the nozzle area.
4. Ensure the vent hole on top of the cartridge is open.

Reset the Printer

1. Power off the printer and unplug it for 30 seconds.
2. Plug it back in and turn it on.
3. Try printing again after the reset.

If the Brother printer still doesn’t print black after completing these steps, contact Brother Support or take the printer to an authorized service center.