MFC 215 error 46

I have the same problem for my Brother MFC 210. I believe the models are the same. Did you find the procedure and code to reset the purge counter? If so, please share it, and I'll do the same if I find out anything. Otherwise, my otherwise good printer will be going to the trash. Do you think the service manual will have the code, and if so, does anyone know where to get one?

Here is the answer to the Machine Error 46 (have just fixed my own MFC210C):


Machine Error 46 – Purged Ink Box Full MFC620CN/420CN/410CN/210C and FAX2440C

The machine counts all purge (cleaning) operations in order to prevent the internal ink absorber box from overflowing with purged ink. An “initial purge”, for example, advances the purge counter by 187 + 420 = 607. When the purge counter approaches 6400, an internal "Machine Error 46" is generated. Further purge operations are prohibited, and therefore the printer becomes unuseable.

When an internal Machine Error 46 is generated, the user will see an “Unable to Clean” external message and will be unable to use the printer. The “Unable to Clean” external message can relate to many different internal error codes however.

The user can establish the internal Machine Error Code as follows: pull the mains cable out of the machine (power off), hold down the Menu/Set key, re-insert the mains cable into the machine (power on). The internal Machine Error Code will be displayed.

If there is a Machine Error 46, it is necessary to dismantle the printer, replace the ink absorber box (or possibly break the ink absorber box open and clean its absorbent sponges under a tap), re-assemble the printer and reset the purge counter to zero.


Resetting purge counter MFC620CN/420CN/410CN/210C and FAX2440C

1) Enter machine maintenance mode (on MFC210C all four photo/copy/fax/scan lights flash in maintenance mode). Care is needed in maintenance mode, otherwise critical settings may be inadvertently corrupted.

FAX models with numerical keypads: Press the Menu/Set, *, 2, 8, 6 and 4 keys within two seconds. (if you fail to complete the correct key sequence within two seconds, press the Stop key to try again).

Other (non-FAX) models: Press the Menu/Set and Black Start keys. Next press the “up arrow” key four times to enter the maintenance mode).

2) Press the 8 then 0 keys in the initial stage of the maintenance mode to call up the machine's log information list (function code 80).

3) Press the Black Start key several times to scroll through the log information list to reach the purge counter. The purge counter is the 25th item in the list.

4) Press the 2, 7, 8, and 3 keys in this order to reset the purge count to zero.

5) Press the Stop/Exit key to return to the initial stage of the maintenance mode.

6) Press the 9 key twice to return to the standby state.

Carry on printing !!

Here is the answer to the Machine Error 46 (have just fixed my own MFC210C):


Machine Error 46 – Purged Ink Box Full MFC620CN/420CN/410CN/210C and FAX2440C

The machine counts all purge (cleaning) operations in order to prevent the internal ink absorber box from overflowing with purged ink. An “initial purge”, for example, advances the purge counter by 187 + 420 = 607. When the purge counter approaches 6400, an internal "Machine Error 46" is generated. Further purge operations are prohibited, and therefore the printer becomes unuseable.

When an internal Machine Error 46 is generated, the user will see an “Unable to Clean” external message and will be unable to use the printer. The “Unable to Clean” external message can relate to many different internal error codes however.

The user can establish the internal Machine Error Code as follows: pull the mains cable out of the machine (power off), hold down the Menu/Set key, re-insert the mains cable into the machine (power on). The internal Machine Error Code will be displayed.

If there is a Machine Error 46, it is necessary to dismantle the printer, replace the ink absorber box (or possibly break the ink absorber box open and clean its absorbent sponges under a tap), re-assemble the printer and reset the purge counter to zero.


Resetting purge counter MFC620CN/420CN/410CN/210C and FAX2440C

1) Enter machine maintenance mode (on MFC210C all four photo/copy/fax/scan lights flash in maintenance mode). Care is needed in maintenance mode, otherwise critical settings may be inadvertently corrupted.

FAX models with numerical keypads: Press the Menu/Set, *, 2, 8, 6 and 4 keys within two seconds. (if you fail to complete the correct key sequence within two seconds, press the Stop key to try again).

Other (non-FAX) models: Press the Menu/Set and Black Start keys. Next press the “up arrow” key four times to enter the maintenance mode).

2) Press the 8 then 0 keys in the initial stage of the maintenance mode to call up the machine's log information list (function code 80).

3) Press the Black Start key several times to scroll through the log information list to reach the purge counter. The purge counter is the 25th item in the list.

4) Press the 2, 7, 8, and 3 keys in this order to reset the purge count to zero.

5) Press the Stop/Exit key to return to the initial stage of the maintenance mode.

6) Press the 9 key twice to return to the standby state.

Carry on printing !!

Here is the answer to the Machine Error 46 (have just fixed my own MFC210C):


Machine Error 46 – Purged Ink Box Full MFC620CN/420CN/410CN/210C and FAX2440C

The machine counts all purge (cleaning) operations in order to prevent the internal ink absorber box from overflowing with purged ink. An “initial purge”, for example, advances the purge counter by 187 + 420 = 607. When the purge counter approaches 6400, an internal "Machine Error 46" is generated. Further purge operations are prohibited, and therefore the printer becomes unuseable.

When an internal Machine Error 46 is generated, the user will see an “Unable to Clean” external message and will be unable to use the printer. The “Unable to Clean” external message can relate to many different internal error codes however.

The user can establish the internal Machine Error Code as follows: pull the mains cable out of the machine (power off), hold down the Menu/Set key, re-insert the mains cable into the machine (power on). The internal Machine Error Code will be displayed.

If there is a Machine Error 46, it is necessary to dismantle the printer, replace the ink absorber box (or possibly break the ink absorber box open and clean its absorbent sponges under a tap), re-assemble the printer and reset the purge counter to zero.


Resetting purge counter MFC620CN/420CN/410CN/210C and FAX2440C

1) Enter machine maintenance mode (on MFC210C all four photo/copy/fax/scan lights flash in maintenance mode). Care is needed in maintenance mode, otherwise critical settings may be inadvertently corrupted.

FAX models with numerical keypads: Press the Menu/Set, *, 2, 8, 6 and 4 keys within two seconds. (if you fail to complete the correct key sequence within two seconds, press the Stop key to try again).

Other (non-FAX) models: Press the Menu/Set and Black Start keys. Next press the “up arrow” key four times to enter the maintenance mode).

2) Press the 8 then 0 keys in the initial stage of the maintenance mode to call up the machine's log information list (function code 80).

3) Press the Black Start key several times to scroll through the log information list to reach the purge counter. The purge counter is the 25th item in the list.

4) Press the 2, 7, 8, and 3 keys in this order to reset the purge count to zero.

5) Press the Stop/Exit key to return to the initial stage of the maintenance mode.

6) Press the 9 key twice to return to the standby state.

Carry on printing !!

i follow all your steps, just like in the service manual but the message its still there

Same problem was fixed. See link below posted by skipperOz.
http://www.fixya.com/support/t485892-error_46_unable_init
The solution applies to MFC-4550CN, and also works for MFC_215-C.

Dear trickydicky,


Your suggestion is excellent. you are the man.... I was just about to throw the Printer away after getting tired of reading the useless manual from Brother.
But luckily got to see this forum & your suggestions.

Again, you're simply superb.

Thanks a million for the help.

Rgds
Prakash

Hi, I have an MFC-640CW with this exact error - 46.

I have changed the ink tank, and ran through the instructions above but the error still occurs.

Is there anything else that I can do to illeviate this please?

Thanks

Thank you for the detailed and informative instructions. It worked for me!

@trickydicky

I have carefully and persistantly followed your instructions, I thank you a lot but I am still experiencing difficulty.
I could not find a way to enter the maintenance mode whatsoever.
My printer/fax/scanner has numeric keypads but nothing happens after I press Menu/set *,2,8,6 within two seconds but everything remains the same, I've tried many many times but couldn't accomplish this task. I have not entered the wrong numbers in sequence and I am sure of it. Please help me! The model of my fax machine is MFC-215C, I heard this solution also applies to my kind of model.

To anyone who can help:
My fax displays

Perfect, thanks a lot fixed the problem.

THAT FIXED THE PROBLEM, THANK YOU SO MUCH!

It works!! wonderful, saved me another frustating day

Tried your instructions, had no luck, but found other instructions that worked for this problem
Unplug printer
Plug back in at same time press Menu/Set button,
All four buttons will light up Scan,Fax,Copy, Photo Capture
Select 8 then 0 you will be in Maintenance then using Arrow Key scroll up until it comes up with Purge
Now push 2 7 8 and 3 should take counter back to 000.000
Turn Printer Off and then on
should be ready for printing.

Mr trickydicky
You just saved me 100$ for a new printer.
AWESOME TUTORIAL all works fine ! :)Thank you !

Can anyone help? To deal with error 46, I cleared the purge counter as outlined above, that didn't fix the problem. Then I washed out the ink absorber box and used alcohol to clean the top of the print head, that didn't do it either. The problem started when the unit called for black ink. I appreciate any and all advice.