Can you keep using it?
Can you keep using it?
Contact customer support if any of these apply
- !The message returns after a full power-off restart.
- !The printer will not complete its normal startup checks.
What to check first
Step-by-step checks
- 1
Safe first step
Power the machine off for a few minutes, then turn it back on once.
Start with the official recovery step before moving on to parts or deeper servicing.
- 2
Escalate
If the message returns, stop troubleshooting at the user level and move to service support.
- 3
Safe first step
Use the machine only after it completes a clean restart without the error.
Background
What this message usually means
Brother treats Cannot Print ## as a mechanical fault message. The two-character suffix changes with the condition, but the official guidance points to an internal sensor, motor, or board issue rather than a normal consumable warning.
Diagnosis
Likely causes
A sensor or motor check did not complete normally.
An internal mechanical part is preventing the printer from starting a job.
The machine needs service if a restart does not clear the message.
Service
When service or replacement is more likely
- -This is a hardware fault class, not a routine consumables prompt.
See also
Related codes in this family
Explore more
More Brother printer families
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Where to go next
Source notes
Brother says Cannot Print ## is a mechanical problem and recommends a power-cycle before service if it persists.
Built around Brother's official MFC-L2800DW and HL-L2400DW support pages. Exact wording and menu paths can vary a little by region, but the consumable and jam guidance is shared across the family.
Printer error codes can vary a little by firmware, region, and exact model variant. Use this guide as a family-level starting point and stop if the next step would require disassembly or service-mode changes.
Known family variants: HL-L2400DW, MFC-L2800DW
Last reviewed: 2026-04-12
Reference: Open reference