Brother Document Jam

Can you keep using it?

Contact customer support if any of these apply

!Document Jam returns repeatedly with clean, flat originals.
!The ADF no longer feeds straight or the same spot jams every time.

If the printer still starts normally: Finish the first checks once, then stop if the same message repeats or the printer still cannot return to ready.

What to check first

Step-by-step checks

1
Safe first step
Remove the jammed document from the ADF carefully and clear any scraps.
Start with the official recovery step before moving on to parts or deeper servicing.
2
Safe first step
Reload a smaller stack of flat originals before trying again.
3
Safe first step
Use the scanner glass temporarily if the ADF keeps jamming.

Background

What this message usually means

Brother shows Document Jam when the original document did not feed correctly through the automatic document feeder on this office MFP family. This is an ADF-path problem that affects copy and scan workflows rather than standard print jobs.

Diagnosis

Likely causes

Most common

The original stack was skewed, too long, or fed badly through the ADF.

Common

A small scrap remains in the ADF paper path.

Possible

Damaged or curled originals were placed in the feeder.

Service

When service or replacement is more likely

-This message affects copy and scan work more than regular printing.

Related codes in this family

Paper is Jammed inside the Machine

Paper is jammed in the internal print path.

Paper is Jammed in the 2-sided Tray

Paper is jammed in the duplex path.

Explore more

More Brother printer families

MFC / DCP inkjet series

MFC-3420C, MFC-3820CN, MFC-5100C, and more.

MFC-L2800 / HL-L2400 monochrome laser family

HL-L2400DW, MFC-L2800DW.

MFC-J1010 / J1170 inkjet family

MFC-J1010DW, MFC-J1170DW, MFC-J1800DW.

Source notes

Brother's official Document Jam article says the document was not inserted or fed correctly through the ADF and directs users to clear the ADF path and scraps.

Built around official Brother support pages for the MFC-L5700, L5800, L5900, L6700, and L6900 office laser family. Exact message wording can vary a little by model and region, but the core troubleshooting stays close across the shared platform.

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: MFC-L5700DW, MFC-L5800DW, MFC-L5900DW, MFC-L6700DW, MFC-L6900DW

Last reviewed: 2026-04-12

Reference: Open reference

Document Jam - The original document jammed in the ADF path.