Can you keep using it?
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.
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.
Before the message
What users usually notice first
Messages like this often appear after a hidden paper-path interruption, tray setup issue, or a small obstruction that is easier to miss than a full visible jam.
Diagnosis
Likely causes
The original stack was skewed, too long, or fed badly through the ADF.
A small scrap remains in the ADF paper path.
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.
Avoid wrong turns
Common misreads of this message
- -Treating the message like a confirmed failed part instead of a support clue about which system has stopped the printer.
- -Assuming no physical path issue exists just because no full sheet is visible at first glance.
See also
Related codes in this family
Explore more
More Brother printer families
Read this next
Helpful guides for this problem
Guide
Most common Brother printer messages and what they usually mean
The Brother messages that show up most often across home and office printers, and what they usually point toward.
Guide
When a printer says paper jam but there isn't one
What a false paper-jam warning usually points to, from hidden scraps and tray issues to faults that are no longer simple jams.
Guide
Common Brother printer messages that usually mean stop and check support
The Brother messages that usually mean it is time to stop retrying and treat the fault more seriously.
Boundary
When to stop troubleshooting and move to support
Use the message once to classify the problem, then move to support if the printer still cannot return to ready after the first safe checks.
Keep browsing
Where to go next
Back to MFC-L5700 / L5800 / L5900 / L6700 / L6900 office laser family
Browse the rest of this printer range and compare nearby messages.
More Brother families
Move sideways into related printer ranges from the same brand.
Browse all printer guides
Search across brands, families, and common printer error messages.
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