Brother printers are reliable, efficient, and widely used for both home and office purposes. However, like any electronic device, they can sometimes run into issues — one common problem being the Brother printer in error state +1-888-966-6097 message. This error can be frustrating, especially when you’re in the middle of an important print job.

In this guide, effective ways to fix your Brother printer in error state 📞1-888-BROTHER (+1-888-966-6097).

What Does “Brother Printer in Error State” Mean?

When your computer shows a “Printer in Error State” message, it means your printer has encountered a problem that prevents it from printing. This issue could be due to:

  • Loose cables or disconnected devices

  • Paper jams

  • Outdated printer drivers

  • Network connection issues

  • Hardware malfunctions

  • Software glitches

Understanding the possible causes makes it easier to troubleshoot effectively.

8 Easy Ways to Fix Brother Printer in Error State

Let’s go through these step-by-step solutions to get your printer back up and running:

1️⃣ Check Physical Connections

One of the simplest but often overlooked solutions is checking your printer’s physical connections.

What to do:

  • Make sure the printer is properly plugged into a power outlet.

  • Check that the USB cable (for wired connections) or network cables are securely connected.

  • For wireless connections, ensure your printer is properly connected to the Wi-Fi network.

Loose or faulty cables can often trigger an error state.

2️⃣ Restart Your Printer and Computer

Many minor glitches can be fixed with a simple reboot.

Steps:

  • Turn off your Brother printer.

  • Unplug it from the power source.

  • Wait for 30 seconds.

  • Restart your computer.

  • Plug the printer back in and turn it on.

  • Check if the error has cleared.

This refreshes both your devices and resets any temporary errors.

3️⃣ Clear Print Queue

A stuck or jammed print queue can cause the error state message.

To clear the print queue on Windows:

  • Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.

  • Right-click your Brother printer and select See what’s printing.

  • In the new window, click Printer > Cancel All Documents.

  • Wait a few moments and restart your printer.

This removes any stalled print jobs that might be causing the issue.

4️⃣ Update or Reinstall Brother Printer Drivers

Outdated or corrupted printer drivers can often lead to an error state.

How to update drivers:

  • Visit the official Site.

  • Enter your printer model and download the latest drivers.

  • Install the updated drivers on your computer.

Alternatively, you can uninstall the printer from Control Panel > Devices and Printers, then reinstall it using the latest software.

5️⃣ Set the Printer as Default

If your computer isn’t set to use your Brother printer by default, it might cause conflicts.

Steps:

  • Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.

  • Right-click your Brother printer and select Set as Default Printer.

  • A green check mark should appear next to it.

Now, try printing a test page to see if the error is resolved.

6️⃣ Check for Paper Jams and Ink Levels

Mechanical issues like paper jams or low ink can trigger an error state.

What to check:

  • Open the printer’s paper tray and carefully remove any stuck paper.

  • Check the ink or toner levels and replace them if necessary.

  • Make sure there are no foreign objects inside the printer.

Once clear, restart the printer and try printing again.

7️⃣ Run Windows Printer Troubleshooter (for Windows users)

Windows has a built-in troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix printer problems.

How to use it:

  • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.

  • Select Additional troubleshooters.

  • Click on Printer and then Run the troubleshooter.

  • Follow the on-screen instructions.

The troubleshooter can often identify and resolve connection or configuration issues causing the error state.

8️⃣ Reset Brother Printer to Factory Settings

If none of the above solutions work, resetting your Brother printer to factory settings may help.

To reset:

  • On your printer’s control panel, go to Settings > All Settings > Initial Setup.

  • Choose Reset > Factory Reset (options may vary by model).

  • Confirm the reset.

After resetting, reconnect your printer to the network and reinstall necessary drivers.

Final Thoughts

Seeing a “Brother Printer in Error State” message is inconvenient, but as you can see, it’s usually easy to fix with these practical steps. From checking cables and clearing print queues to updating drivers and running troubleshooters, most users can resolve this issue without professional help.

If you’ve tried all these solutions and your printer is still in an error state, it might indicate a deeper hardware problem. In that case, contacting Brother customer support or taking the printer to an authorized service center would be the next step.