High severity Hardware Code: Unable to Print 46 Brother

Brother "Unable to Print 46" / "Unable to Clean 46"

On Brother inkjets, error 46 means the ink-absorber (purge/flushing) box is full. Servicing the absorber is the real fix; a temporary purge-counter reset exists.

Symptoms

  • "Unable to Print 46"
  • "Machine Error 46"
  • Inkjet stops printing

Likely causes

  • Ink absorber box full
  • Heavy use / many cleanings
  • Purge counter at limit

How to fix it — step by step

Work through these in order; most people are fixed by the first two or three.

Understand the message

The absorber that catches waste ink during cleanings is full — similar to Canon 5B00 / Epson ink pads.

Service the absorber

Have the ink-absorber box replaced by a Brother service center for a lasting fix.

Temporary purge reset

Brother's maintenance/purge mode can reset the counter to keep printing short-term — only with the absorber's state in mind.

Repair vs replace

On entry models, replacement may be more economical than service.

Still not fixed? For hardware faults still under warranty, contact the manufacturer's official support. This is an independent guide — always confirm steps for your exact model in its manual.

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