Why is my Brother printer blinking red?

This message means the machine is having trouble feeding the label, the size of roll selected in the P-touch Editor is not the size installed in the label machine, or there is a communication error.

Table of Contents Show

Why is the red light flashing on my Brother printer?
Why is the red light flashing on my printer?
What does an orange flashing light mean on a Brother printer?
How do I clear a Brother printer error?

You must use a Brother label roll, rolls manufactured by other companies will not work in the label machine.

1. Check the label roll.

a. Turn off the machine.

b. Open the top cover and remove the label roll.

c. Make sure the roll is not empty.

d. Make sure the link lever on the left side it connected to the top cover.

- If the lever is not connected, reattach it. The pin on the inside of the top cover fits into the hold at the end of the link lever.

e. Make sure a label is not jammed inside the exit slot. Insert a business card into the exit slot from the inside of the machine. Push the card toward the front of the machine and then pull it back out.

f. Reinstall the roll in the machine. Insert the spool of the roll along the spool guide on the right side.

g. Make sure the roll strip is not trapped under the spool on the right. The bottom of the spool has to make direct contact with the five switches located on the right side.

h. Rotate the roll on the spool towards the back of the machine, it should rotate freely.

i. Thread the end of the roll into the slot until the edge of the roll can be seen at the front of the machine.

j. Close the cover.

2. Turn on the machine and the LED should be green. Press the Feed button.

- If the LED is red, go to step 3.

3. Verify the correct label size is detected.

a. Click File → Printer/Page Setup.

b. Make sure the label machine is selected as the printer.

c. Click the Page Setup tab.

d. Click Check Media to detect the roll size.

4. Turn the machine off then back on. The LED should be green. Press the Feed button.

- If the LED is red, go to step 5.

5. Check the cable connection.

- Unplug and then replug the USB cable on both ends. Try a different port on your computer if available.

- Try a different USB cable.

- Make sure the cable connects directly to the machine and computer. Remove any USB hubs or other devices.

6. If the problem continues, your machine will need service. Your machine has a two-year limited exchange warranty. You may use the link below to find a Brother-authorized service center in your area. You may also contact Customer Service for additional warranty options.

Brother Authorized Service Center locator

Why is the red light flashing on my Brother printer?

If the Status LED lamp continues to flash in red, the printer needs to be service. Press the [Feed] button. If the LED lamp starts to flash in red after pressing the [Feed] button, then DK roll may not have installed into the printer correctly. Try to reinstall it again.

Why is the red light flashing on my printer?

Most of the time, the flashing red light indicates that you are running low on paper. If the paper is not running low, make sure that the roll is pushed all the way to the back of the printer.