Brother Printer Error Code 49 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Error 49 on a Brother printer means the paper size in the tray does not match the print job settings. The printer cannot proceed because the paper loaded is different from what the document requires. Fix the paper size mismatch to continue printing.

Affected Models

Brother MFC-L2710DW
Brother MFC-L2750DW
Brother HL-L2370DW
Brother DCP-L2550DW
Brother MFC-L3770CDW

Common Causes

A print job was set to Letter size but the tray contains A4 paper, or vice versa
The paper tray size setting on the printer does not match the paper loaded
The printer driver on the computer is configured for the wrong paper size
Custom paper size was set in the application but not supported by the current tray
The paper guides are loose and not registering the correct paper width

How to Fix It

Check what size paper is loaded in the tray. Common sizes are Letter (8.5 x 11 in) and A4 (210 x 297 mm).

Letter and A4 look similar but are not identical — mixing them causes error 49.
On the printer's display, go to Paper Settings and make sure the tray size matches what is loaded.

The printer's tray size setting must exactly match the physical paper in the tray.
On your computer, open the print dialog and confirm the paper size setting matches the paper in the tray.

In Windows, check the printer preferences. In Word, also check the Page Layout > Paper size setting.
Adjust the paper guides in the tray so they fit snugly against the paper.

Loose guides make the size sensor less accurate — this can cause false size mismatch errors.
Send the print job again. The error should clear now that the paper and settings match.

If error 49 still appears, check whether the application (like Word or Chrome) has a separate paper size setting that overrides the driver.

When to Call a Professional

Error 49 is a settings issue, not a hardware problem. No technician is ever needed for this error. Simply match your paper and print settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Letter and A4 paper?

Letter paper (8.5 x 11 inches) is the standard size in the United States and Canada. A4 paper (210 x 297 mm) is the standard in most other countries. They are close in size but not identical — a Brother printer will detect the mismatch.

Can I set my Brother printer to auto-detect paper size?

Some Brother models have an auto-detect feature for the paper tray. Check your printer's menu under Paper Settings for an auto-detect or size detection option. If enabled, the printer reads the physical paper size and adjusts automatically.

Error 49 started appearing after I updated my printer driver. Is that why?

Possibly. Driver updates sometimes reset paper size settings to a different default. Check the paper size in the updated driver's preferences and make sure it matches your tray. Go to Devices > Printers > Printing Preferences in Windows to check.