57
Brother Printer
Severity:What Does This Error Mean?
Error 57 on a Brother printer means there is a problem with the toner cartridge. The printer cannot detect the cartridge, the cartridge is empty, or it is seated incorrectly. Removing and reseating the cartridge is the first step.
Affected Models
- Brother HL-L2350DW
- Brother HL-L2370DW
- Brother HL-L2395DW
- Brother MFC-L2710DW
- Brother MFC-L2750DW
Common Causes
- The toner cartridge is not fully pushed into its slot
- The toner cartridge has run out of toner
- A non-Brother or incompatible toner cartridge is installed
- The toner cartridge's chip is dirty or damaged and not being read
- The toner was removed for shaking and not properly reinstalled
How to Fix It
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Open the front cover of the printer. Pull out the drum unit and toner assembly.
On most Brother models, the drum and toner come out together.
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Separate the toner cartridge from the drum unit. Check whether the cartridge is empty.
Shake it gently. If it sounds and feels empty, it needs to be replaced.
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Inspect the gold chip on the toner cartridge. Wipe it lightly with a dry lint-free cloth.
A dirty chip can prevent the printer from recognizing the cartridge.
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Reinstall the toner cartridge into the drum unit firmly until it clicks.
Then slide the combined unit back into the printer until it locks in place.
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Close the front cover and power the printer on. If error 57 persists, replace the toner cartridge.
Make sure you buy the correct Brother toner model for your printer.
When to Call a Professional
Error 57 is almost always a cartridge issue and does not require professional repair. If a brand-new genuine Brother cartridge still shows error 57, the toner reader contacts may be damaged. Contact Brother support if this occurs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use third-party toner in my Brother laser printer?
Third-party toner cartridges are widely used in Brother printers and many work fine. However, incompatible chips can cause errors like error 57. If you experience errors with third-party toner, switch to genuine Brother cartridges to test.
I shook my toner cartridge to get more prints. Now I get error 57. Why?
After shaking the cartridge, it must be reinstalled carefully. If it was not pushed in all the way or the chip is slightly misaligned, error 57 appears. Remove the cartridge and reinstall it firmly to fix this.
How do I know which Brother toner my printer uses?
The toner cartridge model number is printed on the cartridge itself. You can also find it in the printer's manual or on the Brother support website. Enter your printer model on Brother's site to find the correct toner cartridge.