Brother Printer Error Code 87 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Error code 87 on your Brother laser printer means there is a problem with the fuser unit. The fuser is the hot roller assembly inside a laser printer that melts the toner powder onto the paper. When the fuser temperature, pressure, or operation is outside the expected range, the printer stops and shows error 87.

Affected Models

Brother HL-L series laser printers
Brother MFC-L series all-in-one
Brother DCP-L series
Most Brother laser printers

Common Causes

The fuser unit has reached the end of its rated life and needs replacement
The printer was turned off or a paper jam occurred during a print job, disrupting the fuser heating cycle
The fuser temperature sensor has failed
The fuser unit has a physical jam — a piece of paper is stuck inside
The room temperature is too cold, preventing the fuser from reaching operating temperature in time

How to Fix It

Turn the printer off and let it cool for at least 30 minutes. The fuser runs at very high temperatures and can cause burns.

Never try to access the fuser area immediately after printing. Wait until the printer is completely cool.
Open the front and back covers and carefully check for any paper stuck in or near the fuser area.

A sheet of paper stuck halfway through the fuser is a common cause of this error. Pull it gently in the direction of paper travel.
Once clear of any jam, close all covers and power the printer back on.

Allow the printer to go through its full startup sequence — the fuser needs to reach operating temperature.
If error 87 returns with no paper jam present, check if your fuser unit has reached its page count limit. Navigate to the printer menu under Machine Information or Supplies.

Many Brother printers track fuser page counts and warn you when the fuser needs replacement.
If the fuser is at end of life, purchase the correct fuser unit for your model and install it following the instructions included with the part.

Always buy a fuser designed for your specific Brother model — fuser units are not universal.

When to Call a Professional

If clearing any paper jam and resetting the printer does not fix error 87, the fuser unit likely needs replacement. Fuser unit replacement costs $50–$150 for the part alone. Installation requires care as the fuser runs very hot — let the printer cool for 30 minutes before handling. A technician can replace the fuser in 30–45 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a fuser do in a laser printer?

The fuser is a heated roller pair that permanently bonds toner (powder) to paper. After the drum transfers a toner image onto the page, the paper passes through the fuser. The fuser rollers apply heat (around 180–200°C) and pressure to melt and fuse the toner into the paper fibers. Without the fuser, toner would just smear off the page.

How long does a Brother fuser unit typically last?

Most Brother fuser units are rated for 30,000–100,000 pages depending on the model. Heavy printing with thick media or envelopes accelerates wear. Brother's higher-end models have longer-life fusers.

Is replacing a fuser unit something I can do myself?

Yes — fuser replacement is a user-serviceable task on most Brother printers. The key rules are: let the printer cool completely first, use the correct fuser for your model, and follow the installation guide included with the new fuser. The process typically takes 15–20 minutes.