20 Most Recent Brother MFC-290C Multifunction Color Inkjet Fax Printer Questions & Answers

Unfortunatly this is a known issue with these machines and often times the printhead needs to be replaced which need to be done by a service technician.
If it's still under warranty you can contact brother who will direct you to a local warranty shop for service, if it's out of warranty all you can do is try running the Power Purge operation a few times to see if it clears up.
If the Power Purge doesn't help and it's out of warranty you'll need to replace the printer as the cost of fixing it will be more than the cost of a new printer.

Here's my solution on how to run the cleaning mode from another post here on FixYa:

You'll have to run the cleaning mode a few times,
to do so you'll have to get into Maintenance Mode.

To do this:
Press MENU then * then 2 then 8 then 6 then 4
This takes some practice and you have to press them all within a few seconds.
If the machine doesn't say MAINTENANCE when you do it press STOP/EXIT and try again.

When in Maintenance Mode:
Press 7 then 6, then press 3, then press BLACK START
It will say Cleaning - this will take some time when it's done it will go back to MAINTENANCE

After it's completed try 0 then 9, this will print out a small Print Quality test page
it should have several rows of each color (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black)
if they still don't look right then run the cleaning mode again and then print another quality page.

Continue to do this until the quality is back to normal,
when you're done to exit maintenance mode press 9 then 9 to return to normal operation.

note: this cleaning mode uses up a fair amount of ink, use sparingly

note: maintenance mode is for brother technicians and has some codes that can damage your machine, only use the codes I've explained in this solution

Blocked print head nozzles Inkjet printers need to be used frequently to prevent blocked print head nozzles. You may have blocked print head nozzles. Try the printer maintenance to clear the printer nozzles. After several deep cleaning attempts and there is no improvements in the print then a new print head is required. A new print head maybe expensive and it maybe more cost effective to purchase a new printer.

The manuals for the Brother MFC-290C are available from Brother. See http://www.brother-usa.com/support/default.aspx?PGID=5&R3ModelID=MFC290c#.UVJL8ldbxco . The direct link to the User's Manual is http://www.brother-usa.com/ModelDocuments/Consumer/Users%20Manual/UM_MFC_290C_EN_1573.PDF . The software User's Manual is here: http://www.brother-usa.com/ModelDocuments/Consumer/Software%20Users%20Manual/SUM_DCP_165C_385C_585CW_MFC_250C_290C_490CW_5490CN_5890CN_790CW_990CW_EN_1765.PDF . Other documentation is also available. I hope this helps. You will need Adobe Reader or a similar program to read the manuals. Cindy Wells

I had the same problem with my Brother MFC 490 CW. It suddenly started printing yellow instead of black. I believe my problem was cause by a mislabeled third party black ink cartridge. The cartridge was labelled black but it had a yellow end piece. In any case I took out the black cartridge and replaced with another. Initially it made no difference I assume because some yellow ink was still in the tube. After 10 or so pages of printing the print turned darker. I also did three cleanings and unplugged the unit and then plugged it back in. I am not sure what if anything these latter two actions accomplished, but I wanted to report all I did in case they were actually part of the solution. My own conclusion is that it was simply a mislabeled cartridge.

go to control panel and click programs find printer in list and click uninstall at top

go to control panel then programs and pick the printer then at top click uninstall

hitry to make hard resetor download the latest drivers/ program from the site of brother .some times they apdate automaticaly your programs - and some times it makes problems !!bernardhttp://www.rylwy.com/

Hello you may find your solution at http://www.brother-usa.com/ModelDocuments/Consumer/Users%20Manual/UM_MFC_290C_EN_1573.PDF or you can call toll free :1-888-817-3484 or visit : http://www.pcasta.com/support-for-brother-printer/(support for brother printer)

Have a look at the brother webpage for "one or more of my colours are not printing" at http://welcome.solutions.brother.com/BSC/public/eu/gb/en/faq/faq/000000/000700/000035/faq000735_010.html?reg=eu&c=gb&lang=en&prod=mfc290c_all&Cat=112 Hope this helps.

Open your Control Panel. Click on "Add/Remove Programs". Scan the list of programs in the "Add/Remove Programs" pop-up window for your Brother Printer, then uninstall ALL software that is affiliated with your printer. When you have uninstalled all the software, restart your computer. When your computer is restarted, click on this link: http://welcome.solutions.brother.com/bsc/public/us/us/en/dlf/download_top.html?reg=us&c=us&lang=en&prod=mfc290c_all When the link opens, in the first box, scroll down and select the Windows XP Professional x64 edition. In the next box, select your language. Then click on the "Search" button. It will open a new page...select the link in the first box that says "Download & Information". When it opens the next window...click on the "Download" button.STEP 1: VERIFY THE CABLE CONNECTIONRemove the USB cable from both the computer and the Brother machine. Leave them unplugged for a few seconds, and then reseat the cable into both devices. Make sure the interface cable has a secure connection to both the Brother machine and your computer. Note: The USB port can be accessed by opening the scanner cover. The correct port is labeled with the word USB and a symbol that looks like a pitchfork with dots on the ends. Ensure that the cable is not in the adjacent network port (For applicable models).Note: Brother recommends you use a type A/B 1.1 or 2.0 USB cable that is 6 feet (2 meters) or less, directly connected from the Brother machine to an available port on your computer. Other cable configurations may work, however connection loss is common. For troubleshooting purposes, do not connect your interface cable through any hubs, splitters, or other pass-through devices.STEP 2: VERIFY THE BROTHER MACHINE IS POWERED ON AND THERE ARE NO ERRORSA. If the LCD screen is blank, then the Brother machine is not powered on. Verify that it is plugged into a working outlet and any power switches are turned to the ON position.B. Check the LCD screen for any error messages. An example would be Paper Jam or Ink/Toner Empty. If the LCD screen shows an error, troubleshoot to clear the particular problem.STEP 3: VERIFY THAT THE PRINTER DRIVER IS INSTALLEDA. On the computer Click START -> RUN (or VISTA users click WINDOWS/START and click inside the Start Search field)B. Type: CONTROL PRINTERS and press ENTER.C. Verify that the Brother printer in the list. If the Brother printer is listed, continue to STEP 4. If the Brother printer is not listed, the driver may not be installed properly. Refer to STEP 9 to reinstall the Brother driver.STEP 4: VERIFY THAT THE BROTHER PRINTER IS SET AS DEFAULTThis is especially important if you use the print icon to print from within applications. If the Brother printer is set as the default printer, it will have a check mark on the icon. If it is not set as default:While in the Printer folder, set your Brother machine as the default printer by RIGHT CLICKING on the Brother printer and selecting SET AS DEFAULT (PRINTER).STEP 5: VERIFY THAT THE PRINTER STATUS IS READY AND THE PRINT QUEUE IS EMPTYA. Click on START -> RUN (or VISTA users click WINDOWS/START and click inside the Start Search field)B. Type: CONTROL PRINTERS and press ENTER.C. Locate the Brother printer in the list and hover your mouse over the Brother printer icon. Below is an example of what you may see:(Printer) Status: Ready (Could also state: OFFLINE or PAUSED)Documents: 0 (Could be any number)D. If there are any documents waiting in the queue, right-click on the Brother printer and select CANCEL ALL DOCUMENTS. This should clear the queue.E. If the status states: USE PRINTER OFFLINE, right-click on the Brother printer and uncheck USE PRINTER OFFLINE or select USE PRINTER ONLINE depending on your operating system. This should set the printer driver ONLINE.F. If the status states: PAUSED, right-click on the Brother printer and uncheck PAUSE PRINTING or select RESUME PRINTING. This should allow the printer to resume printing.STEP 6: ATTEMPT A TEST PRINTA. Right-click on your Brother driver and select PROPERTIES.B. On the GENERAL TAB, click the PRINT TEST PAGE button. If the test page prints, then your issue is resolved. If the test page does not print, close the PRINTER PROPERTIES window and delete the job from the queue by completing STEP 5, then continue to STEP 7.STEP 7: VERIFY PRINTER PORT SETTINGSA. Locate the Brother printer in the list. Right click the printer and left click PROPERTIES.B. Click on the PORTS TAB of DETAILS TAB (depending on your operating system) and verify the port your machine is set for. The port should be USB00x. (x is a number).C. If the port is set correctly and no other ports are available to choose from, no changes will be made. Continue to STEP 8.D. If you changed ports, try printing a test page by completing STEP 6. If the test page prints, then your issue is resolved. If there are multiple USB virtual ports, try the different available ports. For any failed print jobs, close the PRINTER PROPERTIES window and delete the job from the queue by completing STEP 5, then continue to STEP 8. If there are multiple USB virtual ports, try the different available ports. STEP 8: CYCLE THE POWER TO THE BROTHER MACHINE.A. Turn off the power to the Brother machine by disconnecting it from the power source.B. Wait about 30 seconds and power the machine back on.C. Try printing a test page by completing STEP 6. If the test page prints, then your issue is resolved. For any failed print jobs, close the PRINTER PROPERTIES window and delete the job from the queue by completing STEP 5, then continue to STEP 9.STEP 9: REINSTALL THE BROTHER DRIVERSPlease close all applications before running the Repair MFL-Pro Suite.A. The machine must be turned ON and the interface cable must be connected from the Brother machine to your computer.B. Turn on your computer. Note: you must be logged on with Administrator rights.C. Insert the supplied CD-ROM for Windows into your CD-ROM drive. If the language screen appears, select your language. If you are not prompted with the language screen, go to (MY) COMPUTER, then double click on the MFL-PRO icon.D. The CD-ROM main menu will appear. Click ADVANCED.E. Click on REPAIR MFL-PRO SUITE.F. When the software prompts to turn off machine and disconnect the USB connection, do so then click YES.G. When the Brother MFL-Pro Suite Software License Agreement window appears, click YES if you agree to the Software License Agreement. H. Choose STANDARD or LOCAL CONNECTION and then click NEXT.I. When the Connect the Machine screen appears, connect the USB cable from the Brother machine to the computer.Note: DO NOT connect the machine to a USB port on a keyboard or a non-powered USB hub. Brother recommends that you connect the machine directly to your computer. It is recommended that you use a type A/B USB 1.1 or 2.0 cable, 6 feet or less.Lift the scanner cover into the open position.Connect the USB cable to the USB socket. You will find the USB socket inside the machine on the left if viewing from the front of the machine. If your machine is also network-capable, ensure that the cable is NOT connected into the network port.Carefully route the USB cable through the trench and out the back of the machine and connect to your computer. Make sure the cable does restrict the cover from closing or an error may occur.Gently close the scanner cover using the finger holds on both sides.J. Turn on the power to the Brother machine by connecting the power cord. The installation should automatically continue.The installation screens appear one after another. Please wait. It will take a few seconds for all the screens to appear. DO NOT try to cancel any of the screens during this installation.continue the installation.M. When prompted to restart the computer, select YES, I WANT TO RESTART MY COMPUTER NOW, and click FINISH.