Error message ''Unable to Print 4F''

4F message indicates that the printhead is dead, you will need to replace it to make it work again. Before you replace it, you may want to try this, see if it will remove the clean unable error message: Access the internal maintenance mode by pressing the Menu/Set button, then press * 2 8 6 4 within 2 seconds. This should put you in the maintenance mode menu. Enter 80, then scroll down with the arrow down (round) key. You'll find an entry listed as purge count. If number is over 6000, enter 2 7 8 3. This will reset the purge count value. Then the printer will restart, hopefully without the annoying cannot clean message.

Hi there
Brother 4F
Access the internal maintenance mode by pressing the Menu/Set button, then press * 2 8 6 4 within 2 seconds. This should put you in the maintenance mode menu. Enter 80, then scroll down with the arrow down (round) key. You'll find an entry listed as purge count. If number is over 6000, enter 2 7 8 3.

This will reset the purge count value. Then the printer will restart, hopefully without the annoying cannot clean message.

All I ask is please come back and just gave a vote, it will gave me some satisfaction to know am helping some one so I will keep on helping.
All The Best: Pineworks

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Hi there
With some Brother printers you can try this.

Access the internal maintenance mode by pressing the Menu/Set button, then press * 2 8 6 4 within 2 seconds. This should put you in the maintenance mode menu. Enter 80, and then scroll down with the arrow down (round) key. You'll find an entry listed as purge count. If number is over 6000, enter 2 7 8 3.

This will reset the purge count value. Then the printer will restart, hopefully without the annoying cannot clean message.


Some times this happens because of using cheap compatible ink cartridges if this is the case change the ink cartridges.

Please come back and just gave a vote, it will gave me some satisfaction to know am helping some one so I will keep on helping.
All The Best: Pineworks

I have a Brother MFC-440CN fax machine and I am receiving error message "unable to clean 50". Can anyone help me to fix this error problem

4F is a printhead issue, however there are the rules per Brother International...

... only a Brother ASC can order parts!

A Brother ASC can opt to sell you the part at their discression, however it voids the part warranty because it is not being installed by an authorized service center. The average cost of a printhead replacement varies by ASC, usually $100 or more.

You can find your local ASC by clicking here.

Problem with printer head or main board

My MFC 665CW popped this same "Unable To Print 4F" error recently making the machine fully useless. Just an annoying triple beep and repeat error message to screen when trying to do anything at all with it. I wrote Brother about it. They said to check all through the machine (with a light) for any paper torn off inside, or unwanted foreign objects. This is a good step to do anyway to help maintain the printer. If that is not it, they said it would be a mechanical malfunction. I tried "resetting" by unplugging it for a while as they suggested to no avail. Also while I did find a bit of paper torn off down in my MFC 665 removing it had no effect.

printer 440cn does not print. you call the printing option and the printer icon star jumping for a while then stop.I then open the printer queue and it is empty. I am running mac OS 10.58 in my Imac

here is the solution according to brothers website
http://www.brother-usa.com/FAQs/Solution.aspx?FAQID=100000012648&Sympt=How+do+I+clear+error+message+Print+Unable+36%3f&Model=1208&ProductGroup=1&ProductID=HL4070CDW

Access the internal maintenance mode by pressing the Menu/Set button, then press * 2 8 6 4 within 2 seconds. This should put you in the maintenance mode menu. Enter 80, then scroll down with the arrow down (round) key. You'll find an entry listed as purge count. If number is over 6000, enter 2 7 8 3.

This will reset the purge count value. Then the printer will restart, hopefully without the annoying cannot clean message.

All I ask is please come back and just gave a vote, it will gave me some satisfaction to know am helping some one so I will keep on helping.
All The Best: Pineworks

All files on my website are only there for a limited time