Alex Ruben
How To Fix the Brother DCP-T300 Error 35 and Resolve Printing Troubleshooting
If your Brother DCP-T300 is throwing up the UNABLE 35 error, you’re not alone. This one’s pretty common, and it usually points to some kind of paper jam or a mechanical hiccup in the paper path. Sometimes it’s just a ghost — a stuck paper or a sensor that’s acting up. Luckily, there’s a handful of steps that can usually sort this out without needing a tech support call. The goal here is to get rid of any paper jams, clear errors, and reset everything so the printer can start fresh.
Before diving in, make sure you have your printer, a computer connection, and maybe a bit of patience. Some steps involve opening parts of the printer — so be gentle and careful. Also, don’t skip checking the paper path because even tiny bits of debris can trigger this error. After clearing jams and resetting, your printer should hopefully get back to work like normal. And if not, maybe it’s time to call in backup, but first, these steps are worth trying.
How to Fix Brother DCP-T300 UNABLE 35 Error
Check and Clear the Print Queue
This is often the first thing to do because stuck print jobs can confuse the system. On your computer, head over to Devices and Printers (on Windows) or System Preferences > Printers & Scanners on Mac. Open the print queue for your Brother DCP-T300 and cancel any pending jobs. Sometimes, the error pops up when a print job gets stuck. Clearing it out can solve the issue. If you’re on Windows, just right-click the printer, select See what’s printing, then delete or cancel all documents. On Mac, click Open Print Queue, then delete pending jobs. Expect the error to clear once the queue is empty, but don’t forget to restart the printer afterward to fully reset.
Inspect for Paper Jams and Foreign Objects
Yes, the classic paper jam check. Open the scanner cover and support it with the latch—it’s kind of weird, but you need to lift up the top part fully. Now, peek inside for anything out of place: jammed paper, torn bits, paper clips, even stray staples. Check the entire paper path — behind the rear cover, inside the paper tray, and under the print head. If you spot something, gently pull it out, making sure not to tear the paper or damage anything. Sometimes you’ll see a little tiny piece that’s causing the sensor to freak out. Be patient there. This really helps because even a tiny shredded scrap can make the machine throw a tantrum.
Make Sure the Print Head Can Move Freely
If the head is stuck or meets resistance, it’s a recipe for error. With the printer open, carefully slide the print head carriage from side to side. If it feels resistant, stop and look for obstacles. Sometimes dust or dried ink causes it to freeze. Clearing any debris, then gently nudging it along, can restore normal movement. Don’t force it—forcing might cause more damage. On some machines, it’s hit or miss, but moving the head helps reset the sensors and ensures the printer recognizes the mechanism is free.
Clean the Jam Clear Cover Area and Surroundings
When the printer is showing jams but no paper is visible, check the jam clear cover at the back. Open it up, look closely for tiny pieces of paper or dust lurking inside. Debris there can trick the sensors. Remove anything you find, then close the cover securely until it clicks. Sometimes, if this cover isn’t aligned right after closing, the printer still thinks there’s a jam, so double-check this step. This area seems trivial but can cause persistent errors if ignored.
Perform a Full Reset of the Printer
Finally, a reset is sometimes what the doctor ordered. Power off your printer, unplug it from the wall, wait about 30 seconds—this allows dump data to clear and resets hardware states. Then, plug it back in and power on. Sometimes, you need to run through this a couple of times to clear out long-standing errors. On one setup it worked immediately, on another I had to do it twice — hardware’s weird like that.
Extra Tips & Troubleshooting
Make sure your printer firmware is up to date because bugs can cause errors like this, and a quick firmware update might fix compatibility issues. Also, a periodic cleaning of the paper path and sensors (using a soft lint-free cloth) can prevent future jams. If the error keeps coming back, it could be worth checking the sensors’ alignment or replacing the paper feed rollers. Sometimes, a hardware fault is at play, and professional repair might be needed. If you get stuck, the user manual or Brother’s online support forums are often helpful.
Wrap-up
This error is frustrating, but most of the time it’s just some paper, dust, or a sensor lying to you. Clearing jams, cleaning, resetting — that’s all it takes to get it back in line. Just got to be patient and methodical. Some setups might need a couple of tries or a bit of fiddling, but usually these steps do the trick. If nothing works, it’s probably a sensor or hardware issue, and then it’s time to call support or think about repairs.
Summary
- Clear print queue on your computer.
- Check for and remove paper jams or debris inside the printer.
- Gently move the print head to ensure it’s not stuck.
- Inspect and clean the jam_clear cover area.
- Reset the printer by unplugging and waiting.
- Update firmware if needed and clean the paper path regularly.
Probably helps to remember:
Most of the time, this error is just a jam or misfire in the sensors. Keeping things clean and clear usually sorts it out. If you’re really stuck, the official manual or a quick call to Brother support might be the final push. Fingers crossed this helps someone get back to printing without too much fuss.