Alex Ruben
How To Resolve Printer Error 50 on Brother DCP-T310
How to Fix the Brother DCP-T310 Print Unable 50 Error
Getting the Print Unable 50 or Machine ERROR 50 on a Brother DCP-T310? Yeah, been there. It’s one of those errors that just pops up out of nowhere, usually tied to paper jams or some internal hiccup. Sometimes a simple reset or cleaning can fix it, but other times, you gotta dig into the menus. This guide walks through a few tried-and-true methods—no fancy tools needed, just patience. Expect the error to clear up after following these steps, and your printer should be back to printing smoothly. Because of course, printers can be jerks like that.
Make sure your printer is on and accessible before diving in. Clear some space around it—this thing’s bulky—and have your manual nearby if needed. Also, keep in mind that some steps might feel a little “hacky,” especially accessing hidden menus. On some setups, it works first go, on others, not so much. Of course, different firmware versions can change things up a bit, so don’t be surprised if it’s a little different on your machine.
Step 1: Power Off and Check for Paper Jams
This is the classic move—cut power and do a quick peek inside. The error usually is caused by paper stuck somewhere, or debris messing things up. To do it right:
- Press the Power button and turn the printer off.
- Unplug the power cord from the wall (because leaving it plugged in can cause weird resets or not give you full access).
- Open the scanner lid and the rear jam cover — you’ll likely see some paper somewhere. Gently remove any jammed paper or small bits of debris.
- Check the rollers and fuser area—these tend to trap small bits or finishers that cause errors.
Note: Sometimes it’s something tiny stuck in a corner, other times a sheet crumpled in the rollers. Not sure why it works, but ensuring all that loose paper is cleared usually jumpsstarts things.
Step 2: Power Up and Access the Service Menu
Once the paper’s cleared, plug it back in and turn it on. To really reset the error, you need to get into the service mode:
- Immediately press and hold the Mono, Black, and White Copy buttons after powering on.
- Hold those buttons until you see Maintenance or some similar option show up on screen.
On some units, holding those buttons triggers a menu after a couple of seconds. If nothing happens, try pressing a different combo: Menu + OK or consult your manual for the exact method. It’s kind of a weird workaround, but it works on many models.
Step 3: Reset the Error Codes in Maintenance Mode
This is where things get a little “dark arts”. Basically, you’re entering a code sequence to reset internal counters or errors:
- Use the + / – buttons to navigate. Usually, moving to 7 is the first step—press OK to select it.
- Then navigate to 6 and press OK again. This sequence helps clear machine errors, especially if they’re stuck in the internal system.
- On some models, just following those steps over and over will reset things. Others might need a different code—consult trusted forums or the official manual if this doesn’t work the first time.
This little sequence can be a bit hit-or-miss, but it’s kind of like a “nuclear reset” for the error state. On some setups, this clears things immediately; on others, it’s a gentle nudge.
Step 4: Power Cycle and Final Check
After punching in those codes, switch the printer off using the Power button. Wait about 10 seconds—enough for the firmware to store the reset—and then turn it back on. Sometimes, the light blinking or the error message coming back is just a fluke. Usually, the error disappears, and printing resumes. Kinda weird, but, hey, it works.
Extra Tips & Troubleshooting
If errors keep coming back, it might be time to do more than just resets:
- Double-check if your printer drivers are up to date. Look for the latest ones on the Brother support page.
- Make sure your ink cartridges are full—low ink can cause error prompts sometimes mistaken for hardware issues.
- Resetting to factory defaults might help if you’re seeing weird menu behaviors. Usually found in Settings > All Settings > Initial Setup > Reset.
- And if nothing else works, consider a firmware update or contacting Brother support. Internal hardware failures might need professional repair.
Note: Don’t forget that printing errors on these printers can be caused by super tiny issues or firmware quirks; sometimes a simple cleaning and software update can fix the root cause.
Wrap-up
Most of these error fixes are about patience—checking for jams, doing a reset, and cleaning. This isn’t exactly rocket science, but printers love to throw these little curveballs, especially after heavy use or a paper jam. Hopefully, this gets the job done for most folks. Just keep in mind, every now and then, the error is a sign of bigger issues—so don’t hesitate to dig deeper if required.
Summary
- Power off, unplug, and check for paper jams
- Hold specific buttons to access maintenance mode
- Navigate and enter reset codes
- Power cycle and verify error clears
- Update drivers and check ink levels if problems persist
Fingers crossed this helps
Getting rid of the 50 error isn’t always straightforward, but a combination of these steps usually does the trick. If it gets one update moving, mission accomplished. Or at least, better than replacing the printer entirely. Good luck and happy printing!