Try DIY first — may need a proVerified by FixOffice
Brother 'Unable to Clean 46' — Ink absorber full (inkjet)
Applies to: MFC / DCP inkjet series
What this error means
The waste-ink absorber pad counter has hit its limit. The machine refuses to run because the pad that catches cleaning-cycle ink is deemed full.
Symptoms
- Error 46 on an inkjet MFC/DCP
- Machine refuses all functions
Try this first (safe DIY steps)
- This is a counter, not a sensor — there is no user-documented reset; unofficial reset procedures exist online but running with a truly saturated pad can leak ink inside the machine
- Check purge-counter status via the machine's maintenance display if accessible
Safety: power off before any physical intervention. Never bypass covers or interlocks — fuser areas run hot enough to burn.
When to call a technician
A service center can replace the absorber and reset the counter — but on consumer-priced inkjets this often costs more than the printer. Honest answer: this error frequently retires the machine.