MODEL REFERENCE

Brother FAX-2845

27 errors · 52 troubleshooting topics · 4 guides

Brother FAX-2845

The checks and guides below come from the official manuals for this model.

Errors and messages

Shown on the machine display
BT Call Sign OnbT Call Sign prevents Receive Mode changes
UK telephone service only.For the UK telephone service, set BT Call Sign to Off before changing Receive Mode from Manual.
Cartridge Errortoner cartridge problem
Remove the drum assembly, take out the toner cartridge and reseat it in the drum, then refit the assembly.
Comm.Errorfax communication failed
Send the fax again or try another telephone line. Ask the telephone company to check the line if errors continue.
Connection Failpolling connection failed
Check that the remote fax machine is set to Polled Waiting before polling it.
Cooling Down Wait for a whilefuser or drum temperature problem
  1. Check that the cooling fan runs and remove anything blocking the exhaust.
  2. With the fan running, leave the machine powered on and unused for several minutes.
  3. If restarting is needed, Transfer important stored faxes or the Fax Journal before switching off; FAX-2845 loses received faxes held in memory when power is disconnected.
  4. Switch off, wait a few seconds and switch on again.
  5. Leave it on and unused for 15 minutes.
  6. Contact Brother or the local dealer if the fault remains.
Cover is Opena cover is open
  1. Close the front and control-panel covers.
  2. If the control panel was open when loading an original, close it and press Stop/Exit.
  3. Check the rear path for jammed paper, close the fuser cover and press Start where the message follows a rear jam.
Disconnectedthe fax call ended
Try sending or receiving the fax again; the remote caller or fax machine ended the call.
Document Jamdocument jam
  1. Remove unjammed originals, open the control-panel cover and pull the trapped document toward the front.
  2. Close the cover and press Stop/Exit.
  3. Check the original fits the document feeder’s limits before retrying.
Drum Errordrum unit needs attention
Clean the drum’s corona wire using its green sliding tab and return the tab to Home.Related instructions: Clean the corona wire
Drum Stopdrum unit needs attention
Replace the drum using the documented removal and installation sequence.
EL Errormechanical fault
Open the front cover and close it again.
Fuser Errorfuser or drum temperature problem
  1. Transfer important stored faxes or the Fax Journal before switching off; FAX-2845 loses received faxes held in memory when power is disconnected.
  2. Switch off, wait a few seconds and switch on again.
  3. Leave it on and unused for 15 minutes.
  4. Contact Brother or the local dealer if the fault remains.
Init Unable XXmechanical fault
  1. Transfer important stored faxes or the Fax Journal before switching off; FAX-2845 loses received faxes held in memory when power is disconnected.
  2. Switch off, wait a few seconds and switch on again.
  3. Leave it on and unused for 15 minutes.
  4. Contact Brother or the local dealer if the fault remains.
Jam Insidepaper jam
  1. Open the front cover and leave the machine on for ten minutes to cool.
  2. Transfer important stored faxes before switching off, then switch off and remove the toner/drum assembly.
  3. Release the toner from the drum with the green lock lever and clear paper inside the drum.
  4. Refit the toner until it locks.
  5. If paper remains inside the machine, remove the tray and pull it gently through the tray opening.
  6. Refit the tray and toner/drum assembly, close the front cover and switch on.
Jam Rearpaper jam
  1. Open the front cover and leave the machine on for ten minutes to cool.
  2. Transfer important stored faxes before switching off, then switch off and remove the toner/drum assembly.
  3. Open the rear cover and release the fuser-cover tabs.
  4. Gently remove trapped paper with both hands, then close the fuser and rear covers, refit the assembly and close the front cover.
  5. Switch on and press Start if printing does not resume.
Jam Traypaper jam
Pull the tray completely out and gently remove jammed paper with both hands. Keep the remaining stack below the maximum mark, set its guides to the correct size and refit the tray.
No Paperpaper is missing or loaded incorrectly
Refill the tray or remove and reload the paper, then press Start. If it still cannot feed, clean the paper pick-up rollers.
No Response/Busyfax number is busy or unanswered
Check the fax number and try again when the line is available.
No Tonertoner supply needs attention
Remove the drum assembly, reseat its toner cartridge and refit the assembly.
Out of Memorymemory is full
  1. Press Start to send or copy pages already scanned, or press Stop/Exit and wait for other operations before retrying.
  2. Print stored faxes to free memory and switch Fax Storage off to avoid filling it again.
Print Unable XXmechanical fault
  1. Transfer important stored faxes or the Fax Journal before switching off; FAX-2845 loses received faxes held in memory when power is disconnected.
  2. Switch off, wait a few seconds and switch on again.
  3. Leave it on and unused for 15 minutes.
  4. Contact Brother or the local dealer if the fault remains.
Replace Drumdrum unit needs attention
Fit a new drum. If one was just installed, reset the drum counter using the documented procedure.
Replace Tonertoner supply needs attention
  1. With Toner set to Stop, install a new unused compatible Brother toner cartridge.
  2. Continue mode can print until Toner Ended; it does not replace the exhausted cartridge.
  3. Incoming faxes can remain in memory while space is available.
Scan Unable XXmechanical fault
  1. Transfer important stored faxes or the Fax Journal before switching off; FAX-2845 loses received faxes held in memory when power is disconnected.
  2. Switch off, wait a few seconds and switch on again.
  3. Leave it on and unused for 15 minutes.
  4. Contact Brother or the local dealer if the fault remains.
Size mismatchpaper size mismatch
Load the correct paper size and set Paper Size under Menu, 1, 2, 2 to match.
Toner Endedtoner supply needs attention
Replace the toner cartridge. Incoming faxes can be stored while memory remains available.
Toner Lowtoner supply needs attention
Order a replacement toner cartridge before Replace Toner or Toner Ended appears. Printing remains available for now.

Troubleshooting

Find the problem you are experiencing
Received fax is condensed, streaked or missing linesView
Make a copy to test local print quality. If the copy is good, ask the sender to resend; telephone-line noise or interference can distort the received fax.
Received fax has poor print qualityView
Use the print-quality checks below after making a test copy to separate a local printing fault from a sender or line problem.
Received fax has vertical black linesView
Clean the corona wire. Ask the sender to make a copy to check their scanner, then try receiving from a different machine. Contact your dealer if lines remain. Related instructions: Clean the corona wire
Received faxes split across pagesView
Set the machine’s paper size to match the loaded paper and turn on Auto Reduction for incoming faxes.
Dialing does not work4 steps
  1. Check for a dial tone and secure all telephone-line connections.
  2. Confirm the machine has power and is switched on.
  3. Check Tone/Pulse for the line.
  4. To test a manual fax, lift the handset of a connected external phone and dial the receiving number.
Machine does not answer calls3 steps
  1. Choose the Receive Mode for the connected phones or answering machine.
  2. Check dial tone and call your fax number.
  3. Recheck the line cord; ask the telephone company to check the line if it does not ring.
Cannot receive a fax7 steps
  1. Check the wall and LINE cable connections and ask the provider about DSL or VoIP setup.
  2. Choose Fax Only for a dedicated automatic fax line, External TAD for an answering machine, Fax/Tel for shared automatic calls or Manual if you answer calls yourself.
  3. Test whether another device answers first by reducing Fax Only/Fax/Tel delay to one ring, or the answering machine to two rings; leave Manual delay alone.
  4. Have a test fax sent, then restore the original delay.
  5. For External TAD, connect it as shown in the guide, answer in one or two rings and record five seconds of silence followed by no more than 20 seconds of speech and the configured remote activation code.
  6. Enable Fax Detect.
  7. Try Basic(for VoIP) for repeated line interference.
Poor sending qualityView
Try Fine or S.Fine resolution, make a copy to test the scanner and clean the scanner glass if that copy is poor.
Transmission report says RESULT:ERRORView
Try sending again when temporary noise or static affected the line. For repeated interference, set Compatibility to Basic(for VoIP).
Sent faxes are blankView
Load the original face down into the automatic document feeder in the direction shown in the guide.
Vertical black lines when sendingView
Turn off and unplug before cleaning. Wipe dirt or correction fluid from the scanner’s glass strip, then reconnect and send a test fax.
Voices trigger fax receiving tonesView
Press Stop/Exit to end the mistaken fax response. Turn Fax Detect off if voices or music repeatedly trigger receiving tones.
Send a fax call from an extension phoneView
Enter the configured Remote Activation Code, initially *51, when answering a fax on an external or extension phone. Hang up after the fax machine answers.
Telephone features interrupt fax calls2 steps
  1. Call Waiting, Voice Mail, alarms and other shared-line services can interrupt faxes.
  2. ECM can reduce the effect, but use a separate line without those features if interruptions are unacceptable.
Fax settings menus beep instead of openingView
Press FAX so fax mode is illuminated, then open Setup Receive under Menu, 2, 1 or Setup Send under Menu, 2, 2.
Cannot make a copyView
Press COPY and confirm its mode light before retrying.
Vertical black lines in copiesView
Clean the scanner glass strip and the drum’s corona wire. Return its green tab to Home afterward. Related instructions: Clean the corona wire
Copies are blankView
Load the original correctly in the automatic document feeder, face down as illustrated.
Paper does not feed4 steps
  1. Load a straight stack of suitable paper.
  2. Turn it over if curled and reduce the tray’s paper amount.
  3. Clean the pick-up rollers.
  4. If a jam remains, use the matching tray, rear or inside-jam procedure.
Documents do not feed or are skewedView
Clean the document-feed rollers using the documented procedure.
Choose compatible paperView
Use thin, plain, bond or recycled paper, or envelopes and labels made for laser printers, within the guide’s size and weight limits. Feed envelopes through the manual slot.
Paper is jammedView
Use the specific tray, rear or inside-jam procedure below. Let hot internal parts cool before opening the rear or inside path.
Printed pages are curledView
Turn the stack over, use suitable paper and match Paper Type to the media. Check room humidity and temperature if curling persists.
Printed pages are smearedView
Set Paper Type to match the loaded media and avoid overly thick or rough paper.
Printouts are too lightView
For copies and received faxes, switch Toner Save off and increase Print Density under Menu, 2, 1, 7 for FAX-2845.
Machine will not turn onView
Switch off, unplug and wait ten minutes, then reconnect and switch on. If still off, switch off again and try another known working wall outlet.
Faint print4 steps
  1. Keep the toner/drum assembly level and rock it gently side to side to redistribute toner.
  2. Check exhausted toner in Continue mode, room temperature and humidity.
  3. Switch Toner Save off, clean the corona wire, then replace toner or drum as needed.
  4. Increase Print Density with Menu, 2, 1, 7.
Related instructions: Clean the corona wire
Gray backgroundView
Use suitable paper, check humidity and temperature, and clean the drum. Replace the toner, then the drum if the background remains gray.
Repeated ghost images3 steps
  1. Use suitable smooth paper and set the machine’s Paper Type to match it.
  2. Replace the toner, clean the drum and replace a damaged drum if needed.
  3. Contact Brother or the local dealer for a suspected contaminated fuser.
Toner specksView
Use suitable paper, clean the corona wire and drum surface, and replace a damaged drum. Contact Brother for a suspected contaminated fuser. Related instructions: Clean the corona wire
Hollow printView
Use suitable smooth paper, choose Thick in the machine’s Paper Type menu or try thinner paper. Check humidity and replace a damaged drum if necessary.
Entire page prints blackView
Clean the corona wire and replace a damaged drum. Ask Brother to check a contaminated fuser; do not attempt fuser repair. Related instructions: Clean the corona wire
White lines across pageView
Use suitable media and match the machine’s Paper Type. Print several pages after a long idle period. Replace the drum if the lines persist.
Horizontal lines across pageView
Clean the corona wire and drum surface. Replace the drum if horizontal lines remain. Related instructions: Clean the corona wire
White bands or ribbingView
Check temperature and humidity, clean the drum and replace it if the bands persist.
White or black spots every 94 mmView
Make ten copies of a blank white sheet. If spots persist, clean the drum surface with the documented procedure and replace a damaged drum.
Black toner marks across page2 steps
  1. Check for label adhesive on the drum, avoid paper clips or staples and consider whether direct sunlight damaged an unpacked drum.
  2. Clean the drum and replace damaged toner or drum supplies.
Black vertical lines or toner stainsView
Clean the corona wire and return its green tab to Home. Replace damaged toner or drum supplies, and contact Brother for a contaminated fuser. Related instructions: Clean the corona wire
White vertical lines2 steps
  1. Check whether exhausted toner is being used in Continue mode.
  2. Clear foreign material such as torn paper or sticky notes from around the toner/drum assembly, then replace toner or drum if needed.
Image prints at an angle4 steps
  1. Load the paper squarely without squeezing its guides or overfilling the tray.
  2. Adjust manual-feed guides when using that slot.
  3. Check paper quality and remove loose scraps.
  4. Return the two green envelope levers and the two Anti-Curl levers to their original positions.
Curled or wavy paperView
Check paper quality, temperature and humidity. Turn over and fan a stack left unused, or rotate it 180 degrees. Open the rear cover for straight-through face-up output.
Wrinkles or creasesView
Reload suitable paper correctly. Turn the stack over or rotate it 180 degrees before retrying.
Printed envelopes creaseView
Lower both green rear envelope levers while printing envelopes and restore them to their original positions afterward.
Toner does not fuse to paperView
Open the rear cover and return both green envelope levers to their upward position.
Paper remains curled2 steps
  1. Turn the stack over unless it is letterhead, then test again.
  2. If curling persists, open the rear cover, lift the designated levers and slide both gray Anti-Curl levers in the illustrated arrow direction.
Clear a document jamView
Remove loose originals, open the control-panel cover and pull the jammed sheet gently toward the front. Close the cover and press Stop/Exit.
Clear a tray paper jamView
Pull the tray completely out and gently remove jammed paper with both hands. Keep the remaining stack below the maximum mark, set its guides to the correct size and refit the tray.
Clear a rear paper jam5 steps
  1. Open the front cover and leave the machine on for ten minutes to cool.
  2. Transfer important stored faxes before switching off, then switch off and remove the toner/drum assembly.
  3. Open the rear cover and release the fuser-cover tabs.
  4. Gently remove trapped paper with both hands, then close the fuser and rear covers, refit the assembly and close the front cover.
  5. Switch on and press Start if printing does not resume.
Clear an inside paper jam6 steps
  1. Open the front cover and leave the machine on for ten minutes to cool.
  2. Transfer important stored faxes before switching off, then switch off and remove the toner/drum assembly.
  3. Release the toner from the drum with the green lock lever and clear paper inside the drum.
  4. Refit the toner until it locks.
  5. If paper remains inside the machine, remove the tray and pull it gently through the tray opening.
  6. Refit the tray and toner/drum assembly, close the front cover and switch on.
Reduce line interference or VoIP fax errors3 steps
  1. Open Menu, 2, 0, 1, choose the required Compatibility setting, press OK and Stop/Exit.
  2. Basic(for VoIP) reduces speed to 9600 bps and leaves ECM available only for sending.
  3. Try it for repeated line or VoIP transmission faults.
Reset the machine3 steps
  1. Choose Menu, 0 and Reset, select the required reset function and confirm the control-panel prompts.
  2. Choose whether to reboot afterward.
  3. A reset can clear settings, so select only the reset needed for the fault.
Transfer stored faxes before disconnecting power4 steps
  1. Set Station ID first, because fax transfer is unavailable without it.
  2. Open Menu, 9, 0, 1.
  3. If No Data appears, press Stop/Exit; otherwise enter the destination fax number and press Start.
  4. To forward the Fax Journal instead, use Menu, 9, 0, 2, enter the receiving number and press Start.

Guides

Cleaning the scanner glass

Instructions from the manual
Clean the scanner glass4 steps
  1. Transfer important stored faxes before disconnecting power, because received faxes in memory are lost.
  2. Switch off and unplug the machine and line connections as the guide directs.
  3. Open the control-panel cover and gently wipe the glass strip and adjacent white bar with a lint-free cloth dampened with water.
  4. Close the cover and reconnect before testing.

Cleaning the corona wire

Instructions from the manual
Clean the corona wire4 steps
  1. Transfer important stored faxes before disconnecting power, because received faxes in memory are lost.
  2. Open the front cover and leave the machine on for ten minutes to cool.
  3. Switch off, remove the drum/toner assembly, place it on disposable paper and avoid the electrodes.
  4. Slide the green corona-wire tab left and right several times, return it to Home, refit the assembly and close the cover.

Cleaning the document feed

Instructions from the manual
Clean the document-feed and pick-up rollers5 steps
  1. Transfer important stored faxes before disconnecting power, because received faxes in memory are lost.
  2. Switch off and disconnect the line and power.
  3. For the document feeder, open its cover and wipe the document feed with a soft dry lint-free cloth, then close.
  4. For tray feeding, remove the tray and clean both pick-up rollers and the separator pad with a well-wrung lukewarm cloth.
  5. Dry, refit and reconnect.

Replacing the toner cartridge

Instructions from the manual
Replace toner and drum9 steps
  1. Transfer important stored faxes first.
  2. Open the front cover and leave the machine on for ten minutes to cool, then switch off.
  3. Use the model’s regional supplies.
  4. Open the front cover and remove the drum/toner assembly.
  5. Release the toner with its green lock lever and fit the new cartridge or drum.
  6. Clean the corona wire, return its tab to Home and refit the assembly.
  7. For a new drum only, reset its counter after fitting.
  8. Keep toner away from flames and wash spills with cold water.
  9. Switch on after refitting and do not interrupt power while Please Wait is shown.
Related instructions: Clean the corona wire

Model details

Model and compatibility

Regional supplies
This UK/European guide lists TN-2210 and TN-2220 toner and the separate DR-2200 drum. Match the machine’s region before buying. [1]
Stored faxes
FAX-2845 loses received faxes held in memory when power is switched off. Transfer important stored faxes or the Fax Journal before disconnecting it. [1]
Print density
FAX-2845 uses Menu, 2, 1, 7 to adjust received-fax print density. The different FAX-2940 menu number is excluded. [1]

Manuals and sources

  1. Brother operation manual
  2. Brother model support and details
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