- Printers
- Inkjet printer
cannot-print-refill
Brother Cannot Print Refill on an inkjet printer: ink low
Risk level
Low
Usually safe to check without specialist tools.
Urgency
Medium
Quick answer
The ink in one or more tanks is low and the printer has stopped all printing. Look at the real level through the tank window, refill the indicated colour up to the upper line and press Yes only for the colours you refilled.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- Do not press Yes for colours you did not refill: Brother says to answer No for those, because Yes resets the counter.
Safe checks you can perform
- Real level in the tank window
- Refill to the upper line
- Per colour confirmation on screen
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: Ink counter review
- Do not attempt this professional task: Print check after refilling
What a technician must be able to justify
Technician visit
These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.
These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.
Ink counter review
What they doIf the message does not clear after refilling and confirming the right colour, Brother service checks the machine's ink dot counter.
They must show youthe tank levels and the counter status after their check.
In writingwhat they adjusted and a correct test print.
Print check after refilling
What they doIf prints come out with missing colours after refilling, Brother service checks ink supply to the print head.
They must show youa check sheet before and after.
In writingthe diagnosis and any part replaced.
Before accepting a part or repair
Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.
Follow these steps
Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.
Real level in the tank window
- Who:
- you, opening nothing but the ink tank cover.
- How:
- look through the window of the tank for colour [X] shown on the screen and compare the level with the marked lines.
- Result that matters:
- whether the ink is at or below the lower line.
- If it is low:
- refill that tank.
- If plenty of ink is visible:
- the counter may be out of step; do not overfill.
- Evidence to keep:
- photo of the tanks with the level visible.
Evidence: Brother DCP-T520W to MFC-T925DW Online User's Guide - Error and Maintenance Messages
Refill to the upper line
- Who:
- you, with a Brother ink bottle of the indicated colour.
- How:
- fill the tank up to the upper line, or empty the whole bottle if it does not go past that line. Close the ink tank cover until it locks.
- Result that matters:
- the tank filled without passing the upper line.
- If the screen asks about colours:
- go on to the confirmation.
- If ink spills outside:
- clean it before going on.
- Evidence to keep:
- photo of the tank after refilling.
Evidence: Brother DCP-T520W to MFC-T925DW Online User's Guide - Error and Maintenance Messages
Per colour confirmation on screen
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- when the screen asks whether you refilled each colour, press Yes only for the colour you refilled and No for the others.
- Result that matters:
- the message clears and the printer prints again.
- If it prints:
- low ink was the problem.
- If the message stays with the tank full:
- contact Brother service.
- Evidence to keep:
- note of which colours you confirmed with Yes.
Evidence: Brother DCP-T520W to MFC-T925DW Online User's Guide - Error and Maintenance Messages
Still not solved
If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.
Where this code applies
A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.
Primary scope
- System
- Printers
- Brand
- Brother
- Product type
- Inkjet printer
Known code variants
- Brother Cannot Print Refill
- Brother Cannot Print Refill X
- Brother DCP-T Recargar tinta
- Brother DCP-T refill ink message
- Brother No se puede imprimir Recarga
- Cannot Print Refill Brother
- No se puede imprimir Recargar Brother
What it means
On the DCP-T and MFC-T models, Brother says Cannot Print Refill [X] appears when the remaining ink in one or more tanks is low; the machine stops all print operations, though you can still scan. The level is estimated by an ink dot counter, and Brother warns the message can appear with ink left if the counter is incorrect. That is why the real level in the tank must be checked. After refilling, the screen asks about each colour so its counter can be reset.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Lowsource verified
Do not press Yes for colours you did not refill: Brother says to answer No for those, because Yes resets the counter.
Evidence: Brother DCP-T520W to MFC-T925DW Online User's Guide - Error and Maintenance Messages
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- Tank low on inkCommon
This is the cause Brother gives. It is confirmed if the visible level in tank [X] is at or below the lower line.
Evidence: Brother DCP-T520W to MFC-T925DW Online User's Guide - Error and Maintenance Messages
- Ink dot counter out of stepPossible
Brother warns the message may appear with ink remaining if the counter is incorrect, for example after a wrong answer following an earlier refill.
Evidence: Brother DCP-T520W to MFC-T925DW Online User's Guide - Error and Maintenance Messages
Virtual technician
Does cannot-print-refill still appear after these checks?
Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.
Sources and technical references
- 1
Brother DCP-T520W to MFC-T925DW Online User's Guide - Error and Maintenance Messages
Brother Industries, Ltd. · official_doc
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