How to fix a “cannot print” or “cannot detect” error on a Brother MFC-495CW

I have been having some very frustrating problems recently with my almost brand-new (one month old) Brother MFC-495CW Wireless all-in-one color printer. One day, I choked the power bar because the computer was frozen, and when I turned the power bar back on, the printer went “BEEP BEEP BEEEEP”.

I got up and went to look at the printer, and what do I see? This stupid message:



I decided to use some black electrical tape to cover up the cartridges’ small ‘window’, so the printer would see it as full. Here is an image of the window:


And here is the window with some electrical tape over it:



I did the same thing for all the other cartridges that weren’t working, and the problem is now fixed! As a side note, you may have noticed that in the first image, of the error on the screen only the black cartridge had an error. This is because I only had the idea of posting this tutorial on my blog AFTER fixing the other two cartridges. Anyway, here is the ink volume screen after this fix:


Now, the printer thinks that all the cartridges are full. Beware though, I have heard that is not good to run the printer on a cartridge that has only air inside it, as it may damage the print head. So after applying this fix, replace the ink cartridges when you notice the ink quality is beginning to degrade.


Now, the maintenance mode:


To get into maintenance mode with this printer, while the printer is on hold down the menu button. Now, unplug the printer, and DO NOT take your finger off the button. With your finger still on the button, plug the printer back in. When the printer displays “MAINTENANCE” on the screen, you may remove your finger. To use maintenance mode, enter one of these codes, and press BLACK START. To exit, type in 99.


01 Full RAM clear (see 91 below for retaining user programming)
02 scanner initialize (feed a white sheet, then a black sheet)
05 white level
09 print test
10 modify soft switches
11 print configuration list
16 panel test
19 CML test
20 signal test
21 tonal test
23 filter RX
54 scan edge
55 scanner area
66 test print memo
75 display drum life (if enabled on laser models)
76 reset drum life counter (laser models)
91 parameter initialize (user programming remains intact)
95 protection
99 Exit maintenance mode

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Thank you for reading this tutorial, and please tell me if you don’t understand something I said.