Have you encountered a technical issue with your printer? Is your Brother Printer out of warranty? Receiving messages like ‘Scan Unable AF’ or ‘Machine Error AF’? Let us help you with How to Fix Brother Printer AF.

Basically, the message ‘Scan Unable AF’ or ‘Machine Error Brother Printer AF’ occurs if there is a mechanical malfunction of the Brother Printer or paper has got jammed in between the fuser rollers. Moreover, the printer may make a grinding sound while trying to move the scan bar. It means the CIS scanner is not in right position because of a broken scanner flat cable, or a loose flat cable or a defective PCB.

Solution 1 Check for Printer Connection

Check whether the printer is accurately connected to the PC. Unplug the power cord, wait for 10 seconds and plug it back into a USB port on your PC, and switch on the printer. Connect it to your PC. Now, right click on the monitor screen and go to ‘Settings’. Click on ‘Change PC Settings’. Under ‘PC & Devices’, click on ‘Devices’. If your Brother Printer is installed, it will be listed under the Printers section. If it is not listed, then you will have to install the printer.

Solution 2 Reinstall the Driver

Go to the Brother Printer website and search for your printer driver under ‘Support & Downloads’. You will have to select your region, printer model and operating system, and agree to the ‘End-user License Agreement (EULA) before you get to download the latest version of drivers. Once the driver is downloaded, click on it to start the installation process. Follow the installation steps, and restart the PC when the installation is complete. If you see the date and time appear on display, then the issue is resolved. And, if the printer LCD still displays ‘Scan Unable AF’ or ‘Machine Error AF’, then it’s time to get the printer serviced.

Solution 3 Verify and Transfer Faxes in Memory

It is advisable to transfer the faxes in memory to another fax machine or a PC. Whenever an error message like ‘Scan Unable xx’, No Tray’, display on the LCD screen, you will automatically receive the menu option. Press Menu, and then 9, 0, 1. If there are NO faxes in memory, the LCD will display ‘No Data’. – If there are faxes in memory, you can transfer the faxes in memory to another fax machine or to a PC.

Solution 4 Reconnect scanner flat cable to the main PCB (printed circuit board)

Open the cover of the printer scanner. Unlock the blue support and bend the scanner towards support (‘L’) open the small cover which will be found in the middle and goes to the left side. You will find a white flat cable beneath it. Check for the flat cable connection, if it’s loose or unplugged; fix this cable into the main circuit board. Reconnect and turn on the printer again.

 However, if you still receive the Brother Printer Error Message “Unable to Unit AF”, then it’s time to get the technical support from the manufacturer.