Brother MFC Printer Not Printing Black - Fix Guide

Brother MFC Printer Won't Print Black Despite Full Ink Cartridges

Oct 25, 2026 3 min read 225 views

You just replaced all the ink cartridges on your Brother MFC printer, but when you print a test page, magenta, cyan, and yellow show up fine while black is completely missing. This is a frustrating problem, especially when the ink level shows full. But do not worry â€” this is a common issue with Brother inkjet printers and it is almost always fixable.

Here are the most effective methods to get your Brother printer printing black again.

Check the Breather Tape on the Cartridge

This is the most overlooked cause. Every new Brother ink cartridge has a small strip of tape on top called the breather tape or shipping tape. This tape keeps the ink vacuum-sealed inside the cartridge during shipping. If you do not remove this tape before installing the cartridge, the ink stays sealed and cannot flow to the printhead.

Remove the black cartridge, look at the top, and check if there is any tape or label still attached. Peel it off completely, reinsert the cartridge firmly until it clicks, and try printing again.

Reseat the Black Ink Cartridge

Even if you installed the cartridge correctly, it might not be making proper contact with the printhead. Open the ink cartridge cover, press the release lever to remove the black cartridge, and then push it back in firmly. You should hear a click when it locks into place. Close the cover and print a test page.

Clean the Printhead

If your Brother printer was sitting idle for weeks or months, dried ink can clog the printhead nozzles. The black nozzle is usually the first to clog because it is used most frequently.

Run the built-in cleaning cycle from your printer:

Go to Menu on the printer control panel
Select Ink or Ink Management
Choose Cleaning and select Black only
Let the cleaning cycle complete and print a test page

You can run this up to 3 times. Do not run more than 3 cleaning cycles as it wastes ink and can damage the printhead. If the nozzle check pattern still shows gaps in black after 3 cleans, try a manual cleaning.

Manual Printhead Cleaning

For stubborn clogs, remove the printhead assembly from the printer. Soak the bottom of the printhead in about half an inch of warm distilled water for 10 to 15 minutes. The water should turn dark as the dried ink dissolves. Pat the printhead dry with a lint-free cloth, reinstall it, and run one more cleaning cycle.

Check If the Cartridge Is Faulty

Sometimes a brand new cartridge can be defective right out of the box. If none of the above steps work, try replacing the black cartridge with another new one. Make sure you buy genuine Brother cartridges or high-quality compatible ones. Cheap third-party cartridges can cause printhead damage and inconsistent printing.

Prevent This Problem in the Future

Print regularly: Print at least a few pages every week to keep ink flowing through the nozzles
Use quality ink: Stick with genuine Brother cartridges or reputable compatible brands
Keep the printer cool: Do not place the printer near windows or heat sources â€” warm environments cause ink to dry and congeal faster inside the printhead
Replace cartridges promptly: When the low ink warning appears, replace the cartridge soon. Printing on near-empty cartridges can permanently damage the printhead

Brother Printer Not Printing Black FAQ

Q1. Can a clogged printhead be permanently damaged on a Brother printer? Ans: Yes, if a printhead stays clogged for too long or if you run excessive cleaning cycles, the nozzles can get permanently damaged. Brother MFC printers use a built-in printhead that is not user-replaceable on most models, which means a permanently damaged printhead often means replacing the entire printer. If regular cleaning does not fix the clog, try the warm water soak method before giving up on the printhead.

Q2. Should I use genuine Brother cartridges or compatible ones? Ans: Both can work well, but genuine Brother cartridges are guaranteed to be compatible and will not void your warranty. If you choose compatible cartridges, buy from a reputable brand that uses high-quality ink. Avoid the cheapest options as low-quality ink can clog the printhead and cause the exact problem you are trying to fix. Never use refilled cartridges from unknown sources.

Q3. How often should I print to prevent Brother printer ink from drying? Ans: Printing at least one page with all colors once a week is enough to keep the ink flowing and prevent nozzle clogs. If you know you will not be using the printer for more than two weeks, print a full color test page before the idle period starts. This keeps fresh ink in the nozzles and reduces the chance of drying.

Q4. Can I print using only color ink if my Brother printer refuses to print black? Ans: Yes, as a temporary workaround you can change your document text color to a very dark navy blue or dark gray and print in color mode. The printer will use a combination of cyan, magenta, and yellow to produce a near-black output. In your print settings, select Color instead of Grayscale. This is not a permanent solution and the composite black will not look as sharp as true black ink, but it works when you need to print something urgently while troubleshooting the black cartridge issue.