When your Brother printer displays the “Ink Absorber Pad Full” error message, it means that the internal ink absorber or flushing box needs to be replaced. This component collects excess ink during the printer’s cleaning and purging cycles, and the frequency of these cycles determines how quickly the absorber pad fills up.
Factors Affecting Ink Absorber Pad Life
Several factors can influence the lifespan of the ink absorber pad:
Initial purge during ink cartridge installation
Automatic cleaning after paper jams or extended periods of inactivity
Frequent cleaning due to clogged print heads, often caused by using non-Brother inks
Number of pages printed over the printer’s expected lifetime
Replacing the Ink Absorber Pad
When the “Ink Absorber Pad Full” error appears, you have a few options:
Contact Brother support for further assistance and instructions on replacing the ink absorber pad. This is the recommended course of action, as the pad is not user-replaceable.
As a temporary fix, you can continue printing by resetting the ink absorber counter. However, this should only be done if you are waiting for a replacement part and cannot print at all. Resetting the counter will allow you to print for a while longer, but the pad will eventually fill up again.
If your printer is out of warranty, it may be more cost-effective to purchase a new printer rather than replacing the ink absorber pad through Brother’s service center. Printer prices have become more affordable, making them a disposable item in some cases.
To reset the ink absorber counter, you’ll need to access the printer’s maintenance mode. The exact steps vary by model, but generally involve holding down specific buttons in a specific sequence. Refer to your printer’s manual or contact Brother support for the exact reset procedure.
It’s important to note that resetting the counter does not actually replace the physical ink absorber pad. It simply resets the printer’s internal counter, allowing you to continue printing until the pad fills up again.