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Brother Printer Says "No Paper" But Paper Is There? How to Fix It

Last updated: March 2026

The "no paper" error on Brother printers when paper is clearly loaded is one of the most frustrating printer problems. You can see the paper right there in the tray, but your Brother printer insists there's no paper. This usually happens because of a mismatch in settings or a mechanical issue with the paper sensors or pickup rollers.

Let's walk through the fixes that work most often, starting with the simplest solutions first.

In This Guide:

  • How to match paper size settings between computer and printer
  • How to clean or replace worn pickup rollers
  • How to fix or clean the paper present sensor
  • How to properly load paper to avoid detection issues

Fix #1: Check Paper Size Settings Match

Press the Menu button on your printer, navigate to General Setup or Tray Settings, and set the paper size to match the actual paper loaded (Letter, A4, Legal, etc.). The most common cause of the "no paper" error is a mismatch between the paper size you selected on your computer and the paper size configured on the printer.

Steps to Fix on Printer:

  1. 1. Press the "Menu" or "Settings" button on your Brother printer
  2. 2. Navigate to "General Setup" or "Tray Settings"
  3. 3. Select "Paper Size" or "Paper Type"
  4. 4. Set it to match the actual paper loaded (Letter, A4, Legal, etc.)
  5. 5. Press "OK" to save

Steps to Fix on Computer (Windows):

  1. 1. When you go to print, click "Print" or "Printer Properties"
  2. 2. Look for "Page Setup" or "Paper/Quality" tab
  3. 3. Find the "Paper Size" dropdown
  4. 4. Select the same size you configured on the printer
  5. 5. Also check "Paper Source" is set to the correct tray
  6. 6. Try printing again

Why This Works:

Brother printers check if the paper size in the print job matches what the printer thinks is loaded. If you're trying to print Letter size but the printer is set to A4, it will say "no paper" even though paper is loaded. The printer is protecting you from printing on the wrong size paper.

Fix #2: Reload the Paper Correctly

Remove all paper from the tray, fan the stack to separate sheets, adjust the paper guides to touch the edges without squeezing, and push the tray in until it clicks. How you load paper matters because improper seating prevents the paper sensors from detecting it.

Proper Loading Steps:

  1. 1. Remove all paper from the tray
  2. 2. Fan the paper stack to separate any sheets that are stuck together
  3. 3. Tap the stack on a flat surface to align the edges
  4. 4. Don't load more than about 100 sheets (check your printer's max capacity)
  5. 5. Place the paper in the tray with the print side down (for most Brother printers)
  6. 6. Adjust the paper guides so they touch the edges of the paper but aren't squeezing it tightly
  7. 7. Make sure the paper is sitting flat, not curled or bent
  8. 8. Push the tray all the way in until it clicks

Important:

Don't overfill the paper tray. If the stack is too high, the pickup rollers can't grab the paper properly and the sensor thinks there's no paper. Keep the stack below the maximum fill line marked on the tray.

Fix #3: Clean the Pickup Rollers

Turn off and unplug your printer, remove the paper tray, dampen a lint-free cloth with distilled water or alcohol, and gently wipe the rubber pickup rollers while rotating them with your finger. The pickup rollers get covered in paper dust over time and lose their grip.

What You'll Need:

  • Lint-free cloth or coffee filter
  • Distilled water or isopropyl alcohol (70% or higher)

Steps:

  1. 1. Turn off and unplug your Brother printer
  2. 2. Remove the paper tray completely
  3. 3. Look inside where the tray goes. You'll see small gray or black rubber rollers
  4. 4. Dampen your cloth with distilled water or alcohol (don't soak it)
  5. 5. Gently wipe the rubber pickup rollers to remove dust and debris
  6. 6. Rotate the rollers with your finger while wiping to clean the entire surface
  7. 7. Let the rollers air dry for 10 minutes
  8. 8. Reinstall the paper tray and try printing

Why This Works:

Paper dust builds up on the rollers and makes them slippery. When the rollers can't grip the paper, they spin without pulling any sheets. The printer's mechanism tries to pull paper, fails, and reports "no paper" because no paper made it past the rollers.

Fix #4: Check the Paper Present Sensor

Remove the paper tray, locate the small plastic lever or tab inside the tray slot, push it with your finger to ensure it moves freely, and clean around it with canned air. Brother printers have a small sensor that detects whether paper is in the tray.

Steps:

  1. 1. Remove the paper tray
  2. 2. Look inside the tray slot. Find a small plastic lever or tab (usually white or gray)
  3. 3. This is the paper present sensor. It should move freely when you push it with your finger
  4. 4. If it's stuck, gently move it back and forth to free it
  5. 5. Clean around the sensor with canned air to remove any dust or debris
  6. 6. Make sure the sensor springs back to its original position when released
  7. 7. Reinstall the paper tray

Caution:

Be gentle with the sensor. It's a small plastic part that can break if forced. If the sensor is broken or doesn't spring back, you may need to contact Brother support for a replacement part or professional repair.

Fix #5: Replace Worn Pickup Rollers

Order replacement pickup rollers for your specific Brother printer model online, follow the installation instructions included with the rollers, or contact Brother support for professional replacement. If your Brother printer has printed thousands of pages, the pickup rollers might be worn out and cleaning won't help.

How to Tell If Rollers Need Replacement:

  • The rubber feels hard instead of soft and grippy
  • The roller surface looks shiny or glazed
  • Cleaning the rollers didn't solve the "no paper" error
  • The printer frequently feeds multiple sheets at once

Steps to Replace:

  1. 1. Search for "Brother [your model] pickup roller" on Brother's parts website or Amazon
  2. 2. Order the correct replacement roller kit for your model
  3. 3. Follow the instructions included with the replacement kit
  4. 4. Most rollers can be replaced by removing a small clip or screw
  5. 5. After replacing, test with a few sheets of paper

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • ✗Don't overfill the paper tray: Loading too much paper prevents proper pickup and sensor detection.
  • ✗Don't mix paper sizes in one tray: Use only one size per tray and configure the printer accordingly.
  • ✗Don't use damaged or curled paper: Bent or wrinkled paper won't feed properly and confuses the sensors.
  • ✗Don't force the paper sensor: If it's stuck, clean around it gently instead of forcing it to move.

How to Prevent This Problem

  • ✓Store paper properly: Keep paper in its original wrapper in a cool, dry place to prevent curling.
  • ✓Clean pickup rollers monthly: Regular cleaning prevents dust buildup that causes feeding problems.
  • ✓Fan paper before loading: This separates sheets and helps rollers grab individual pages.
  • ✓Match paper settings: Always configure both printer and computer with the same paper size.
  • ✓Replace rollers when needed: If your printer has printed 20,000+ pages, consider replacing the pickup rollers preventatively.

Still Getting "No Paper" Errors on Your Brother Printer?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Brother printer say no paper when there is paper?

The "no paper" error when paper is loaded usually happens because of a paper size mismatch between your computer and printer settings, dirty or worn pickup rollers that can't grab the paper, or a stuck paper sensor. Sometimes the paper isn't loaded correctly or the tray is overfilled, preventing proper detection.

How often should I clean Brother printer pickup rollers?

Clean your pickup rollers at least once a month if you print frequently (more than 500 pages per month), or every three months for light use. If you notice paper feeding problems like the "no paper" error, multiple sheets feeding at once, or paper jams, clean the rollers immediately regardless of when you last cleaned them.

Can I use any paper with my Brother printer?

Brother printers work with most standard copy paper, but very thin paper (below 16 lb), very thick paper (over 32 lb), or specialty papers can cause feeding problems. Use paper within your printer's recommended weight range (usually 20-24 lb for regular printing). Avoid paper that's damp, curled, or has been stored improperly.

What is the paper present sensor and where is it?

The paper present sensor is a small plastic lever or tab inside the paper tray slot that tells the printer whether paper is loaded. When paper is in the tray, it pushes this sensor. If the sensor is stuck, broken, or dirty, the printer can't detect paper even when the tray is full. You can usually see it by removing the paper tray and looking inside.

How do I know if my pickup rollers need to be replaced?

Replace pickup rollers if they feel hard instead of rubbery, have a shiny or glazed appearance, or if cleaning them doesn't fix paper feeding problems. Most Brother printer rollers last 20,000 to 50,000 pages depending on the model. If you've printed this many pages and are having frequent "no paper" errors or jams, replacement is likely needed.

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