How to Check Brother Printer Ink Levels?

Nothing is more frustrating than your Brother printer suddenly stopping and flashing a frustrating “Ink Empty” warning while you’re printing important documents or precious photos. Regularly checking your printer’s ink levels is key to avoiding this. This blog will detail how to check your Brother printer ink levels. We’ll cover methods for Windows 10, Windows 11, macOS, and mobile apps to ensure you find the right method for your device.

Why You Should Regularly Check Your Ink Levels?

Proactive ink management isn’t just about convenience; it’s about improving efficiency and print quality.

1. Avoid Printing Interruptions: When printing time-sensitive documents, jobs, or boarding passes, avoid last-minute panic.
2. Maintain Prin
   t Quality: Low ink levels often result in streaks, faded colors, and blurry text. Knowing your ink levels allows you to replace cartridges before print quality deteriorates.
3. Plan Your Purchases: Knowing which ink cartridges are about to run out allows you to order replacements in advance, avoiding expensive express shipping fees or purchasing overpriced off-the-shelf cartridges.
4. Prevent Printhead Clogs: For printers with integrated printheads, completely emptying cartridges exposes the printhead to air, increasing the risk of clogging, which can be costly to repair.

How to Check Brother Printer Ink Levels on Windows 10 and Windows 11?

Because Windows 10 and Windows 11 have similar setup architectures, the operation process is almost identical. These printer driver software programs display ink levels in the most accurate and intuitive way. This works for all Brother printers, whether they have a screen or only buttons.

1. Open Windows Settings. Click the Start menu, then select the “Settings” gear icon.
2. Navigate to Printers:

• In Windows 11: Go to “Bluetooth & devices” > “Printers & scanners.”
• In Windows 10: Go to “Devices” > “Printers & scanners.”

1. Find and click your Brother printer in the list.
2. Click the “Open print queue” button. A new window will appear displaying the current print job.
3. In this new window, click “Printer” in the top menu bar. Select “Properties” from the drop-down menu.
4. Locate the tab named “Maintenance,” “Status,” or “Tools.” Click it. On this tab, you’ll find a prominent button such as “Ink Levels,” “Estimated Ink,” or “View Printer Status.”
5. Clicking this button will launch the Brother Status Monitoring utility. A clear, color-coded window will pop up displaying the estimated remaining ink percentage for each cartridge.

Alternative Method (via Control Panel):

You can also check your ink levels through the printer driver in the Control Panel:

Search for “Control Panel” in the Start menu, set the “View by” to “Large icons,” select “Devices and Printers,” right-click your Brother printer, and select “Printing Preferences.” The remaining steps are the same.

How to Check Brother Printer Ink Levels on a Mac?

macOS has a built-in, simplified way to check supply levels that works seamlessly with Brother printers.

1. Open System Settings/Preferences:

• On macOS Ventura and newer: Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner and select “System Settings.”
• On macOS Monterey and older: Click the Apple logo and select “System Preferences.”

1. Go to Printers & Scanners:

• In System Settings: Scroll down the left sidebar and click “Printers & Scanners.”
• In System Preferences: Click the “Printers & Scanners” icon.

1. Select Your Brother Printer: From the list on the left, select your Brother printer.
2. Check Supply Levels: Click the “Options & Supplies…” button. In the new window that opens, navigate to the “Supplies” tab. Here, you will see a visual representation and the percentage remaining for each installed ink cartridge.

How to Check Brother Printer Ink Levels Using the Mobile App?

For ultimate convenience, you can also use the official Brother app to check your Brother printer ink levels directly on your smartphone or tablet.

1. Download the Official App: Search for and install “Brother iPrint&Scan” from the Apple App Store (for iOS) or Google Play Store (for Android).
2. Connect to the Same Network: Connect your mobile device and Brother printer to the same Wi-Fi network.
3. Launch the App and Add Your Printer: Open the Brother iPrint&Scan app. It will typically automatically search for and list available Brother printers on the network. If it doesn’t find yours automatically, look for a “+” or “Search” button to add it manually.
4. View the Status: Once your printer is connected and displayed in the app, look for a menu option labeled “Status,” “Printer Status,” or “Supply Info.” Tapping on this will bring up a detailed screen showing the remaining levels for all ink cartridges.

Refer to How to Connect Epson Printer to WiFi for instructions on how to wirelessly connect your Brother printer.

Other Handy Methods to Check Ink Levels

In addition to device-specific methods, here are two other ways to check your Brother printer’s ink levels.

Using the Printer’s Control Panel

If your printer is a Brother printer with a touchscreen, this is the most straightforward and simplest method. Simply press the “Ink” or “Status” button on your Brother printer’s control panel. The LCD screen will display an estimated level for each color, usually in the form of a bar graph.

Printing a Status Report

If your printer only has buttons, a print report will always tell you the ink levels. With the printer powered on and paper loaded, press and hold the “Ink” button for about 5-7 seconds. The printer will automatically print a status or supplies report containing a bar graph showing the remaining ink levels.

Troubleshooting Ink Level Issues with Brother Printers

1. The ink levels show “Empty” or “Not Recognized.” What should I do?

• Check the Cartridge: If you are using third-party or refilled ink cartridges, this may cause communication errors. Contact your supplier for assistance.
• Clean the Contacts: Dust may accumulate on the metal contacts inside the ink cartridges and printer. Gently wipe them with a clean, dry, lint-free cloth.
• Restart and Reinstall: Turn the printer off and then back on. If the problem persists, try removing and reinstalling the ink cartridges. If none of the above methods work, try reinstalling the printer driver.

2. How accurate are the ink level indicators?

It’s important to note that the ink level displayed is an estimate, not an actual measurement. The printer calculates the ink level based on the number of pages printed and the number of cleaning cycles.

While an ink level display of “0%” can be a reliable reference for when to replace the ink cartridge, it’s not absolutely accurate. Even if the ink level shows “0%”, you can still continue printing a certain number of pages.

3. Are there any tips for saving ink?

• Use Economy Mode: For draft documents, always select “Draft” or “Economy” mode in print settings.
• Preview Before Printing: Using print preview helps avoid printing errors and reprints.
• Print in Grayscale: If you only need black and white documents, change the setting to print using only the black ink cartridge.
• Limit Printhead Cleaning: Only run the printhead cleaning program when print quality is significantly poor, as this program consumes a large amount of ink.

Conclusion

Keeping track of your Brother printer’s ink levels is a simple yet effective habit that ensures smooth printing. As we’ve shown, there’s a method for every situation. With this guide, you can confidently monitor your supplies, plan ahead, and never worry about running out of ink again.