Brother Printer Error Code 36 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Error 36 means the print head in your Brother printer has overheated. The print head reached a temperature that is unsafe for continued operation. The printer has stopped automatically to prevent damage — you need to let it cool down.

Affected Models

Brother MFC-J Series
Brother DCP-J Series
Brother MFC-J6945DW
Brother MFC-J5945DW
Brother INKvestment Tank Series

Common Causes

The printer ran a very large print job without any rest period, causing the print head to overheat
The printer was used in a hot room or in direct sunlight, raising the ambient temperature beyond safe limits
The ventilation slots on the printer are blocked by dust, a wall, or objects placed too close to the machine
A partially clogged print head is working harder than normal, generating more heat with each pass
The print head temperature sensor has failed and is reporting incorrect readings, causing the error

How to Fix It

Stop all print jobs immediately. Press the Stop/Exit button on the control panel and then power the printer off.

Do not leave the printer running or in sleep mode — power it completely off to allow the print head to cool.
Unplug the printer and move it to a cool, open area if it is in a warm or enclosed space.

Leave at least 6 inches of clearance on all sides so air can circulate around the printer body.
Wait at least 30 to 45 minutes for the print head to return to a safe operating temperature.

The printer chassis should feel cool or barely warm to the touch before you plug it back in.
While waiting, check that the ventilation slots on the sides and back of the printer are clear of dust. Blow them out with compressed air if needed.

Clogged vents trap heat inside the printer and can cause overheating on every large print job.
Plug the printer back in and power it on. Print a test page. If the printer works, break large jobs into smaller batches going forward.

If error 36 returns within a few minutes of light printing, the print head sensor may be faulty — contact Brother support.

When to Call a Professional

If the printer cools down and returns to normal, no repair is needed. If error 36 appears again very quickly with light printing in a cool room, the print head or its temperature sensor may be failing. Brother print head replacement costs $40 to $80 for the part. Contact Brother support or an authorized service center.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many pages can I print before the Brother printer overheats?

This depends on the model and room temperature. In a cool room (below 72°F / 22°C), most Brother inkjet printers can handle 100 or more pages in a session. In a warm room or with heavy coverage documents, take a 10-minute break every 50 pages to prevent overheating.

Can I speed up the cooling process?

You can place the printer near an air conditioning vent or fan. Do not use ice or cold packs — rapid temperature change can cause condensation inside the printer. Room-temperature airflow is the safest and most effective way to cool the print head.

Will overheating permanently damage my Brother printer?

A single overheating episode that is caught by the automatic shutdown (error 36) usually does not cause permanent damage. However, repeated overheating events can degrade the print head nozzles and reduce print quality over time. Always allow adequate cooling time and avoid printing excessively long jobs in warm environments.