78
Brother Printer
Severity:What Does This Error Mean?
Error 78 is a warning that the waste ink absorber pad is nearly full. The printer can still print for now, but it will stop when the pad is completely full (error 77). Plan to get the absorber replaced or reset the counter soon.
Affected Models
- Brother MFC-J480DW
- Brother MFC-J680DW
- Brother MFC-J880DW
- Brother MFC-J6935DW
- Brother DCP-J572DW
Common Causes
- The waste ink absorber has absorbed ink from many years of cleaning cycles
- The printer's internal waste ink counter has reached the near-full warning threshold
- Frequent print head cleaning operations have filled the pad faster than average
- Heavy print volume has generated significant amounts of waste ink
- The printer was used frequently for photo printing, which uses more ink
How to Fix It
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Continue printing carefully. Error 78 allows printing — it is a warning, not a shutdown.
However, be aware the pad is nearly full. Do not run unnecessary head cleaning cycles.
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Avoid running print head cleaning cycles unless print quality is actually poor.
Every cleaning cycle adds more waste ink to the pad — unnecessary cleaning speeds up the pad fill rate.
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Contact a Brother service center to schedule a waste ink pad replacement.
This is the permanent fix that will clear error 78 and prevent it from becoming error 77.
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Alternatively, research a counter reset tool for your Brother model.
A reset tool resets the software counter, giving you more time, but does not empty the physical pad.
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If you use a counter reset, plan to get the pad physically replaced within a few months.
A full pad that overflows can leak ink onto the circuit board and permanently damage the printer.
When to Call a Professional
Error 78 is a warning — the printer will continue working for now. Use this time to book a service appointment or research a counter reset tool. Brother service centers replace the absorber pad for $50 to $100.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between error 77 and error 78?
Error 78 is the near-full warning — the printer keeps working. Error 77 means the pad is completely full — the printer stops. Error 78 is your advance notice to take action before error 77 shuts the printer down.
How much printing can I do after error 78 appears?
It depends on how you use the printer. If you avoid unnecessary cleaning cycles and print text documents, you may have weeks or months left. If you print photos or run cleanings frequently, the pad could fill up very quickly.
Is a counter reset safe to do on my own?
The counter reset is software-only and is safe to perform. Be aware that the physical pad is still full of ink. The reset just tells the printer the counter is at zero — it does not clean or empty the pad.