Brother MFC-J4510DW: How to Clear the Ink Absorber Full Message/Error

PLEASE NOTE: The introduction is important for this one, but instructions start at 1:19.

In this tutorial we show you how to reset the purge counter on a Brother MFC-J4510DW. This is commonly used to resolve the "Ink Absorber Full" or "Ink Absorber Almost Full' message/error on the Brother MFC-J4510DW.

Whilst this reset has been performed on a Brother MFC-J4510DW, this procedure can be performed on many other Brother inkjet printers with a touchscreen display. If it worked for you, please let us know in a comment below.

[Barbara-pzky]

Just followed your instructions and went to places I didn’t know about lol…still got ink absorber full message and realizing this machine is 11 yrs old will probably replace rather than trying to fix…thanks!

[lynnebyx]

Works for J47 too. The only difference is that instead of showing "Maintenance" 2 times, it showed "Error ##" (forgot the numbers), but I just went ahead with the next entries and it worked like a charm. I was just shopping online for a new printer when I tried a search and your video popped right up. Super clear instructions. Thanks mate! Lynn (USA)

[twatripp]

Thanks you. Cleared the warning. Cardboard under printer for now. 10 years of great service. Printer doesn't owe me a thing!

[krishansaxena]

Can we replace the ink absorber in Brother MFC-J4510DW Printer? How difficult it is? And where I can buy the replacement ink absorber? Is there a youtube video for replacing the ink absorber.

[utubermax]

Thanks. The procedure also seems to work on an MFC4710DW, but in my case it still hasn't removed 'absorber near-full' notification.

[stevehorton]

Thanks for the video. This method worked for a few months but still put up an error message that could be cleared by the X button which would allow printing. This continued even after removing and cleaning the ink absorber pads. Eventually the printer would not print at all, putting a ! indication on the front panel. At this point I went further down the 'ink' maintenance list and found a MACHINE ERR_1:46 message. Entering 2783 to clear this message appeared to clear the error and permitted printing again. I don't know how long this will work for but may help other users!

[robc]

Thanks for sharing this excellent guidance. It does work, but only for so many times, as effectively what you are telling and trying to trick the printer into thinking that the ink absorber pad isn’t full, but in reality it is, and somehow the software has other means of determining you are trying to cheat it.
My printer is coming up for 10 years old soon, and despite it’s had its quirks and drove me nuts at times with its random operation and going offline for no apparent reason necessitating a long winded reboot process, overall I can’t complain too much that I haven’t had my money’s worth from the old gal!

[neglectedloves]

Brilliant! That just saved me 140€ for a new printer or an expensive repair! I know it's just postponed and borrowed time, but at least I can go on for some time 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[BradfordGuy]

This also works for the Brother Printer: *MFC J4310DW.* Not sure of the others.
Thanks for the help!

[petoneoldboy]

Thanks. Easy to follow instructional video. Unfortunately my alert msg came straight back after printer reset. 😞

[micheleroels]

Thanks for the information. Will this also works on 'printer brother MFC-250C'?

[engelsg]

This worked for an MFC j4310dw but it still says ink absorber near full, and I had to re-do it a couple months later when the purge counter was only at 198. Is there some other counter that needs to be reset?

[jairobautista]

Thank you, this was very helpful. the printer came back to life.

[dianeferrell]

Thank you. So simple with your great instructions. Prior to your video I was completely clueless.

[kimbruch]

Help! I don't have a purge count in my menu choices: I have reset count which 0000; Sen Purge 190; purge 06988; page 000026456. I've tried this code combo with all those setting and nothing is clearing out the Ink Pad absorber is full. I have replaced the ink pad. I don't want to purchase a new printer as this one is a beast and I love it.

[detleffuhrmann]

Thank you so much! It worked perfectly so I could finish what I needed to print.

[micheleyhemmings]

The purge counter was reset but I am getting the error message still that the ink absorber is "almost full". I actually took the machine apart and cleaned the ink absorber. Any tips?

[MaxwellGeorge-oz]

Hi. And thanks very much for this video. I have a Brother MFC-J4620DW and these instuctions have also worked the rectify the same absorber full problem.

[jaquelinereidcarbonell]

Thanks you, very much.For the easy explanation and the big support. It´s work again.

[snakeperley]

I used this video and it did work. Ty for that info! The funny thing is, I had no idea this could happen to a printer that was barely used!
It came on again so I got new one