Brother MFC-J491DW, MFC-J497DW Manual

User's Guides and Where to Find Them

For the Latest Driver Updates

Go to your model's Downloads page on the Brother Solutions Center at support.brother.com to download drivers. To keep your machine's performance up-to-date, check there for the latest firmware upgrades.

Questions or Problems?

Take a Look at our FAQs, Solutions, and Videos Online

Go to your model's FAQs & Troubleshooting page on the Brother Solutions Center at support.brother.com.

• Provides several ways to search
• Displays related questions for more information
• Receives regular updates based on customer feedback

General Information

Control Panel Overview

1. 1.8" Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
   Displays messages to help you set up and use the machine.
2. Mode buttons
   
   FAX
   Press to switch the machine to Fax mode.
   
   SCAN
   Press to switch the machine to Scan mode.
   
   COPY
   Press to switch the machine to Copy mode.
   
   WEB
   Press to switch the machine to Web mode.
3. Settings buttons
   
   Clear/Back
   Press to go back to the previous menu level.
   
   Settings
   Press to access the main menu.
   OK
   Press to select a setting.
   or
   Press to adjust the ring volume while the machine is idle.
   
   • Press to store Speed Dial and Groupnumbers in the machine's memory.
   • Press to look up and dial numbersthat are stored in the machine's memory.
     
     Press to configure the wireless settings while the machine is idle.
     or
     Press to scroll through the menus and options.
     or
   • Press to move the cursor left or righton the LCD.
   • Press to either confirm or cancel aprocedure which is in progress.
4. Telephone buttons
   Hook
   Press before dialing to ensure a fax machine answers, and then press Black Start or Color Start.
   If the machine is in Fax/Tel (F/T) mode and you pick up the handset of an external telephone during the F/T ring (pseudo/double-ring), press Hook to talk.
   Redial/Pause
   • Press to redial the last number youcalled.
   • Press to select and redial thenumbers from the Outgoing Call history or Caller ID history.
   • Press to insert a pause when dialingnumbers.
5. Dial Pad
   • Use to dial fax and telephone numbers.
   • Use as a keyboard to enter text orcharacters.
6. 
   Stop/Exit
   • Press to stop an operation.
   • Press to exit from a menu.
7. Start buttons
   
   Black Start
   • Press to start sending faxes in blackand white.
   • Press to start making copies in blackand white.
   • Press to start scanning documents(in color or black and white depending on the scan setting).
     
     Color Start
   • Press to start sending faxes in fullcolor.
   • Press to start making copies in fullcolor.
   • Press to start scanning documents(in color or black and white depending on the scan setting).
8. Power On/Off
   Press to turn on the machine.
   Press and hold down to turn off the machine. The LCD displays [Shutting Down] and stays on for a few seconds before turning itself off. If you have connected an external telephone or TAD, it is always available.
   If you turn off the machine using , it will still clean the print head periodically to maintain print quality. To prolong print head life, provide better ink efficiency, and maintain print quality, keep your machine connected to a power source at all times.

LCD Overview
This screen shows the machine's status when the machine is idle. When displayed, this indicates that your machine is ready for the next command.

Home Screen

1. Quiet Mode
   This icon appears when the [Quiet Mode] setting is set to [On].
   The Quiet Mode setting can reduce printing noise. When Quiet Mode is turned on, the print speed becomes slower.
   For more detailed information, see the Online User's Guide.
2. Wireless Status
   Each icon in the following table shows the wireless network status:

   	The wireless network is connected. A three-level indicator in the Home screen displays the current wireless signal strength.
   	The wireless access point cannot be detected.
   	The wireless setting is disabled.

3. [Ink]
   Displays the approximate available ink volume.
   When an ink cartridge is near the end of its life or having a problem, an error icon is displayed on the ink color.

Paper Handling

Load Paper

1. Load the paper in the paper tray as follows.
   Fan the stack of paper well.

   Tray #1	How to Load Paper
   Letter/A4 Legal Executive A5/A6 Photo 2L Index card Envelopes		Printing surface: Face down
   Photo		Printing surface: Face down

   
   For more detailed information, see the Online User's Guide: Load Paper.
2. Unfold the paper support flap. Change the paper size setting in the machine's menu, ifneeded.
   

Load Documents
Place the document in the ADF or on the scanner glass as shown in the illustration.

Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)	Scanner Glass
Place your document face down in the ADF.	Place the document face down in the upper left corner of the scanner glass.

Print

Print from Your Computer
Before attempting any printing operation, confirm the following:

Print a Document (Mac)

1. From an application, such as Apple TextEdit, click the File menu, and then select Print.
2. Select Brother MFC-XXXX (where XXXX is the name of your model).
3. Click Print.
4. Complete your print operation.

Various Printing
To use the various printing features, click the printing properties or preferences button to change the printer setting.

Print on Both Sides of the Paper Automatically

Print More Than One Page on a Single Sheet of Paper (N in 1)

For Windows ®: For more detailed information, see the Online User's Guide: Print from Your Computer (Windows ® ).
For Mac: For more detailed information, see the Online User's Guide: Print from Your Computer (Mac).

Copy

1. Make sure you have loaded the correct size paper in the paper tray.
2. Load your document.
3. Press (COPY).
   The LCD displays:
   

4. Enter the number of copies in one of the following ways:
   • Press - or + on the control panel.
   • Enter the number of copies using the dial pad.
5. Change the copy settings, if needed.
   Press or to scroll through the copy settings. When the setting you want is highlighted, press OK.
   • When you load paper other than Letter size Plain Paper, you must change the [Paper Size] and [Paper Type] settings.
6. When finished, press Black Start or Color Start.
   To stop copying, press Stop/Exit.

Other Copy Options
You can use various copy features by changing copy settings.

Enlarge or Reduce Copied Images

2-sided Copy

For more detailed information, see the Online User's Guide: Copy.

Scan

Before Scanning
Before attempting to scan, confirm the following:

• Make sure you have installed the Brothersoftware and drivers.
• Make sure the USB cable is connectedcorrectly, or that you are connected to the network using your wireless access point/ router.

Scan from Your Computer
There are several ways you can use your computer to scan photos and documents on your Brother machine. Use the software applications provided by Brother, or use your favorite scanning application.
For more detailed information, see the Online User's Guide: Scan from Your Computer (Windows^®) or Scan from Your Computer (Mac).

Scan Using the Scan Button on the Machine

1. Load your document.
2. Press (SCAN).
3. Press or to select the [to PC] option, and then press OK.
4. Press or to select the [to File] option, and then press OK.
5. If the machine is connected over the network, press or to select the computer where you want to send data, and then press OK.
   If the LCD prompts you to enter a PIN, use the control panel to enter the fourdigit PIN for the computer, and then press OK.
6. Do one of the following:
   • To change the settings, go to the nextstep.
   • To use the default settings, pressBlack Start or Color Start.
     [Scan Type] depends on the default settings. Pressing Black Start or Color Start does not allow you to change the settings.
7. Press or to select the [Scan Settings] setting, and then press OK.
   To use the [Scan Settings] option, a computer with either ControlCenter4 (Windows^®) or Brother iPrint&Scan (Mac) software installed must be connected to the machine.
8. Press or to select the [Set at Device] setting, and then press OK.
9. Change the scan settings you want to change, such as scan type, resolution, file type and document size, if needed. When finished press OK.
10. Press Black Start or Color Start.

Fax

Before Faxing
Telephone Line Interference/ VoIP
If you are having problems sending or receiving a fax due to possible interference on the telephone line or if you are using a VoIP system, we recommend changing the modem speed to minimize errors in fax operations.

1. Press Settings.
2. Press or to select the following:
   1. Select [Initial Setup]. PressOK.
   2. Select [Compatibility]. PressOK.
   3. Select [Normal] or [Basic(for VoIP)]. PressOK.
      • [Basic(for VoIP)] reduces the modem speed to 9,600 bps and turns off color fax receiving and Error Correction Mode (ECM), except for color faxsending. Unless interference is a recurring problem on your telephone line, you may prefer to use it only when needed.
        To improve compatibility with most VoIP services, Brother recommends changing the compatibility setting to [Basic(for VoIP)].
      • [Normal] sets the modem speed at 14,400 bps.
3. Press Stop/Exit.
   • VoIP (Voice over IP) is a type of phone system that uses an Internet connection, rather than a traditional phone line.

Send a Fax

1. Load your document in the ADF or place it on the scanner glass.
2. Press (FAX).
   The LCD displays:
   
3. Enter the fax number in one of the following ways:
   • Dial Pad (Enter the fax numbermanually.) Press all digits of the number using the dial pad.
   • Redial (Redial the last number youdialed.) Press Redial/Pause.
   • Outgoing call (Select a number fromthe Outgoing Call history.)
     Press or to select the following:
     1. Select [Call History]. PressOK.
     2. Select [Outgoing Call]. PressOK.
     3. Select the number you want, andthen pressOK.
     4. Press to select [Apply].
   • Caller ID (Select a number from theCaller ID history.)
     Press or to select the following:
     1. Select [Call History]. PressOK.
     2. Select [Caller ID History]. PressOK.
     3. Select the number you want, andthen pressOK.
     4. Press to select [Apply].
   • [Address Book] (Select a number from the Address Book.)
     Press or to select the following:
     1. Select [Address Book]. PressOK.
     2. Select [Search]. PressOK.
     3. Do one of the following:
        • Enter the two-digit Speed Dial number using the dial pad.
        • Select a number from the list in the following ways:
          1. Select [Alphabetical Order] or [Numerical Order]. PressOK.
          2. Select the number you want. PressOK.
          3. Press to select [Apply].

4. To change the fax settings, press or to select the setting you want to change, and then press OK.
5. When finished, press Black Start or Color Start.
6. Do one of the following:
   • If you are using the ADF, the machinestarts scanning and sending the document.
   • If you are using the scanner glassand pressedBlack Start, the machine starts scanning the first page.
     Go to the next step.
   • If you are using the scanner glassand pressedColor Start, the LCD asks if you want to send a color fax.
     Press to confirm. The machine starts dialing and sending the document.
7. When the LCD displays [Next page?], do one of the following:
   • Press to scan another page. Place the next page on the scanner glass, and then press . The machine starts scanning the page.
     Repeat this step for each additional page.
   • Press to send the fax when finished scanning pages. The machine starts sending the document.

Choose the Correct Receive Mode
The correct Receive Mode for you is determined by the external devices and telephone subscriber services (Voice Mail, Distinctive Ring and so on) you will be using on the same line as the Brother machine.

Will you be using a Distinctive Ring number for receiving faxes? (USA and Canada only)
Brother uses the term "Distinctive Ring" but different telephone companies may have other names for this service.

Will you be using Voice Mail on the same telephone line as your Brother machine?
If you have Voice Mail on the same telephone line as your Brother machine, there is a strong possibility that Voice Mail and the Brother machine will conflict with each other when receiving incoming calls. Select Manual Mode as your Receive Mode.

Check the Print Quality
If faded or streaked colors and text appear or if text is missing on your printouts, the print head nozzles may be clogged. Print the Print Quality Check Sheet and look at the nozzle check pattern.

1. Press Settings.
2. Press or to select the following:
   1. Select [General Setup]. PressOK.
   2. Select [Maintenance]. PressOK.
   3. Select [Impr. PrintQuality]. PressOK.
   4. Select [Impr. PrintQuality] again. PressOK.
3. Press .
   The machine prints the Print Quality Check Sheet.
4. Check the quality of the four color blocks on the sheet.
5. The LCD asks about the print quality. Do one of the following:
   • If all lines are clear and visible, press to select [No].
     The Print Quality check finishes.
   • If lines are missing (seePoor, below), press to select [Yes].
     OK
     
     Poor
     
6. The LCD asks you to check the print quality of each color. Press or to select the pattern (1–4) that most closely matches the printing result, and then press OK.
7. Do one of the following:
   • If print head cleaning is needed, press to start the cleaning procedure.
   • If print head cleaning is not needed, the Ink or Maintenance screen reappears on the LCD.
8. After the cleaning procedure is finished, the LCD asks if you want to check the print quality again.
   Press [Yes] to start the print quality check.
9. Press again.
   The machine prints the Print Quality Check Sheet again. Check the quality of the four color blocks on the sheet again.

If you clean the print head and the print has not improved, try installing a new Genuine Brother Brand replacement ink cartridge for each problem color. Try cleaning the print head again. If the print has not improved, contact Brother Customer Service.

DO NOT touch the print head. Touching the print head may cause permanent damage and may void the print head's warranty.

When a print head nozzle is clogged, the printed sample looks like this.

After the print head nozzle is cleaned, the horizontal lines are gone.

For more detailed information, see the Online User's Guide: If You Are Having Difficulty with Your Machine.

Check the Print Alignment from Your Brother Machine
If your printed text becomes blurred or images become faded after transporting the machine, adjust the print alignment.

1. Press Settings.
2. Press or to select the following:

1. Select [General Setup]. Press OK.
2. Select [Maintenance]. Press OK.
3. Select [Impr. PrintQuality]. Press OK.
4. Select [Alignment]. Press OK.

3. Press .
4. Press again. The machine starts printing the Alignment Check Sheet.
   
5. For pattern (A), press or to select the number of the test print that has the fewest visible vertical stripes (1-9), and then press OK. In the example above, row number 6 is the best choice. Repeat this step for the rest of the patterns.
   When the print alignment is not adjusted correctly, text looks blurry or crooked, like this.
   
   After the print alignment is adjusted correctly, text looks like this.
   
6. Press Stop/Exit.

Troubleshooting

Use this section to resolve problems you may encounter when using your Brother machine.

Identify the Problem
Even if there seems to be a problem with your machine, you can correct most problems yourself.
First, check the following:

• The machine's power cord is connected correctly and the machine's power is on.
• All of the machine's orange protective parts have been removed.
• The ink cartridges are installed correctly.
• The Scanner Cover and the Jam Clear Cover are fully closed.
• Paper is inserted correctly in the paper tray.
• The interface cables are securely connected to the machine and the computer, or the wirelessconnection is set up on both the machine and your computer.
• (For network models) The access point (for wireless), router, or hub is turned on and its linkbutton is blinking.

To find the error and the solution, check the LCD or the machine's status in Status Monitor on your computer.

Error and Maintenance Messages
The most common error and maintenance messages are shown in the table. For more detailed information, see the Online User's Guide.
You can correct most errors and perform routine maintenance yourself. If you need more tips, go to your model's FAQs & Troubleshooting page on the Brother Solutions Center at support.brother.com.

Enter Text on Your Brother Machine

When you are setting certain menu selections, such as the Station ID, you may need to enter text into the machine. Most dial pad buttons have three or four letters printed on the buttons. The buttons for 0, # and do not have printed letters because they are used for special characters.
Press the appropriate dial pad button the number of times shown in this reference table to access the character you want.

• To move the cursor to the left or right, press , , or to select , and then press OK.

Inserting spaces

• To enter a space, press , , or to select , and then press OK.

Making corrections

• If you entered an incorrect number or letter and want to change it, press , , or to select . Press OK several times to move the cursor under the incorrect character. Then press , , or to select , and press OK. Re-enter the correct letter.

Special characters and symbols
Press , # or 0 repeatedly until you see the special character or symbol you want.

Supply Specifications

Ink	The machine uses individual Black, Yellow, Cyan and Magenta ink cartridges that are separate from the print head assembly.
Service Life of Ink Cartridge	The first time you install the ink cartridges, the machine will use extra ink to fill the ink delivery tubes. This is a one-time process that enables highquality printing. Replacement ink cartridges will print the number of pages specified later in this table. Starter cartridge yield is approximately the same as that of the LC3011 replacement cartridges.
Replacement Supplies	<Standard Yield Black> LC3011BK <Standard Yield Yellow> LC3011Y <Standard Yield Cyan> LC3011C <Standard Yield Magenta> LC3011M Black, Yellow, Cyan and Magenta - Approximately 200 pages 1
	<High Yield Black> LC3013BK <High Yield Yellow> LC3013Y <High Yield Cyan> LC3013C <High Yield Magenta> LC3013M Black, Yellow, Cyan and Magenta - Approximately 400 pages 1
	For more information about replacement supplies, visit us at www.brother.com/pageyield
What is Innobella?	Innobella is a range of genuine supplies offered by Brother. The name "Innobella" derives from the words "Innovation" and "Bella" (meaning "Beautiful" in Italian) and is a representation of the "innovative" technology providing you with "beautiful" and "long lasting" print results. When you print photo images, Brother recommends Innobella glossy photo paper (BP71 series) for high quality. Brilliant prints are made easier with Innobella Ink and paper.

1 Approx. cartridge yield is declared in accordance with ISO/IEC 24711

If using Windows®, double-click the Brother Creative Center icon on your desktop to access our FREE website designed as a resource to help you easily create and print customized materials for business and home use with photos, text and creativity. Mac users can access Brother CreativeCenter at this web address: www.brother.com/creativecenter

Visit us on the World Wide Web www.brother.com