Brother printer says No Paper or tray empty when paper is loaded: how to fix it
A Brother printer that says the tray is empty when it is full is almost always not seeing or not grabbing the paper. The usual causes are the tray not pushed all the way in, the paper guides set too loose or too tight, a stack that is too high, the printer looking at a different tray than the one you loaded, or a dusty pickup roller that slips instead of pulling the paper.
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Steps
Pull the paper tray all the way out. Fan the stack of paper so the sheets are not stuck together, then square it up by tapping it on a table.
Check how much paper is in the tray. Keep the stack below the maximum paper mark (the small triangles or line on the side guides). An overfilled tray is a very common cause.
Slide the side guides and the back guide so they just touch the paper. Too loose and the paper sits crooked, too tight and it bows up and the rollers cannot grab it. Make sure the paper lies flat in the tray.
Push the tray firmly back in until it stops. On many Brother models the printer only senses paper when the tray is fully seated, so a tray that is a few millimeters out reads as empty.
Look inside the tray slot with a flashlight for a torn piece of paper, a sticky note or anything else stuck near the back. Remove it gently.
Check which tray the printer is using. If you loaded the main tray but the job is set to the manual feed slot or a second tray, it will say No Paper. In the print window open Printer Properties or Preferences and set Paper Source to Tray 1 or Auto Select. On the printer screen, check Settings, then Tray Settings, and make sure the paper size is Letter and type is Plain Paper.
Make sure the paper size in your print settings matches the paper in the tray. If the computer sends A4 and the tray holds Letter, many Brother printers show a size or paper error.
Clean the paper pickup roller. Turn the printer off and unplug it, pull the tray out, and find the rubber roller just above where the tray sits. Wipe it with a lint free cloth barely dampened with water and let it dry for a few minutes. Dusty rollers slip and the printer reports No Paper.
Turn the printer back on, put the tray in, and print one test page. If it works, print a few more to be sure.
If it still says No Paper with a properly loaded tray and clean rollers, the pickup roller or paper sensor may be worn. Brother support can replace the roller kit, and it is often covered if the printer is under warranty.
Common questions
Why does my Brother printer say No Paper Fed?
No Paper Fed usually means the printer tried to grab a sheet and the roller slipped. Fan the paper, do not overfill the tray, set the guides snug, and wipe the pickup roller with a damp lint free cloth.
Does the type of paper matter?
Yes. Very thin, glossy, damp or curled paper slips more often. Plain 20 lb copy paper that has been stored flat in a dry place feeds best.
Can I use the manual feed slot instead?
Yes, as a quick workaround you can feed one sheet at a time through the manual feed slot and set Paper Source to Manual. It is fine for a few pages while you fix the tray.
Free human help is at capacity right now. If you want help while you fix this, Ellis, our AI assistant, can help you by phone now. The first 5 minutes are free when you call (928) 272-0355. If you want more time, phone help is $19 one time for up to 30 minutes, used over 14 days. No subscription. Ellis is an AI and can make mistakes.