FAQ
TL;DR: Off mode draws about 0.45 W; "Off: About 0.45 watts." Use Off instead of Sleep/Standby to save power. For Brother DCP‑T510W owners wanting to prevent ink dry‑out, understand auto‑clean behavior, and trim energy costs. [Elektroda, wojtek1234321, post #17351468]
Why it matters: You’ll keep heads healthy without wasting ink or power, and avoid surprise nighttime cleaning noise.
Quick Facts
- Typical energy draw (DCP‑J125 spec): Off ≈ 0.45 W, Sleep ≈ 1.5 W, Standby ≈ 3.5 W; Off uses ~3× less than Sleep. [Elektroda, wojtek1234321, post #17351468]
- Turned off with the On/Off button but plugged in, the device periodically cleans the head; keep it plugged in. [Elektroda, wojtek1234321, post #17351349]
- Auto‑clean can trigger overnight and is audible; place the printer away from beds or quiet spaces. [Elektroda, dr.master, post #17326682]
- Users report a daily “rattling” once per day while powered off but connected, indicating scheduled cleaning still runs. [Elektroda, wojtek1234321, post #17327483]
- Under warranty with original ink? Leave failed prints, attach test samples, and request head replacement. [Elektroda, dr.master, post #17356262]
Do I need to leave my Brother DCP‑T510W powered on to prevent ink drying?
No. You can power it off with the On/Off button as long as it stays plugged in. The device “will periodically clean the print head” to maintain quality. Brother also advises keeping the machine connected to power to extend printhead life. This behavior preserves ink flow and helps prevent clogs during idle periods. Use the front panel power button instead of cutting mains power to ensure maintenance can run as designed. [Elektroda, wojtek1234321, post #17351349]
What happens if I unplug it for days or use a smart plug that cuts power?
You disable scheduled maintenance cleanings. That increases risk of dried nozzles and degraded print quality after idle time. Brother guidance quoted in the thread says the device should always be plugged in to extend head life. Avoid power strips or smart plugs that fully cut power, especially for long absences. Leave the AC connected and use the device’s own power button to turn it off between uses. [Elektroda, wojtek1234321, post #17351349]
Will it auto‑clean at night, and how loud is it?
Yes, it can start a cleaning cycle overnight. One user noted it sometimes decides to “clean up in the middle of the night,” lasts a few minutes, and is loud. If nighttime noise matters, place the printer away from sleeping areas. Closing a door or moving it further from the bed reduces disturbance during these automatic routines. [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #17326013]
How much energy does Off, Sleep, and Standby use?
Typical Brother spec shared in the thread: Off ≈ 0.45 W, Sleep ≈ 1.5 W, Standby ≈ 3.5 W. Off mode uses about three times less power than Sleep and about seven times less than Standby. Use Off when not printing to minimize electricity costs, while keeping the machine ready for maintenance and quick wake‑ups. These numbers are from a Brother DCP‑J125 example and are indicative for similar Brother inkjets. [Elektroda, wojtek1234321, post #17351468]
How often does the printer perform self‑cleaning?
Patterns vary by model and conditions, but users report hearing a brief “rattling” about once per day. That sound is the maintenance routine. It can occur even when the machine is off via the button but still plugged into AC power. This regular cycle helps keep the nozzles wet and ready after idle periods. [Elektroda, wojtek1234321, post #17327483]
Why is my black fading after 2–3 days idle, and what should I try first?
Intermittent black can indicate air in the ink path or partial nozzle clogging. A contributor advises pumping ink through by printing solid black pages, then escalating if needed. How‑To to push black through:
- Print two full‑page black sheets to prime the line.
- If improved, print several more black pages to stabilize flow.
- If still bad, seek service; deeper purges require disassembly and cleaning fluid.
“Air has got into/enters the system” is a known edge case. [Elektroda, dr.master, post #17355195]
Should I reuse old black ink that’s two years old?
Avoid it. A user cites Brother’s recommendation to use installed ink within about six months. Very old ink can thicken, reduce print quality, and complicate nozzle recovery after idle time. Use fresh, original Brother ink to maintain color balance and reliable cleaning cycles. This prevents excessive cleanings that waste ink and time. [Elektroda, Michelson, post #17352883]
Can intense cleaning waste a lot of ink?
Yes. Cleaning cycles use ink by design, and frequent manual cleanings add up. A user who prints little reported needing to clean often, and observing that most ink seemed to go to cleaning. Resolve root causes like air in lines or clogs before repeating cleans. If cleaning is repeatedly required, contact service to inspect the ink path and head. [Elektroda, Michelson, post #17352883]
My Brother DCP‑T420W prints brown instead of red. What should I do?
Run a nozzle check and a color head cleaning from the menu. If you use original ink and the issue persists, use warranty service. “Without service tools, you will not approach the subject professionally.” Service can perform deeper purges, diagnostics, or head replacement if needed. Do not disassemble under warranty. Provide failed samples when requesting support for faster resolution. [Elektroda, dr.master, post #20320522]
What are “service tools” here?
They are tools and procedures used by authorized service to professionally purge, clean, and test the print system. As one expert put it, “Without service tools, you will not approach the subject professionally.” If your machine is under warranty and uses original ink, request warranty repair. This avoids risk from DIY disassembly and preserves coverage. [Elektroda, dr.master, post #20320522]
How do I run a manual cleaning/nozzle check the right way?
Use the device menu. How‑To:
- Open the printer’s menu and start a Print Quality/Nozzle Check.
- If gaps appear, run Cleaning from the menu once.
- Re‑check. If improved, print normally; if not, repeat sparingly or seek service.
A user noted that launching Cleaning from the printer’s MENU restored print quality when black degraded. Don’t spam cleanings; investigate underlying issues if it recurs. [Elektroda, Michelson, post #17352883]
Can I disable or schedule auto‑cleaning?
No. Auto‑clean is firmware‑controlled and runs on its own schedule. It can occur in the middle of the night. Plan placement accordingly to reduce disturbance. Keep the printer plugged in so maintenance can run even when the front panel power is off. [Elektroda, dr.master, post #17326682]
Do older Brother models behave the same way regarding self‑cleaning?
Yes, behavior is consistent across Brother inkjets discussed. One J315W user confirms periodic cleaning even when turned off via the button and left plugged in. This aligns with Brother guidance to keep machines connected to power for head maintenance. Expect similar maintenance logic on T‑series models like the DCP‑T510W. [Elektroda, wojtek1234321, post #17327423]
