Brother MFC-5840CN All-In-One InkJet Printer Logo
Posted on Sep 13, 2007
Answered by a Fixya Expert

Trustworthy Expert Solutions

At Fixya.com, our trusted experts are meticulously vetted and possess extensive experience in their respective fields. Backed by a community of knowledgeable professionals, our platform ensures that the solutions provided are thoroughly researched and validated.

View Our Top Experts

Init unable AF

The printer has a grinding sound it seemly is trying to move the scan bar but can't.then it display the message init unable

  • 3 more comments 
  • Anonymous Mar 17, 2014

    my brother mfc-825 printer is reading Unable to Init. AF

  • Anonymous Mar 22, 2014

    Displays error message and makes a rattling noise as if trying to connect to something.

  • Anonymous Mar 25, 2014

    unable to print init.af

  • Anonymous Mar 25, 2014

    What does this means machine err0r 50 and Init Unable 50?

  • Anonymous Mar 25, 2014

    Unable to print, photocopy, scan, ink blot and etc

×

6 Answers

Anonymous

Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points

All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Vice President:

An expert whose answer got voted for 100 times.

  • Master 832 Answers
  • Posted on Sep 13, 2007
Anonymous
Master
Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points

All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Vice President:

An expert whose answer got voted for 100 times.

Joined: Sep 07, 2007
Answers
832
Questions
0
Helped
557604
Points
2204

AF means that the CIS scanner is (can) not (get)in right position. This could be because of a broken scanner flat cable, or a loose flatcable or a defective pcb. Check flatcable connection at the pcb (Open scanner like changing carts, open flatcable cover with a screwdriver. Does the flatcable stick in the pcb? (There is only the flatcable without a connector ;-)) Reconnect and power up mfc again. If it doesn't help please write again here.

  • 4 more comments 
  • Michal Knoller Jan 20, 2014

    That didn't help and now my error changed to "machine error AF" (I have the entire cover and disconnected) -

  • Michal Knoller Jan 20, 2014

    I'm considering taking off the entire body to check the whole path of the print head, but I did that last night and it didn't help

  • isagani Diaz
    isagani Diaz Jul 18, 2015

    I have the same problem "Init Unable AF".I tried to replace the whole scanner but the problem still there. Anybody who had found a solution, pls reply. Thanks

  • Hari Tharu
    Hari Tharu Nov 24, 2016

    Init Unable AF, I have same problem but the cable is true position

  • Hari Tharu
    Hari Tharu Nov 24, 2016

    Thank-you for help, your status is 100 % Right.My printers problems is solve.

  • M Mit
    M Mit Jul 10, 2023

    Is there a way to bypass these hardware checks for the scanner? I just want to print a document.

×

Jeremfg

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

  • Contributor 2 Answers
  • Posted on Sep 10, 2017
Jeremfg
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Joined: Jul 18, 2009
Answers
2
Questions
0
Helped
15633
Points
5

I've broken the flat cable right at the connector on the main PCB. The behavior is exactly as described. I suggest others to look carefully at this cable when having this issue.

Now if I can only figure out how to repair/replace this cable???

Ad

Renan Cruz

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.

  • Contributor 1 Answer
  • Posted on Nov 06, 2014
Renan Cruz
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.

Joined: Nov 06, 2014
Answers
1
Questions
0
Helped
14689
Points
1

It helpd me thank you! I only just check the both ends of the flat cable and i found out one end of it has broken conductor then i cut a new one:)it works.

rrizall85

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.

Hot-Shot:

An expert who has answered 20 questions.

  • Contributor 38 Answers
  • Posted on Jun 13, 2013
rrizall85
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.

Hot-Shot:

An expert who has answered 20 questions.

Joined: Jun 13, 2013
Answers
38
Questions
0
Helped
34432
Points
88

I got that problem too but solve, i check the gear and belting.. there something missing like gear torn broke and some dirt or similar blocking its track.. you better check coz to its some kind of mechanical problem not software.. hope this solve the prob..

  • Michal Knoller Jan 20, 2014

    I opened the entire printer - the print head seems to slide and trigger the right side - how do I know if what i think is right actually is?

×

Anonymous

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

  • Contributor 1 Answer
  • Posted on Jan 23, 2008
Anonymous
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

Joined: Jan 23, 2008
Answers
1
Questions
0
Helped
14689
Points
0

I m sorry but i tries everything but it is still doing the same thing

Anonymous

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.

  • Contributor 1 Answer
  • Posted on Nov 21, 2012
Anonymous
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.

Joined: Jan 25, 2012
Answers
1
Questions
0
Helped
14689
Points
1

No it makes grinding noise with a beep sound then scan unable af is displayed

Add Your Answer

×

Uploading: 0%

my-video-file.mp4

Complete. Click "Add" to insert your video. Add

×

Loading...
Loading...

Related Questions:

1helpful
1answer

Brother printer/scanner MFC-J485DW scanner bar can't find home position

The is a lot of help and videos in the bottom link, but this post appears to fix the issue according to Brother, and the link below that from iFixit gives an alternative solution but way more complicated..

"Unable to Init. AF"

Brother-USA https://help.brother-usa.com > answers > detail > a_id
The message "Unable to Init. AF" will appear on the display for one of the following reasons: i. A foreign object, such as a paper clip or ripped piece of ... Videos
https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/332612/Brother+MFC-J825DW+Printer+%22Unable+to+Init+AF%22+Error+Code

https://www.google.com/search?q=Unable+to+Init.+AF

..
0helpful
1answer

Brother MFC scanner bar is stuck

check the continuty in scanner cable to cis unit and check the continuity 2ends off scanner cable.
1.cable problem
2cis problem
1helpful
1answer

Unable to clean 5a

Sir/Madam
If one of the following messages is displayed on Your Printer,I suggest You Go To Below Official Brother Website For Troubleshooting,

  • Unable to Clean (Clean Unable)
  • Unable to Init. (Init Unable)
  • Unable to Print (Print Unable)
  • Unable to Scan (Scan Unable)

http://welcome.solutions.brother.com/BSC/public/as/sg/en/faq/faq/000000/000500/000065/faq000565_012.html?reg=as&c=sg&lang=en&prod=mfc290c_all

Or If You FaceProble Then Follows Us On For Online
Brother Printer Support
0helpful
1answer

Mfc j691dw unable to init AF what does it mean

I cant get rid of 'unable to init.42' from my new mfc j6910dw. Anybody know what does it mean & how to remove the mssge?
6helpful
1answer

Brother DPC-165C has 'Init Unable AF' error

Yup. I suspect the head has been removed from the unit. There are adjustments on some printers. It was assembled wrong. The grating noise is likely the auto cleaner. If it cannot go 'home' the unit will not initialize. Possibly the head detect sensor is broken or covered. If the head will not home (moves out and back more than once or slams home hard), 'Init Unable AF'. You may be able to order a service manual from Brother for this. A repair shop can order the manual as well. (I suspect you need a new print head as well. You might want to replace the printer) see tips on bubblejet printers.
4helpful
1answer

Scanner bar will not reset, error "unable to Init. AF"

the problem might be the connection from the mother board of the printer to the scanner maybe due to lost contact and the ribbon was broken you might just have to reconnect it or it might be broken and need replacement
10helpful
1answer

Unable to Init AF - New printer!

sure (this advice costs you some greetings from me to the beloved bahamas ;-))

you have to open the scanner as you have done to connect the usb cable. When opened you can see a "z" like small cover going from panel to the right rear side.
Open this cover which hides the flat cable of the scanner. The cable needs reconnecting to the main board. Simply stick it carefully into the right positon.

(will post a picture later)
0helpful
2answers

Brother MFC-240C init. unable AF error message

Sure. No prob.

Open scanner cover as you would do to check for a paper jammed sheet.

Do open the plastic which runs from middle to the right side (looks like a "Z" turned clockwise). Use a small screw diver for that. beneath you will find th flat cable of the scanner. You have to reconnect the flat cable by simply sticking it into position onto the main circuit board. make sure flat cable is in good position and click the" Z  "onto the channel. Close cover then power up and do what ever you want to do with your mfc ;-)
Not finding what you are looking for?

14,699 views

Ask a Question

Usually answered in minutes!

Top Brother Office Equipment & Supplies Experts

Norman Weimar
Norman Weimar

Level 3 Expert

7035 Answers

Cindy Wells

Level 3 Expert

6686 Answers

k24674

Level 3 Expert

8093 Answers

Are you a Brother Office Equipment and Supply Expert? Answer questions, earn points and help others

Answer questions

Manuals & User Guides

Loading...