Brother MFC-J497DW User manual

Reference Guide
Brief explanations for routine operations
DCP-J572DW
MFC-J491DW
MFC-J497DW
Brother recommends keeping this guide next to your Brother machine for quick reference.
Online User's Guide
For more advanced instructions, information, and
product specifications, see the Online User's
Guide at support.brother.com/manuals

User's Guides and Where to Find Them
Which Guide? What's in It? Where Is It?
Product Safety Guide Read this guide first. Please read the Safety
Instructions before you set up your machine.
See this guide for trademarks and legal
limitations.
Printed / In the box
Quick Setup Guide Follow the instructions for setting up your
machine, and installing the Full Driver &
Software Package for the operating system
and connection type you are using.
Printed / In the box
Reference Guide Learn the basic PC-Print, PhotoCapture
Center, Scan, Copy and Fax operations and
basic machine maintenance. See
troubleshooting tips.
Printed or on Brother
Installation Disc / In
the Box
Online User's Guide This guide includes the additional contents of
the Reference Guide.
In addition to information about the PC-Print,
PhotoCapture Center, Scan, Copy, Fax,
Internet services, Mobile Functions and
Brother ControlCenter operations, useful
information is included about using the
machine on a network.
Brother Solutions
Center 1
1Visit support.brother.com/manuals.
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.
©2018 Brother Industries, Ltd. All rights reserved.
1

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
Important Note
• This documentation is for both MFC and DCP models. Where it says 'MFC' in this User's
Guide, read 'MFC-xxxx' as 'DCP-xxxx'. DCP models are not equipped with a fax function.
2

Control Panel Overview
MFC-J491DW/MFC-J497DW
32
154
7
86
1. 1.8"(44.9 mm) 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.
d or c
Press to adjust the ring volume while
the machine is idle.
• Press to store Speed Dial and Group
numbers in the machine's memory.
• Press to look up and dial numbers
that are stored in the machine's
memory.
1General Information
1General Information
3

Press to configure the wireless settings
while the machine is idle.
a or b
Press to scroll through the menus and
options.
d or c
• Press to move the cursor left or right
on the LCD.
• Press to either confirm or cancel a
procedure which is in progress.
4. Telephone buttons
Tel/R
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 Tel/R to
talk.
When connected to a PBX, press to
gain access to an outside line or to
transfer a call to another extension.
Redial/Pause
• Press to redial the last number you
called.
• Press to select and redial the
numbers from the Outgoing Call
history or Caller ID history.
• Press to insert a pause when dialling
numbers.
5. Dial Pad
• Use to dial fax and telephone numbers.
• Use as a keyboard to enter text or
characters.
6. Stop/Exit
• Press to stop an operation.
• Press to exit from a menu.
7. Start buttons
Mono Start
• Press to start sending faxes in
monochrome.
• Press to start making copies in
monochrome.
• Press to start scanning documents
(in colour or monochrome depending
on the scan setting).
Colour Start
• Press to start sending faxes in full
colour.
• Press to start making copies in full
colour.
• Press to start scanning documents
(in colour or monochrome depending
on the scan setting).
8. Power On/Off
Press to turn the machine on.
Press and hold down to turn the
machine off. 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 the machine off 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.
4

DCP-J572DW
42
135
7
86
1. 1.8"(44.9 mm) Liquid Crystal Display
(LCD)
Displays messages to help you set up and
use the machine.
2. Number of Copies
Press + to increase or - to decrease the
number of copies.
3. Warning icon
The warning icon lights up when there is
an error or maintenance message.
4. 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.
WiFi
Press to configure the wireless settings
while the machine is idle.
a or b
Press to scroll through the menus and
options.
d or c
• Press to move the cursor left or right
on the LCD.
• Press to either confirm or cancel a
procedure which is in progress.
5. Mode buttons
SCAN
Press to switch the machine to Scan
mode.
PHOTO
Press to switch the machine to Photo
mode.
WEB
Press to switch the machine to Web
mode.
6. Stop/Exit
• Press to stop an operation.
• Press to exit from a menu.
7. Start buttons
Mono Start
• Press to start making copies in
monochrome.
1General Information
5

• Press to start scanning documents
(in colour or monochrome depending
on the scan setting).
Colour Start
• Press to start making copies in full
colour.
• Press to start scanning documents
(in colour or monochrome depending
on the scan setting).
8. Power On/Off
Press to turn the machine on.
Press and hold down to turn the
machine off. The LCD displays
[Shutting Down] and stays on for a
few seconds before turning itself off.
If you turn the machine off 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.
6

LCD Overview
MFC-J491DW/MFC-J497DW
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
0101
01. 01. 2018
FaxFax
12
3
46 5
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 colour.
4. Date and Time
Displays the date and time set on the
machine.
5. Faxes in Memory
Displays how many received faxes are in
the machine's memory.
6. Receive Mode
Displays the current Receive Mode.
DCP-J572DW
The LCD shows the machine’s status when
the machine is idle.
Home Screen
Press Start
Normal
Quality
Plain Paper
Paper Type
01
1
1. Wireless Status
Each icon in the following table shows the
wireless network status:
The wireless network is connected.
A three-level indicator in each of
the Home screens displays the
current wireless signal strength.
The wireless access point cannot
be detected.
The wireless setting is disabled.
1General Information
7

You can configure wireless settings by
pressing WiFi on the control panel.
8

Load Paper
1Load the paper in the paper tray as follows.
Fan the stack of paper well.
Tray #1 How to Load Paper
A4/Letter
Executive
A5/A6
Photo 2L
Index card
Envelopes
Adjust the paper
guides.
Printing surface: Face down
Photo
Adjust the paper
guides.
Printing surface: Face down
Photo Paper
Tray
(DCP-J572DW)
How to Load Paper
Photo
Photo L
Slide the whole output
paper tray cover. Printing surface: Face
down
2Paper Handling
2Paper Handling
9

Manual Feed Slot 1
(DCP-J572DW)
How to Load Paper
A4/Letter
Executive
A5/A6
Photo
Photo L/2L
Index card
Envelopes
Adjust the manual feed
slot paper guides.
Printing surface: Face
up
1You can load only one sheet of paper into the manual feed slot at a time.
For more detailed information, see the Online User's Guide: Load Paper.
2Unfold the paper support flap. Change the paper size setting in the machine's menu, if
needed.
2
1
Load Documents
Place the document in the ADF or on the scanner glass as shown in the illustration.
Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)
(MFC-J491DW/MFC-J497DW) Scanner Glass
Place your document face down in the ADF.
Place the document face down in the
upper left corner of the scanner
glass.
10

Print from Your
Computer
Before attempting any printing operation,
confirm the following:
• Make sure you have installed the Brother
software and drivers.
• Make sure the USB cable is connected
correctly, or that you are connected to
the network using your wireless access
point/router.
Print a Document
(Windows®)
1Select the print command in your
application.
2Select Brother MFC-XXXX Printer
(where XXXX is the name of your
model).
3Click Print.
4Complete your print operation.
Print a Document (Mac)
1From an application, such as Apple
TextEdit, click the File menu, and then
select Print.
2Select Brother MFC-XXXX (where
XXXX is the name of your model).
3Click Print.
4Complete 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).
3Print
3Print
11

Copy a Document
1Make sure you have loaded the correct
size paper in the paper tray.
2Load your document.
3(MFC-J491DW/MFC-J497DW) Press
(COPY).
The LCD displays:
Press Start
Normal
Quality
Plain Paper
Paper Type
01
4Enter 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.
5Change the copy settings, if needed.
Press a or b to scroll through the copy
settings. When the setting you want is
highlighted, press OK.
• When you load paper other than A4
size Plain Paper, you must change the
[Paper Size] and [Paper Type]
settings.
6When finished, press Mono Start or
Colour 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
1
2
1
2
For more detailed information, see the Online
User's Guide: Copy.
4Copy
12

Before Scanning
Before attempting to scan, confirm the
following:
• Make sure you have installed the Brother
software and drivers.
• Make sure the USB cable is connected
correctly, 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
favourite 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
1Load your document.
2Press (SCAN).
3Press a or b to select the [to PC]
option, and then press OK.
4Press a or b to select the [to File]
option, and then press OK.
5If the machine is connected over the
network, press a or b 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 four-
digit PIN for the computer, and then press
OK.
6Do one of the following:
• To change the settings, go to the next
step.
• To use the default settings, press
Mono Start or Colour Start.
[Scan Type] depends on the default
settings. Pressing Mono Start or Colour
Start does not allow you to change the
settings.
7Press a or b 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.
8Press a or b to select the [Set at
Device] setting, and then press OK.
9Change 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 Mono Start or Colour Start.
5Scan
5Scan
13

Print Photos Directly
from Media
Preview and Print Photos
from Media
Related Models:
DCP-J572DW
Preview your photos on the LCD before you
print them.
1Open the media slot cover.
2Put the memory card in the card slot.
3Press a or b to select [JPEG Print].
Press OK.
4Press a or b to select [Select
Files]. Press OK.
To print all photos, press a or b to select
[Print All], and then press OK.
5Press d or c to display the photo you
want to print.
6Press + or - on the control panel
repeatedly to enter the number of copies
you want.
7Repeat the last two steps until you have
selected all the photos you want to print.
Press Clear/Back to go back to the
previous level.
8Press OK.
9To change the print settings, press a or
b to select the setting you want to
change, and then press OK. Press a or
b to select the option you want, and then
press OK.
10 Press Colour Start.
Print Settings Overview
Related Models:
DCP-J572DW
The Print Settings you change are temporary
for your current printout. The machine returns
to its default settings after printing is
complete.
You can save the print settings you use
most often by setting them as the default.
For more detailed information, see the
Online User's Guide.
6PhotoCapture Center
14

Before Faxing
Telephone Line Interference/
VoIP
Related Models:
MFC-J491DW/MFC-J497DW
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 minimise errors in fax operations.
1Press Settings.
2Press a or b to select the following:
a. Select [Initial Setup].
Press OK.
b. Select [Compatibility].
Press OK.
c. Select [Normal] or [Basic(for
VoIP)]. Press OK.
•[Basic(for VoIP)] reduces
the modem speed to 9,600 bps
and turns off colour fax receiving
and Error Correction Mode
(ECM), except for colour fax-
sending. 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.
3Press 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
Related Models:
MFC-J491DW/MFC-J497DW
1Load your document in the ADF or place
it on the scanner glass.
2Press (FAX).
The LCD displays:
Press Start
Enter Number
Standard
Fax Resolution
Auto
Contrast
3Enter the fax number in one of the
following ways:
• Dial Pad (Enter the fax number
manually.)
Press all digits of the number using
the dial pad.
• Redial (Redial the last number you
dialled.)
Press Redial/Pause.
• Outgoing call (Select a number from
the Outgoing Call history.)
Press a or b to select the following:
a. Select [Call History].
Press OK.
b. Select [Outgoing Call].
Press OK.
7Fax
7Fax
15

c. Select the number you want, and
then press OK.
d. Press c to select [Apply].
• Caller ID (Select a number from the
Caller ID history.)
Press a or b to select the following:
a. Select [Call History].
Press OK.
b. Select [Caller ID History].
Press OK.
c. Select the number you want, and
then press OK.
d. Press c to select [Apply].
•[Address Book] (Select a number
from the Address Book.)
Press a or b to select the following:
a. Select [Address Book].
Press OK.
b. Select [Search]. Press OK.
c. 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:
i. Select [Alphabetical
Order] or [Numerical
Order]. Press OK.
ii. Select the number you
want. Press OK.
iii. Press c to select [Apply].
4To change the fax settings, press a or b
to select the setting you want to change,
and then press OK.
5When finished, press Mono Start or
Colour Start.
6Do one of the following:
• If you are using the ADF, the machine
starts scanning and sending the
document.
• If you are using the scanner glass
and pressed Mono Start, the
machine starts scanning the first
page.
Go to the next step.
• If you are using the scanner glass
and pressed Colour Start, the LCD
asks if you want to send a colour fax.
Press c to confirm. The machine
starts dialling and sending the
document.
7When the LCD displays [Next
page?], do one of the following:
• Press c to scan another page. Place
the next page on the scanner glass,
and then press c. The machine starts
scanning the page.
Repeat this step for each additional
page.
• Press d to send the fax when finished
scanning pages. The machine starts
sending the document.
16

Choose the Correct Receive Mode
Related Models:
MFC-J491DW/MFC-J497DW
You must choose a Receive Mode depending on the external devices and telephone services
you have on your line.
By default, your machine automatically will receive any faxes that are sent to it. The diagram
below will help you select the correct mode.
Do you want to use the telephone features of your machine (if available) or
an external telephone or external telephone answering device connected on the
same line as the machine?
Yes
Fax Only
No
No
No
Manual
Yes
External TAD
Fax/Tel
Are you using the voice message function of
an external telephone answering device?
Do you want the machine to answer fax and
telephone calls automatically?
Yes
1Press Settings.
2Press a or b to select the following:
a. Select [Fax]. Press OK.
b. Select [Setup Receive]. Press OK.
c. Select [Receive Mode]. Press OK.
If the option to change the Receive Mode is unavailable, make sure the BT Call Sign feature
is set to [Off].
3Press a or b to select the [Fax Only], [Fax/Tel], [External TAD], or [Manual]
option, and then press OK.
4Press Stop/Exit.
7Fax
17

Check the Print Quality
If faded or streaked colours 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.
1Press Settings.
2Press a or b to select the following:
a. Select [General Setup].
Press OK.
b. Select [Maintenance]. Press OK.
c. Select [Impr. PrintQuality].
Press OK.
d. Select [Impr. PrintQuality]
again. Press OK.
3Press c.
The machine prints the Print Quality
Check Sheet.
4Check the quality of the four colour
blocks on the sheet.
5The LCD asks about the print quality. Do
one of the following:
• If all lines are clear and visible, press
d to select [No].
The Print Quality check finishes.
• If lines are missing (see Poor,
below), press c to select [Yes].
OK
Poor
6The LCD asks you to check the print
quality of each colour. Press d or c to
select the pattern (1–4) that most
closely matches the printing result, and
then press OK.
7Do one of the following:
• If print head cleaning is needed,
press c to start the cleaning
procedure.
• If print head cleaning is not needed,
the Ink or Maintenance screen
reappears on the LCD.
8After the cleaning procedure is finished,
the LCD asks if you want to check the
print quality again.
Press c [Yes] to start the print quality
check.
9Press c again.
The machine prints the Print Quality
Check Sheet again. Check the quality of
the four colour 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 colour. Try cleaning the print
head again. If the print has not improved,
contact Brother customer service or your local
Brother dealer.
IMPORTANT
DO NOT touch the print head. Touching the
print head may cause permanent damage and
may void the print head's warranty.
ARoutine Maintenance
18

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.
1Press Settings.
2Press a or b to select the following:
a. Select [General Setup].
Press OK.
b. Select [Maintenance]. Press OK.
c. Select [Impr. PrintQuality].
Press OK.
d. Select [Alignment]. Press OK.
3Press c.
4Press c again.
The machine starts printing the
Alignment Check Sheet.
(A)
5For pattern (A), press d or c 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.
6Press Stop/Exit.
ARoutine Maintenance
19