If your Brother Printer is showing error code 35, the problem is usually tied to the print head drive system, carriage travel path, or the internal mechanism that controls head movement during startup. This is not a paper feed warning or an ink-level message. Error 35 typically appears when the printer cannot correctly initialize the print head assembly. Start with these three targeted fixes for error code 35:
First, power the Brother Printer off, unplug it for at least 10 minutes, then reconnect it directly to a wall outlet and power it back on. This clears a stalled startup cycle and allows the print head motor to reinitialize. Second, open the scanner cover or access panel and inspect the carriage path from left to right for scraps of paper, hardened ink buildup, packing material, labels, clips, or any obstruction that may stop the print head from moving freely. Third, gently move the print head carriage by hand only after disconnecting power. If the carriage feels locked, rough, or stops sharply at one side, clean the guide rail and encoder strip carefully, then restart the printer. These three actions resolve many cases of Brother Printer error 35 when the issue is caused by binding, contamination, or a stalled carriage during boot.
On a Brother Printer, error code 35 indicates a mechanical initialization fault involving the print head carriage or the internal drive components that control its home position and movement. During startup, the printer runs a self-check. Part of that sequence requires the print head assembly to travel, detect its position, and park correctly. Error 35 appears when that movement fails, is blocked, or is not detected properly by the printer’s sensors.
In practical terms, error 35 means the printer attempted to move the carriage but encountered resistance, lost positional tracking, or could not confirm the expected motion. On many Brother inkjet models, this can happen if the carriage path is obstructed, the purge unit is jammed, the encoder strip is dirty, the carriage motor is struggling, or the logic board is not receiving proper movement feedback. Because error code 35 relates to startup movement control, the printer may not print, copy, or complete its normal boot process until the fault is corrected.
Follow the steps below one at a time — many error codes can be fixed faster than they look.
Follow the steps below in order. Because Brother Printer error 35 is closely tied to carriage initialization, skipping directly to random resets usually wastes time. The goal is to confirm whether the print head can move freely, whether the printer can detect that movement, and whether the service station is blocking the carriage.
Step 1: Perform a full power reset specific to error 35
Turn the Brother Printer off using the power button. Unplug the power cord from the rear of the printer and from the wall outlet. Leave it disconnected for 10 to 15 minutes. This matters for error code 35 because some Brother models retain the failed startup state until all internal power drains. While waiting, remove any USB cable or Ethernet cable so the printer starts in a basic standalone condition. Plug the printer directly into a wall outlet, not a surge protector or extension strip, and power it on. Watch and listen during startup. If error 35 returns immediately with grinding, clicking, or a short movement attempt, continue to the next step.
Step 2: Open the printer and inspect the carriage path thoroughly
Lift the scanner unit or open the top cover, depending on your Brother model. Use a flashlight and inspect the entire path where the print head carriage travels. Error 35 is often caused by very small debris that is easy to miss. Look for torn paper scraps tucked behind the carriage, labels stuck to the rail, bits of foam packaging, dried ink lumps, or loose foreign objects. Pay special attention to the far right side, where the carriage parks. That area contains the purge station and wiper assembly, and it is a common trouble spot for error code 35. Remove any debris carefully with tweezers if necessary, but do not force parts out if they feel attached to the mechanism.
Step 3: Check whether the carriage is physically locked
With the printer still unplugged, gently try moving the print head carriage left and right. On many Brother inkjet units, the carriage should move with some resistance but should not be fully jammed. If it will not move at all, the carriage may be locked in the service station, the purge unit may be seized, or there may be heavy ink buildup blocking release. If it moves only partway and then stops sharply, check again for hidden paper fragments or a twisted encoder strip. If the carriage glides but feels rough or sticky, contamination on the guide rod may be causing error 35 during startup calibration.
Step 4: Clean the carriage guide rod
The carriage guide rod is the smooth metal bar the print head assembly slides along. If this rod is coated with dust, dried ink mist, or sticky residue, the print head motor may not be able to complete the startup motion required to avoid error 35. Use a lint-free cloth lightly dampened with water to wipe the rod from end to end. Do not drench it and do not use aggressive solvents. After cleaning, gently slide the carriage across the rod to spread the cleaned surface. If the rod is visibly dry and the carriage was binding, a very small amount of plastic-safe light lubricant may help, but only if appropriate for printer mechanisms. Excess oil can damage other parts, so use extreme restraint.
Step 5: Clean the encoder strip carefully
One of the most overlooked causes of Brother Printer error 35 is a dirty encoder strip. This is the thin transparent plastic strip running behind the carriage, usually marked with fine positioning lines. The printer reads this strip to know exactly where the print head is. If ink mist or grease covers it, the printer may think the carriage is in the wrong place and stop with error code 35. Using a soft lint-free cloth slightly moistened with water, gently pinch the strip and wipe along its length. Do not pull hard, bend it, or unhook it from the ends. If the strip comes loose or snaps, the printer will require repair. After cleaning, let it dry fully before restarting the machine.
Step 6: Inspect the purge unit on the right side
The purge unit is where the print head parks, caps, and cleans itself. In many Brother Printer cases, error 35 appears because the purge mechanism is clogged with dried ink and cannot cycle correctly. Look at the far right parking area. If you see excessive hardened ink, a raised cap that will not retract, or a wiper blade stuck in an unusual position, the carriage may be unable to leave or return to the home position. Carefully clean accessible ink buildup using lint-free swabs lightly dampened with warm water. Do not break or pry the purge caps. The goal is only to remove visible sludge or dried ink that is obviously blocking motion.
Step 7: Check the encoder wheel and drive belt if visible
Some Brother Printer models allow a partial view of the carriage drive belt and motor area. If the belt is loose, frayed, or off track, the printer may generate error 35 because the carriage does not move accurately. Likewise, if the encoder wheel near the motor is covered in ink or dust, movement feedback may fail. Visually inspect these parts without disassembly beyond normal cover access. If the belt appears damaged or the motor pulley is not turning smoothly, error code 35 is likely due to a mechanical component failure rather than simple contamination.
Step 8: Restart and observe the exact behavior
After completing the cleaning and inspection steps, close the covers and reconnect power. Turn the printer on and pay close attention to what happens before error 35 appears. If the carriage moves normally to the center and then the printer starts up, print a test page. If the carriage moves slightly and then returns to error 35, the printer is still losing position feedback or meeting resistance at a particular point. If there is immediate clicking or repeated knocking from the right side, the purge unit is still the most likely cause. If there is no movement at all, the carriage motor, main board, or sensor circuit may be involved.
Step 9: Run maintenance mode checks only if your model supports them and you are trained
On some Brother models, maintenance mode can be used to evaluate sensor behavior or reset startup faults after the mechanical issue has been corrected. However, because error 35 is a movement-related fault, using maintenance functions before fixing the underlying obstruction usually does not help. If you are experienced with Brother service access, use it only to confirm carriage operation after cleaning. Avoid random maintenance mode resets, purge counter changes, or service code entries unrelated to error 35, as these can create additional issues.
Step 10: Determine when error 35 requires parts replacement
If you have cleaned the carriage path, guide rod, encoder strip, and purge area, removed all debris, and confirmed that power is stable, yet Brother Printer error 35 remains, the remaining causes are usually failed hardware. Common component failures include a worn carriage motor, damaged carriage belt, defective purge unit, faulty home sensor, or a main PCB issue that can no longer interpret movement signals correctly. If the printer repeatedly displays error code 35 after these exact mechanical checks, field repair typically requires disassembly and replacement parts.
When to stop home troubleshooting for error 35
Stop and arrange professional service if the encoder strip is broken or detached, the carriage belt is damaged, the purge station is seized solid, the printer makes loud grinding noises, or the carriage cannot be moved even with power disconnected. These are not software faults. They are direct mechanical triggers for Brother Printer error 35 and usually need service-level repair.
How to prevent Brother Printer error 35 from returning
Once the printer is working again, keep the interior free of scraps and avoid forcing jammed paper backward through the machine, since torn pieces often end up in the carriage path and later trigger error 35. Print regularly enough to reduce heavy ink drying in the purge area. Keep the printer covered from dust when not in use, and always power it down normally so the print head parks correctly. These simple habits directly reduce the mechanical startup problems that lead to error code 35.
Brother Printer error 35 is very specific: the machine is failing to complete proper print head movement or position detection during initialization. By focusing on the carriage path, encoder strip, guide rod, and purge mechanism instead of using generic reset steps, you have the best chance of clearing error 35 quickly and correctly.
See also: Printer Error Codes – Complete Guide by Brand — browse all HP, Canon, Brother, and Epson error code fixes in one place.
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