Brother Drum Error: Corona wire dirty or drum not seated
Also shows as: Drum !, Drum!
Brother says "Drum Error" (shown as "Drum !" on newer models) appears when the corona wire(s) on the drum unit are dirty or the drum or toner and drum assembly is not installed correctly.
What to try
- Clean the corona wire(s) in the drum unit, following your model's corona wire cleaning steps.
- Take the drum out, remove the toner cartridge, put it back into the drum, and reinstall the assembly.
- If the message still appears, the drum is at the end of its life; replace it with a new one.
When it needs a technician
Brother's steps end with replacing the drum unit; no service visit is listed.
Which models show Drum Error
Brother documents this code for models including HL-2280DW, HL-5470DW, HL-L2350DW, HL-L2370DW, MFC-7860DW, MFC-8710DW, MFC-L2710DW, MFC-L8900CDW.
First steps for any printer error
- Write down the exact code before you do anything else — similar-looking codes often mean completely different things.
- Power the printer off, unplug it for a couple of minutes, then power it back on. A surprising number of transient errors clear here.
- Open the covers and check for paper scraps, packaging material, or anything blocking the carriage.
- Check the cartridges or tanks are genuine, correctly seated, and not empty.
- Confirm the printer is plugged directly into a wall outlet, not a power strip or extension lead.
- Check your model’s own manual — codes are model-specific, and the manual is the authority for your machine.
Source: Brother Support FAQ - Drum Error (Drum!) (MFC-8710DW). Codes are model-specific, so your own model's manual is the final word. Reviewed October 2026.
Still showing Drum Error?
Tell our printer technician your model and what you've tried. You'll find out whether it's fixable at home or worth repairing at all.
Ask about my printer — $1Eric Paul Amora · Printer & Hardware Repair Technician