Brother Drum Stop: Drum unit at end of life
✅ Usually fixable yourself
Brother says "Drum Stop" means the drum unit must be replaced with a new one.
What to try
- Replace the drum unit with a new one (Brother recommends a genuine Brother drum).
- After replacement, reset the drum counter following the instructions included with the new drum.
- If the message stays after replacing the drum, press Cancel and reset the drum counter.
When it needs a technician
If the message continues after a new drum is installed and the counter is reset, Brother says to contact Brother Customer Service.
Which models show Drum Stop
Brother documents this code for models including HL-L3270CDW, HL-L8360CDW, HL-L9310CDW, HL-5470DW, MFC-L3770CDW, MFC-L8900CDW, MFC-9340CDW, MFC-7860DW.
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 Stop (MFC-L8900CDW). Codes are model-specific, so your own model's manual is the final word. Reviewed October 2026.
Still showing Drum Stop?
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
Related Brother codes
Unable to Scan XX — Scanner mechanical problemPrint Unable XX — Laser printer mechanical issueDrum End Soon — Drum unit near end of lifeDrum Error — Corona wire dirty or drum not seatedToner Ended — Out of tonerToner Error — Color toner cartridge not installed correctlyFuser Error — Fuser not reaching the right temperatureReplace Fuser — Fuser unit due for replacementCooling Down — Machine pausing to coolCondensation — Moisture inside the laser printerSize Error DX — Paper size not usable for 2-sided printingSize Mismatch — Paper in tray is the wrong size