If you’ve noticed vertical lines, blurred text, or missing sections in your scanned documents, it’s likely time to clean your Brother printer scanner. Over time, dust, toner residue, and paper debris accumulate on critical scanning surfaces, especially the scanner glass, ADF strips, and internal rollers. These contaminants degrade scan quality and can cause paper jams or feeding issues. This guide walks you through every step, from safety prep to resetting maintenance alerts, so you can restore crisp, professional-quality scans without a technician.
Whether you’re using a home office model like the MFC-L3770CDW or a high-speed document scanner like the ADS-3300W, proper cleaning keeps your device running smoothly. We’ll cover flatbed and ADF components, removable rollers, and model-specific tips. You’ll also learn how to test results, reset cleaning counters, and avoid common mistakes. Let’s get your scanner looking and scanning like new.
Safety First: Pre-Cleaning Steps
Before touching any part of your Brother scanner, follow these essential safety steps to prevent damage and ensure a safe cleaning process.
Turn Off and Unplug the Machine
Always power down completely and unplug the device from the wall outlet. This prevents accidental startup during cleaning and reduces electrical risk. Never attempt to clean internal components while the machine is on or plugged in.
Use the Right Cleaning Tools
Use only a soft, lint-free cloth like a microfiber cloth, slightly dampened with clean water. Avoid paper towels, tissues, or abrasive materials that can scratch glass or leave fibers behind. Never spray liquids directly onto the scanner.
Warning: Do not use alcohol, solvents, or household cleaners. These can damage anti-static coatings and rubber rollers.
Avoid Touching Sensitive Parts
Keep fingers off the separation pad, roller shafts and gears, and internal sensors. Oils from your skin can reduce grip and cause misfeeds. Handle removable rollers carefully and reinstall them in the correct orientation.
Clean the Flatbed Scanner Glass
The flatbed scanner glass is the large glass surface under the document cover. Smudges or debris here cause blurry or distorted scans.
Wipe the Scanner Glass
- Lift the document cover.
- Moisten a lint-free cloth with water, just enough to dampen, not soak.
- Gently wipe the entire glass surface in straight lines.
- Dry with a second clean, dry microfiber cloth to prevent streaks.
Pro Tip: Check for fingerprints or sticky residue using a flashlight at an angle.
Clean the White Reference Bar
Located on the underside of the document cover, this white plastic strip helps calibrate scan brightness. If dirty, scans may appear too dark or gray.
- Wipe the white bar with the same damp cloth.
- Dry thoroughly.
- Close the cover and power the machine back on.
Did You Know? Many users miss this bar. Cleaning it often resolves faint or shadowed scans.
Clean the ADF Scanner Glass Strip
If your Brother scanner has an automatic document feeder, a narrow glass strip inside scans pages as they pass through. Dirt here causes vertical lines or missing data in multi-page scans.
Access the ADF Glass Strip
- Turn off and unplug the machine.
- If your model allows, remove the ADF unit by releasing levers on the back.
- Locate the narrow glass strip inside the ADF path.
Remove Debris from Glass Strip
- Dampen a lint-free cloth and gently wipe the glass strip.
- Use a cotton swab for tight spaces if needed.
- Clean the adjacent white bar, which is crucial for image calibration.
Visual Cue: Run your fingertip lightly over the glass. If it feels gritty, clean again.
Handle Duplex Models Carefully
For two-sided scanners, open the scanner glass cover if supported. Clean both glass strips and their matching white bars. Reattach the ADF securely before powering back on.
Clean Internal Rollers: Prevent Jams and Misfeeds
Dirty rollers are a leading cause of paper jams and incomplete scans. Models like the ADS-3300W and ADS-1700W have removable rollers that need periodic cleaning.
Remove and Clean the Pick Up Roller
The pick up roller feeds paper into the ADF. When dirty, it slips or feeds multiple pages.
- Open the front cover.
- Remove the pick up roller cover by pinching both sides.
- Slide the roller to the right and pull it out.
- Wipe the rubber surface with a water-dampened lint-free cloth.
- Reinsert the roller, sliding it left while turning gently to seat properly.
- Replace the cover and close the front door.
Warning: Install the roller in the correct direction. Check alignment marks if present.
Clean the Reverse Roller
Used in duplex scanning to flip pages. Loss of grip causes scanning errors.
- Open the front cover.
- Pull down the reverse roller cover.
- Remove the roller by pulling it toward you, then right.
- Wipe with a damp cloth.
- Reinsert from the left and close the cover.
Expert Note: This roller wears over time. Replace if cleaning does not restore performance.
Maintain the Brake Roller
Found in ADS-3300W and similar high-speed models, this roller controls document speed.
- Press down the brake roller cover in the upper left.
- Pull the roller toward you and remove it to the right.
- Clean the shaft and rubber surface.
- Reinstall and close the cover.
Reset the Cleaning Counter After Maintenance
After cleaning rollers, reset the maintenance counter or your Brother scanner may keep showing alerts.
Reset on Models With LCD Screen
When prompted, follow on-screen instructions to confirm cleaning. Select “Cleaned” or “Yes” to reset the counter.
Reset on Models Without LCD
- Open the front cover.
- Press and hold the Go or Start button for 5 seconds.
- Wait for a beep, which confirms reset.
Consequence: Skipping this step may cause repeated alerts or restricted scanning.
Test Scan Quality After Cleaning
Always verify your work to ensure cleaning fixed the issue.
Run a Test Scan
- Place a blank white sheet or printed page on the flatbed or in the ADF.
- Scan it as usual.
- Check the image for vertical lines, shadows or streaks, and missing text or graphics.
Repeat If Needed
If defects remain, clean the glass or rollers 2 to 3 more times and retest after each pass. Use a flashlight to inspect hard-to-see areas.
Real-World Result: One user reported a persistent vertical line disappeared after the third cleaning. Do not give up too soon.
Recommended Cleaning Schedule
How often you clean depends on usage. Follow this guide to stay ahead of problems.
Light Home Use
Clean every 3 to 6 months. This is ideal for occasional scanning a few times per month.
Regular Office Use
Clean every 1 to 2 months. This applies to daily or weekly scanning tasks.
High-Volume Environments
Clean monthly or every 1,000 pages. This is critical for shared office scanners or busy workgroups.
On-Demand Cleaning
Clean immediately if a scheduled maintenance alert appears, you see vertical lines or missing data, or paper jams increase.
Pro Tip: Mark your calendar or set a reminder. Preventive cleaning saves time later.
Troubleshoot Common Scan Issues
Use this quick-reference table to diagnose and fix common problems.
Vertical Line in Scan
Cause: Dirt on ADF glass strip. Fix: Clean the glass strip and white bar thoroughly.
Faint or Gray Scans
Cause: Dirty white reference bar. Fix: Wipe both flatbed and ADF white bars.
Paper Jams in ADF
Cause: Dirty pick up, reverse, or brake rollers. Fix: Remove and clean all rollers, then reset counter.
Missing Sections in Multi-Page Scans
Cause: Debris on internal rollers or glass. Fix: Clean all ADF components and retest.
Duplex Scanning Errors
Cause: Worn or dirty reverse roller. Fix: Clean or replace the roller.
Model-Specific Cleaning Tips
Different Brother models have unique designs. Here is what you need to know.
HL-L3290CDW, MFC-L3710CW Series
Clean flatbed glass and ADF glass strip. Focus on white reference surfaces. No removable rollers in public guides. Stick to external cleaning.
ADS-1200, ADS-1250W, ADS-1700W
Clean two ADF glass strips and white bars. Remove and clean pick up and reverse rollers. Watch for separation pad. Do not touch it.
ADS-3300W
Includes brake roller. Clean monthly in high-use settings. Maintenance alert appears on LCD. Respond immediately. Reset via Start button if no screen prompt.
What Not to Use: Avoid Damage
Using the wrong tools can ruin your scanner. Avoid these at all costs.
Never Use Alcohol or Solvents
They strip protective coatings and degrade rubber rollers.
Skip Compressed Air
It can blow debris deeper into the mechanism. Stick to wiping.
Do Not Use Paper Towels or Tissues
These leave lint and can scratch glass. Always use microfiber.
No Sprays or Wipes
Pre-moistened wipes often contain chemicals unsafe for scanners.
Final Checklist: Clean Like a Pro
Before you finish, run through this final checklist.
- Machine powered off and unplugged
- Flatbed glass and white bar cleaned
- ADF glass strip and white bar wiped
- Pick up, reverse, and brake rollers cleaned if applicable
- All parts reinstalled correctly
- Cleaning counter reset
- Test scan completed with clear results
Maintenance Win: Regular cleaning extends scanner life and prevents costly repairs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning Brother Printer Scanners
How do I know when my Brother scanner needs cleaning?
Watch for vertical lines in scanned documents, blurred or faded text, missing sections in multi-page scans, increased paper jams, or a scheduled maintenance alert on models with LCD screens like the ADS-3300W.
Can I use alcohol or glass cleaner on my Brother scanner?
No. Never use alcohol, solvents, or household glass cleaners on any Brother scanner component. These chemicals damage anti-static coatings and degrade rubber rollers. Use only a soft, lint-free cloth slightly dampened with clean water.
What causes vertical lines on scanned documents?
Vertical lines are typically caused by dirt, toner residue, or correction fluid on the ADF glass strip or white reference bar. Clean both components thoroughly and retest.
How often should I clean my Brother scanner?
For light home use, clean every 3 to 6 months. For regular office use, clean every 1 to 2 months. For high-volume environments, clean monthly or after every 1,000 pages.
Do I need to reset the cleaning counter after maintenance?
Yes. For models with LCD screens, follow the on-screen prompts to reset. For models without LCD, open the front cover and hold the Go or Start button for 5 seconds until you hear a beep. Skipping this causes repeated maintenance alerts.
Keep Your Brother Scanner Running Smoothly
Cleaning your Brother printer scanner is not just about better image quality. It is about reliability, efficiency, and longevity. A few minutes of maintenance every month can prevent hours of frustration from jams and poor scans. Focus on the three key zones: glass surfaces, white reference bars, and internal rollers. Use only water and microfiber, follow model-specific steps, and reset the counter when done.
Now that you know how to clean your Brother scanner properly, make it a habit. Your next scan will be sharp, clean, and completely line-free. This proves that a little care goes a long way.
