Brother DCP-1511 Manual

The Brother DCP-1511 is a compact, all-in-one monochrome laser printer featuring printing, copying, and scanning capabilities. It offers fast print speeds, automatic duplex printing, high-yield toner options, and easy connectivity via USB. Ideal for home offices and small businesses, it provides reliable performance with low operating costs. Below are key sections for safety, features, installation, setup, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

1. Features at a Glance 2. Installation 3. First-Time Setup 4. Specifications 5. Controls and Settings 6. Connecting to Computer 7. Printing Documents 8. Copying & Scanning 9. Maintenance & Supplies 10. Regulatory Information 11. Troubleshooting

Features at a Glance

Key components: Monochrome laser engine, Flatbed scanner, Control panel with LCD, Paper tray, Toner cartridge compartment, USB port.

FeatureDescription
Print ResolutionUp to 2400 x 600 dpi
Print SpeedUp to 20 pages per minute
Automatic Duplex PrintingTwo-sided printing without manual flipping
Flatbed ScannerScan documents, photos up to 8.5" x 11.7"
Copy FunctionCopy speed up to 19 copies per minute
Paper CapacityUp to 150 sheets (standard)
ConnectivityUSB 2.0 interface
Toner YieldStandard: approx. 1,200 pages; High-yield: approx. 2,600 pages
Control PanelLCD display, navigation buttons, Start/Stop
Energy SavingAuto power on/off feature

Installation

Unpack and inspect contents. Place on stable, level surface near power outlet.

  1. Remove all packaging materials and tapes from inside and outside the printer.
  2. Install the toner cartridge: Open front cover, remove cartridge from packaging, shake gently, insert until it clicks.
  3. Load paper: Adjust paper guides in tray, load up to 150 sheets of plain paper.
  4. Connect power cord to printer and wall outlet.
  5. Connect USB cable to printer and computer (for initial setup).

WARNING! Do not touch the green drum surface of the toner cartridge. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight or high humidity.

First-Time Setup

Power on printer; install software on computer.

  1. Turn on printer using power switch; wait for READY indicator.
  2. Insert Brother software CD or download drivers from Brother website.
  3. Follow on-screen instructions to install printer driver and software.
  4. When prompted, select USB connection and allow computer to detect printer.
  5. Print a test page to confirm successful installation.
  6. Configure basic settings via control panel: Language, date/time, default print mode.

CAUTION! Ensure printer is on a flat surface with adequate ventilation. Keep area clear of obstructions.

Specifications

Controls and Settings

Access functions via control panel buttons and LCD display.

Control Panel: Power button, LCD (2-line), Navigation arrows (Up/Down/Left/Right), OK, Stop/Exit, Copy, Scan, Menu, Toner, Drum, Paper, Error indicators.

Menu Settings: Device settings (Language, buzzer, sleep timer), Print settings (Density, toner save, duplex), Copy settings (Number of copies, darkness, reduce/enlarge), Scan settings (Format, resolution, destination). Network settings (if applicable via optional adapter).

LCD Messages: Display status like READY, PROCESSING, COVER OPEN, ADD PAPER, REPLACE TONER.

Connecting to Computer

Primary connection via USB cable. Optional network connection with Brother network adapter (sold separately).

  1. Ensure printer is off before connecting USB cable.
  2. Connect USB cable to printer's USB port and computer's USB port.
  3. Turn on printer; Windows should detect new hardware.
  4. Install driver software as described in First-Time Setup.
  5. For network connection, install optional network adapter into printer's USB port, then configure via control panel or software.

Tip: Use a high-quality USB cable no longer than 2 meters for reliable communication.

Printing Documents

Supports printing from various applications.

  1. Ensure printer is on and READY indicator is lit.
  2. Open document and select Print from File menu.
  3. Select Brother DCP-1511 as printer.
  4. Adjust print settings as needed: Number of copies, page range, duplex, print quality.
  5. Click Print. The DATA indicator will blink during processing.
  6. For manual duplex: Print odd pages first, then reload paper to print even pages.
  7. Cancel job: Press Stop/Exit button on control panel.

WARNING! Do not open covers during printing. Allow printed pages to cool before handling.

Copying & Scanning

Copying:

  1. Place original face down on scanner glass or face up in ADF (if equipped).
  2. Use control panel to set number of copies (1-99), darkness, reduce/enlarge (25-400%).
  3. Press Start. Copies will output to paper tray.

Scanning:

  1. Place original on scanner glass.
  2. Press Scan button on control panel or use Brother software on computer.
  3. Select scan destination (File, Email, OCR, etc.) and settings (resolution, format).
  4. Press Start to scan. Image will be saved to selected destination.

Maintenance & Supplies

Regular maintenance ensures optimal performance.

CAUTION! Use only genuine Brother consumables. Do not refill toner cartridges.

Regulatory Information

FCC Part 15: Class B digital device; complies with interference limits for residential use. Energy Star® qualified. RoHS compliant. Copyright © Brother Industries, Ltd. For support, visit support.brother.com or contact Brother Customer Service at 1-877-276-8437 (USA).

Troubleshooting

SymptomPossible CauseCorrective Action
Printer not powering onPower cord, outlet, switchEnsure power cord is securely connected; try different outlet; check power switch is on.
Paper jamsPaper loaded incorrectly, worn rollersOpen covers, carefully remove jammed paper; reload paper properly; clean rollers.
Poor print qualityLow toner, dirty drum, incorrect settingsReplace toner cartridge; clean corona wire inside drum unit; adjust print density.
Scanner not workingSoftware, connectionsReinstall scanner driver; ensure USB cable is connected; restart computer.
Printer not detectedUSB cable, driver, portTry different USB cable/port; reinstall driver; check Device Manager for errors.
Error messages on LCDVarious internal issuesRefer to manual for specific error code; turn printer off/on; clear paper jams.

Reset: Turn printer off, wait 10 seconds, turn on. For persistent issues, perform factory reset via Menu > Initial Setup > Reset.

Service: 1-877-276-8437; support.brother.com

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