Brother HL-4000CN Windows manual
The Brother HL-4000CN is a color laser printer designed for Windows operating systems, offering high-quality color printing, network connectivity, and reliable performance. This manual covers installation, driver setup, configuration, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting for Windows users. Below are key sections for getting started, features, installation steps, configuration, printing tasks, maintenance, and problem resolution.
Features at a Glance
Key components: Color laser engine, control panel, paper trays, network interface, USB port, toner cartridges (CMYK).
| Feature | Description |
| Print Technology | Color laser electrophotography |
| Print Resolution | Up to 2400 x 600 dpi |
| Print Speed | Up to 20 ppm (black & color) |
| Paper Capacity | 250-sheet standard tray, optional additional trays |
| Connectivity | USB 2.0, Ethernet 10/100Base-TX |
| Supported OS | Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10, 11 |
| Memory | 64 MB standard, expandable |
| Duplex Printing | Manual (driver-supported) |
| Toner Cartridges | Separate Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black |
| Control Panel | LCD display, navigation buttons, status LEDs |
System Requirements
Ensure your Windows computer meets these requirements before installation.
- Operating System: Windows XP or later (32-bit or 64-bit).
- Processor: 1 GHz or faster.
- RAM: 512 MB minimum (1 GB recommended).
- Hard Disk Space: 500 MB for driver and software.
- Interface: USB port or Ethernet network connection.
- CD-ROM Drive: For installation disc (or download driver).
- Internet Access: Recommended for driver updates and registration.
NOTE: Administrator privileges are required for driver installation.
Installation & Setup
Follow these steps to install the printer on your Windows system.
- Unpack: Remove printer from box, remove all packaging materials and tapes.
- Install Toner: Open front cover, install each color toner cartridge, close cover.
- Load Paper: Pull out paper tray, load plain paper, adjust guides.
- Connect Power: Plug power cord into printer and wall outlet, turn on printer.
- Connect to Computer:
- USB: Connect USB cable to computer and printer.
- Network: Connect Ethernet cable to router/switch and printer.
- Install Driver: Insert Brother CD or download driver from website, run setup.exe, follow on-screen instructions.
- Test Print: After installation, print a test page from Windows Printer properties.
WARNING! Do not touch the green drum surface inside toner cartridges. Keep printer on a stable, flat surface.
Printer Specifications
- Model: Brother HL-4000CN.
- Print Method: Laser electrophotography.
- Print Speed: Up to 20 pages per minute (black and color).
- First Print Out Time: Less than 15 seconds.
- Recommended Monthly Duty Cycle: Up to 30,000 pages.
- Paper Sizes: Letter, Legal, A4, Executive, envelopes, labels, transparencies.
- Paper Weight: 16 to 43 lb (60 to 163 g/m²).
- Warm-up Time: Approx. 30 seconds from power on.
- Noise Level: Less than 53 dB(A) during operation.
- Dimensions (W x D x H): Approx. 16.5" x 18.1" x 15.7".
- Weight: Approx. 55.1 lbs.
- Power Consumption: Approx. 500W printing, 65W ready, 10W sleep.
- Power Source: 120V AC, 60Hz.
Controls and Software
Control Panel: LCD display, buttons (OK, Go, Stop/Exit, arrows), status LEDs (Ready, Data, Error).
Brother Software Suite (Windows):
- Printer Driver: For print settings (quality, paper, color management).
- Status Monitor: Shows toner levels, errors, maintenance alerts.
- ControlCenter: For scanning (if scanner equipped) and device settings.
- Network Configuration: Tool to set IP address, network parameters.
- Firmware Update Tool: Updates printer firmware via network/USB.
Access printer properties in Windows: Start > Devices and Printers > right-click Brother HL-4000CN > Printing Preferences.
Network Configuration
To set up the printer on a network (Ethernet):
- Connect Ethernet cable from router/switch to printer's Ethernet port.
- Turn on printer. It will obtain an IP address automatically via DHCP by default.
- Print a network configuration page: Press Menu on control panel, navigate to Network > Print Configuration.
- Note the IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.100).
- On Windows PC, install driver using "Network" connection option, enter the IP address when prompted.
- Alternatively, use Brother's Network Installation Wizard on the CD.
Static IP: To assign a fixed IP, use the control panel menu: Network > TCP/IP > Manual > enter IP, subnet, gateway.
Tip: Ensure printer and computer are on the same network subnet.
Printing Tasks
Common printing operations from Windows applications.
- Standard Print: File > Print, select Brother HL-4000CN, adjust copies, pages, click Print.
- Print Preferences: Access advanced settings: Paper type, quality (Draft/Normal/High), color mode (Color/Grayscale), duplex, watermark.
- Color Management: Use driver's Color Adjustment tab for brightness, saturation, contrast.
- Envelopes/Labels: Load in manual feed slot, select envelope or label media in driver.
- Cancel Print Job: Double-click printer icon in system tray, right-click job > Cancel.
- Print Test Page: Windows Devices and Printers > right-click printer > Printer Properties > Print Test Page.
WARNING! Do not open covers or remove paper during printing to avoid jams.
Maintenance & Supplies
Regular maintenance ensures optimal performance.
- Toner Replacement: When toner low LED lights or Status Monitor alerts, replace cartridge. Open front cover, remove old cartridge, unpack new one, shake gently, insert, close cover.
- Drum Unit: Replace when print quality degrades or message appears (separate from toner).
- Paper Jam Clearing: Turn off printer, open rear cover or duplex unit, gently pull jammed paper out in direction of paper path.
- Cleaning Exterior: Unplug printer, use soft dry cloth. Do not use alcohol or solvents.
- Cleaning Inside: Use approved cleaning cloth to wipe rollers if paper dust accumulates.
- Waste Toner Box: Replace when full (indicator on printer or software).
CAUTION! Use only genuine Brother toner and supplies. Do not expose toner cartridges to light for extended periods.
Regulatory Information
FCC Part 15: Class B digital device; complies with limits for residential installation. CE marked for European compliance. Energy Star qualified. Copyright © Brother Industries, Ltd. Brother is a registered trademark of Brother Industries, Ltd. For support, visit support.brother.com or contact Brother Customer Service at 1-877-276-8437.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Possible Cause | Corrective Action |
| Printer not responding | Connection, power, driver | Check USB/network cable; ensure power on; reinstall driver. |
| Poor print quality | Toner low, drum, media | Replace toner/drum; use recommended paper; clean inside. |
| Paper jams | Paper loaded incorrectly, worn rollers | Clear jam following guide; ensure paper guides set correctly. |
| Color misalignment | Calibration needed | Run automatic calibration from printer menu or driver utility. |
| Network printing fails | IP address, firewall | Verify IP address; temporarily disable firewall; re-run network setup. |
| "Toner Low" message | Toner nearly empty | Replace indicated color toner cartridge. |
| Driver installation fails | OS compatibility, admin rights | Download latest driver from website; run as administrator. |
Reset: To restore factory defaults: Menu > General Setup > Reset > All Settings.
Service: For hardware issues, contact Brother Support: 1-877-276-8437 or www.brother.com.
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