Ricoh CL4000DN Error Code SC542
Posted by david on June 17th, 2007
SC542 Error Code
A client had a Ricoh CL4000DN printer, and it started flashing error code SC542. As it turns out, Ricoh error codes seem to be a closely guarded secret, and the local Ricoh rep wanted either $199 an hour or a yearly service contract to fix it. The printer was a 200 pound paperweight, because it wouldn’t finish internal diagnostics.
I investigated, and it appears the client had a power brownout just before the error occurred.
Turns out error SC542 indicates a fuser temperature problem. Once the error is detected, the printer is toast until you manually clear the error from the keypad. Even though the printer is physically fine, it won’t come ready until the prior error condition is cleared.
A few phone calls with our local Ricoh service rep, and he admitted that the printer might trip this error in a power brownout.
The printer was less than 30 days old and the error was caused by the brownout or the fuser failed. I kept calling the Ricoh rep, and they finally gave me the magic keystrokes over the phone.
I did the magic keystrokes, cleared the error code, and the printer worked fine. It’s been working great for a year now.
I hope someone else who has this problem finds this page and is able to fix the problem also. I didn’t find any help on the net when I searched.
The Fix
In order to clear error SC542, you must perform procedure 5810.
- Press and hold online + escape, then power on.
- Use up and down arrow keys to select SP2
- Press Enter
- Use up and down arror to locate SP5
- Press Enter
- Use up and down arrow keys to select 810
- Press Enter
- Confirm the selection
- Power off and on.
The error code is now cleared.
Summary
The fix worked. As I find other magic codes for Ricoh printers I’ll post them here.
If you have other information about Ricoh printers, or want to let me know how this worked for you, please discuss this article in our forum.
Update
This is the most popular article on our website, generating about 300 page views per month with people searching from Google and MSN. Obviously this is a popular problem. I’d be interested to know how your printer failed, maybe there is a design problem of some sort? Send me an e-mail and let me know. My address is david at fortc dot com.
August 2nd, 2008 at 8:50 am
On Aficio MP 5500 you have to
press the yellow “C” button
enter 107
press the red “C” button and keep it hold till the display changes
turn the power off with the big red switch on the front side
turn power on again.
We have this error every few weeks, don’t know what it is but i solved it with the Ricoh service hotline in Austria.
August 2nd, 2008 at 8:51 am
We have several Ricoh 410N and got this erro SC 542 after a brownout over the weekend. I tried this but had to vary one thing- see below – but it worked thanks.
In order to clear error SC542, you must perform procedure 5810.
Turn off the printer.
Press and hold online + escape, then power on.
Use up and down arrow keys to select SP2 (you will see something that has SP 1 , 2 and 3 – there are other things but I chose the 2)
Press Enter
Use up and down arror to locate SP5810 (mine did not have a SP5 but it did have a SP5810 and beside it said “Fusing Err Clr” so I chose that.
Press Enter
Confirm the selection
It will yes that it has done it
then Power off and on.
December 18th, 2008 at 2:37 am
QUOTE:
David Hruber Says:
August 2nd, 2008 at 8:50 am
On Aficio MP 5500 you have to
press the yellow “C” button
enter 107
press the red “C” button and keep it hold till the display changes
turn the power off with the big red switch on the front side
turn power on again.
This proceedure also works on the Afico 3025.
Thanks!
February 6th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Sometime the SC 542 error is generated by electrical fluctuations or a fuser problem.
Here’s the process to reset a Ricoh CL7300 (or CL7200) with a SC 542 error:
1) Enter Service Mode by holding down Online + Escape and then turning on the printer
2) Hold down keys until System version appears & the 1st option (1. System) appears.
3) Arrow down to #2 – Engine & press Enter.
4) Arrow down to # 5 – Mode & press Enter.
5) Arrow up until you see SP5810 – SC_Reset, & press Enter.
6) You will be prompted to Execute? – press Enter. Resulting message should say results OK.
7) Turn off printer, wait 5-10 secs & turn on again. Should be OK; if not, call Service.
February 11th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
My error was SC543 this fixed that as well. Now the printer insists there is a paper jam. My own hair is almost all pulled out!
February 16th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
This was really helpful – fixed it right away! THANK YOU!
March 11th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
This procedure worked perfectly. Thank you for this awesome website!
March 11th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
My Ricoh FT-4527 has error code E541. I am not at my office and the secretary has to clear the error. Is there something I can tell her to do over the phone?
Like everyone else, charges to clear this error are unbelieveable, but it’s hard to find fixes online.
Thanks
April 24th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
David Hruber Says:
August 2nd, 2008 at 8:50 am
On Aficio MP 5500 you have to
press the yellow “C” button
enter 107
press the red “C” button and keep it hold till the display changes
turn the power off with the big red switch on the front side
turn power on again.
IT WORKS ON RICOH MFP: DSM627 ALSO
THANKS AGAIN
April 30th, 2009 at 10:51 am
Doing a 5810 also worked on a Ricoh Aficio 4100 BW printer.
Ricoh’s web-site said to turn off and on and then call for service if not cleared.
Took under five minutes.
Thanks for posting.
May 13th, 2009 at 7:59 am
I am getting the same error on my Lanier (Ricoh) LD035. Those buttons don’t exist on this machine to do the fix. Anybody have any quick advice before they come out and gouge me with their $149 hourly fee? You can email me at david@ogmortgage.com or call 610-722-0440.
July 3rd, 2009 at 8:33 am
Paul Anderson Says:
December 18th, 2008 at 2:37 am
QUOTE:
David Hruber Says:
August 2nd, 2008 at 8:50 am
On Aficio MP 5500 you have to
press the yellow “C” button
enter 107
press the red “C” button and keep it hold till the display changes
turn the power off with the big red switch on the front side
turn power on again.
This proceedure also works on the Afico 3025.
This also works on the Aficio MP2510.
July 10th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Thank you, thank you, thank you. A similar procedure worked for a Ricoh AP2100 that failed after a power outage and had been dust gathering for several years: Press and hold online + escape, then power on, then scroll to to find the fuser error reset option.
I also have a Lexmark Optra R+ with the same problem. Any idea how to get reset the fuser error on that?
July 29th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
I have a ricoh 1045 and the SC542 code is on. Any tips to get rid of it? Thanks in advance for the help.
August 21st, 2009 at 6:17 pm
ricoh 2090 got service error SC542… any tips how to fix this problem? The printer was printing fine then the Please Wait message came up and stayed there… powered down the system next and then when we powered it back on, the error message with SC542 showed up… I’ve seen blogs and answers with help for this message but with different Ricoh types… Please answer when possible…
Thanks,
August 26th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
@12- Jimbo: I just did this for a 3228C and it worked perfect! Thanks so much!
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Many thanks for the site and especially to Rom, who spelled it out for the Ricoh Aficio CL 7200/7300. Had this come up after a power failure and thought the printer was fried for sure.
December 22nd, 2009 at 8:46 am
Where do i find the online and escape key, please can you advise
January 5th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
press the yellow “C” button
enter 107
press the red “C” button and keep it hold till the display changes
turn the power off with the big red switch on the front side
turn power on again.
Works on Aficio 3030
February 5th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
It worked. You saved me $150. It only took me 5 minutes or less to fix it.
Thanks
March 12th, 2010 at 8:32 am
press the yellow “C” button
enter 107
press the red “C” button and keep it hold till the display changes
press Printer SP button on display
turn the power off with the big red switch on the front side
turn power on again.
Works on 3235c
March 31st, 2010 at 9:51 am
Also works on Ricoh Aficio 2075SP
April 8th, 2010 at 2:19 am
It’s not work with Ricoh Aficio MP 3500SP. How to clear service error?
April 13th, 2010 at 10:34 am
I’ve had to replace the fusing unit on a CL7200. Used the reset code you gave but now the display says Reset Fusing Unit Correctly…. I tried many many times but can’t get to work. I’ve also checked the pins on the unit and they seem ok. Any suggestions?
May 4th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
I was faxed these directions froma local service company and i find the buttons to sequence in order to enter service mode on my printer Spc232. any suggestions? i dont have an online or escape/cancel option.
June 3rd, 2010 at 7:47 am
Just used it for an Aficio CL4000DN laser printer. It work on the second try. It took less than 3 minutes.
Thank you very much!
June 16th, 2010 at 5:51 am
This is the 2nd time this SC542 code came up on our Ricoh mp2510. Followed the instructions listed and it worked great. We’re up and running. Thanks!!!
June 18th, 2010 at 3:32 pm
I just used this on my 3030…I had to do it twice, but it worked! Thank you so much!
July 14th, 2010 at 1:44 am
Yellow C, 1 0 7, Red C, restart:
Reset works on MP 7500 as well.
Thanks!
August 5th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
Gracias a la publicacion se paso el codigo, tengo una 7200, bueno ademas de mover los conectores del fusor y los que estan en la maquina cero problema
August 18th, 2010 at 6:18 am
I have a new Ricoh Aficio SP C231N Printer that has the sc542 error. Different set of buttons than discribed in this group. Any way to reset? Thanks
August 25th, 2010 at 9:32 am
The yellow C, 107, red C method worked perfectly on Aficio 2510!! Thanks!
August 27th, 2010 at 3:15 am
I have a problems with my Rex Rotary MP 1600 SC:542 error, Please assist.
Thanks in avance