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.