Ricoh CL4000DN Error Code SC542
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.

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.
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.
QUOTE:
David Hruber Says:
August 2nd, 2008 at 8:50 am
On Aficio MP 5500 you have to
press the yellow āCā button
enter 107
press the red āCā 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!