Ricoh CL4000DN Error Code SC542

by on June 17, 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.  Many people find this by looking for SC-542 or SC 542.

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.

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.

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.

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 comment below.

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.


Find more like this: Blog

42 Responses to Ricoh CL4000DN Error Code SC542

  • David Hruber says:

    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.

  • Sumerlady says:

    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.

  • Paul Anderson says:

    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!

  • Rom says:

    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.

  • Bruce says:

    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!

  • Cindy says:

    This was really helpful – fixed it right away! THANK YOU!

  • Adrian says:

    This procedure worked perfectly. Thank you for this awesome website!

  • Roy says:

    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

  • NIKHIL says:

    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

  • Andy says:

    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.

  • David says:

    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.

  • Jimbo says:

    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.

  • C. List says:

    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?

  • Armando says:

    I have a ricoh 1045 and the SC542 code is on. Any tips to get rid of it? Thanks in advance for the help.

  • e says:

    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,

  • Rob says:

    @12- Jimbo: I just did this for a 3228C and it worked perfect! Thanks so much!

  • M says:

    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.

  • David says:

    Where do i find the online and escape key, please can you advise

  • Sky says:

    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

  • Litespeed69 says:

    It worked. You saved me $150. It only took me 5 minutes or less to fix it.

    Thanks

  • timeshell says:

    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

  • Laurel Raven says:

    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.

    Also works on Ricoh Aficio 2075SP

  • Stryker says:

    It’s not work with Ricoh Aficio MP 3500SP. How to clear service error?

  • Adrian says:

    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?

  • ST344 says:

    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.

  • Frank Ortiz says:

    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!

  • Susan says:

    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!!!

  • Kate says:

    I just used this on my 3030…I had to do it twice, but it worked! Thank you so much!

  • Vech says:

    Yellow C, 1 0 7, Red C, restart:
    Reset works on MP 7500 as well.

    Thanks!

  • Marco says:

    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

  • James says:

    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

  • Heather C says:

    The yellow C, 107, red C method worked perfectly on Aficio 2510!! Thanks!

  • Alfred Oling says:

    I have a problems with my Rex Rotary MP 1600 SC:542 error, Please assist.
    Thanks in avance

  • Terry Shane says:

    This worked perfectly for the MP 7001. Thanks for all your help. We kept the trains moving today due to this website!

  • PETER GOODMAN says:

    Thanks. Had a Ricoh Aficio 7300 and Rom’s solution worked! I’m amazed. Last time the Ricoh guy was out here he stood around and did nothing for half an hour and then charged us.

  • James Walker says:

    SC542 Fuser Temperature Warm-up Error
    Hot Roller Warm up Error
    If the code will not reset
    There is a fault at your fuser unit (Heater unit).Check thermistors thermofuse or Heater Lamp
    1. Mode(Yellow Button)
    2. 107
    3. Press STOP Button for 3 second (RED Button)
    4. Copy Sp
    5. 5810#
    6. Excute
    7. Power Off
    8. Power On

  • dgolf says:

    *********************
    Ricoh Afficio 3235C:
    *********************
    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.

  • Paul W. says:

    I have a Ricoh SP4210N printer that got the same SC542 error. A slightly modified version of these instructions worked for me as well.

    Clearing Error SC542 on Ricoh Printer:
    Press and hold Suspend/Resume and Escape buttons and power on.
    Wait about 30 seconds until it shows Ricoh on the screen.
    Use the Up and Down arrow keys to select “2.engine”
    Press Enter
    Use the Up and Down arrow keys to select “5.mode”
    Press Enter
    Use the Up and Down arrow keys to select “SP5810 >> Fusing Err Clr”
    Press Enter
    Press Enter again on the “Execute” screen to confirm the selection.
    Wait a minute and Power off the printer and power it back on normally.

  • Dave R. says:

    My CL7200 was displaying “replace fuser soon”. I replaced and received the SC542 error on initial power up. Your reset instructions brought it back to life. Thanks . . .

  • Troy Cooper says:

    I am getting a SC 347 error after a few pages and then requires ne to turn unit off then on… It resets and the same thing happens again…

  • Tim says:

    It worked perfect on our Ricoh Aficio 2022.

    Service company advised us over the telephone that we would have to pay 500.00 euro for new fuser assembly unit plus 135.00 Euro +VAT for technician call-out and 80.00 Euro + VAT per hour for labour. Go figure how many hours they would need to do this reset procedure.

    Now, due to this excellent and down to earth explanation, we saved money and nerves. Greeting from Ireland and thanks for the brilliant post.

  • kevin says:

    I have a amici 1022 showing a error code of. ZX542. Any ideas or steps I can try in office to fix before calling a tech out? Thanks