Error Codes Laser Printer

Error Codes

The HP family of Laser printers provide error codes to alert you of most problems. Some of the more common error codes are listed below with links to pages with explanations and solutions.

Error Codes Error 10
Supplies Memory Error

10.XX.YY Exact format is dependent on printer model
The printer is unable The printer is unable to read the electronic information (elabel) on the print cartridge. XX Description 00 memory error on the cartridge or 01 memory device not foundYY Description 00 black print cartridge
Supplies used in newer printer models contain a memory chip. This information contained on this chip is dependent on the printer model and the supply. The error 10 indicates a problem with the printer obtaining the information from this chip. The chip may be missing or defective or contain incorrect information. Turn the printer off/on to attempt to clear or reset the message. Remove and reinstall the supply, replace the supply.
Replace the memory chip cable/connector or the DC controller.

Error 11
Paper Out

Paper tray empty or not seated correctly. A buildup of toner on the edges of the tray which slide into the printer can sometimes cause problems. Take a sharp tool, like a razor blade and scrape the buildup off these edges.
Sensor Arm Stuck or Broken - check for free movement of the sensor arm. On the LJ4/4M/4+/4M+ the sensor flag can get knocked out of place when a paper jam occurs and the tray is pulled out abruptly. Most times this can simply be reinstalled. If it's broken, you will need to replace the sensor flag.
Defective Tray Size Sensing or Configuration - Most trays have tabs which depress a series of switches when installed. Verify that the tabs aren't damaged and that the tray switches located in the printer are not damaged. You can depress these by hand and hear them click. Occasionally the contact for the micro switch will get bent and will have to be replaced. Also verify the configuration through the menus on the printer.
Defective Paper Control Sensor PCB - These do fail and will need to be replaced.

Error 12
Printer Open

Paper path door (IIP/IIIP) or top cover open. On the IIP/IIIP this can be caused by a defective toner cartridge, defective cooling fan, PS4 or PS5 sensors. Also caused by the density adjusting PCA located behind the density adjusting slide switch. This board takes the input from the two sensors and provides info to the DC controller. If the board becomes defective, you will receive an error 12. Easily replaced after removing the top cover and three wiring harness connectors. If you want to attempt board level repair try the electrolytic capacitor, C702, 10 uF 50 VDC. On the 4P/5P printers, the top cover is open or no toner cartridge is installed. This error can also be caused by a defective interlock switch assembly.
On the Laserjet 4/4+ an error 12 can indicate the top cover open or a broken tab on the cover assembly. On rare occasions a defective paper control assembly or actuator can cause this problem. Verify the tab on the cover is not broken.

Error 13
Paper Jam Error Message Forms: 13.XX.YZ

additonal location info on displayXX = Jam CodeY = Device NumberZ = Device TypePossible Locations: Tray 1, Tray 2, Tray 3, Rear Door, Top Cover,
Check the paper, make sure it meets the paper specifications for your printer. Tractor feed paper with the edges ripped off doesn't seem to work very well. Extremely heavy or thick paper is also a problem. Check the HP paper specification guide for more info. Be careful with labels, use only labels designed to take the heat generated by the fuser assembly. Regular labels my "ooze" adhesive as they pass through the fuser assembly and literally gum up the works! Also check for any partially peeled labels, this can be a disaster if they come off inside the printer.
Check the paper path for toner or paper dust buildup. Look for bits of paper lodged in the path particularly around the sensors. 4L/4P printers can have paper stuck in the pickup area which is accessed by removing the screw over the oblique roller cover.
You may have a worn pickup roller. Common on the LJII/III series is a worn input pickup roller. Sometimes you can clean these and get a few more miles out of them but when you start to get jams with a smudge on the top middle of the page, it's time to replace both the input pickup roller assembly and the cork paper separation pad. On the IIP/IIIP you can wipe toner/paper dust buildup off the roller and also remove the separation pad (small cork pad) and clean it as well. If the rollers are glazed or you see cracks, replace the roller or assembly. Replacing the pickup roller and seperation pad on the IIP/IIIP will quiet the chatter associated with a worn seperation pad.
Is the paper size correct? Is the software set for the size you're using? Is the menu set for the size you're using? Check these items. If the software tells the printer to expect a different size (legal, A4, COM10) than the tray available, you will get an error. This can happen when printing a FAX document formatted for A4 size paper.
You could also have a defective or dirty exit sensor. Replace or clean as needed.
Make sure the paper cassettes are installed correctly. A buildup of toner on the edges of the tray which slide into the printer can sometimes cause problems. Take a sharp tool, like a razor blade and scrape the buildup off these edges.
Bad paper pickup solenoid. On the LJII/III series the rubber damper on the clutch release solenoid can degrade and become sticky and gummy. You can remove it and replace it with a piece of adhesive backed felt. Note: A sticky solenoid can also be the cause of text appearing lower on each successive page.
Bad drive gears. Again on the LJII/III we are starting to see more and more failures of the gear drive assembly. A broken tooth on one gear is all it takes. Replace this as an assembly.
Listen for the motor operation, make sure it's operational. If not replace the motor or drive circuit as required.
HP IIP/IIIP and Apple Personal LaserWriter's that pickup the paper and then crunch it up at the toner cartridge usually have a bad drive gear assembly. If the paper crinkles right at the toner cartridge it is most likely the drive gear located on the right side of the printer. If you fold down the right side cover, you will see a white gear/clutch assembly. Replacing this should solve your problem. You need RG1-1777, Drive Gear Assembly. Take a look at the white gear - if it looks as if it has twisted on the shaft that is the problem. You can remove it and rotate the inner white gear - it should exhibit a one way clutch action and rotate smoothly. The outer gear should rotate in one direction only with a spring action which limits it rotation.

ERROR 14
No EP Cartridge or No Toner Cartridge

No toner cartridge or cartridge not fully seated - pull it out and install it again. On the IIP/IIIP the connections for the high voltage are made on the left side of the printer so you may want to favor that side as you install the cartridge.
On the HP LaserJet/LaserJet Plus (2686A/D) this can be caused by a defective cassette micro switch in which case you will have to repair or replace it.
On the II and III Series printers, this error message can be caused by a faulty paper control PCA. This is the board mounted to the DC power supply which is in the right front corner of the printer. Press the spring contacts and listen for the micro switches. You should hear a definite clicking.
On the II and III Series and the IIISi/4Si, make sure at least one of the two drum sensitivity tabs are present. These are small rectangular blocks of plastic which contact the switches in the printer.
On the 4V/4MV check the toner cartridge micro switch on the High Voltage PCB - SW501.
Also on the 4V/4MV check the door open sensor (PS402) on the terminal board located under the transfer roller.
Can also be caused by a defective DC controller. Pretty rare though.

Error 16
Toner Low

Toner cartridge is empty or toner in cartridge is not distributed evenly. Gently shake the toner cartridge both from side to side and from front to back. This can generally get you 100 or so more pages.
Bad or dirty cartridge contacts. Look for the conductive contacts on the cartridge and the corresponding contacts in the printer and make sure they are clean and free of contaminants.
Defective High Voltage power supply or on the LJ II/III the DC controller to High Voltage power supply can be defective. Check for opens on the cable.
IIISi/4Si check the door open sensor flag, PS1. Also check the toner level sensor and the toner cartridge itself for damage. It can also be caused by a defective DC controller. You can verify this by substituting a known good DC controller if possible.

Error 18
MIO Not Ready

The printer is not connected to a LAN when it's expecting to see a LAN. Terminate the port on the printer with a BNC T and two 50 ohm termination's.
The MIO card is defective or maybe just not seated correctly. Remove the card and reseat it, try swapping with a know good card from another printer. Replace if necessary.

Error 20
Memory Overflow / Insufficient Memory

A large print job has exceeded the memory capacity of the printer. Verify that the SIMMS or memory cards are seated. Add more memory or simplify the print job. Remember the original HP Laserjet has only 128K of memory available, the LJ+ has only 512K and neither one is really upgradable.
On the 5P turn the image adapt and page protect to ON or AUTO. These can be set within the Remote Control Panel. Press GO to resume printing.
On the 5L, set the Enhanced I/O to AUTO (PCL mode) and resend the print job.

Error 21
Print Overrun

The print job is to complex. Simplify the job by removing font changes etc. On the III, IIID, IIIP, enable page protect if you have and additional 1 MB of memory installed.
On the 4/4M/4+ and 5: The print job is to complex, enable page protect from the control panel and from the software. You may need additional memory.
4L Same thing with to much data or the page is to complex. Simplify the print job. Turn the image adapt and page protect to ON or AUTO either from the control panel or from within HP Explorers Remote Control Panel.
5P/5Si Same as above, Press GO to resume printing.

Error 22
22 Error/ I/O Config Error/ Par I/O Error/MIO Error

I/O configuration for the computer or printer is incorrect. Configure is properly.
Check I/O Cable, it could be the wrong cable or damaged.
To much data sent to the I/O port - clear data with GO or Continue, data may be lost
Is the computer on?!
How about the I/O port - damaged, seated properly, pins not bent?
4+/5P/5 The computer and printer aren't talking because of improper signal protocols. Could be a bad cable or loose connection or just a poor quality cable. Reseat the cable and use only high quality IEEE 1284 compliant cables.
5Si Are you using a non-HP MIO device?

Error 23
I/O Not Ready

ALL PRINTERS The I/O card is not accepting data. May not be connected - check cabling - or it may be defective. Reseat the card and if available, swap with a known working card. Watch the termination's on the network cabling.

Error 24
Job Memory Full

The print job is too complex to be processed. Laser printers are page printers and require the entire page to be processed before beginning to print. Simplify the print job by removing font changes and/or graphics. Add more memory.

Error 30 PS Error 16
ALL PRINTERS An I/O time-out or a prompt for user interaction like a manual feed has been exceeded. Check the I/O connections and make sure the proper media is being used.

Error 30 PS Error 16
ALL PRINTERS This is an unexpected PostScript firmware error. Reseat the PostScript SIMM and/or replace it.

Error 30 PS Error XX

ALL PRINTERS PCL file was sent to the printer while in PostScript mode or the PostScript file contains bad data, or you have experienced and application error (crash). You need to check the configuration of your printer and drivers, reset the printer, try issuing an initialization command from within the application. May need to reload your PostScript print driver file.

ERROR 40
Make sure computer and printer are set to the same baud rates. Reset as needed.
Is the computer powered off!
Check the MIO card, remove, clean contacts, reinstall. Replace if defective
An abnormal connection break may have occurred during data transfer - Press Continue or Go to clear this error message.

ERROR 41
Momentary error, press "Continue" or "GO" to reset the printer
5L/6L Power Cycle the printer if error continues reseat the DC controller to Formatter
5P/6P Occurs if printer picks up two sheets of paper at once. Check pickup rollers and separation pad clean as needed. Replace if problem persists
IIIP/IIP/IIP+ Paper feed problem - check feed/pickup rollers for movement and wear. Replace as needed
IIP S/N between 2925J00000 and 3047J99999 replace fuser assembly
ERROR 41-X
X= 1,2,4,5 A temporary error occured - Press "CONTINUE" to clear. 41.3 Error - Unexpected paper size - more than one sheet of paper picked up. May be feed problem.

ERROR 43 / ERROR 43 OPT INTERFACE
This indicates a communication problem between the formatter PCA and an optional interface installed (such as a network card). Remove and reseat the optional interface card. If the problem continues, remove the optional interface card and set the printer for standard parallel interface by taking off-line and holding down "Menu" key for 5-10 seconds. Scroll through items until "I/O =" appears and use the +/- key to display parallel and the enter key to select. Then put the printer back online and send a test job from the host computer via the parallel cable. If this is successful, you have a problem with the optional I/O card and should replace it or reset it.

ERROR 51 (Loss of beam detect)
IIP/IIP+/IIIP Improperly seated toner cartridge - remove and reinstall
Laser shutter blocked or damaged
Damaged fiber optic cable
Defective Laser PCA - replace back II/IID/III/IIID
Defective toner cartridge - Replace with different cartridge, even empty for testing
Bad or loose cable connectors - Scanner to DC Controller - check and tighten connector pins at both ends of cable
Damaged Fiber optic cable - examine for cuts or kinks, replace as necessary
Defective Scanner Assembly - Replace RG5-0050Back
IIISi/4Si
Defective Toner Cartridge - Replace with different cartridge, even empty for testing
Fiber Optic cable - examine for cuts kinks, nicks.
Faulty Connectors - Check J002 on DC controller and J601 on Laser PCA
Low DC Voltage - Verify 12 VDC at J601-2 on Laser PCA
Defective Scanner Assembly - Replace Laser Scanner AssemblyBack 4/4+/5
Faulty Laser Scanner Cable Connectors - Remove and Reseat connectors
Defective Laser Scanner Assembly - Replace RG5-0049Back

Error 55
On IIISi/4Si Printers this is due to the DC controller not receiving the proper information upon startup. Check the connectors on the DC controller and power supply. If you don't hear the motor immediately and you don't have a paper jam, change the power supply.

Error 57
6L/5L Check memory card compatibliity - 1,2,4,8 MB, 5 volt, 70 nanosecond or faster
6P/5P/5 Main motor problem, check gear train for binding. Check connections to DC controller - replace main motor
4L/4 Main motor problem, check gear train for binding. Replace main motor
IIIP/IIP+/IIP Error 57-1 Incompatible memory can be either top or bottom slot. Also check motor cable connections. Replace main motor. Can also be DC controller.
5Si/4+/4Si/IIISi (X=2, 3 or 4) Fan motor faulty, check fan number X or duplexor fan and replace as necessary
5 Main motor failure - replace main motor
4+ 57.1 Gears are siezed, motor is bad or DC controller is bad
4Si/IIISi 57.1 Gears siezed, faulty top cover switch, faulty AC interlock switch, J010 loose or faulty, bad main motor PCA
A temporary printing error occurred in one of the printer fans. X represents the fan motor number associated with the error. For example, 1 = fan motor 1. Power the printer off/on to clear error. Replace appropriate fan as needed.

Error 58
4/4L/4P/4V/5/5P Check the fan cable - reseat cable or replace fan
4V/4MV Defective DC controller board - replace
IIISi/4Si Error 58.1 & 58.2 Improperly seated paper cassette
4Si/IIISi 58.1/58.2 Paper cassette is impoperly inserted
5Si 58.X Tray/Lifter Malfunction if X=1: Tray 2 lifter, X=2: Tray 3 lifter, X=3: Tray 1 lifter, X=4: Tray 4 lifter Press SELECT to continue
A printer power source problem Laserjet 1000/1150/1300/2300/3300/4100/4200/4300/5000/5100/8150/9000 Series- To resolve problems with the power supply:1 Remove the printer from any UPS supplies, additional power supplies, or power strips. Plug the printer into a wall outlet and see if this resolves the problem.2 If the printer is already plugged into a wall outlet, try another power source in the building that is independent of the one currently being used.The line voltage and current source at the printer location might need to be inspected to ensure that they meet the electrical specifications for the printer.

ERROR 59 Add Memory
4Si/IIISi Not enough memory for PostScript option. Verify SIMM's are seated properly, replace any defective
5Si 59.X Main motor malfunciton X=1: Main motor startup failure, X=2: Main motor rotation failure


ERROR 62.X
62.0 Service, 62.1-4 Service, 62.5 Service, 62.6 Service All Printers
1. Improperly seated SIMMs or font cartridge - remove, check/clean contacts re-install and try again. Try with SIMMs or font cartridge removed to be sure error clears.
2. Defective Internal Memory - Replace Formatter PCA, check all cables first!

ERROR 67 Defective formatter PCA
2686A/D, II, IID, IIP,III,IIID,IIIP,4,4+,4P - Defective formatter board, try reseating the connectors and any accessories you may have plugged in
On the 4Si this could be a temporary error which can be corrected by cycling the power
4V/4MV - This can also be a temporary error or a defective paper guide plate assembly. A switch on this assembly may not be activated properly. You can remedy this by replacing the paper guide plate assembly, RG5-2248-030. Caution needs to be used when installing the new assembly - be careful of the sensor flag spring!
5Si - Can be caused by field replaceable units (FRU's) not installed correctly. Check and reinstall.

Error 79
Software/drivers, Memory PCA's, Font-Macro-Personality Cartridges, option I/O Cards. Defective toner cartridge in the Laserjet 4 Plus only. Remove any accessories (font cartridges, memory PCA's, SIMMs, etc.) plugged into the formatter card and try again. If the problem persists and is application specific, verify proper setup with application vendor.
Defective Formatter PCA - Replace with known operational board and try again.

ERROR 80
ALL PrintersImproper MIO connection - look at pins on formatter MIO connection Defective MIO Card - Replace card Defective Formatter Card - Replace card.

ERROR 89
All Printer (except 5L/6L)The PostScript ROM's have bent or broken pins inspect the pins and reseat if necessaryCheck to see that the ROM SIMM's are in the proper location and oriented properlyThis can also be a temporay error, try power cycling the printerThe PostScript ROM's/SIMM are defective.
Panasonic Models KX-P6100 and KX-P6500 may cause electrical shock. Check for a colored dot on the underside of the machine. A dot means the machine is unaffected. If there's no dot, call Panasonic tech support at 1-800-328-6349 for an inspection (free) and replacement if necessary.