Ricoh shows these as SC followed by three digits, then two more after a dash, for example SC542 then 02. The first digit tells you the area of the machine. The two digits at the end narrow it down to the exact condition, so write the whole code down before you do anything else.
How Ricoh codes are sorted
Safety related, and mostly fusing. The machine locks and cannot be used. Switching it off and on will not clear it: a technician has to fix the cause and reset it in service mode.
Tied to one function, such as a paper tray. That function stops. Switching the machine off and on at the main power switch may clear it.
Logged only. Nothing shows on the panel and the machine keeps working. A technician sees these in the machine's history.
A general machine error. The machine usually restarts itself. If the same code comes up twice in a row, it stays on the screen and needs a call.
Before you call
- Write down the full code, including the two digits after the dash, and what the machine was doing when it appeared.
- Switch off at the main power switch, wait a minute, and switch back on. Many level B and D codes clear this way.
- If it comes back, or it is a fusing code in the SC54x or SC55x range, stop there. Repeated restarts will not fix the cause, and the fusing area runs hot.
- Call us with the code and the model. The code tells the technician which parts to bring.
Ricoh codes by family
SC1xx: scanning
The scanner and the reading of originals.
| Code | What it means | Who clears it |
|---|---|---|
| SC101 | Scanning lamp error. The scanner's light source did not reach the level it expects. | A technician |
| SC102 | Scanner LED brightness could not be adjusted. | A technician |
| SC120, SC121 | The scanner carriage did not find its home position. | A restart may clear it |
| SC141, SC142 | Black or white level detection failed when the scanner calibrated itself. | A technician |
| SC144 | Communication error with the scanner board. | A technician |
| SC165 | Copy data security unit error, on machines fitted with that option. | A technician |
| SC185 to SC189 | Errors in the contact image sensor that reads the back of a page in a single pass document feeder. | A technician |
| SC195 | The machine serial number stored in the scanner does not match. | A technician |
SC2xx: laser writing
The laser unit that writes the image onto the drums.
| Code | What it means | Who clears it |
|---|---|---|
| SC202, SC204 | The polygon mirror motor in the laser unit did not start, or did not report ready. | A technician |
| SC220 | The laser beam was not detected at the start of a line for one of the colours. | A technician |
SC3xx: charging and development
The drums, the charge rollers and the developer that puts toner on the drum.
| Code | What it means | Who clears it |
|---|---|---|
| SC312 | Charge roller high voltage output error, for black or one of the colours. | A technician |
| SC324 | A development motor has locked. | A technician |
| SC360 | The toner density sensor in a development unit could not be calibrated. Usually the development unit. | A technician |
| SC370 | The image density sensor that checks toner on the belt could not be calibrated. | A technician |
| SC396 | The drum motor for the colour drums has locked. | A technician |
SC4xx: image transfer
The transfer belt and rollers that move the image from the drums to the paper.
| Code | What it means | Who clears it |
|---|---|---|
| SC441 | The drum and transfer drive motor has locked. | A technician |
| SC442 | The transfer belt could not lift into or out of contact with the drums. | A technician |
| SC491 | High voltage supply error for charging or development. | A technician |
| SC492 | High voltage supply error for image or paper transfer. Logged, and worth a look if prints are patchy. | A technician |
SC5xx: paper feed and fusing
The trays, the paper path, and the fusing unit that melts the toner onto the page.
| Code | What it means | Who clears it |
|---|---|---|
| SC501, SC502, SC503 | A paper tray did not lift or lower. Check for a scrap of paper under the tray first. | A restart may clear it |
| SC520 | The registration, paper feed or transport motor has locked. | A technician |
| SC530 | The fusing exhaust fan has stopped. | A technician |
| SC540 | The fusing motor has locked. | A technician |
| SC541 | A fusing temperature sensor is disconnected or shorted. Level A. | A technician |
| SC542 | The fusing unit did not reach its working temperature in time. Level A. Often the heater, a dirty or lifted sensor, or low supply voltage. | A technician |
| SC544 | The fusing unit went over temperature. Level A. | A technician |
| SC545 | A fusing heater stayed on continuously. Level A. | A technician |
| SC547 | Zero cross error, meaning a problem with the mains power sensing or a relay feeding the fuser. | A technician |
| SC548 | The fusing unit is not detected turning. Level A. | A technician |
| SC551 | A temperature sensor at the edge of the fusing unit is disconnected or shorted. Level A. | A technician |
| SC552 | The fusing unit did not reach temperature at its edges in time. Level A. | A technician |
| SC553, SC554 | The ends of the fusing unit went over temperature. Level A. | A technician |
| SC555 | A fusing edge heater stayed on continuously. | A technician |
| SC557 | The mains frequency was out of range. | A technician |
| SC559 | Three fusing jams in a row, so the machine locks to protect the fuser. Level A, and only switched on for some customers. | A technician |
SC6xx: communication
Communication between the machine's boards and its options.
| Code | What it means | Who clears it |
|---|---|---|
| SC620 | Communication lost with the document feeder. | A restart may clear it |
| SC621 | Communication lost with the finisher. | A restart may clear it |
| SC622 | Communication lost with the paper bank. | A restart may clear it |
| SC670 | The engine board did not start, or reset unexpectedly. | A restart may clear it |
| SC687 | An expected print command was not received by the engine. | A restart may clear it |
SC7xx: finishing options
Finishers, bridge units and other options.
| Code | What it means | Who clears it |
|---|---|---|
| SC792 | A finisher is fitted without the bridge unit it needs, or the machine cannot see one of them. | A technician |
SC8xx: controller
The controller board, memory, hard drive and stored data.
| Code | What it means | Who clears it |
|---|---|---|
| SC816 | An error in the controller's operating system, often at wake from sleep. | A restart may clear it |
| SC855 | Wireless network board error, on machines fitted with one. | A technician |
| SC860 | The hard drive did not respond or is not formatted. | A technician |
| SC863 to SC865 | The hard drive returned a read error or a bad sector. | A technician |
| SC868 | SD card controller error. | A technician |
| SC870 | The address book data could not be read. The address book may need restoring from a backup. | A technician |
| SC878 | Security chip or USB flash storage error. | A technician |
SC9xx: counters and software
Stored settings, counters and firmware.
| Code | What it means | Who clears it |
|---|---|---|
| SC900 | The stored settings memory is corrupted, including the counters. | A technician |
| SC990 | Software error the machine could not recover from. A restart usually clears it. | A restart may clear it |
| SC991 | Recoverable software error. Logged only. | A restart may clear it |
| SC992 | An undefined error was reported, often after a firmware mismatch. | A technician |
| SC995 | The machine serial number or identification code does not match, typically after a board replacement. | A technician |
| SC997 | Application software error, often a missing option or a firmware combination that does not match. | A restart may clear it |
Messages that are not faults
A toner bottle is running out. Not a fault: put in a new bottle. On a service agreement, order it from the customer portal.
The waste toner bottle needs replacing. Not a fault, but the machine will not print until it is done.
A wear part such as the PCDU or the fusing unit has reached its page count. Book a service so it is fitted before it causes a fault.
A jam. The letter on the panel shows where in the paper path to look. Clear it gently, and call if it keeps happening in the same place.
Need it fixed?
Call 1300 922 260 or book online and quote the full code. In Brisbane, see Ricoh repairs in Brisbane. For toner and parts, see our Ricoh page.
Common questions
What is an SC code on a Ricoh?
SC stands for service call. It is the machine reporting a fault it has found in itself. The three digit number says which area of the machine the fault is in, and the two digits after it narrow it to the exact condition.
How do I reset an SC code on a Ricoh?
Switch the machine off at the main power switch, wait a minute, and switch it back on. That clears many level B and D codes. Level A codes, which are mostly fusing faults, stay locked until a technician fixes the cause and resets them in service mode.
What does SC542 mean on a Ricoh?
The fusing unit did not reach its working temperature in time. It is a level A safety code, so it will not clear with a restart. The usual causes are the fuser heater, a dirty or lifted temperature sensor, or low mains voltage.
Why does my Ricoh keep showing the same SC code?
A code that returns after a restart means the cause is still there. Write down the full code, including the two digits after the dash, and book a technician.
Checked against the Ricoh MP C3003, MP C3503, MP C4503, MP C5503 and MP C6003 service manual. The same code families run through the IM C range and the older Aficio machines, though individual codes vary a little between models. DSA is an independent service provider. Ricoh is a trademark of its owner and is used here only to describe the machines we service.