Ricoh SC Error Codes List and How to Fix Them (MP 2555 – MP 6055)
Short answer: A Ricoh SC code is a service call error. The first digit shows where the fault is — 1 scanner, 2 laser, 3 developer, 4 drum/transfer, 5 paper feed and fusing, 6 communication, 7 options, 8 controller/hard disk, 9 software. Many codes clear with one power off/on. Fusing codes SC541–SC574 are safety locks: switch off and call a technician.
Before you start: 4 safety rules
- Never touch the fusing unit (the area where paper exits). It can be hotter than 180°C.
- Do not open covers with screws. The machine has high voltage and laser parts inside.
- Restart only once or twice. If the same SC code keeps coming back, stop and call a technician — repeated restarts can make the fault worse.
- Write down the full code including the last two digits (for example SC542-02). It tells the technician exactly which part failed.
How Ricoh SC codes work
An SC (service call) code means the machine has detected a hardware or software problem it cannot fix by itself. The first digit tells you the area of the machine:
| Code range | Area of the machine |
|---|---|
| SC1xx | Scanner |
| SC2xx | Laser / exposure |
| SC3xx | Charge and developer |
| SC4xx | Drum area and transfer |
| SC5xx | Paper feed and fusing |
| SC6xx | Communication between parts |
| SC7xx | Options: document feeder, finisher, paper bank |
| SC8xx | Controller, memory, hard disk |
| SC9xx | Other software errors |
Four levels of SC codes
- Level A — fusing safety lock: the machine stops completely and only a technician can reset it. Do not keep restarting.
- Level B: one function stops (for example a tray or the finisher). Turning the machine off and on usually clears it.
- Level C: nothing is shown to the user; the error is only saved in the machine's log.
- Level D: the machine stops and shows the code. A power off/on clears it if the fault was temporary.
SC1xx — Scanner errors
These codes come from the scanner unit (lamp/LED, carriage and the board that reads the image).
| Code | What it means | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| SC101 | Scanner lamp / LED did not reach the right brightness. | Turn the main power off and on once. If it returns, the LED unit, its cable or the scanner board needs checking — call a technician. |
| SC102 | LED brightness adjustment failed. | Turn the main power off and on once. Repeated = LED or scanner board fault. Call a technician. |
| SC120 / SC121 | Scanner carriage could not find its home position. | On a newly delivered or moved machine, make sure the scanner shipping lock has been released. Then turn the main power off and on once. If it continues: motor, belt or sensor — call a technician. |
| SC141 / SC142 | Black or white level reading error during scanning. | Clean the scanner glass. Turn the main power off and on once. If it stays, the scanner board or cable is faulty — call a technician. |
| SC144 | Communication error with the scanner board. | Turn the main power off and on once. Loose cable or board fault if repeated. Call a technician. |
| SC151 / SC152 / SC154 | Error in the second-side (duplex) scanner of the single-pass feeder. | Turn the main power off and on once. Repeated = rear-side scanner unit or cable. Call a technician. |
| SC195 | Machine serial number mismatch (usually after a board replacement). | Not a user fault. Call a technician. |
SC2xx — Laser (exposure) errors
The laser unit writes the image onto the drum. These errors usually stop printing and copying.
| Code | What it means | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| SC202 / SC203 / SC204 | Polygon mirror motor did not start or stop correctly. | Turn the main power off and on once. If it comes back, the laser unit or its cable needs attention. Call a technician. |
| SC220 | Laser synchronisation signal not detected. | Turn the main power off and on once. Repeated = laser unit or cable. Call a technician. |
| SC230 / SC231 | Image timing (FGATE) signal error between controller and engine. | Turn the main power off and on once. Repeated = board or connection fault. Call a technician. |
| SC240 / SC272 | Laser diode or laser driver error. | Call a technician. The laser unit should only be handled by trained staff. |
SC3xx — Charge and development errors
These relate to the high-voltage supply, the developer unit and the toner density sensor.
| Code | What it means | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| SC302 | Charge high-voltage output error. | Turn the main power off and on once. Often a dirty/damaged charge part or drum unit. Call a technician. |
| SC324 | Development motor locked. | Turn the main power off and on once. If it repeats, the developer may be jammed or the motor is faulty. Call a technician. |
| SC360 / SC361 / SC362 | Toner density (TD) sensor adjustment or reading out of range. | Usually appears after a developer change or when the developer is old. Call a technician for a developer / TD sensor check. |
| SC391 | Development high-voltage output error. | Call a technician. |
| SC396 | Drum motor locked. | Turn the main power off and on once. Repeated = drum unit (PCDU) load, motor or cable. Call a technician. |
SC4xx — Transfer and sensors around the drum
| Code | What it means | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| SC440 | Transfer high-voltage output error. | Turn the main power off and on once. Check that the transfer unit is seated properly. If it repeats, call a technician. |
| SC460 | Separation high-voltage output error. | Call a technician. |
| SC497 / SC498 | Internal temperature or humidity sensor error. The machine keeps working. | No urgent action; mention it at the next service visit. |
SC5xx — Paper feed and fusing errors
The most common group. Fusing errors (SC541–SC574) are safety locks on the hot fusing unit — the machine stops and the user cannot reset them.
| Code | What it means | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| SC501 / SC502 / SC503 / SC504 | Paper tray 1, 2, 3 or 4 did not lift or lower correctly. | Open the tray, remove extra or misplaced paper, check nothing is stuck underneath, close it firmly, then turn the main power off and on once. Repeated = tray lift motor or sensor. Call a technician. |
| SC505 | Side large-capacity tray (LCT) lift or overload error. | Remove extra paper so it is below the limit line, then turn the main power off and on once. |
| SC520 / SC521 / SC522 | A paper transport, duplex or exit motor locked. The machine may keep running. | Clear any jammed paper. If it repeats, call a technician. |
| SC530 – SC535 | A cooling fan stopped (fusing, development, power supply or exit fan). | Make sure the machine has space around it and the vents are not blocked. Turn the main power off and on once. Repeated = fan or cable. Call a technician. |
| SC540 | Fusing / paper exit motor locked. | Turn the main power off and on once. If it repeats, call a technician. |
| SC541 – SC545 | Fusing temperature sensor disconnected, heating too slowly, or overheating detected. | Do not open or touch the fusing unit. Switch the machine off and call a technician. These codes protect against overheating and must be reset by a technician after the cause is fixed. |
| SC547 | Zero-cross / fusing relay error in the power supply. | Check the machine is on a stable power supply (not an overloaded extension). Turn the main power off and on once. If it repeats, the power supply unit needs checking. Call a technician. |
| SC551 – SC555 | Fusing edge sensor or edge heater error (same type of safety lock as SC541–545). | Switch off and call a technician. |
| SC557 / SC558 | Mains frequency unstable or input voltage too low. | Check your power supply, stabiliser or UPS. Very common in areas with low voltage. |
| SC559 | Paper jammed in the fusing unit three times in a row. | Switch off and call a technician. The fusing unit is very hot — do not try to pull paper out by force. |
| SC561 – SC574 | Pressure roller temperature sensor errors (fusing safety lock). | Switch off and call a technician. |
| SC589 | Fusing unit temperature too low. | Often after a power drop. Turn the main power off and on once. If it repeats, call a technician. |
SC6xx — Communication errors
These happen when two parts of the machine stop talking to each other — often a loose cable or an option board.
| Code | What it means | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| SC620 | Communication error with the document feeder (ARDF/SPDF). | Make sure the feeder is closed properly. Turn the main power off and on once. Repeated = feeder cable or board. Call a technician. |
| SC621 | Communication error with the finisher or mailbox. | Check the finisher is connected and latched. Turn the main power off and on once. |
| SC622 / SC623 | Communication error with the optional paper bank. | Check the paper bank is fitted properly. Turn the main power off and on once. |
| SC665 / SC667 / SC669 | Internal board or EEPROM communication error. | Turn the main power off and on once. If it repeats, call a technician. |
| SC672 | Operation panel cannot talk to the controller. | Wait a minute after power on, then turn the main power off and on once. If it continues, the panel cable or controller board needs checking. Call a technician. |
| SC682 | Drum unit ID chip communication error. | Re-seat the drum unit if you were trained to do so; otherwise call a technician. |
SC7xx — Options (document feeder, finisher, paper bank)
| Code | What it means | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| SC700 / SC701 / SC702 | Document feeder (SPDF/ARDF) motor or protection error. | Remove any stuck originals, close the feeder, then turn the main power off and on once. If it repeats, call a technician. |
| SC720 – SC727 | Finisher error (motor, gate, power or connection). | Clear paper from the finisher, check it is latched, then turn the main power off and on once. You can usually keep printing without finishing until it is repaired. |
| SC780 / SC781 | Optional paper bank protection error. | Turn the main power off and on once. If it repeats, call a technician. |
| SC791 / SC792 | Bridge unit / finisher combination not detected correctly. | Check the options are fitted and connected. Call a technician if you recently moved or changed options. |
SC8xx — Controller, memory and HDD errors
Errors in the main controller, storage (HDD/SSD) and firmware.
| Code | What it means | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| SC816 / SC818 / SC819 | Controller software stopped (subsystem, watchdog or kernel error). | Turn the main power off and on once. If it keeps coming back, firmware or controller board needs attention. Call a technician. |
| SC840 / SC841 | EEPROM (settings memory) access or data error. | Call a technician. |
| SC860 – SC865 | Hard disk start-up, read or access error. | Turn the main power off and on once. Repeated HDD errors can mean the disk is failing — call a technician before you lose stored data such as the address book. |
| SC870 | Address book data error. | Call a technician. Tip: keep a backup of your address book so it can be restored. |
| SC899 | Software performance error. | Turn the main power off and on once. Repeated = firmware update may be needed. Call a technician. |
SC9xx — Other software errors
| Code | What it means | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| SC990 | Software operation error. | Turn the main power off and on once. If it repeats, note what you were doing (the function and job) and call a technician. |
| SC991 | Recoverable software error. The machine keeps working. | No action needed unless it becomes frequent. |
| SC995 | Machine configuration (CPM) setting error. | Call a technician. |
SC code or paper jam?
A paper jam (shown with a picture and a letter like A, B, C) can be cleared by the user by opening the doors shown on the screen. An SC code is a fault in a part of the machine. If jams happen again and again in the same place, see our maintenance checklist — worn rollers and damp paper are the usual causes.
Need a Ricoh technician in Karachi?
Send the full SC code and your machine model on WhatsApp 0307-0226010. Our technicians service Ricoh MP and IM series machines every day, and our complaint resolution time in Karachi is under 3 hours. See photocopier repair services and AMC plans. Thinking of upgrading an old MP machine? See the latest Ricoh IM series.
Code groups and meanings are based on Ricoh service documentation for the MP 2555, MP 3055, MP 3555, MP 4055, MP 5055 and MP 6055, explained in plain language by Paragon's technicians. Other Ricoh models use similar code groups, but details can differ by model.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an SC code mean on a Ricoh copier?
An SC (service call) code means the machine found a hardware or software fault it cannot fix by itself. The first digit shows the area: 1 scanner, 2 laser, 3 developer, 4 drum/transfer, 5 paper feed and fusing, 6 communication, 7 options, 8 controller and hard disk, 9 software.
How do I clear an SC code on a Ricoh photocopier?
Many SC codes clear when you turn the main power off and on. Fusing SC codes (SC541 to SC574) are safety locks and must be reset by a technician after the fault is repaired.
What is SC542 on a Ricoh copier?
SC542 means the fusing unit did not heat up to the right temperature in time, often because of a fusing sensor, heater, relay or power supply problem. Switch the machine off and call a technician; do not touch the fusing unit.
What is SC101 on a Ricoh copier?
SC101 means the scanner lamp or LED did not reach the correct brightness. Restart once; if it comes back, the LED unit, its cable or the scanner board needs checking by a technician.
What causes SC501 or SC502?
Paper tray 1 or 2 could not lift or lower correctly. Remove extra or misplaced paper, check nothing is stuck under the tray, close it firmly and restart. If it repeats, the tray lift motor or sensor needs service.
Is it safe to keep restarting the copier when an SC code appears?
Restart once or twice only. If the same code keeps returning, stop and call a technician, because repeated restarts can make some faults worse.
