FixOffice

Xerox error codes, explained

WorkCentre, VersaLink and AltaLink MFPs. Codes below: Three-part codes (016-720, 010-397…). Each guide covers what the code means, what you can safely try yourself, when to stop and call a technician, and what the repair typically costs.

Xerox 016-720 — PCL/PDL processing error

The machine couldn't process the page description language data in a job — most often a PCL emulation error from a corrupt document, driver mismatch, or unsupported feature. Not a hardware fault. (PostScript-specific errors use their own code, 016-749.)

DIY fix — no technician needed

Xerox 010-397 — Fuser failure

The fuser unit failed a temperature/operation check. As with all fuser-class faults, the machine locks out for safety.

Technician usually required

Xerox 016-781 — Scan-to-email/SMTP connection failure

The machine couldn't connect to the configured mail server. Nearly always a network/settings issue: changed SMTP credentials, a mail provider now requiring app passwords/OAuth, or DNS problems.

DIY fix — no technician needed

Xerox 077-900 — Paper remaining in path

A path sensor still detects paper after a jam was cleared — a missed fragment or a stuck sensor flag.

DIY fix — no technician needed

Xerox 116-xxx — System/software error family

A family of controller and software faults (e.g., 116-324 'Exception Failure' — a fatal software exception, often triggered by a corrupt print job). Most respond to a full power cycle; recurring instances usually need a firmware/software reload. One caveat: the 116-330/331/336/337/339 subcodes are hard-disk file-system failures, which are a service matter rather than a software hiccup.

DIY fix — no technician needed

Xerox 005-xxx — Document feeder jam family

Jams in the document feeder (DADF): an original stuck at a feed sensor. Torn/stapled/curled originals and dirty feed rollers cause most; the subcode says which sensor, but the fix is the same.

DIY fix — no technician needed

Xerox 062-277 — Document feeder communication failure

The document feeder stopped talking to the main controller — a cable/board fault, distinct from mechanical 005- jams. Power cycle; then it's a harness/board service.

Try DIY first — may need a pro

Xerox 071/072/073/074-101 — Tray misfeed jams

Paper from the numbered tray (071 = tray 1, 072 = tray 2…) never reached the registration sensor. Worn or dirty feed rollers, overfilled trays, and humid paper are the documented culprits.

DIY fix — no technician needed

Xerox 092-xxx — Toner density (ADC) sensor errors

The auto-density-control sensor that reads toner patches is malfunctioning — and Xerox's own documented first remedy is cleaning it: toner dust on the sensor window is the most common cause.

Try DIY first — may need a pro

Xerox 093-xxx — Toner cartridge chip (CRUM) errors

The cartridge's chip data doesn't match what the machine expects: non-genuine or wrong-region cartridges, an unseated cartridge, or dirty chip contacts. The color pattern: 926/937/938/939/940 map to specific colors.

DIY fix — no technician needed

Xerox 041-340 — Engine memory (NVM) error

The engine controller's stored settings failed a checksum at boot — often after a power interruption. Xerox's documented remedy starts with a power cycle; recurrence needs service (NVM re-initialization or board).

Try DIY first — may need a pro

Xerox 117-320…338 — Boot storage (eMMC) errors

The machine's boot storage card failed or isn't detected (VersaLink family). Subcodes distinguish unsupported card, encryption, filesystem, and connection faults. Reseat and power cycle; then it's a software-reload/board service.

Technician usually required

Xerox 127-35x/39x — Network controller fatal errors

The network controller (the machine's job-processing computer) hit a fatal software error — often triggered by a specific job. Power off 20 seconds, purge the sending queue, resubmit; firmware update if it recurs.

DIY fix — no technician needed