Samsung C1860 Laser Printer Error A1-4111 Repair

UPDATE: October 2022, the pad slipped again, it was working fine for 3 years. I put a spot of Gorilla urethane glue under the pad (since it is much less sticky now) and it is good to go again. Cheers!

Uh Oh!

Your Samsung Laser Printer is beeping and spitting out Error #A1-4111 on the display screen.

I had to do quite a bit of searching to find the simple fix here: http://jimlund.org/blog/?p=747 for a different printer model. The fix worked but I thought an Instructable with pictures would be helpful.

Supplies

Phillips screwdriver

Step 1: Remove the Right Side Panel

1. Before starting, turn off the power with the power switch next to the power cord then disconnect the power cord.

2. Remove any data cables since you will be spinning it all around.

3. On my printer (other models may vary) there are 5 screws that need to be removed first:

Facing the front, open the large lower front cover and remove the three screws on the front right

Turn to the back and open the back cover. Remove the two screws on the left. Notice any screws that are different and remember their position.

4. Slide the right side cover towards the back. It should come away easily. Set it aside.

Step 2: Solenoid Fix

This problem is with the small blue solenoid in the upper left corner. A pad slips or falls off and the printer gets unhappy.

Remove the retaining screw and pull it out a bit to work on.

If yours is missing, look around for it. If it or the stickiness is gone, a few layers of masking tape cut in a small square can fix it.

In my case the small foam pad had just slipped. So I could just lift it with an X-acto knife carefully and reposition it then make sure it was stuck well right under the tab.

Step 3: Test and Reassemble

Reinstall the solenoid.

If you promise not to touch any open electronics, plug in the power cord and see if the error now goes away. Watch the motors and solenoid to see that they spin and click on power up sequencing.

Take out the powercord so you can put the side panel back on. A stack of post-its underneath to tilt it up makes it easier to engage all of the tabs on the side panel.

Reverse the steps of disassembly. Be sure to put the different screw in the correct hole. The tiny screw goes in the lower position in the back on my model printer.

Plug in and enjoy.

Comments

[eORTHO]

Thank you so much for posting this. It saved a printer getting thrown out.

[johnzbesko]

Gosh, took 2 seconds for google to find this page. Amazing how simple it can be to fix something that would have taken a trip to the computer store and/or a new purchase a few years ago. THANKS!

[RobW48]

Top tip - worked first time!

[TradeUpCards]

Got a C1810W from work a few years ago. Love it. Just started throwing this error. This fix worked like a charm. Thanks so much! Just pulled the pad over with some tweezers and good as new.

[Prolific]

You're a Rockstar and life saver!!! Something so small causing so much headache!

[RaunK]

Just used your information. My Samsung Xpress C1860FW is happy and functioning again. Outstanding work! Thank you for taking the time to create the content.

[drylander69]

I just watched a YouTuber Adamant IT (87) Samsung Xpress Actuator Motor Failure - LFC#259 - YouTube use your Instructable to fix this problem on the same exact machine for a customer. He ask everyone to give you a shout out. So here it is great Job.

[Undermeman]

Nice job.

[cerberus383]

You Sir, are a King among men. I cannot thank you enough for this mate.
Sincerely,
Marc.

[pdmacava]

Instructions worked perfectly for my Samsung C1810W. Amazing that such a tiny foam pad being slightly out of alignment can cause such problems! Afterwards, it had to re-calibrate, but once that was done, it was back to normal again.

[vince.mchugh]

Just signed up to this site to say thank you.
One more happy printer user here.
For reference I have a C1810W device which is up and running again thanks to you.

[martin.dell]

Worked first time, thankyou!

[MarkDutton]

You are a superstar, one printer saved from the bin and hundreds of pounds saved, repair cost total £0.00 !!!!!!!
Thanks

[robibby1]

robibby1 back again with another thank u to blipvert .. it happened again, fixed again .. I put a small dot of glue on the pad this time, hoping it stops slipping

[diyguy71]

You have made my day man! I was cringing at the thought of an overpriced, dishonest repair person coming out to the house and charging me hundreds of dollars to fix this problem. I bought this Samsung Xpress C1860FW approximately 7 years ago and have never had an issue with it until now, I love this machine and don't want to replace it until I absolutely have to. I bought it for $250 and was thinking that would be what it would have cost to fix it and that I was going to have a choice to make until I found your most helpful and sooooo easy to do intractable. Your fix worked like a champ and I couldn't be happier. Repair cost: $0.00, thank you!

[trochpieter]

1 error, 1 google search, 1 perfect tutorial of the fix, 5 minutes work, 1 very happy fixer !!

thank you very much for this perfect instructable fix!

[the_pickler]

Thank you so much! Makes 2020 just a bit less crappy if I don't have to buy a replacement printer!!!

[OrlandoP17]

Thank you. My C1860FW was free on Facebook. Got new cartridges and it works like a charm. Until today when it started throwing an error. Now... do you have a tutorial on changing the pressure belt?

[blipvert]

I have not had that problem yet, sorry. I would try cleaning rollers and make sure all springs are doing their jobs. Sorry I can't be of more help.

[Keliyra]

Bless you! Saved my day and sanity! Worked perfectly!