- Printers
- Laser printer
A1
Ricoh A1 on laser printer: paper tray misfeed alert
Risk level
Low
Usually safe to check without specialist tools.
Urgency
Medium
Quick answer
Marker (A1) on Ricoh laser printers means a sheet has misfed in the standard paper feed tray (Tray 1), while (Y1) points to optional Tray 2. Pull the tray out until it stops, gently remove the jammed sheet, and open and close the front cover to clear the alert.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- Internal components become very hot during operation: do not touch any part bearing a 'hot surface' label when opening the front cover, and take care not to trap or injure your fingers when handling the paper tray or envelope lever.
- Do not attempt to print from the paper trays onto stapled sheets, aluminum foil, carbon paper, or any kind of conductive paper, as doing so risks fire.
Safe checks you can perform
- Pull out the indicated paper tray, remove the misfed sheet, and reset via the front cover
- Check stack height, side and end guides, paper size dial, and envelope lever
- Clean the paper tray, friction pad, and paper feed roller
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: Check the tray feed path sensors and front cover reset switch
- Do not attempt this professional task: Inspect the paper tray lifting plate, friction pad, and paper feed roller assembly
What a technician must be able to justify
Technician visit
These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.
These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.
Check the tray feed path sensors and front cover reset switch
What they doIf '(A1) Remove misfeed in Trays. Opn & cls Frt. Cov.' stays on the screen even though no paper remains in the tray and the front cover has been opened and closed, official service tests the paper-path sensors and cover switch.
They must show youthe sensor status along the tray feed path and the reset response when opening and closing the front cover.
In writingthe diagnostic result for the tray feed sensor circuit and verification that a test print completes without triggering A1 or Y1.
Inspect the paper tray lifting plate, friction pad, and paper feed roller assembly
What they doWhen misfeed (A1) or (Y1) persists after setting the guides, matching the paper size dial, and cleaning the friction pad and paper feed roller as described in the manual, an authorized technician inspects the tray feed mechanism.
They must show youthe condition of the friction pad, paper feed roller, and lifting plate in the affected tray, followed by a multi-page feed test from Tray 1 and Tray 2.
In writingthe recorded alert code (A1 or Y1), the inspection findings for the tray feed components, and any parts adjusted or replaced.
Before accepting a part or repair
Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.
Follow these steps
Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.
Pull out the indicated paper tray, remove the misfed sheet, and reset via the front cover
- Who:
- you, with the printer powered on while the display shows (A1) or (Y1).
- How:
- pull out the affected paper tray until it stops, carefully pull out the jammed sheet without leaving torn scraps behind, slide the tray straight back in, and then push the front cover release button on the right side to open the front cover and close it by pressing firmly on its upper side.
- Result that matters:
- resetting the (A1) or (Y1) misfeed condition once the front cover is opened and closed so printing resumes.
- If the sheet comes out intact and the alert disappears:
- check that the remaining pages print without skew.
- If the alert remains on the display after closing the front cover:
- make sure the upper side of the front cover latched firmly and proceed to the next check.
- Evidence to keep:
- photo of the (A1) or (Y1) panel message and condition of the removed sheet's leading edge.
Evidence: Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Removing Jammed Paper · Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Alert Messages · Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Paper Misfeed Message (A1) · Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Paper Misfeed Message (Y)
Check stack height, side and end guides, paper size dial, and envelope lever
- Who:
- you, before starting another print job from Tray 1 or Tray 2.
- How:
- pull the tray out until it stops, lift its front side to remove it, and place it on a flat surface; fan the stack and load it print side down below the upper limit line, squeeze the clips on the side and end guides to close gaps without moving the loaded paper more than a few millimeters, set the paper size dial to match the loaded size and feed direction, and raise the envelope lever all the way up unless printing envelopes.
- Result that matters:
- keeping the stack flat below the upper limit mark without folded edges on the lifting plate openings.
- If the guides, size dial, or envelope lever were misadjusted:
- tray entry jams stop once corrected.
- If sheets still feed together or fail to advance from the tray:
- move on to cleaning the friction pad and paper feed roller.
- Evidence to keep:
- tray size dial setting and stack height relative to the upper limit line.
Evidence: Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Paper Precautions · Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Paper Misfeeds Occur Frequently · Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Loading Paper into Paper Trays
Clean the paper tray, friction pad, and paper feed roller
- Who:
- you, with the printer switched off and unplugged before pulling out Tray 1 or Tray 2.
- How:
- remove the paper tray completely and take out the paper stack; wipe the friction pad using only a dry cloth, wipe the paper feed roller with a damp cloth while turning it and then dry it with a lint-free cloth before reloading the paper, sliding the tray in gently, reconnecting the cables, and turning on the main power switch.
- Result that matters:
- removing paper dust from the friction pad and feed roller so sheets separate and feed reliably.
- If dust wipes off the roller and feeding normalizes:
- store opened reams in plastic bags at 70% humidity or less.
- If misfeeds (A1) or (Y1) still occur frequently with recommended paper (15% or less CaCO3 ratio):
- ask your authorized service representative to inspect the paper tray.
- Evidence to keep:
- date when the tray friction pad and paper feed roller were cleaned.
Always turn off the printer and unplug the power cord from the wall socket before reaching into the tray cavity to clean the friction pad and feed roller; never use organic solvents or wet the friction pad.
Evidence: Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Paper Precautions · Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Cleaning the Paper Tray, Friction Pad, and the Paper Feed Roller
Still not solved
If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.
Where this code applies
A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.
Primary scope
- System
- Printers
- Brand
- Ricoh
- Product type
- Laser printer
Known code variants
- (A1)
- (A1) Remove misfeed in Trays. Opn & cls Frt. Cov.
- (A1) Retire atasco en band.Abr&cerr tapa fr.
- (Y1)
- (Y1) Remove misfeed in Tray 2. Opn & cls Frt. Cov.
- (Y1) Retire atasco en band2.Abr&cerr tapa fr.
- Mensaje de atasco de papel (A1)
- Mensaje de atasco de papel (Y)
- Paper Misfeed Message (A1)
- Paper Misfeed Message (Y)
- Y1
What it means
In the Ricoh SP 3600DN series Operating Instructions, the alert message '(A1) Remove misfeed in Trays. Opn & cls Frt. Cov.' indicates a paper misfeed in the standard paper feed tray (Tray 1), whereas '(Y1) Remove misfeed in Tray 2. Opn & cls Frt. Cov.' identifies a misfeed in optional Tray 2. Typical triggers include stacking sheets above the upper limit line inside the tray, improperly set side or end paper guides, an incorrect paper size dial setting, leaving the envelope lever down when printing on standard paper, or dust on the friction pad and paper feed roller. Other models from the brand may use different tray letters, and the code alone never proves a part is faulty.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Mediumsource verified
Internal components become very hot during operation: do not touch any part bearing a 'hot surface' label when opening the front cover, and take care not to trap or injure your fingers when handling the paper tray or envelope lever.
Evidence: Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Removing Jammed Paper · Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Loading Paper into Paper Trays
- Highsource verified
Do not attempt to print from the paper trays onto stapled sheets, aluminum foil, carbon paper, or any kind of conductive paper, as doing so risks fire.
Evidence: Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Paper Precautions
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- Overfilled stack, misaligned tray guides, or wrong paper size dial positionCommon
Stacking paper higher than the upper limit mark inside the tray, setting the side fences too tightly or unlocked, moving loaded sheets more than a few millimeters so edges catch on the lifting plate openings, or setting the tray dial to the wrong size triggers (A1) or (Y1) misfeeds.
Evidence: Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Paper Misfeeds Occur Frequently · Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Loading Paper into Paper Trays
- Envelope lever left down or damp, curled, or out-of-spec paperPossible
The envelope lever is kept down by factory default and must be raised all the way up before printing on anything other than envelopes. Damp sheets stored above 70% humidity, previously printed sheets, weights outside 52 to 162 g/m2 (14 lb. BOND to 90 lb. INDEX), or custom sizes outside 100.0 to 216.0 mm by 148.0 to 356.0 mm also jam.
Evidence: Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Paper Precautions · Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Loading Paper into Paper Trays
- Paper dust on the tray, friction pad, or paper feed rollerPossible
When the paper tray, friction pad, or paper feed roller becomes dirty with paper dust, either multiple sheets feed together or the roller slips without advancing the top sheet from Tray 1 or an optional paper feed unit.
Evidence: Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Paper Misfeeds Occur Frequently · Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Cleaning the Paper Tray, Friction Pad, and the Paper Feed Roller
- Worn tray feed assembly or faulty paper-path detectionLess common
If (A1) or (Y1) keeps returning after wiping the friction pad and paper feed roller and loading fresh recommended paper, the tray lifting mechanism, feed rollers, or entry sensors require service from an authorized technician.
Evidence: Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Removing Jammed Paper · Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Cleaning the Paper Tray, Friction Pad, and the Paper Feed Roller
Virtual technician
Does A1 still appear after these checks?
Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.
Sources and technical references
- 1
Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Removing Jammed Paper
Ricoh Company, Ltd. · 2014 · official_doc
- 2
Ricoh SP 3600DN Instrucciones de uso - Eliminación de un atasco de papel
Ricoh Company, Ltd. · 2014 · official_doc
- 3
Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Paper Precautions
Ricoh Company, Ltd. · 2014 · official_doc
- 4
Ricoh SP 3600DN Instrucciones de uso - Precauciones sobre el papel
Ricoh Company, Ltd. · 2014 · official_doc
- 5
Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Alert Messages
Ricoh Company, Ltd. · 2014 · official_doc
- 6
Ricoh SP 3600DN Instrucciones de uso - Mensajes de alerta
Ricoh Company, Ltd. · 2014 · official_doc
- 7
Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Paper Misfeeds Occur Frequently
Ricoh Company, Ltd. · 2014 · official_doc
- 8
Ricoh SP 3600DN Instrucciones de uso - El papel se atasca con frecuencia
Ricoh Company, Ltd. · 2014 · official_doc
- 9
Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Paper Misfeed Message (A1)
Ricoh Company, Ltd. · 2014 · official_doc
- 10
Ricoh SP 3600DN Instrucciones de uso - Mensaje de atasco de papel (A1)
Ricoh Company, Ltd. · 2014 · official_doc
- 11
Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Paper Misfeed Message (Y)
Ricoh Company, Ltd. · 2014 · official_doc
- 12
Ricoh SP 3600DN Instrucciones de uso - Mensaje de atasco de papel (Y)
Ricoh Company, Ltd. · 2014 · official_doc
- 13
Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Loading Paper into Paper Trays
Ricoh Company, Ltd. · 2014 · official_doc
- 14
Ricoh SP 3600DN Instrucciones de uso - Cargar papel en las bandejas de papel
Ricoh Company, Ltd. · 2014 · official_doc
- 15
Ricoh Company, Ltd. · 2014 · official_doc
- 16
Ricoh Company, Ltd. · 2014 · official_doc
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