- Printers
- Laser printer
Z1
Ricoh Z1 on laser printer: paper misfeed inside the duplex unit
Risk level
Medium
Proceed carefully and stop if the check is unclear.
Urgency
Medium
Quick answer
Ricoh message Z1 means paper is stuck in the duplex unit, the part that turns the sheet over for two-sided printing. Open the rear cover, pull the sheet out carefully (also if it shows in the output tray) and close the cover again.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- Ricoh warns that some internal parts get very hot: keep away from areas labelled hot surface while removing paper.
- Take care not to trap your fingers when clearing a jam, and never print on stapled sheets, aluminium foil or carbon paper: Ricoh warns of a fire risk.
Safe checks you can perform
- Open the rear cover and remove the sheet
- Look at the output tray
- Confirm the paper supports two-sided printing
- Check the condition of the paper
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: Duplex unit inspection
- Do not attempt this professional task: Scraps you cannot see or reach
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.
Duplex unit inspection
What they doIf Z1 keeps returning with paper that suits two-sided printing and is in good condition, Ricoh service inspects the duplex unit and the rear paper path.
They must show youthe printed configuration page, the page counter and a two-sided test print.
In writingwhich part was changed, why, and whether warranty applies.
Scraps you cannot see or reach
What they doIf you suspect a scrap is still inside and cannot find it with the rear cover open, let a Ricoh technician locate it rather than taking parts out.
They must show youthe scrap removed and a sheet printed on both sides without a jam.
In writingwhat the technician did and the case reference.
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.
Open the rear cover and remove the sheet
- Who:
- you, minding the hot areas.
- How:
- open the rear cover, find the sheet inside the duplex unit and draw it out slowly and carefully; do not touch parts carrying the hot surface label.
- Result that matters:
- the whole sheet out of the two-sided path.
- If it comes out whole:
- close the rear cover.
- If it tears:
- find every piece before closing, as Ricoh asks.
- Evidence to keep:
- a photo of the Z1 message and of the sheet removed.
Evidence: Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Paper Misfeed Message (Z1) · Ricoh SP 3600DN Instrucciones de uso - Mensaje de atasco de papel (Z1) · Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Removing Jammed Paper · Ricoh SP 3600DN Instrucciones de uso - Eliminación de un atasco de papel
Look at the output tray
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- with the rear cover still open, check whether part of the sheet shows in the output tray and, if so, pull it out gently from that side; then close the rear cover.
- Result that matters:
- no paper left halfway between the duplex unit and the output.
- If the message clears:
- run the two-sided job again.
- If the message stays:
- open and close the front cover, which is Ricoh's step when the alert remains after paper removal.
- Evidence to keep:
- a note of where the sheet was and whether the alert cleared.
Evidence: Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Paper Misfeed Message (Z1) · Ricoh SP 3600DN Instrucciones de uso - Mensaje de atasco de papel (Z1) · Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Removing Jammed Paper · Ricoh SP 3600DN Instrucciones de uso - Eliminación de un atasco de papel
Confirm the paper supports two-sided printing
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- find your paper in the manual's Paper Type Specifications table (by type and weight) and read the Two-sided column; in the printer driver, confirm the selected type matches the paper loaded.
- Result that matters:
- duplex printing only on paper Ricoh marks as supported.
- If the paper does not support two-sided:
- print single-sided or change paper.
- If it does:
- check its condition and storage.
- Evidence to keep:
- type, weight and brand of the paper used.
Evidence: Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Paper Type Specifications · Ricoh SP 3600DN Instrucciones de uso - Especificaciones de tipo de papel
Check the condition of the paper
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- straighten curled sheets, fan the stack before loading, discard folded, creased, perforated or already printed paper, and keep the rest flat, bagged and away from sunlight and humidity.
- Result that matters:
- the jam causes listed in Ricoh's paper precautions removed.
- If the Z1 alerts stop:
- the paper was the cause.
- If they return with fresh, suitable paper:
- contact service, as Ricoh advises for frequent misfeeds.
- Evidence to keep:
- count of Z1 alerts per week before and after the change.
Evidence: Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Removing Jammed Paper · Ricoh SP 3600DN Instrucciones de uso - Eliminación de un atasco de papel · Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Paper Precautions · Ricoh SP 3600DN Instrucciones de uso - Precauciones sobre el papel
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
- Abra tapa post. y retire el atasco
- Open Rear Cover and remove misfeed
- Ricoh (Z1)
- Ricoh atasco unidad dúplex
- Ricoh atasco Z1
- Ricoh duplex unit jam
- Ricoh error Z1
- Ricoh mensaje de atasco de papel Z1
- Ricoh misfeed Z1
- Ricoh paper misfeed message Z1
- Ricoh SP 3600DN Z1
- Ricoh Z1
What it means
In the Ricoh SP 3600DN operating instructions, the text Open Rear Cover and remove misfeed tagged Z1 says a sheet is stuck inside the duplex unit. Ricoh labels each jam zone with a letter (A1, A2, B, C, Y1, Z1, Z2) so you know where to look. Other Ricoh printers may use similar letters for different zones, so check the guide for your model. A Z1 does not prove the duplex unit is broken; paper unsuitable for two-sided printing, curled paper or badly stored paper is the usual story.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Highsource verified
Ricoh warns that some internal parts get very hot: keep away from areas labelled hot surface while removing paper.
Evidence: Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Removing Jammed Paper · Ricoh SP 3600DN Instrucciones de uso - Eliminación de un atasco de papel
- Mediumsource verified
Take care not to trap your fingers when clearing a jam, and never print on stapled sheets, aluminium foil or carbon paper: Ricoh warns of a fire risk.
Evidence: Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Removing Jammed Paper · Ricoh SP 3600DN Instrucciones de uso - Eliminación de un atasco de papel · Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Paper Precautions · Ricoh SP 3600DN Instrucciones de uso - Precauciones sobre el papel
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- Paper not supported for two-sided printingCommon
Ricoh's paper type table marks which paper types can be printed on both sides; sending an unsupported type through duplex invites a jam.
Evidence: Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Paper Type Specifications · Ricoh SP 3600DN Instrucciones de uso - Especificaciones de tipo de papel
- Curled, creased or damp paperCommon
Ricoh asks you to straighten curled paper before loading, store it flat and bagged, and warns that even supported paper jams if it was stored badly.
Evidence: Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Paper Precautions · Ricoh SP 3600DN Instrucciones de uso - Precauciones sobre el papel
- Sheets already printed or used elsewherePossible
The manual advises against printing on sides that are already printed and against loading sheets that went through another printer, as both cause feed errors.
Evidence: Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Paper Precautions · Ricoh SP 3600DN Instrucciones de uso - Precauciones sobre el papel
- Forgotten paper scrapsPossible
Ricoh stresses not leaving torn scraps inside the printer, since one small piece is enough to jam the next job again.
Evidence: Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Removing Jammed Paper · Ricoh SP 3600DN Instrucciones de uso - Eliminación de un atasco de papel
Virtual technician
Does Z1 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 - Paper Misfeed Message (Z1)
Ricoh Company, Ltd. · 2014 · official_doc
- 2
Ricoh SP 3600DN Instrucciones de uso - Mensaje de atasco de papel (Z1)
Ricoh Company, Ltd. · 2014 · official_doc
- 3
Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Removing Jammed Paper
Ricoh Company, Ltd. · 2014 · official_doc
- 4
Ricoh SP 3600DN Instrucciones de uso - Eliminación de un atasco de papel
Ricoh Company, Ltd. · 2014 · official_doc
- 5
Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Paper Precautions
Ricoh Company, Ltd. · 2014 · official_doc
- 6
Ricoh SP 3600DN Instrucciones de uso - Precauciones sobre el papel
Ricoh Company, Ltd. · 2014 · official_doc
- 7
Ricoh SP 3600DN Operating Instructions - Paper Type Specifications
Ricoh Company, Ltd. · 2014 · official_doc
- 8
Ricoh SP 3600DN Instrucciones de uso - Especificaciones de tipo de papel
Ricoh Company, Ltd. · 2014 · official_doc
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