Stop printing if the same fault returns after one careful restart or basic recovery step.
Lexmark / MS / MX series

111.xx - The printer detected a printhead error and may need service if the fault repeats.

The printer detected a printhead error and may need service if the fault repeats.

This guide is scoped to the MS / MX series family. Exact menu wording, cartridge naming, and service behavior can still vary by model variant and firmware.

Severity

High

Most likely cause

The printhead reported an internal fault during startup or printing.

Can you keep using it?

Usually no - see below

Consumables involved

Printhead

Can you keep using it?

Can you keep using it?

Contact customer support if any of these apply

  • !111.xx repeats after restart.
  • !The printer shows the error alongside a service message or cannot complete startup.
If the printer still starts normally: Try one careful restart or the first official recovery step, then stop if the same error comes back straight away.

What to check first

Step-by-step checks

  1. 1

    Safe first step

    Power the printer off for at least 10 seconds, then restart it once.

    Start with the official recovery step before moving on to parts or deeper servicing.

  2. 2

    Safe first step

    If the printer returns ready, run a short test print before trusting a larger queue.

  3. 3

    Safe first step

    Do not keep cycling jobs if the same 111.xx code returns immediately.

Background

What this message usually means

Lexmark uses 111.xx for printhead-related errors on supported office models. A single restart can clear a transient fault, but repeated 111.xx codes usually point to a printhead or related hardware issue that needs support attention rather than user maintenance.

Before the message

What users usually notice first

Messages like this often appear after the printer fails one of its normal startup, supply, or paper-path checks and cannot return to ready state cleanly.

Diagnosis

Likely causes

Most common

The printhead reported an internal fault during startup or printing.

Common

The printer could not reinitialize the printhead correctly.

Possible

A connected option or prior fault state left the machine in a repeated printhead error condition.

Service

When service or replacement is more likely

  • -Lexmark treats repeat printhead faults as support cases rather than normal consumables maintenance.
  • -If a finisher or option is attached, note it before opening a support case because the article mentions option-related cases.

Avoid wrong turns

Common misreads of this message

  • -Treating the message like a confirmed failed part instead of a support clue about which system has stopped the printer.

See also

Related codes in this family

Explore more

More Lexmark printer families

Read this next

Helpful guides for this problem

Boundary

When to stop troubleshooting and move to support

If the same message returns immediately after one careful recovery attempt or the printer cannot reach ready state, stop there and use the family-specific support path.

Keep browsing

Where to go next

Source notes

Lexmark’s official guide for 111.xx errors recommends a restart first and support escalation if the printhead error repeats.

Built around official Lexmark office-printer guidance. Code meanings are family-level and can still vary by exact model, installed finisher options, and firmware generation.

Printer error codes can vary a little by firmware, region, and exact model variant. Use this guide as a family-level starting point and stop if the next step would require disassembly or service-mode changes.

Known family variants: MS310, MS410, MS510, MS610, MX310, MX410, MX510, MX610

Last reviewed: 2026-04-12

Reference: Open reference

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