Lexmark 31.60 missing or unresponsive imaging unit

Can you keep using it?

Contact customer support if any of these apply

!31.60 returns after reseating genuine supplies.
!The printer cannot maintain imaging-unit recognition after restart.

If the printer still starts normally: Finish the first checks once, then stop if the same message repeats or the printer still cannot return to ready.

What to check first

Step-by-step checks

1
Consumable check
Power off the printer and reseat the imaging unit and toner cartridge carefully.
Start with the official recovery step before moving on to parts or deeper servicing.
2
Safe first step
Confirm the installed supplies are genuine Lexmark parts.
3
Safe first step
Check printer date, time, and firmware if the message persists.

Background

What this message usually means

Lexmark uses 31.60 when the imaging unit is missing or unresponsive. On this family, the normal path is to check for genuine supplies, reseat the toner and imaging unit, then verify date, time, and firmware before escalating.

Diagnosis

Likely causes

Most common

The imaging unit is not fully seated.

Common

A non-genuine or defective imaging unit is not responding.

Possible

The printer needs a firmware or date/time correction before the supply check clears.

Service

When service or replacement is more likely

-This is a supply-state error, not a general service-stop code.

Related codes in this family

31.40

The toner cartridge is missing or not responding correctly.

29.xx

Packing material is still present on one or more installed supplies.

Explore more

More Lexmark printer families

MS / MX series

MS310, MS410, MS510, and more.

CS / CX 310 / 410 / 510 series

CS310, CS410, CS510, and more.

Source notes

Lexmark's official 31.6x guide says 31.60 indicates a missing or unresponsive imaging unit and recommends genuine-supply checks, reseating, and firmware review.

Built around official Lexmark user-guide and service-manual material for the MX431 and closely related mono office models. Exact code behavior can vary a little by print-only versus MFP model and installed options, but the main paper-jam and supply messages stay close across the family.

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: MX431adn, MX431adw, MS431dn, MS431dw, XM1342

Last reviewed: 2026-04-12

Reference: Open reference

31.60 - The imaging unit is missing or not responding correctly.