Xerox error 116-324 - software error in the controller
The machine's controller software hit an unrecoverable error and reset itself, showing a 116 code that identifies a system rather than mechanical fault. It may appear once and never return, or repeat whenever a particular action is performed. Firmware level and installed applications are the main things to examine.
What causes it
- A firmware fault triggered by a specific job, scan or setting
- An interrupted or partially applied firmware update
- A faulty optional card, hard disk or memory module
- A custom app or connector installed on the device misbehaving
- A malformed print job or scan destination configuration
How to fix it, in order
Work down the list and stop when the printer recovers. The steps are ordered from most likely and least invasive to last resort.
Power cycle the machine
Switch it off at the power switch, unplug it for two minutes, then reconnect and let it start fully. Note the exact code and what you were doing when it appeared, because a code that only occurs during a specific action is far easier to diagnose than a random one.
Identify what triggers it
Try the machine's basic functions in turn: copy a page, print a simple document, then scan. If the fault only appears during one of these, the associated feature or its configuration is where to look rather than the machine as a whole.
Check the firmware version
Open the Embedded Web Server by typing the machine's IP address into a browser, sign in as administrator, and find the firmware version on the configuration page. Compare it with the current release on the Xerox support page for your model and update if it is behind.
Clear queued jobs
Cancel all jobs in the machine's job list, and clear the print queues on connected computers. On Windows, stop Print Spooler in services.msc, delete the contents of C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS and start the service. A job that crashes the controller will resend and crash it again.
Disable custom apps
In the Embedded Web Server, look at the installed apps or extensible service registrations and disable any third-party workflow or connector app. If the fault stops, re-enable them one at a time to identify the culprit.
Print the fault history
The machine keeps a fault log accessible from the panel under Device › Support, or from the Embedded Web Server. A pattern of the same code at consistent intervals or after a specific operation is exactly what a technician needs.
Reload the firmware if the fault repeats
With the current firmware file from Xerox, use the Embedded Web Server's software upgrade page to reload it, even if the version appears current. Reloading repairs a partially applied update, which is a recognised cause of repeated controller faults.
Stopping it happening again
When it is not worth fixing yourself
If you would rather not work through this alone, a printer specialist can take a look with you on a screen-share and tell you honestly whether the machine is worth saving.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 116 code serious?
It indicates a system fault, but many are software issues cleared by a restart and a firmware reload rather than hardware failures.
Why does it happen at the same point every time?
Because a specific job or feature is triggering the fault. Identifying that action is most of the diagnosis.
Can I reload firmware that is already current?
Yes, and it is a standard step, because it repairs an update that was applied incompletely.
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