Overview
- Explanation of the Cartridge Mismatch error
- Clear or Confirm the Error Message
- Check the Printer and Toner Cartridge Region Settings
- If the Toner Cartridge and Printer Regions Do Not Match...
- If the Toner Cartridge and Printer Regions Match...
- Geography Quick Reference Chart
- Additional Assistance
Explanation of the Cartridge Mismatch Error
A 42 or Toner Cartridge Region Mismatch error indicates that the installed toner cartridge is manufactured for a different geographic region than the printer. The printer and the toner cartridge each have a certain geographical code tagged to them, much like the coding on DVD players and DVDs. Both must be coded to the same geography in order for them to work together. If you install a toner cartridge that does not match the region of the printer, the printer will post a Cartridge Region Mismatch error.
There are four different geographical regions:
- USA & Canada (North America)
- Europe, Middle East, & Africa
- Asia & Pacific Region (Indonesia, Australia, etc.)
- Latin America (Central & South America)
Regionalization also helps to protect users from counterfeit products, and to protect authorized dealers and distributors of Lexmark products from illegitimate dealers and brokers.
Check the Printer and Toner Cartridge Region Settings
Method 1:
Printer - Look inside the front cover for a label showing the printer's serial number and other printer information. Check the Region number on the label against the following numbers to find out which geographic region the printer corresponds to:1 = USA & Canada2 = Europe, Middle East, & Africa3 = Asia & Pacific Region4 = Latin America (Central & South America)0 or 9 = Undefined Region (see below)
Toner Cartridge - Look at the part number on the toner cartridge. The last letter of the part number tells you which geographic location the cartridge is intended to be used in.A = USA & CanadaE = Europe, Middle East, & AfricaR or P = Asia & Pacific RegionL = Latin America (Central & South America)W or G = Undefined (see below)
Note: If either region code is Undefined, please contact Lexmark Technical Support for further assistance. See the Additional Assistance section at the end of this document for more information
Method 2:
If you are having problems locating the printer and/or cartridge region code, you can also find the geography settings of the printer and the toner cartridge on the Print Quality Test Pages. These pages can be printed using the printer's operator panel. Follow the appropriate link below for directions.
Step | Action |
---|
1 | Print the Print Quality Test Pages. |
2 | Look on the first page of the Print Quality Test pages for a section labeled Cartridge Information. Click here for an example. |
3 | Look at the Cartridge Region and Printer Region entries. Each will have an associated numeric value corresponding to one of the regions listed below. 1 = USA & Canada2 = Europe, Middle East, & Africa3 = Asia & Pacific Region4 = Latin America (Central & South America)0 or 9 = Undefined Region (see below) Check to see if the cartridge region matches the printer region. Then follow the applicable set of directions below. Note: If either region code is coming up as Undefined, please contact Lexmark Technical Support for further assistance. See the Additional Assistance section at the end of this document. |