Dell Error 116-383 — What It Means & How to Fix It
By Ryan Green · Updated August 2026 · Independent guide · PrinterCare USA LLC (not affiliated with any printer manufacturer)
Error 116-383 is frustrating because your Dell printer appears to work but refuses to print, showing this cryptic controller firmware message. This error means the internal software controlling your printer's main circuit board has become corrupted, outdated, or failed to initialize correctly.
The good news is that most users fix this themselves in under 30 minutes using a firmware refresh.
How to fix it — step by step
- Perform a complete power cycle. Turn off your Dell printer using the power button, then unplug it from the electrical outlet completely. Wait for two full minutes while the printer is unplugged to allow capacitors to drain. Plug it back in and power it on, then wait 90 seconds for the printer to fully boot before testing.
- Access the printer's web interface. Find your printer's IP address by printing a network configuration page from the printer's menu or checking your router's connected devices list. Open a web browser on your Windows or Mac computer and type the IP address into the address bar, for example http://192.168.1.100. Log in using the default credentials if prompted, usually admin and admin or blank for the password.
- Check current firmware version. Once logged into the web interface, look for a Settings, System Information, or About section in the menu. Note the current firmware version number displayed so you can compare it to the latest available version. This confirms whether an update is actually available and needed.
- Download the correct firmware file from Dell. Visit the Dell support website and search for your exact printer model number. Navigate to the Drivers & Downloads or Firmware section and download the latest firmware file appropriate for your operating system environment. Save this file to a known location on your computer, such as your Downloads folder or Desktop.
- Upload firmware through the web interface. Return to your printer's web interface and locate the Firmware Update, Software Update, or Maintenance section. Click the option to upload or browse for a firmware file, then select the Dell firmware file you just downloaded. Do not interrupt power or close the browser until the upload and installation process completes, which usually takes three to five minutes.
- Allow the printer to restart and reinitialize. After the firmware installation finishes, the printer will restart automatically. Leave the printer powered on and do not use it for five full minutes while it completes the initialization sequence. You should see normal boot screens or status lights indicating successful startup without any error codes.
- Test printing and verify the error is gone. Print a test page directly from the printer menu or send a small document from your computer to confirm normal operation. Check that error 116-383 no longer appears on the display panel. If the printer now operates normally, the firmware repair was successful.
- Factory reset if error persists. If error 116-383 still appears after firmware reinstallation, perform a factory reset through the printer's menu by selecting Settings, Maintenance, or Reset options and choosing Factory Reset or Restore Defaults. This action will clear all custom settings and corrupted firmware components, then reload the firmware fresh. If this still does not resolve the issue, contact Dell support or book a $49 remote technician session for hardware-level diagnosis.
Still stuck? A technician can fix it remotely today.
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Frequently asked questions
What causes error 116-383 in the first place?
This error typically results from interrupted firmware updates, power failures during printer startup, corrupted firmware files, or aging circuit board components. It can also occur after network connectivity issues during automatic firmware checks or after using third-party firmware versions not approved by Dell.
Can I fix this error on a Mac computer instead of Windows?
Yes, the firmware update process works identically on macOS because you are accessing your printer's web interface through a standard browser. Simply open Safari, Chrome, or Firefox on your Mac and follow the same steps to upload the firmware file through the printer's web portal.
Will factory reset delete my saved print settings and network configuration?
A factory reset will erase all custom settings, saved paper sizes, and network configurations, but it will not permanently damage your printer. After the reset completes, you will need to reconnect the printer to your Wi-Fi network and reconfigure any specific print settings you use regularly.
What should I do if the firmware upload fails or times out?
If the firmware upload fails, power cycle the printer immediately and try again using a wired ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi if your printer supports it. Wired connections are more stable for firmware updates and less likely to timeout. If uploads continue to fail, the issue may be hardware-related and you should contact Dell support or arrange a $49 remote technician session.