Lexmark Error 58 — What It Means & How to Fix It
By Ryan Green · Updated August 2026 · Independent guide · PrinterCare USA LLC (not affiliated with any printer manufacturer)
Lexmark error 58 is frustrating because your printer suddenly refuses to work even though nothing visibly seems broken. This error fires up when the printer's firmware gets confused about how many paper trays, finishing modules, or other hardware options are actually connected to your machine.
The good news is that this error almost always comes from a configuration mismatch rather than actual hardware failure. Whether you recently added a tray, moved the printer, or something got loose during shipping, we can walk you through pinpointing and fixing the problem right now.
How to fix it — step by step
- Perform a complete power cycle. Turn off the printer using the main power button and wait for all lights to extinguish completely. Unplug the power cable from the back of the printer and leave it disconnected for at least two minutes. Plug the power cable back in, power on the printer, and allow it to complete its startup sequence before attempting to print.
- Open the printer configuration menu. Navigate to the main home screen on your printer's touchscreen display. Select Settings or Administration (exact name varies by model). Look for Device Settings, System Configuration, or Hardware Configuration depending on your specific Lexmark model.
- Review installed options and trays. Within the configuration menu, find the section labeled Installed Options, Accessories, or Paper Trays. Write down every item listed under optional equipment. Compare this list against what you can physically see installed on your printer right now.
- Reseat all paper tray connections. Power off the printer completely and open the access panels on the right and rear. Look for any paper trays, finishing modules, or expansion units and gently push them straight in until you hear or feel them click firmly into place. Check that no cables are pinched or partially disconnected, then power the printer back on.
- Remove recently added or suspect hardware. If you added a new tray, duplexer, or finishing module within the past week, unplug it and power cycle the printer. Error 58 frequently appears when optional equipment is partially seated or incompatible with your specific printer model. Test printing after removal to confirm whether the hardware was causing the conflict.
- Clear the firmware configuration using factory reset. Go to Settings or Administration in the control panel and select Reset or Factory Reset. Choose Reset All Settings or Factory Default (not Reset Network Settings, which does something different). Confirm the action and allow the printer to restart and reload all firmware settings.
- Manually reconfigure paper trays in the control panel. After the factory reset, return to the configuration menu and manually select each paper tray and optional accessory that is physically installed on your printer. Only enable and configure items you can see attached to the machine. Save the configuration and perform a test print.
- Contact remote support if the error returns. If error 58 reappears after these steps, a technician can connect remotely to your printer using Lexmark's diagnostic tools and update the firmware or correct the hardware configuration for $49. Remote support typically resolves this type of configuration error within thirty minutes without requiring you to visit a service center.
Still stuck? A technician can fix it remotely today.
Independent remote support — you watch every step, and you pay the flat $49 only after your printer is working. $0 if we can't fix it.
Frequently asked questions
Why does error 58 appear on my Lexmark printer?
Error 58 means the printer's firmware has detected more paper trays, finishing modules, or optional accessories than your specific printer model is designed to support. This usually happens when hardware is loose, partially connected, recently added, or when the firmware's configuration file becomes corrupted. The printer is protecting itself by refusing to operate until the hardware mismatch is resolved.
Can I ignore error 58 and keep printing?
No, you cannot bypass or ignore error 58—the printer will not produce any output until the error is cleared. The printer is designed to stop functioning when it detects this configuration problem because mismatched hardware settings can cause paper jams, misfeeds, and damage to internal components. You must resolve the hardware configuration before the printer will resume normal operation.
What if I added an optional tray but error 58 still appears after removing it?
If removing the hardware does not clear the error, the firmware configuration file still contains a reference to that equipment. Perform a factory reset through the Settings menu to completely clear the installed options list from memory. After the reset, manually reconfigure only the trays and accessories that are physically present on your printer.
Does error 58 mean my printer hardware is broken?
No, error 58 is almost never caused by broken hardware—it is a configuration mismatch error. Your printer's internal components are almost certainly fine. The error clears by either reseating loose connections, removing incompatible equipment, or performing a factory reset to resync the firmware with your actual hardware.