Unlocking the Lexmark MS521dn printer settings (and similar models)

A printer arrived to me that was blocked by some German sysadmin. Shall we try to solve the issue in a clever way?

The story began with the fact that I got my hands on a printer model MS521dn manufactured by Lexmark. I am used to the fact that we usually have more modern models from HP, and Lexmark is relatively not popular. I was even more surprised when it came with the German language in the interface. At any attempt to enter the settings, I heard its strange “Keine Anmeldemeth, konfiguriert”, or “Login method not configured”. Actually, I learned the normal translation of this phrase thanks to ChatGPT. I use it in certain incomprehensible situations, but here something went wrong.

Classic reset methods

GPT offered me several methods. One of them was to turn on the printer with the 2 and 6 keys held down. This was supposed to give access to the ability to reset the settings. But the printer hung on a picture with a different inscription in German and, accordingly, did not allow me to enter the necessary settings. The second combination was to press the “back” and “right” keys, and while holding them, turn on the printer. This did not work at all. There was an option to reset the settings via the web panel, when we connect the printer to our network and perform a reset through the admin panel. But for this it was necessary to authorize, and the standard password and login type “admin”, of course, did not work. The fourth method was to flash the printer via a USB connector (which this model does not have, but… ChatGPT advised this – whoever encountered it knows what I mean). The fifth method was flashing via USB cable, but I immediately rejected it, because I understood that the printer would not allow itself to be reflashed in this way, and if it did, unlocking could become even more difficult. The sixth method suggested using an expensive programmer with flashing the printer’s microcircuit itself. This is quite radical, because it costs a lot of money.

By chance, I came across the seventh method, which was recommended by one of the Reddit users.

Yellow jumper

On the right side of the printer, I saw a strange compartment. It was secured with a regular screw. It was clear that this was access to something important. 

I came across an interesting comment that talked about a yellow jumper:

And indeed, this very jumper was found there:

The jumper only has two positions, so it’s hard to make a mistake. Of course, it’s best to turn off the printer before doing this procedure.

Universal method?

Will this method help in every situation? Not really. The thing is that after resetting the settings I came across a strange menu item:

As I understand it, it is responsible for whether it is possible to reset the settings with this jumper. If I were less lucky and someone decided to block this method as well, then, probably, the only way to reset the device would be to flash the chip.

It’s quite strange that this method wasn’t suggested by ChatGPT as another option, so I hope it can help you, as I came across it almost by accident.

Author: Sa Crea

Hellmin