Samsung SCX-3405FW Factory Reset, Firmware, and NVRAM Clear Methods

User question

SCX3405 FW IMPOSTAZIONI SI FABBRICA

Artificial Intelligence Response

Direct answer to the question

• Samsung SCX-3405 / SCX-3405FW printers can be restored to factory (OEM) conditions from three levels of depth:

1. User menu (“Clear Settings”) ‑ keeps firmware, clears user data.
2. Web interface (SyncThru) ‑ identical to 1, but via browser.
3. Service/Tech mode (“Menu # 1934 … Clear All Mem”) ‑ erases NVRAM, counters, admin password and country code, i.e. true factory state.
   • Firmware can be updated/re-flashed only with HP-Samsung’s official package (latest 2022-09, v3.00.01.17) and must match the exact suffix of the machine (SCX-3405, 3405F, 3405FW, etc.).
   • After any reset you must re-enter language, date, and all network / fax parameters.

Key points
– Backup configuration pages first.
– Use Tech-mode only if the normal reset is ineffective.
– Firmware re-flash is not a “reset”; do it only to cure corrupt code or apply a security patch.
– Bypassing toner/CRUM counters with third-party “chipless” firmware voids warranty and violates regional laws.

Detailed problem analysis

1. Why resets are needed
   • Loss of admin password or SyncThru lock-out
   • Wrong IP schema, Wi-Fi instability after router change
   • Unclearable error 11-1112 / 16-Ton (toner) counters blocking printing
   • Firmware corruption after interrupted update

2. Printer memory architecture
   • Parameter NVRAM – stores user prefs, counters, network stack.
   • Program ROM – holds firmware image (cannot be cleared, only flashed).
   • Consumable memory – CRUM chip on toner; not affected by printer reset.
   Factory reset touches only NVRAM. Service-level “Clear All Mem” rebuilds NVRAM with default tables and re-requests the regionalization string (country code).

3. Reset hierarchy (in order of intrusiveness)

Level	How to enter	Menu path / key sequence	What is cleared	Typical duration
Basic	Control panel	Menu → System Setup → Clear Settings → All Settings	All user options, network, Fax book	1–2 min
Network/Web	Browser → SyncThru → Settings → Maintenance → Restore	Same as basic	1–2 min
Tech mode	Ready → Menu # 1 9 3 4 Menu → Tech Mode → Data Setup → Clear All Mem	NVRAM, counters, admin pwd, region	3–5 min + first boot
Hard/NVRAM init*	Power Off → hold Stop/Cancel → Power On until LEDs cycle	Similar to Tech, model-dependent	3–4 min

*Not present on all sub-models; harmless if unsupported (printer just boots normally).

4. Firmware flashing
   Official HP package (WIN-USB or *.hd firmware file via SyncThru) performs:
   • CRC check → reprogram Flash → auto-reboot → rebuild resources.
   • Do NOT interrupt power; UPS strongly recommended.
   • Do NOT cross-flash (e.g., 3405F onto 3405W) – the formatter checks, but bypass attempts can brick the unit.
   • Latest bundle closes CVE-2022-3942 (IPP buffer overflow).

Current information and trends

• Samsung’s printer division has been owned by HP since 2017; all firmware and drivers are hosted on HP’s site and signed with HP certificates.
• HP no longer releases new laser models with Samsung SoC, therefore the SCX-340x series is in “sustaining” phase—security updates only.
• Growing demand for chipless/CRUM-reset solutions has spawned many unofficial tools; HP is blocking them with signed-firmware enforcement.
• Industry is moving to “cloud configuration backup” (HP Smart, Canon Business) that makes local NVRAM reset less painful.

Supporting explanations and details

Example: Performing a full Tech-mode reset

1. Printer ON, display “Ready”.
2. Press in <2 s between keys: Menu → # → 1 → 9 → 3 → 4 → Menu (or OK).
3. Display shows “Tech Mode”.
4. Arrow to “Data Setup”, OK.
5. Arrow to “Clear All Mem”, OK → Yes.
6. Device erases, powers off/ on, asks for country → choose (e.g., 061 = Italy).
7. Re-enter Wi-Fi SSID or run WPS, set fax header, etc.

Ethical and legal aspects

• Installing patched or “chipless” firmware often breaches EULA, local copyright and, in EU, Directive 2009/24/EC (circumvention of DRM).
• Service-mode operations are documented for authorised technicians; end-users act at own risk.
• Comercial resale of modified firmware may infringe HP’s digital-signature protections.

Practical guidelines

Implementation checklist:

1. Print Configuration + Network reports (Menu → System Setup → Report) for reference.
2. Choose the least-intrusive reset likely to solve the problem.
3. Connect printer to a surge-protected outlet; avoid USB hubs during firmware operations.
4. After reset flash to latest firmware (optional but recommended).
5. Re-install drivers on PC if the USB VID/PID changed after re-regionalisation.
6. Verify by printing a fresh Configuration Report—build date should read current year.

Potential challenges & mitigations
• Sequence timing: if #1934 is typed too slowly, printer just shows “No data” → retry.
• Forgotten “admin/sec00000” changed password: Tech-mode clears it.
• Brick risk during flash: use UPS; if interrupted, the formatter may require J-TAG recovery (service-center only).

Possible disclaimers or additional notes

• The STOP-button hard reset is not implemented on early 2012 firmware (<v2.05).
• Clearing NVRAM does not reset mechanical toner page counts stored inside the CRUM chip.
• Some regional SKUs (-W, ‑WJ) have Wi-Fi Direct that must be re-enabled manually after reset.

Suggestions for further research

• Investigate remote (IPP / mDNS) vulnerabilities on legacy Samsung printers—few academic papers exist.
• Explore open-source SNMP monitoring (e.g., Cacti templates) for SCX-340x series.
• Study the impact of HP’s Secure-Boot enforcement on aftermarket firmware ecosystems.
Resources: HP Support portal, service-manual “Samsung SCX-3400 Series SM”, IEEE P2600-2020 hard-copy device security spec.

Brief summary

Restoring a Samsung SCX-3405/3405FW to factory defaults is straightforward from the user menu; deeper issues may need Tech-mode (Menu #1934). Always back up settings, use the least-intrusive method first, and keep firmware current via HP’s official package. Non-official “chipless” flashes can solve CRUM counter problems but carry legal and technical risks. If the printer still fails after a full NVRAM clear and firmware re-flash, the formatter PCB is likely defective and should be serviced or replaced.

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