Samsung CLP-415NW and Firmware Fix

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I was lucky enough to pick up the above-referenced printer on Amazon for a good price. It’s been a great machine, except for envelope-printing and the exorbitant price to operate. The primary reason for the latter issue is Samsung’s firmware, which calculates how much toner remains (rather than measure it) and doesn’t allow you to use a refilled cartridge without also replacing the chip on the cartridge.

Not one to be hampered by an electronics manufacturer, I set out to jailbreak my Samsung CLP-415NW. I wasn’t hoping to root the printer, but just find a way to disable the ability of the printer to read chips on toner cartridges. I knew about this nifty hardware hack for the 315, but I was hoping for something through software to avoid voiding my warranty.

I knew of people who used firmware to disable the ability of the printer to read cartridge chips, but I wasn’t sure which vendor to trust. I decided to dive in and take a chance with “printserv”, but the firmware I received didn’t work. I tried to resolve the issue for several days using Google Translate, but never got it working.

Somewhat defeated, I waited several months and when my yellow and magenta cartridges ran out of toner, I resorted to eBay and found the seller c-h-i-p-t-o-n-e-r. I requested firmware version 4.00.01.48, but I was told this version of firmware was not yet available and my money was promptly refunded. I then downgraded to version 4.00.01.41 and bid on another firmware fix listing from c-h-i-p-t-o-n-e-r and sent the following information:

1) printer model – CLP-410 Series (CLP-415NW)
2) the serial number of the printer – Z9A0BJED111111CN
3) The firmware version of the printer – System Firmware v4.00.01.41 Feb-15-2013
4) serial CRUM –

Yellow:
CRUM-13021560982
Magenta:
CRUM-13021560858
Cyan:
CRUM-13021570036
Black:
CRUM-13021569444

The next morning, I received an email with a link to download my modified firmware. The directions were wonderful and I used my Mac with VirtualPC to download the modified firmware with a USB cable. SUCCESS!

After the printer rebooted, I was successfully able to print from previously “empty” toner cartridges! Knowing there wasn’t much toner left, I promptly ordered new toner for about 1/5 the price of Samsung’s toner cartridges and I also ordered a toner tool so I can pour the new toner into my near-empty cartridges. I’ll post again when I get the new toner and tool.

13 thoughts on “Samsung CLP-415NW and Firmware Fix”

  1. Can you please tell me how you downgraded the firmware? I’m having the same problem but can’t find the required firmware.
    TIA

  3. FYI for anyone wanting to downgrade then install a firmware fix; here is what I did and it worked spectacularly:

    TO DOWNGRADE

    Download these things:
    – Firmware Update Package (Directly from Samsung) http://www.samsung.com/us/support/owners/product/CLP-415NW/XAC
    -V41 firmware. (The one Brad posted works. I got the one from Samsung’s old installer) It should look like this: “CLP-415NW_V4.00.01.41.hd”

    Instructions:
    1) Unzip Samsung’s update package. You want this update package because of the “usblist2.exe” file. Everything else can be deleted.
    2) Place the “CLP-415NW_V4.00.01.41.hd” file in the same folder as the “usblist2.exe” file
    3)Hook your printer up to the USB and turn the printer off using the switch in the back.
    4)Turn the printer back on and immediately press the orange “X” button on the printer rapidly. The display should read “Wait Image”.
    (If this message does not display, you did not press the button soon or rapid enough. Turn the printer off and try again.)
    5)Now that the printer is hooked up to your USB and the display on the printer says “Wait Image”, drag the “CLP-415NW_V4.00.01.41.hd” file onto the “usblist2.exe”.
    (On older versions of Windows, you may need to double click on the .hd file, and navigate the “open with” dialogue to “usblist2.exe”
    6)The command prompt should now be counting up a series of numbers, and the display on the printer will also count up a series of numbers and letters. Once both of these have completed counting up (about 5 minutes) you have successfully downgraded your firmware!
    7)Close the command prompt and turn your printer off, then back on.

    TO PATCH FIRMWARE
    1) First you must print out two reports, the Configuration Report and the Supplies Information Report. Both of these can be found in the Menu>Information tab on the printer. Configuration is second to the right, and Supplies Information is third to the right.
    2) Get your firmware fixed.
    You can either use the seller Brad went through. I used TestCopy, a website. Here is their link: http://forum.testcopy.net/threads/firmware-fix-reset-fix-samsung-clp-415n-415nw-color-printer.75/
    3) If going through TestCopy, click the “Buy Now” PayPal link. This will bring you to a form. Enter this in:
    Printer Name: Samsung CLP-415NW (Note-This must be your printer)
    Printer Version: Found on Configuration report under “System Firmware Version” (Note, you only need the firmware version, not the date you installed it)
    Printer’s Serial Number: Found at the top of both reports after “Machine Serial Number”
    printer’s chip crum number: This is on the “Supplies Information” sheet. Enter the BLACK crum. It should start “CRUM-” and be followed by 11 numbers.
    4) Enter your e-mail and continue with the paypal purchase process.
    5) TestCopy will e-mail you with a link to reset firmware (mine arrived in less than 30 minutes)
    6) Download Reset firmware
    7) At this point you can follow their instructions and use their “usbprns2.exe” software, but this didn’t work for me. No problem, though!
    8) Put your printer back in the “Wait Image” mode by turning it off, turning it back on, and pressing the orange “X” rapidly, like you did before.
    9) Copy the fixed firmware (It should look like “FIX_xxxxxxxxxxx_CLP415NW_V4.00.01.41.hd” with the x’s being your CRUM)
    10) Paste the fixed firmware into that file with Samsung’s “usblist2.exe” file.
    11) This is just like when you were downgrading your firmware, only this time, you will drag the fixed firmware into “usblist2.exe”
    12) Another command prompt will pop up and the printer may flash a few numbers, but this time it will go very fast (less than 1 minute).
    13)Turn your printer off, then turn it back on. Congrats! You’ve jailbroken your printer!
    14) Before you print, pull your toner rack out and put electrical tape over the chips on your toner, so the printer can’t read them any more.

    Now it costs 80% less to refill your toner!!!

  4. The latest firmware is v55 and it is available on Samsung’s website:

    http://www.samsung.com/us/support/owners/product/CLP-415NW#firmware.

    Ever since I got this printer, I’ve had trouble with it printing to envelopes and I think it is a firmware issue. Unless anyone has a version history of Samsung’s CLP-415NW firmwares, I’m speculating that I’ll need to upgrade from v41 to v55 to be able to print to envelopes. With Adam’s advice on how to downgrade in my pocket, I feel confident tryings the stock version of v55 to see if my envelope blues are fixed and if they are, I’ll pursue c-h-i-p-t-o-n-e-r (again) or Adam’s seller to request a v55 firmware fix. On the other hand, if v55 doesn’t fix my envelope issues, I’ll downgrade back to stock v41 and send it in to Samsung for warranty work – expiring at the end of this month! Will keep you posted.

    One last note… It appears Adam’s seller only offers the firmware fix up to v48, so c-h-i-p-t-o-n-e-r may be my only option for now. The great thing about using c-h-i-p-t-o-n-e-r is that if you run into the issue of a bad firmware file (as I mentioned in my original post) you can request a refund on eBay. Also, based on what I read from Adam’s post, I’m wondering if I should’ve have tried his method for loading the firmware? I still have the bad file I received from the original seller, so I’ll give it a shot with Adam’s method and post back on how it goes.

    Finally, just for the record:

    v41: Bueller…
    v48: The print and wireless issues have been fixed.
    v55: Fixes “Tray1 Pickup Roller error is displayed.”

    Based on the description above, its quite possible that v55 fixes the envelope issue. Right now, when I load an envelope into the cassette tray, the LED that indicates that there is a “Paper Mismatch” and if I forced the printer to proceed, the text is misaligned on the envelope. Ay, what lengths will I go through to get a cheap color laser printer that does everything I want it to…

    Called Samsung and asked about firmware version history, but what was told it is not available. Then I asked about printer and envelope issues and I was told I could use an envelope as big as a #10 – even though the manual says it is a supported size. Ay… Also, was thinking more about the firmware upgrade… My toner cartridges are low, so I won’t be able to print on the stock v55, so I’m throwing in w/ c-h-i-p-t-o-n-e-r again. Will keep you posted.

  5. I bid on another eBay auction by c-h-i-p-t-o-n-e-r and requested a firmware fix based on Samsung’s v4.00.01.55 released April 24, 2014. Sadly, the response from c-h-i-p-t-o-n-e-r was:

    > Dear schwie,

    >
    > hi
    > fix impossible for your version firmware

    >
    > refund executed

    >
    > regards

    >
    > -c-h-i-p-t-o-n-e-r

    Based on this response, I’m left with little choice, but send this printer in to Samsung for service. I may try testing with v55 before I send it in. Will update later.

  6. My Samsung CLP-415NW shipped with firmware v4.00.01.34 (older than the ones mentioned above) and c-h-i-p-t-o-n-e-r’s firmware hack service worked great.

    Thanks to Brad for writing about this last year. Otherwise I would still be trying to re-chip my old cartridges!

    (It took some time to stumble across this page while searching for “Samsung CLP-415NW firmware hack” or “Samsung CLP-415NW firmware mod” but maybe the next searcher will find it easier now!)

  7. hey, Adam N Webber

    thanks for saving my butt! had upgraded my clp 415 with full cartridges to latest fw. then it wouldnt print anymore, saying my cartridges werent genuine.
    I successfully downgraded my printer from the F**** rip off firmware upgrade. cant believe Samsung is ripping us all off. this is my last samsung prnter…

  8. For my CLP-415NW I made sure that I didn’t upgrade beyond firmware:
    V4.00.01.28 Sep-26-2012

    When it thinks there is no toner, it gives me the option to select “stop” or “continue” on the front panel, so I always choose “continue” and it then operates as normal. It complains that I have no toner but it prints never the less.

  9. You guys are great!

    Used Brad’s instructions and Dropbox link to downgrade the printer firmware.
    Used Adam’s instructions and link to buy and apply fix.

    Worked like a charm, all was done in less than 15 minutes. Thank you everybody and F*** U Samsung!

    P.S. Never going to buy from Samsung again, I got a mono laser printer from Brother (HL-2240) and it’s soooo easy to refill! heard the same about their color ones.

  10. Hi everyone, just got a CLP-415N after many happy years with a hacked CLP-315W and I’m now trying to do the same with the new printer. Unfortunately it shipped with firmware version 4.00.02.30 so I need to downgrade. But I cannot find older versions for that particular printer, or I’ll find them but the file is labeled as CLP-415NW, which does not work for my model. I’ve tried these just in case and although the box opens showing the number count rising, once it is finished the printer shows the message “Image Error Reset Printer” and I need to pull the plug to restart it. I’ve run the Configuration report after this happened and all the numbers are still the same, which leads me back to my current situation.

    From what I’ve read any of these will work for the CLP-415N:
    4.00.01.19, .25, .41, .48

    Can anyone help me out with one of these versions of older firmware? I’ve always liked Samsung specifically because their printers were hackable so I’m disappointed this one has been so much of a pain. Once I get the firmware downgraded I’ll contact c-h-i-p-t-o-n-e-r for the fix (used him before and its always an easy transaction, no problems).

    Please help, and thank you.

  12. I also im trying to downgrade from .51 with image error with
    CLP415NW_V4.00.01.41_printservis.com.ua.hd
    and anther image i found called
    CLP-415_V4.00.01.48.hd

    can someone please upload there working image for us?
    many thanks.

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