OKI MC332, MC362 and MC562: Belt Unit Near Life and errors 330, 355, 356 — what to do

Last Updated on 11.08.2026 by DriverNew

The Belt Unit Near Life, Check Belt Unit, Belt Unit Life and Waste Toner Full messages refer to the transfer belt unit. This unit transfers the formed color image from the image drums to the paper and also contains an area for collecting some of the waste toner.

Not every message requires the immediate purchase of a new unit. Error code 330 usually means that the belt unit is installed incorrectly, code 355 appears after the estimated service life has ended, and code 356 indicates that the internal waste toner area is full. With code 356, the entire belt unit must be replaced: this is not the same as replacing a toner cartridge or a separate waste toner container.

Which models this guide applies to

The main step-by-step procedure applies to the following color MFPs:

• OKI MC332dn;
• OKI MC342dn and MC342dw;
• OKI MC352dn;
• OKI MC362dn and MC362w;
• OKI MC562dn, MC562w and MC562dw;
• OKI ES3452 MFP;
• OKI ES5462 MFP and ES5462dw MFP;
• OKI MPS2731mc.

A similar design is used in the related OKI MC351, MC361, MC561, ES3451 MFP and ES5461 MFP. The same checking principle is used on the C301, C310, C321, C330, C331, C510, C511, C530 and C531 color printers. On a printer without a scanner, skip the step involving lifting the scanner unit. The appearance of the cover, handles and locking levers may differ slightly.

What the message or code means

Step 1. Write down the full message

1. Do not turn off the MFP until you have written down the message text and error number.
2. If the display prompts you to open Help, press HELP.
3. Write down the three-digit code. For error 688, also write down the digits after the hyphen.
4. Note whether printing has stopped or the device remains ready.
5. Check whether the error appeared immediately after a paper jam, replacement of the image drums or other maintenance.

If code 330 appeared immediately after the top cover was opened and the image drum unit was removed, check the installation first. Do not order a new belt until the existing unit has been reinstalled correctly.

Step 2. Check the belt status through the menu

If the device continues to operate and shows only a service-life warning, check the status of the consumable units:

1. Wait for the ready screen.
2. Press the STATUS button.
3. Use the down arrow to select Device Information and press OK.
4. Select Supplies Status and press OK.
5. Find Belt or Belt Unit.

The item names depend on the display language selected. The sequence remains the same: device status, device information, supplies status.

If Belt Unit Near Life is displayed

• Printing can usually continue.
• Prepare a new unit in advance, but do not remove a working belt just to inspect it.
• Do not expect a strictly defined number of remaining pages.
• The warning may change to code 355 after the estimated service life ends.
• Code 356 may sometimes appear earlier than expected if the waste toner area fills more quickly.

The approximate service life of the unit is about 60,000 single-sided A4 pages when printing jobs of approximately three pages each. Actual service life depends on document content, printing mode and operating conditions.

Step 3. Determine the required action from the code

• 330 or 689. Perform a safe reinstallation. A common cause is that the unit was lowered at an angle, the drive gear did not engage or one locking lever remained open.
• 355. Replace the belt because its estimated service life has ended.
• 356. Replace the entire unit because the waste toner area is full.
• 688. Check the compatibility of the installed part. Repeatedly reinstalling an unsuitable unit will not clear the message.

Step 4. Choose a compatible unit

1. Find the full device name on the label on the chassis, including the dn, dw or w suffix.
2. Open the consumables list specifically for your model and region.
3. Check the complete part number on the packaging of the new unit.
4. Do not rely only on a photograph: a belt unit that looks similar may have a different drive design or recognition method.
5. If buying a used unit, ask about its actual remaining service life. Moving a partially used belt between devices may cause the remaining life to be displayed incorrectly.
6. Inspect the packaging. Do not install a unit with a deformed frame, broken gear, damaged locking levers or a scratch on the working surface.

Part number 44472202 is often used for the belt unit on this hardware platform in the European region, but it should not be considered universal for every country and every modification. Before ordering, verify it on the local consumables page or against the markings on the previously installed unit.

Step 5. Prepare the work area and turn off the device

Prepare everything you need before opening the cover because the combined image drum unit should not be left exposed to light for an extended period.

• a new belt unit if replacement is being performed;
• a clean, flat surface next to the device;
• a clean opaque sheet or black lightproof bag to protect the image drums;
• a bag for the removed unit, especially with code 356.

1. Finish printing, copying, scanning and fax transmission.
2. Press and hold the power switch for approximately one second, but no longer than five seconds.
3. Wait for the Shutdown in progress. Please wait. message.
4. Do not open the device while the power indicator is flashing.
5. After the device has completely shut down, disconnect the power cable from the outlet.
6. Wait about 10 minutes for the nearby fuser unit to cool down.
7. Move any bright desk lamp away and do not work in direct sunlight.

Step 6. Reinstall the belt for code 330 or 689

1. Make sure the device is turned off, the cable is disconnected and about 10 minutes have passed.
2. Carefully lift the entire scanner unit upward. On a printer without a scanner, skip this step.
3. Press the top cover release and fully open the cover, which also serves as the output tray.
4. Do not touch the marked fuser area behind the cartridges.
5. Locate the handles of the combined image drum unit.
6. Hold the handles with both hands and lift the entire unit straight up together with all four toner cartridges.
7. Do not tilt the unit or hold it by the cartridges.
8. Place the unit on the prepared clean, flat surface away from heat and light.
9. Immediately cover the image drums with clean opaque material. Do not allow hard objects to touch the green surfaces.
10. Locate one locking lever on each side of the transfer belt.
11. Pull both levers upward and toward the front of the device to release the unit.
12. Holding the belt by the locking levers, lift it straight up and remove it from the device.
13. Place the unit on a clean, flat surface. Do not place the belt’s working surface face down.
14. Check the drive gear, guides and seating recesses. Remove only a loose piece of paper or packaging that can be reached without tools and without touching the belt surface.
15. Do not wipe the belt, blow toner away or use a household vacuum cleaner.
16. Hold the unit by the two levers and position it so that the drive gear faces the rear of the device.
17. Align the unit’s drive gear with the gear at the rear right side of the mounting area.
18. Lower the belt evenly. The left and right sides should seat to the same depth without excessive force.
19. Turn both locking levers back as far as they will go.
20. Remove the opaque covering from the image drum unit.
21. Holding the unit by the handles, align the side pins with the recesses in the chassis and lower it straight down.
22. Make sure the image drum unit sits evenly and none of the cartridges is raised.
23. Close the top cover and press it down until the latches engage.
24. Carefully lower the scanner unit.
25. Reconnect the power, turn on the device and wait for initialization to finish.

If code 330 remains

• Turn off the device again and allow it to cool.
• Check that the drive gear faces the rear and has engaged correctly.
• Make sure both locking levers are fully moved toward the rear.
• Check that there is no packaging material or paper under the unit.
• Inspect the locking levers and frame for deformation.
• If a known compatible unit is installed correctly but the error recurs, the sensor or drive mechanism will require diagnostics.

Step 7. Replace the belt for code 355 or 356

1. Unpack the new unit next to the device.
2. Remove all shipping locks, protective inserts and packing tape. Do not touch the smooth working surface.
3. Turn off the device, disconnect the power and wait about 10 minutes.
4. Lift the scanner and fully open the top cover.
5. Using the handles, remove the combined image drum unit together with the cartridges.
6. Place it on a clean, flat surface and immediately protect it from light.
7. Move the two levers on the old belt upward and toward the front of the device.
8. Holding the unit by the levers, lift it straight up and remove it.
9. With code 356, do not tilt or shake the removed unit: it contains waste toner.
10. Place the old belt unit in a strong bag and close it.
11. Hold the new unit by the locking levers. The drive gear must be on the rear side of the device.
12. Align it with the gear at the rear right side of the mounting area.
13. Lower the unit horizontally and without force.
14. Move both locking levers back as far as they will go.
15. Make sure the new unit does not rock and both sides are at the same height.
16. Reinstall the combined image drum unit by aligning its pins with the recesses on the sides of the chassis.
17. Close the top cover until the latches engage and lower the scanner.
18. Reconnect the power and turn on the device.
19. Wait until the device reaches the ready state. The initial check of the new unit may take longer than a normal startup.

Can printing continue temporarily?

After code 355 or 356, opening and closing the top cover may sometimes temporarily restore printing. Use this option only to finish a small urgent job if there is no spilled toner, unusual noise, paper jam or image defects.

• After code 355, the number of pages still available is unknown in advance.
• After code 356, some firmware versions may allow approximately up to 500 additional pages to be printed before printing stops again.
• Repeatedly opening the cover does not clean the unit or restore its service life.
• Continued operation with an overfilled unit may cause toner leakage and reduced print quality.

If the message remains after replacement

Do not enter a hidden service menu to reset the counter before checking installation and compatibility. A reset does not repair a damaged belt, broken gear, full waste toner area, unlocked lever or faulty sensor.

Step 8. Check printing after installation

1. Load several new, dry sheets of plain A4 paper.
2. Wait until the device reaches the ready state.
3. Press SETTING.
4. Select Reports and press OK.
5. Open Print.
6. Select Color Tuning Pattern.
7. Select Yes and press OK.
8. Inspect the page and listen to the mechanism while it operates.

After correct installation, there should be no belt messages, grinding noises, repeated paper jams, wide toner bands, colored background or marks repeating at equal intervals. If a defect appears immediately after replacement, stop printing and check the seating of the unit again.

When a service center is required

Stop troubleshooting yourself and turn off the device if:

• a known compatible belt is installed correctly but code 330, 355, 356 or 689 remains;
• one of the locking levers is broken or does not hold the unit;
• the drive gear is damaged or the mechanism makes a grinding noise;
• a deep scratch, tear, crease or deformation is visible on the working surface;
• a significant amount of toner spills from the unit;
• repeated paper jams occur under the image drums after installation;
• a damaged contact, connector or part of the internal mechanism is visible;
• clearing the error would require disassembling the belt unit housing.

User servicing is limited to removing the unit using the provided levers, installing it correctly and replacing the complete assembly. The working surface of the belt must not be disassembled, wiped with solvent, cleaned with abrasive material or mechanically restored.