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Ask the First QuestionAbout Xerox printers
Xerox is the brand that invented the office copier and still mostly sells into that market. The current lineup is split between VersaLink (small to mid office workgroups), AltaLink (large enterprise floor units), and PrimeLink (light production printing). The older WorkCentre and Phaser lines are being phased out but are still in heavy use. Xerox machines are built for high page volumes and tend to outlast their drivers, so most support questions are about getting a 10-year-old WorkCentre to talk to Windows 11.
Xerox product lines
VersaLink
Current small to mid office line. B400 and B600 are mono single-function, B405 and B605 add MFP features. C400/C500/C600 plus the C405/C505/C605 are the colour equivalents. ConnectKey software platform on the touchscreen lets you add apps directly to the printer.
AltaLink
Floor-standing colour MFPs for larger workgroups and enterprise. B8045, B8055, B8090 for mono, C8030 through C8170 for colour. Big touchscreens, robust ADFs, finisher options for stapling and booklet-making.
PrimeLink
Light production printers. C9065/C9070 colour, B9100 series mono. Sit between an office MFP and a true production press. Common in print rooms and small commercial print shops.
WorkCentre and Phaser (legacy)
WorkCentre 3000, 5000, 6000, 7000 series MFPs and Phaser single-function printers from roughly 2005 to 2019. No new models, but Xerox still hosts drivers and toner. If yours still runs, it probably has another 5 years in it.
Common Xerox printer problems
Xerox driver bloat on Windows and Mac
Xerox driver packages are notorious for installing a control panel, an account management utility, a scan utility, and a CentreWare suite that no one wants. For most users the Global Print Driver (separate download, much smaller) covers printing across the entire Xerox fleet with one install. Use the full driver only if you need the brand-specific scan utilities or accounting features.
Embedded web server (CentreWare Internet Services) will not load
Browser the printer's IP address directly. Modern browsers reject the self-signed certificate by default, so accept the warning to continue. If the page still does not load, the embedded web server may be disabled in the printer's network settings: go to the touchscreen, Tools, Network Settings, HTTP, and re-enable. Default admin password on most VersaLink and AltaLink models is the printer serial number.
Paper jam in fuser area
Most common on WorkCentre and VersaLink after 100,000+ pages. Open the rear door, release the green fuser locks, remove the jam. If jams keep happening in the same place, the fuser unit is wearing. Xerox sells maintenance kits (fuser plus transfer belt plus rollers) for $400 to $900 depending on model. Most are user-installable in 20 minutes.
Scan to email failing on AltaLink and VersaLink
Xerox MFPs need a valid SMTP server with authentication. The most common cause of failure is using Gmail or Office 365 without an app password. Generate an app-specific password on the email account, enter that as the SMTP password in the printer's email setup. Port 587 with TLS works on both Gmail and Office 365. Avoid port 25, which most ISPs block.
Touchscreen frozen or unresponsive
On AltaLink and VersaLink, hold the power button for 5 seconds to do a soft reboot. If that fails, switch off at the rear power switch and wait 30 seconds. A frozen touchscreen is usually a controller software hang and almost never indicates hardware failure. Persistent freezing after firmware updates: roll back the firmware via the embedded web server or open a Xerox case.
Xerox drivers and downloads
All Xerox drivers are at xerox.com/support. Search by exact model. The Global Print Driver (also at xerox.com under Support and Drivers) is a single PCL or PostScript install that works across most current and legacy Xerox models, which is what corporate IT typically deploys. macOS drivers are published shortly after each macOS release.
What to buy and what to skip
For a small office (5 to 20 people), VersaLink C405 or B405 covers most needs at reasonable cost. For larger workgroups, AltaLink C8045 or C8055 colour MFP is the workhorse pick. Avoid buying new Xerox for home use, the toner economics only work above 1000 pages a month. Used WorkCentre 5800 and 7800 units from corporate fleet retirements are excellent value if you have space and can find toner.
Xerox printer FAQs
Are Xerox cartridges interchangeable across models?
No, even within the same product line. A VersaLink C400 toner does not fit a VersaLink C500. Always check the cartridge part number against your exact model. Third-party compatible Xerox cartridges exist for most popular models, with mixed quality.
Does Xerox still make Phaser printers?
No. The Phaser line was discontinued around 2019 as Xerox consolidated into VersaLink and AltaLink. Phaser drivers and consumables are still supported but no new Phaser models are released.
Can a Xerox office printer print from a phone?
Yes. VersaLink and AltaLink models from 2018 onward support AirPrint and Mopria out of the box. Older models can usually do it via the Xerox Print Service app for Android or AirPrint after a firmware update. Check the touchscreen under Connectivity, Mobile Printing.