PC LOAD LETTER
| Industry | Printer manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Products | Laser printers |
PC LOAD LETTER is an error notification displayed on older HP LaserJet printers, including models such as the LaserJet II, III, and 4 series. This message signifies that the printer is requesting letter-sized paper (8½ × 11 inches) to be placed in the paper tray, but none is detected. The ambiguous phrasing of this alert became widely recognized as a technology meme, famously satirized in the 1999 movie Office Space.
The term "PC" abbreviates "paper cassette," referring to the tray that holds unused paper. "LOAD" directs users to replenish this tray, while "LETTER" identifies the standard paper dimension predominantly used in the United States and Canada. These concise codes originated from early LaserJet models with limited display functionality. Comparable messages include "MP LOAD LEGAL," which indicates that the multi-purpose tray requires legal-size paper (8½ × 14 inches).
Confusion
Many users misinterpret "PC" as meaning "personal computer," perceive "LOAD" as a command for the computer itself, and misunderstand "LETTER" as relating to mail rather than a paper format. Since A4 is the standard paper size in most countries, the term "LETTER" as a specific dimension is often unfamiliar.
Mitigation
Resolving this error typically involves clearing the print queue and printer memory or pressing "Shift+Continue." Occasionally, powering off and restarting the printer before repeating these steps is necessary. The introduction of the LaserJet 5 brought a "GO" button designed to bypass such alerts.
Subsequent models like the LaserJet 5 and 4000 enhanced usability by numbering paper trays and revising messages to read "TRAY [x] LOAD PLAIN [paper size]," thereby offering clearer instructions to users.