Canon imageRUNNER E602-0002 — HDD not initialized after firmware update

Joe B.

Reviewed for technical accuracy

Specialities: Canon imageRUNNER / iR ADVANCE, HDD / E602 errors, firmware upgrades, secure erase & initialization

Canon E602-0002 error — HDD not initialized, no startup file after system firmware update

Technician

Hey! We can walk through that Canon imageRUNNER E602-0002 with you so you know if it’s a recoverable HDD not initialized after firmware issue or a failed drive.

To target the fix:

• Exact model? (e.g. iR 2270/2870/3570/4570, imageRUNNER ADVANCE series, DX, etc.).
• Did E602-0002 appear right after a firmware or system software update, HDD replacement, or sudden power loss?
• Have you already tried any HDD format / HD-CLEAR / 1+9 or related service-mode actions?

This code usually means the device cannot find valid system startup files on the HDD after boot ROM hands off — classic “HDD not initialized” or “no system software on HDD” condition. Let’s go step-by-step and keep it safe.

Customer

It’s an older imageRUNNER. We swapped the HDD and tried updating firmware. Now it only boots to E602-0002. No normal menu, just that HDD error. We’re not sure if the system software actually wrote.

Technician

Got it — that’s exactly the scenario E602-0002 is designed for.

On many Canon imageRUNNER models this subcode means:

• The HDD is present but no valid startup file / system software exists in the expected BOOT area.
• The HDD partitions are not initialized correctly for that model/firmware.
• The HDD is incompatible, corrupted, or the firmware write via SST/USB did not complete properly.

In other words, the boot ROM tries to load system files from the HDD, finds nothing usable, and throws E602-0002 HDD error. The good news: in many cases this is fixable with the right HDD init / format + correct firmware, as long as the drive and main controller are healthy.

Customer

So it’s not a Windows issue, it’s the copier OS missing? How do we check if the HDD is actually seen and not dead?

Technician

Exactly — this is device-level HDD / system software, not your PC driver.

Step 1 — Basic, safe checks (no covers beyond normal access)

• Confirm power is stable (no cheap UPS/power strip causing dropouts).
• If the machine allows a simple HDD status screen or HD-CHECK without deep service access, note whether the disk is detected at all.
• Listen on boot: a spinning/initializing drive noise vs. complete silence or repeated clicking. Silence/clicking with E602-0002 often means the HDD is physically failing.

At this stage we’re answering two questions:

1. Is the HDD recognized but not initialized with Canon partitions?
2. Or is the HDD/connection so bad that the device can’t talk to it?

Your next move depends on that, and we can guide you live so you don’t wipe anything you meant to keep.

Customer

It spins up. E602-0002 appears shortly after. We don’t have important data on it, we just need the copier working. What’s the correct way to initialize it after firmware?

Technician

Perfect — that’s the easiest case: no data to preserve.

Step 2 — Proper HDD initialization (model-specific)
In Canon’s flow for E602 / HDD not initialized:

• Use the correct Canon SST or approved USB method for your imageRUNNER model and firmware generation.
• Allow the tool to create the model-specific HDD partitions and write the complete system software set (not partial).
• Ensure you are using a supported HDD type/size; some older controllers are picky and expect drives known to Canon.

Many E602-0002 cases come from:

• Formatting the HDD generically on a PC instead of via Canon tools.
• Interrupting the firmware install so no boot files are written.
• Mixing firmware from another model/series.

If you’d like, we can check your exact model + firmware package in chat and tell you whether to re-run system software or replace the disk.

Customer

We did a quick format on a PC before installing it. Maybe that’s the problem. Is there a risk running the HDD format from the machine or SST now?

Technician

Good that you mentioned that — a PC format won’t create the required Canon partitions and can absolutely trigger E602-0002.

General rule:

• If there is no business data to keep, running the official HDD initialize / HD-CLEAR / HD-FORMAT procedure for your model is the correct next step.
• Use the right service mode combo and Canon documentation; let the device or SST build partitions and then reinstall the system software bundle.
• Do not power off during this process; interruptions are a common cause of persistent E602 and “HDD not initialized after firmware” loops.

If the HDD passes init and the firmware install completes, E602-0002 should clear. If it fails again, we treat the HDD or controller as suspect hardware.

Customer

What if the HDD’s actually bad? Will E602-0002 look different, or do we just replace it?

Technician

Great question. A failing drive and a blank/uninitialized drive can both produce E602-0002, but symptoms differ:

• Uninitialized / wrong format: HDD spins normally, init or system software write runs but can’t find/start files. Often fixed by correct HDD format + firmware reimage.
• Bad HDD or cable: Clicking, spin-up/spin-down loops, or failing HD-CHECK / format. E602 returns immediately even after re-init attempts.

If a known-good, supported HDD with fresh system software still gives E602-0002, we look at:

• HDD harness / connectors.
• Main controller PCB or boot ROM mismatch.

In chat we can help you document the behavior for a service vendor so you don’t pay for trial-and-error parts.

Customer

We’re an IT team, comfortable following instructions, but don’t want to break licensing or security features. Anything to watch out for?

Technician

Sensible approach.

For Canon imageRUNNER E602-0002 in managed environments:

• Always use official Canon system software for your exact model and region; don’t mix images across devices.
• Be aware that some configurations store address books, PINs, and logs on the HDD; if you ever work on production units with live data, follow your data-wipe policy.
• Document which firmware level you installed before E602-0002 — this helps confirm compatibility and support eligibility.
• If the device is under contract, confirm with your provider before deep HDD actions; some fleets require vendor-handled HDD replacements.

We can walk your team through a compliant “fix or flag for vendor” decision in a few messages.

Customer

If we fix it once, how do we avoid E602-0002 returning after the next firmware or HDD change?

Technician

Step 3 — Prevent future E602-0002 HDD not initialized loops

• Use only approved HDDs or Canon storage kits for that imageRUNNER platform.
• Run full system software installs — not partial — and never interrupt power during writes.
• Label drives by model so a “cloned” or prepped disk isn’t dropped into the wrong series.
• Keep a record of boot ROM / firmware levels; mixing very old boot code with new HDD/system software can cause startup-file mismatches and E602 variants.

Follow that and an E602-0002 HDD not initialized after firmware scenario should be a rare one-time event, not a weekly outage.

Customer

That helps a lot. We’ll re-init with the proper tools and swap the drive if it fails. If we get stuck at any step, we’ll jump into chat.

Technician

Summary: Canon imageRUNNER E602-0002 means the device detects an HDD error / no startup file — usually after firmware updates, HDD replacement, or corruption. If the disk spins and is detected, fix it by using the correct Canon tools to initialize and format the HDD and reinstall the proper system software. If initialization fails or E602-0002 persists with a known-good drive, suspect HDD wiring or the main controller. Want a model-specific checklist before you swap parts? Open the chat.

Quick answer: the accepted fix

Accepted fix when a Canon imageRUNNER shows E602-0002 after firmware or HDD changes: confirm the HDD is detected and spins, then use the correct Canon method to initialize/format the HDD and load the full, model-specific system software. If a properly prepared, supported HDD still throws E602-0002 (HDD not initialized), check the HDD harness and main controller PCB and replace faulty hardware.

FAQ

Step-by-step: handle E602-0002 safely

1. Confirm there is no critical data on the HDD; if there is, consult your service provider before formatting.
2. Ensure stable power and correct connections; listen to confirm the HDD spins up.
3. Use the official Canon initialization/format process for your model to create proper HDD partitions.
4. Reinstall the complete, model-specific system software/firmware set; do not interrupt.
5. If E602-0002 persists, test with a supported replacement HDD and inspect the HDD harness and main controller PCB.

Note for network admins & mixed environments

1. E602-0002 is an internal HDD / firmware problem; it is unaffected by macOS/Windows print drivers or print server settings.
2. After resolving the HDD error, you may need to recreate address books, secure print settings, and authentication depending on your configuration backup strategy.

Sources

• PrintCopy.info — Canon E602-0002 HDD error description
• CoronaTechnical — Canon iR E602 hard disk error overview
• Fixya — Discussion of Canon E602 HDD/system software boot issues

Matt ● replies in < 1 min

Technician Expert

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Trusted by 27,000+ customers

Alex · Expert's Assistant

Start Chat

5 Tech Support Specialists are online right now.