Specifications

Chapter 6
Problem Solving
Problem:
Nothing happens when I turn on the printer.
Solution:
The printer may not be plugged in. Check the power cord connection to the outlet
and to your printer. If you're using a power strip, make sure it's turned on. Check to be sure
that the circuit breaker hasn't tripped.
Problem:
The ALARM light goes on.
Solution:
The printer is out of paper, the paper has jammed, or the paper is installed too far
to the right and is not covering the groove at the left end of the platen. The SEL light will also
go out if you're out of paper: be sure to press the
SEL
button after you've reloaded paper. If
the ALARM light doesn't go out when you reload paper, call for service.
Problem:
The printer doesn't print when the computer sends data .
Solutions:
(1) The printer may be deselected. If the SEL light is out, press the
SEL
button to
select the printer.
(2) The printer cable may be loose: check the cable to be sure that it is securely connected both
to the printer and to your PC.
(3) If you have installed the serial I/F board, check to be sure that the board is firmly seated in
the printer.
Problem:
When using single-sheet paper, the sheet feeds to a position where the top of form
is too far down on the page.
Solution:
You need to reset the top of form: first press the
FORM FEED
button to eject the
paper; then, after making sure the ALARM light is on, press the
TOF/QUIET
button to reset
the top of form. The paper should now feed to the proper position.
Problem:
The paper keeps jamming.
Solution:
Be sure to set the top of form so that the paper is held in place by the bail arm
if not, it will catch on the bail arm as it advances. Don't use the FORM FEED button to load
paper into the printer.
Problem:
The printer suddenly changes to unidirectional printing, then stops completely and t
he MENU light flashes.
Solution:
This is a feature designed to protect the printhead from overheating when it's been
printing for a long time. When the printhead reaches a certain temperature, the printer switches
to unidirectional printing. If heat continues to increase, the printer stops until the printhead cools
down; then it automatically resumes printing.
Problem:
There are dots missing in my printouts.
Solution:
The head gap may not be set correctly. Try moving the head gap lever to a lower
setting (see Setting the Head Gap(
) in Chapter 1 of this manual). If that doesn't help, call for
service.
Problem:
I'm getting strange symbols, incorrect fonts, etc., when I try to print a document .
Solutions:
(1) The printer driver you have selected does not match the emulation selected for
your printer. For the Epson/IBM model, first check the driver selected in the printer menu: (a)
make sure paper is loaded, (b) press the
MODE
button, (c) press the
GROUP
button, (d) if
necessary, press the
SET
button to change the emulation, (e) press the MODE button to exit
the menu. If the emulation is correct, check your software to be sure that you have selected
one of the drivers listed for that emulation in Chapter 4(
).
(2) If you have embedded any printer commands in your software, check to be sure that you
entered them correctly.
ML 320/321 ( 96-02-01 )