User guide

98 170PAX 4 User Guide 10/12/2004 57516L-001 Rev. 1
Troubleshooting
Miscellaneous Print Engine Problems
Miscellaneous Print Engine Problems
Table 13 identifies miscellaneous problems with the print engine, the possible causes, and the
recommended solutions.
Table 13 • Miscellaneous Print Engine Problems
Problem Possible Cause Recommended Solution
Broken or melted
ribbon
Darkness setting too high.
1. Reduce the darkness setting.
2. Clean the printhead thoroughly.
Ribbon tension
dancer(s) oscillate
erratically
Ribbon core is not standard
size and is slipping on the
spindle.
Replace ribbon with one that has a standard core
size.
Missing LCD
characters or parts
of characters
The LCD may need replacing. Call a service technician.
Changes in
parameter settings
did not take effect
Parameters are set incorrectly.
1. Set parameters and save permanently.
2. Turn the print engine power OFF (O) and
then ON (
I).
A ZPL command has turned
off the ability to change the
parameter.
Refer to the ZPL Programming Guide or call a
service technician.
A ZPL command has changed
the parameter back to the
previous setting.
Refer to the ZPL Programming Guide or call a
service technician.
If the problem continues, there
may be a problem with the
main logic board.
Call a service technician.
The print engine fails
to calibrate or detect
the top of the label.
The print engine was not
calibrated for the label being
used.
Perform the calibration procedure in
Calibrate
Media and Ribbon Sensor Sensitivity on page 65.
The print engine is configured
for continuous media.
Set the media type to non-continuous media. See
Set Media Type on page 58.
The driver or software
configuration is not set
correctly.
Driver or software settings produce ZPL
commands that can overwrite the print engine
configuration. Check the driver or software
media-related setting.
Non-continuous
labels are being
treated as continuous
labels.
The print engine is configured
for continuous media.
Set the media type to non-continuous media. See
Set Media Type on page 58.
The print engine was not
calibrated for the label being
used.
Perform the calibration procedure in
Calibrate
Media and Ribbon Sensor Sensitivity on page 65.