111
Troubleshooting
Ribbon Problems
6/15/09 S4M User Guide 13290L-004 Rev. A
Ribbon Problems
Table 22 identifies problems that may occur with ribbon, the possible causes, and the
recommended solutions.
Note • This section applies only to printers that have the Thermal Transfer option installed.
Table 22 • Ribbon Problems
Problem Possible Cause Recommended Solution
Broken or melted
ribbon
Darkness setting too high. 1. Reduce the darkness setting.
2. Clean the printhead thoroughly.
The printer does not
detect when the
ribbon runs out.
The printer was calibrated
without ribbon. Later, ribbon
was inserted without the user
recalibrating the printer or
loading printer defaults.
Calibrate the printer, this time using ribbon, or
load printer defaults. See Calibrate Media and
Ribbon Sensors on page 85 or Load Factory
Defaults on page 82.
When the
RIBBON
parameter is set to
YES, the printer
remains in direct
thermal mode (shown
on the printer
configuration label),
even though ribbon is
loaded correctly in
the printer.
The printer indicates
that ribbon is out,
even though ribbon is
loaded correctly.
The printer was not calibrated
for the label and ribbon being
used.
Perform the calibration procedure in Calibrate
Media and Ribbon Sensors on page 85.
