Resolving Print Issues
Resolving Print Issues

Resolving Print Issues

This section helps you identify issues with printing or print quality, the possible causes, and the recommended solutions.
Alert
Possible Cause
Recommended Solution
General Print Quality Issues
The printed image does not look right.
The printer is set at an incorrect darkness level and/or print speed.
Adjust the printers Darkness setting. (See Adjusting Print Quality.)
The printhead is dirty.
Clean the printhead. (See Cleaning the Printhead.)
The platen roller is dirty or damaged.
Clean or replace the platen. Platens can wear out or get damaged. (See Cleaning and Replacing the Platen (Driver Roller).)
Thermal Transfer printing—Printing looks fuzzy, has smudge marks, or has voids or holes in print with no particular pattern.
The print material (wax, wax resin, or resin) may not match the material (paper, media coating, or synthetics) in use.
Avoid setting the print speed higher than the maximum-rated speed for your media (ribbon or label material combination).
You may be using the wrong power supply.
Verify you are using the power supply that came with your printer.
The printhead has worn out.
Contact your Zebra partner or Zebra Tech Support for assistance.
No Print on the Label
The printed image does not look right.
The media may not be direct thermal media and is made for the Thermal Transfer mode of printing.
See Determining Thermal Media Types to ensure you are using the right type of media and the right printer settings for the media you are using.
Media has been loaded incorrectly.
The media printable surface must face up towards the printhead. (See Getting Ready to Print and Loading Roll Media.)
Labels Are Distorted in Size or Print Area Start Position Varies
The printed image or a part of it skips between labels (mis-registration).
Media is loaded incorrectly.
OR
The movable media sensor is not set properly.
Verify that the sensor is positioned correctly for your media type and its sensing location. See the following:
The media sensors are not calibrated for your media length, the media's physical properties, or sensing type (gap/notch, continuous, or mark).
The platen (drive) roller is slipping or damaged.
Clean or replace the platen. Platens can wear out or get damaged. (See Cleaning and Replacing the Platen (Driver Roller).
The printer has communication issues with cables or communication settings.