Cleaning the Printhead and Platen Roller

Inconsistent print quality, such as voids in the barcode or graphics, may indicate a dirty printhead. For the recommended cleaning schedule, see Table 1.

While performing any tasks near an open printhead, remove all rings, watches, hanging necklaces, identification badges, or other metallic objects that could touch the printhead. You are not required to turn off the printer power when working near an open printhead, but Zebra recommends it as a precaution. If you turn off the power, you will lose all temporary settings, such as label formats, and you must reload them before you resume printing.

For printers with a peel assembly, keep the peel assembly closed while cleaning the platen roller to reduce the risk of bending the tear-off/peel-off bar.

Location of the Printhead and Platen Roller

1	Printhead assembly
2	Platen roller

Before touching the printhead assembly, discharge any built-up static electricity by touching the metal printer frame or by using an anti-static wriststrap and mat.

Open the media cover.

Raise the media door.

The printhead may be hot and could cause severe burns. Allow the printhead to cool.

Release the printhead assembly.

As the printhead lever rotates upward, the printhead assembly pivots upward.

Open the printhead assembly by rotating the printhead-open lever.

Remove the ribbon (if used) and the media.

Using the swab from a Zebra Preventive Maintenance Kit, wipe along the brown strip on the printhead assembly from end to end. In place of the Preventive Maintenance Kit, you may use a clean swab dipped in 99.7% isopropyl alcohol. Allow the solvent to evaporate.

The printhead may be hot and could cause severe burns. Allow the printhead to cool.

While manually rotating the platen roller, clean it thoroughly with the swab. Allow the solvent to evaporate.

Reload the ribbon (if used) and the media. For instructions, see Loading the Ribbon or Loading the Media.

Reload the ribbon (if used) and the media. See the User Guide User Guide User Guide for instructions.

Close the printhead assembly.

Rotate the printhead-open lever downward until it locks the printhead in place.

Close the media cover.

Close the media door.

Press

PAUSE

to exit pause mode and enable printing.

The printer may perform a label calibration or feed a label, depending on your settings.

If performing this procedure does not improve print quality, try cleaning the printhead with Save-A-Printhead cleaning film. This specially coated material removes contamination buildup without damaging the printhead. Call your authorized Zebra reseller for more information.