If you must replace the printhead, review these printhead removal and installation steps before proceeding.
The printhead becomes hot while printing. To protect from damaging the printhead and risk of personal injury, avoid touching the printhead. Use only the cleaning pen to perform maintenance.
Prepare your work area by protecting against static discharge. Your work area must be static-safe and include a properly grounded, conductive, cushioned mat to hold the printer and a conductive wrist strap you can wear.
Start by opening the printer. Pull the release latches forward, then lift the top cover.
To remove and replace the printhead:
Turn printer power OFF and unplug the power cord from the printer.
If you have ribbon loaded, remove the ribbon.
Use a small flat-bladed screwdriver to remove the ribbon guide. Gently pry the guide's right-side tab from the ribbon frame. Pull the left side of the ribbon guide out.
1
Ribbon guide and printhead cover
Use a blunt-tipped tool to press the release tab, first on the right side and then on the left side of the printhead. The tool diameter can be 2.5 mm – 3.8 mm (0.10 in. – 0.15 in.). Insert the tool into the ribbon frame's printhead release access opening. This is a round opening. Push the release tab and gently pull the printhead bracket down.
Gently but firmly pull the connectors of the two printhead cable bundles off the printhead.
Gently but firmly pull the green ground wire off the printhead.
To replace the printhead, start by pushing the left-side printhead connector into the printhead. The connector is keyed to only insert one way.
Connect the green ground wire to the printhead.
Push the right-side printhead wire connector onto the printhead.
Check that the ground wire and wire bundles are still connected to the printhead.
Insert the printhead bracket’s the tab into slot in the ribbon frame assembly. Align the printhead spring slots to the five posts and snap the printhead into the ribbon frame.
1
Slot
4
Spring slots
2
Post
5
Spring posts
3
Tab
Place the left-hand side of the ribbon guide into the ribbon frame. Swing the right side of the ribbon guide into the slot and snap it into position.
Verify that the printhead moves up and down freely when pressure is applied and remains locked when released.
Clean the printhead. Use a new pen to wipe body oils (finger prints) and debris of the printhead. Clean from the center of the printhead to the outside. See Cleaning the Printhead.
