Alert: Ribbon Out
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Alert: Ribbon Out

  • The printer is printing and stops while printing.
  • A print job has been sent to the printer and the printer immediately reports this Alert.
See Detecting a Ribbon Out Condition
See Detecting a Ribbon Cartridge Out Condition

Cause: End of Ribbon Detected

The printer has detected the end of the ribbon. The end of the ribbon has a reflective trailer on the end of the Genuine Zebra Transfer Ribbon that the printer detects as End of Ribbon.

Remedy: Replace the Ribbon

  1. Open the printer without turning the printer OFF.
  2. Remove the full used ribbon roll from the top Take-Up ribbon spindle.
  3. Load a new thermal transfer ribbon. See Loading Thermal Transfer Ribbon.
  4. Close the printer.
    You may need to press the
    FEED
    once or the
    PAUSE
    the get the printer to resume your print operation.

Cause: Cartridge Not Installed

The printer has detected that a cartridge is not installed and printing is set for thermal transfer mode.

Remedy: Insert Cartridge or Change to Direct Thermal Mode

  • Determine if you need to print in thermal transfer mode.
  • Load a new thermal transfer ribbon. See Loading the Ribbon Cartridge.
  • Close the printer.
    You may need to press the
    FEED
    once or the
    PAUSE
    the get the printer to resume your print operation.

Cause: End of Ribbon Cartridge Detected

The printer has detected the end of the ribbon. The end of the ribbon has a reflective trailer on the end of the Genuine Zebra Transfer Ribbon that the printer detects as End of Ribbon.

Remedy: Replace the Ribbon Cartridge

Operator Action
  1. Open the printer without turning the printer OFF.
  2. If present, remove the used up ribbon cartridge.
  3. Insert a new ribbon Cartridge.
  4. Close the printer.
    You may need to press the
    FEED
    once or the
    PAUSE
    the get the printer to resume your print operation.

Cause: Cartridge Data Chip Won't Read

The cartridge is not being recognized when inserted into the printer. Possible dirty ribbon cartridge data chip or cartridge sensor contacts, data corruption of chip memory, or faulty cartridge or printer components.

Remedy: Check the Cartridge and Cartridge Sensor

Internal Printer Support
  • Try another working ribbon cartridge, if available.
  • Clean the Ribbon Cartridge data chip
  • Clean the Ribbon Cartridge Sensor’s contact pins with an alcohol moistened swab. See Cleaning Ribbon Cartridge Sensor maintenance procedure.
  • Reload the printer’s firmware. See Updating Printer Firmware.
  • If these do not fix the issue, call a service technician.
    • Check the cables and connectors.
    • Chip Sensor PCBA.
    • Main PCBA.

Cause: Sensing Circuit Failure

Printer memory or circuit failure of the Ribbon Trailer Sensor or Main PCBA. The ribbon in the ribbon cartridge is not broken or clear of ink.

Remedy: Correct the Ribbon Trailer Sensing Components

Internal Printer Support
  • Clean the Ribbon Ribbon Trailer Sensor. See Sensor Cleaning maintenance procedure.
  • Reload the printer’s firmware. See Updating Printer Firmware.
  • If these do not fix the issue, call a service technician.
    • Check the cables and connectors.
    • Ribbon Trailer Sensor PCBA
    • Main PCBA