Inconsistent print quality, such as voids in the barcode or graphics, may indicate a dirty printhead. For the recommended cleaning schedule, see Cleaning Intervals and Procedures .
While you are not required to turn off printer power when working near an open printhead, Zebra recommends it as a precaution.
If you turn off power, you will lose all temporary settings, such as label formats, and you must reload them before you resume printing.
Before touching the printhead assembly, discharge any built-up static electricity by touching the metal printer frame or by using an anti-static wrist-strap and mat.
Raise the media door.
HOT SURFACE:
The printhead may be hot and could cause severe burns. Allow the printhead to cool.
Open the printhead assembly.
Remove the ribbon (if used) and the media.
Using a cleaning pen or 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.
Gently blot away any debris with a swab or lint-free cloth and 99.7% isopropyl alcohol.
While manually rotating the platen roller, clean it thoroughly with the swab or lint-free cloth and 99.7% isopropyl alcohol. Allow at least 30 seconds for the platen roller to completely dry.
If there is a label jam or adhesive build-up, repeat the cleaning with a new swab or cloth until all leftover adhesive and debris are removed.
Wipe the exposed surface of the peel rod. If adhesive or labels are stuck on or behind it, you may need to remove it to clean it.
To remove the peel rod, remove the hand-tightening screw.
The whole assembly slides out.
Clean all surfaces of the peel rod with the swab/cloth.
When reinstalling the peel rod, line up the guide pin at the top of the tear bar plate and push the rod into place. Then reinstall the hand-tightening screw.
Open the rewind pinch roller.
Use a Zebra preventative maintenance cleaning swab or a lint-free cloth/swab moistened in 99.7% isopropyl alcohol to clean the rewind pinch roller. Rotate the rewind pinch roller while cleaning it from end to end. Allow the solvent to evaporate.
Clean the peel roller by turning it and moving the swab/cloth from end to end. Allow the solvent to evaporate.
Close the rewind pinch roller.
Reload the ribbon (if used) and the media.
Close the printhead assembly.
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 build-up without damaging the printhead.
Call your authorized Zebra reseller for more information.
