Barcode printer problems with easy solutions has become a service specialty for Barcode Southwest. Call us 888-764-9965 to see how we can help solve your barcode printer problems.
We understand barcode printer problems can be time-consuming, frustrating and painful. Experience is the best teacher. Through experience, we have learned most barcode printer problems really do have easy solutions.
The most common barcode printer problems fall under three categories:
- Imaging
- Feeding Errors
- Computer/Printer Communication
Barcode Printer Problems With Easy Solutions
Problem One: Imaging
Imaging problems can be traced to:
- Label Loading
- Loading Ribbons
Label Loading
Barcode printer problems with easy solutions begin with the loading of label material.
It may appear easy to load the label material. However, there are five simple tips to keep in mind when problems arise.
The first tip is to follow the label feeding guide as shown on the back inside printer panel. In the absence of above guide, the inside panel of your printer will have arrows to indicate the feeding path.
A second tip is to make sure you feed the labels through and not over the green sensor. The labels should then lie over the platen roller.
Third, the printhead must be in locked position.
Fourth, be sure to press the “Feed” button to advance to the next label and you are ready for the print job.
Finally, you can locate “How To” installation videos on the manufacturer’s website. Barcode Southwest has found these videos to be the best resource for those times when you are having barcode printer problems.
Loading Ribbons
The second of our barcode printer problems with easy solutions is ribbon loading.
In the event you are using ribbons, the first step is to ensure you have the correct pairing of ribbon and label material. Barcode Southwest can help with this pairing to avoid having barcode printer label problems.
- Some ribbons are “coated in” while others are “coated out.” Improper loading can result in no image on the label material. A quick pre-loading tip is to use a piece of tape to check “coating.”
- If the ribbon unwinds, but does not feed through the guide to the rewind spindle, the ribbon has not been properly loaded.
Your second tip is make sure the printhead heat setting is where it needs to be to insure a quality image.
- If the heat setting is too low, the image will be light.
- Conversely, if the heat setting is too high, the ribbon may burn through the ribbon.
- A burned ribbon may cause damage to the printhead.
- Clogged pixels in the printhead will cause a “void” in the imaging.
As with loading label material, “How To” videos are also available on the printer manufacturer’s website.
Problem Two: Feeding Errors
If you are having “Feed Errors” or the imaging is skipping labels, an easy tip is to calibrate the labels.
The purpose of calibrating your media is two-fold.
- First, calibration measures label thickness to improve imaging.
- Secondly, the printer must sense either the “gap” or the black mark that indicates the break between each label. The “gap” is a timing mark that tells the printer when to start and stop printing each label.
Calibrating your labels is a “quick fix” tip.
- Search the Menu on front of printer and select the “calibrate label” function. The printer manufacturer “Menu” selection may vary. The printer will feed several labels searching for the “timing” mark. This should help stop most “Feed Errors.”
Again, “How To” videos are also available on the printer manufacturer’s website.
Problem Three: Computer/Printer Communication
After the labels and ribbons are properly loaded and the printer has been calibrated, there are two more common problems with easy tips to solve these problems.
Tip Number One: Printer Selection
The printer has been loaded, the number of labels to print has been identified and nothing happens.
- IF you have more than one barcode printer, have you selected the correct printer?
- Check the print queue for a backlog of print jobs.
- Clear the print queue.
Tip Number Two: Detached USB or Ethernet Cable
A detached USB or Ethernet cable will lead to a loss of communication between the barcode printer and the computer.
- A quick inspection of the cable connections will solve this problem.
- When downloading drivers, make sure you select the correct USB port.
Call Barcode Southwest at 1-888-764-9965 to see how we can help you when you need easy solutions for barcode printer printer problems. Or complete our contact form!
Barcode Southwest is a premier supplier of barcode printers and labels for a wide range of industry applications. We supply to clients all over the Southwest region of the U.S., including, but not limited to, Houston, TX, Austin, Dallas and San Antonio.
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Posted May 17, 2021 By Lucy
Barcode Printers for Houston, Austin, Dallas and San Antonio.
