Zebra Technologies P430I Users manual
Cleaning
Card Cleaning Cartridge
Note • DO NOT touch the adhesive roller surface that contacts the cards.
6. Replace the Card Cleaning Cartridge into the printer. For detailed instructions, see
Installing the Card Cleaning Cartridge on page 14.
7. Close the printer main cover.
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Card Cleaning
Cartridge in final
position
34 P430i User’s Manual 980471-001 Rev. 01
5
Troubleshooting
The table on the next page offers causes and solutions to symptoms related to improper
operation. Check the table when experiencing any loss of operation or print quality.
980471-001 Rev. 01 P430i User’s Manual 35
Troubleshooting
Problem / Description Cause / Solution
The LCD Panel displays OUT
OF CARDS message.
The LCD Panel displays OUT
OF RIBBON message.
The LCD Panel displays PRINT
HEAD OPEN message.
The LCD Panel displays
MECHANICAL ERROR
message.
1. Check for cards in the card
feeder. If no cards present, load
cards.
2. Check that Card Thickness
Control lever is properly adjusted
(see Loading Cards in Chapter 2).
3. Press the Panel Button for 1
second. The printing job will
restart.
1. Check ribbon. Replace if
defective or entirely used.
Ribbon will automatically
synchronize and printing will
restart with a new card.
1. Check that Print Head Carriage
is closed and latched. If not, close
and latch it.
1. Check that you are using the
correct card type (see Technical
Specifications).
2. Check that Card Thickness
Control lever is properly adjusted
(see Loading Cards in Chapter 2).
3. If 2 cards are fed into the
printer at the same time:
Open cover and remove Card
Cleaning Cartridge, empty the
Card Feeder, and pull the jammed
cards out. Replace the Card
Cleaning Cartridge.
Remove cards from Card Feeder,
separate them as shown in
Loading Cards in Chapter 2, and
replace.
4. Check that ribbon is loaded
correctly.
The LCD Panel displays
ENCODING ERROR message.
1. Check that you are using the
correct magnetic card type (for
low or high coercivity encoding).
2. Verify command syntax.
3. Contact Zebra technical
support.
The LCD Panel displays
CLEAN PRINTER message.
36 P430i User’s Manual 980471-001 Rev. 01
1. Printer cleaning required (see
Chapter 4).
Print Quality Issues
This section will help you resolve print quality problems. The print quality is dependent on
several factors. The two most important factors that will increase your print quality are
cleanliness and card stock. To diagnose and fix print quality problems, follow the
troubleshooting procedures below:
Example 1 • Small spots appear on the printed card with a non-printed area or a different
color.
Possible Cause:
• Contamination on the card surface.
Solutions:
• Check that cards are stored in a dust free environment.
• Use a different supply of cards.
Troubleshooting
Print Quality Issues
Possible Cause:
• Dust inside the printer and/or dirty Cleaning Roller.
Solutions:
• Perform a Cleaning of the printer (see Chapter 4).
• Replace Cleaning Roller (see Chapter 4).
Example 2 • There are non-printing horizontal lines (white) on the card surfaces.
Possible Cause:
• Ribbon cartridge is not correctly positioned.
Solutions:
• Ensure that the ribbon is properly rolled onto the ribbon cores of the cartridge and that
there are no wrinkles in the ribbon.
• Replace ribbon cassette, making sure it locks in place.
980471-001 Rev. 01 P430i User’s Manual 37
Troubleshooting
Print Quality Issues
Possible Cause:
• Print Head is dirty.
Solution:
• Clean the Print Head
Possible Cause:
• Print Head elements are damaged (e.g., scratched or burnt).
Solution:
• Call Zebra Customer Service for Print Head replacement information.
Example 3 • Printing shows very pale, very dark, or inconsistent results
Possible Cause:
• Ribbon has been stored improperly or is damaged.
Solution:
• Change ribbon and print again.
Possible Cause:
• Cards may not meet specifications.
Solution:
• Use a different supply of cards.
Possible Cause:
• Contrast and/or Intensity may be set to incorrect values.
Solution:
• Adjust Contrast and/or Intensity values in software.
Possible Cause:
• Head Settings are too low / high.
Solution:
• Adjust Head Settings higher / lower.
38 P430i User’s Manual 980471-001 Rev. 01
Troubleshooting
Print Quality Issues
Possible Cause:
• Dust or embedded contamination on elements of the Print Head.
Solution:
• Perform a Cleaning of the Print Head (see Chapter 4).
Example 4 • Printing shows blurry printed image.
Possible Cause:
• Ribbon cartridge may not be correctly positioned.
Solution:
• Check that the ribbon is properly rolled onto the ribbon cores of the cartridge.
• Replace ribbon cartridge, making sure it locks in place, and print again.
Possible Cause:
• Ribbon may not be synchronized on the correct color panel position.
Solution:
• Open the Print Head Carriage, then close it. This will cause the ribbon to resynchronize.
Possible Cause:
• Cards may not meet specifications.
Solution:
• Use a different supply of cards.
Possible Cause:
• Dust or embedded contamination inside the printer and/or dirty Cleaning Roller.
Solution:
• Clean the Print Head.
• Replace the Cleaning Roller.
980471-001 Rev. 01 P430i User’s Manual 39
Troubleshooting
Print Quality Issues
Example 5 • No printing on the card.
Possible Cause
• Ribbon may not be installed in the printer.
Solution:
• Check for ribbon in the printer.
Possible Cause
• Cards may not meet specifications.
Solution:
• Use a different supply of cards.
Possible Cause
• Print Head elements may be scratched or burnt.
Solution
• Call Service for Print Head replacement information.
Example 6 • Only one panel of a color ribbon prints.
Possible Cause
• Using the wrong type of ribbon.
Solution:
•Use only i Series ribbons for full color printing.
Note • For optimum print quality, always keep the Main Cover and the Card Feeder Cover of
the printer closed.
40 P430i User’s Manual 980471-001 Rev. 01
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