On printers with a screen, such as the ZT series, the alert appears in capitals, sometimes with a second line telling you what to do. Desktop printers without a screen show the same conditions with the lights on the front, and the user guide for your model sets out what each pattern means. Write down exactly what the printer shows before you do anything else.
Before you call
- Write down the exact message on the screen, or which lights are on or flashing, and what the printer was doing.
- Open the printhead and check the labels, and the ribbon if you use one, are loaded the way the user guide shows. Close the printhead firmly until it latches.
- If labels skip or print across the gap after a change of label stock, run a media calibration as the user guide shows.
- If a printhead alert or a cutter jam comes back, stop there and call us with the message and the model.
Zebra codes by family
Printhead alerts
The printhead is a row of tiny heating elements that prints onto the label. The printer watches its temperature closely.
| Code | What it means | Who clears it |
|---|---|---|
| HEAD TOO HOT | The printhead has gone over its safe temperature, and printing stops until it cools. If it keeps happening, the print darkness or speed may be set too high, or the printhead needs a look. | A technician |
| HEAD COLD | The printhead is reading colder than it should. Often the printhead cable is not connected properly or the printhead's temperature sensor is failing. | A technician |
Memory
The memory that holds label formats, fonts and graphics.
| Code | What it means | Who clears it |
|---|---|---|
| OUT OF MEMORY | The printer does not have room to store the label format, font or graphic it was sent. Usually a label design or stored file problem rather than a hardware fault, and worth a call if it keeps happening. | A technician |
Messages that are not faults
The printer thinks the printhead is not closed. Close it firmly until it latches. If the message stays with the printhead shut, the latch or its sensor needs a technician.
The labels have run out, or the printer cannot see them. Load a new roll and check it runs through the media sensor.
The wording on some printers for the same thing: no labels, or labels the sensor cannot see.
The ribbon has run out or is not loaded. On a thermal transfer printer, load a new ribbon. If there is ribbon in, check it is threaded the way the user guide shows.
The printer is set for direct thermal labels, which need no ribbon, but it has found one loaded. Take the ribbon out, or change the setting to thermal transfer if you do mean to use one.
The printer has been paused. Press the pause button, on printers that have one, to carry on.
After a change of label stock the printer may skip labels or print across the gap until it learns the new labels. A media calibration fixes it; the user guide for your model sets out how.
Desktop models without a screen show these same conditions with lights. A steady green light means ready. A red or flashing light means it has stopped, and the user guide for your model sets out each pattern.
Need it fixed?
Call 1300 922 260 or book online and quote the full code. In Brisbane, see Zebra repairs in Brisbane. For toner and parts, see our Zebra page.
Common questions
What does HEAD OPEN mean on a Zebra?
The printer thinks the printhead is not closed. Open it, check the labels and ribbon are loaded properly, and close it firmly until it latches. If the message stays with the printhead shut, the latch or the head open sensor needs a technician.
Why does my Zebra say RIBBON OUT when there is ribbon in it?
Usually the ribbon is not threaded the way the printer expects, or is loaded the wrong way round, so the ribbon sensor cannot see it. Reload it as the user guide shows. If the message stays, the ribbon sensor needs attention.
How do I calibrate a Zebra label printer?
Most Zebra printers can run a media calibration from the menu or with the buttons on the front, and the user guide for your model sets out how. If labels still skip after a calibration, the media sensor may need cleaning or replacing.
Why is my Zebra printing faint or with white lines?
Usually the printhead. Clean it as the user guide shows, and check the print darkness setting. If white lines stay after a clean, parts of the printhead have worn out and it needs replacing.
These are the standard alert messages from Zebra's published user guides, not a service manual. The wording varies a little between models, and desktop printers without a screen show the same conditions with their lights. DSA is an independent service provider. Zebra is a trademark of its owner and is used here only to describe the machines we service.