ZT-420 Print Troubleshooting

Before You Begin...

As you use this guide to troubleshoot printer issues:

• Please follow the troubleshooting steps IN THE ORDER THEY ARE PRESENTED.
• Please do not skip a step.
• Please follow all instructions exactly.
• If you are having printer issues, and none of the troubleshooting steps presented here solve your issue, feel free to call us.

Network light is red/can't ping the printer

1. Check your computer's LAN IP configuration. When ChronoTrack configures a printer, we set the IP to 172.20.23.34. Your computer's LAN adapter needs to be in the same IP range (172.20.23.7), but NOT set identically to the printer.
2. Check that the printer's IP address has not reset. (On the printer: HOME > Network > Wired IP). If the printer's IP has reset, follow THESE INSTRUCTIONS to set it again.
3. Try disabling and re-enabling your computer's Ethernet adapter. ) Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Change Adapter Settings

Printer is Voiding Tags

All Tags

1. 99 times out of 100, this just means you need to do a Manual Calibration. If a single calibration doesn't work, do it again.
2. If multiple Manual Calibrations don't fix this issue, try doing an RFID Calibration.
3. (Very rare) Turn a tag over and hold it up to a light. Verify that the inlay is centered in the tag (see image below).
4. (Very rare) Look at the Sensor menu on the printer and ensure it's set to Transmissive.

Some Tags

1. 99 times out of 100, this just means you need to do a Manual Calibration. If a single calibration doesn't work, do it again.
2. If multiple Manual Calibrations don't fix this issue, try doing an RFID Calibration.
3. Try closing hood on printer - make sure no RF interference is around (e.g. running controllers or RFID Block).
4. If using B-Tags, inspect the tag roll backing to ensure that the cutouts along the left edge of the backing are complete. If there are "tabs" of paper hanging from the cutouts or the cutouts are missing, you should contact ChronoTrack Support for a replacement roll.
5. During the course of printing, the inlay may be moved back and forth. If moved enough, the RFID antenna may not pick up the chip as it is printed. A good indication of this issue is a run of tags printing fine, then receiving sudden voids. You can adjust the RFID Antenna range from A2 to A4 (Home > RFID > right button 5 times) if none of the above steps work.
6. (Very rare) Look at the Sensor menu on the printer and ensure it's set to Transmissive.
7. (Very rare) Turn a tag over and hold it up to a light. Verify that the inlay is centered in the tag (see image below).
   

Printer is Skipping Tags

1. Do a Manual Calibration.
2. Do an RFID Calibration
3. If using B-Tags, inspect the tag roll backing to ensure that the cutouts along the left edge of the backing are complete. If there are "tabs" of paper hanging from the cutouts or the cutouts are missing, you should contact ChronoTrack Support for a replacement roll.

Ribbon is Tearing

1. Set the Print Speed to 4 (HOME > Settings > Print Speed). A print speed too high can cause "skidding" which can damage the ribbon.
2. Try reducing the Darkness setting by a couple of degrees. (HOME > Settings > Darkness) You should never go lower than 22 on the Darkness setting.
3. Try reducing the tension on the print head by a SINGLE NOTCH at a time. Refer to the image at the end of this article for the suggested tension setting.

"ERROR CONDITION RIBBON/PAPER OUT"

1. Do a Manual Calibration. If a single calibration doesn't work, do it again. For Ribbon, this error can be due to the ribbon not being far enough to the left (when facing where tags come out of printer). Be mindful of this as you do the RFID calibration. A good rule of thumb is to have the ribbon almost but not quite touching the screw on the left side of the print head assembly.
   
2. Remove the tags and ribbon from the printer. Use a can of compressed air on the area around the print head to clear debris. Re-load the media and then do a Manual Calibration.

Print Quality is Poor

Too Light

1. Check the Darkness setting (HOME > Settings). Darkness should be set to 26.
2. Verify that your ribbon isn't on backwards. The leading edge of the ribbon should come off the spool on the opposite side from the print head.
3. Adjust the yellow tension knobs to the recommended position as shown below. MAKE SURE THE PRINT HEAD IS FULLY CLOSED BEFORE YOU ADJUST THE TENSION KNOBS.
   

Poorly-aligned

Make sure the media guide is snugged against the side of the tag backing to keep it from wandering!

If the text on your tag is too far to the left or right, or too far to the top or bottom, you can use the Label Top and Left Position settings options to shift the print.

Label Top - Increasing top position nudges the print down

Left Position - Increasing left position nudges the print to the left

Values can go negative. Depending on how far off the print is, start by adjusting values by 10 and then print a couple of test tags.