How To Fix Dot Matrix Printer ( General troubleshooting)

Dot matrix printer

Dot matrix printer uses a matrix of metal pins on the electromagnet print head to create dots .An ink-socked ribbon is placed between the paper and the print head .print head  I banged again the ribbon with considerable force. The Impact cause impression of text On the paper .Due to this ,dot Matrix printer are Noisy

Dot matrix Printer do Not Produce High Quality document or Graphic .Low –Quality Application Use dot Matrix Printer (This Type Printer are Used in Creation of multi part documents like invoices and Receipts) Dot matrix printers are used in Carbon  copy printing. The number of metal pins in the print head  determines the quality of output of the dot matrix printer. The number  of metal pins in the dot matrix printers varies from 9 to 24 .  the best Quality dot matrix printers  have 24 metal pins

  The Dot Matrix printer has three major sub-assemblies namely, power supply ,control   electronic PCB (Logical Board ) and printer Mechanism  

            dot matrix printer

Control Electronic PCB – This is main Logic board which controls all the components inside a DMP

Power supply – provides different DC voltages to control electronic PCB e.g  5V,12V, 24V, 18V and 35V on the Different  output voltage vary from printer to printer

Control panel – provides interface to the user to control the printer .Control panel has server switches on the top of it to control the printer on line

Printer mechanism – includes printer head ,carriage Assembly ,head cable ,stepper motors and sensors which always communicate with control electronics PCB for data and control signals .Different data & control signal

 ü  Data – data I given from control electronic PCB to print mechanism for printing

 ü  Stepper motor drive parameters – This signal control the horizontal as wellas vertical tepper motor

 ü  PE- paper  end is a signal to the PC when the paper roll is near  the end when a paper END signal detected printer makes beep sound and stop receiving data

 ü Home –Send a signal to control electronic PCB when the head reaches the home position

                 Troubleshooting Dot Matrix Printers

White lines in Printouts

dot matrix printer

Very Common problem with dot matrix printers is the formatting of white lines is printouts these line are mostly horizontal and occur between lines of text or image .This may occurs due to the problem in the print head

                             How to fix

1)  Check the print head to see if all the pins are working properly

2) Collection of residue on the print head can lead to printing problem .Clean the print head with alcohol

3) check coil resistance

4) physically check the head cable for any sign of damage and 

connect the cable to the head and logical board properly

5) Ensure that the print ribbon is in good condition and installed properly

6) check transistors available on logic board for any short

7) Replace the head cable with a new one

8) if not of the above step help ,  replace the print head

The Carriage of the printer is moving ,but page are Blank

dot matrix printer

Carriage of the printer is moving and printing is not talking place ,it

is mostly Caused  by the print head or the link ribbon

                                     How to fix

1) check the ink ribbon to see if it is dry

2) if the ink ribbon is fine , check if the print head is striking the ribbon

3) Check if the printer ribbon is being advanced every time the print head returns to its default position

4) check the print head alignment .Do proper adjustment by the help of the lever.it should be nearer to the paper

 

Paper is Jammed/Stuck

dot matrix printer

One of the most common problems with dot Matrix printer is jamming of paper

                                How to fix

1) Try to dislodge the paper with a small object like a paper clip

2) if the above step does not work ,remove the roller of the printer. Then  remove the paper

3) Check paper path and clean it.

4) Check head mask (Ribbon mask )

5) Check  the gear assembly

6) check paper feed motor

7) clean platen rod with iso propyl  Alcohol (IPA)

Prints Nonsensical /Junk Characters

dot matrix printer

If the  printer is not configured properly or the printer driver is inappropriate ,it will print nonsensical characters .

                          How to fix

1) Check the printer driver to see if it is the proper one for the  printer

2) A loose or faulty printer cable can cause improper printing .Try printing a documents after replacing the cable the with an IEEE 1284 compliant cable

3) if a USB printer, Check the USB cable 

4) Try the printer self-test .If the printer fails the self-test ,then printer may be faulty

5)  Check the parallel port setting ( ex : EPP.ECP.or SPP) and USB setting from the BIOS

6) Check The DIP Switch of the printer .The DIP Switch Control actions like carriage return and line Feed .set these Properties properly

Printer Shuts Down and Restarts Repeatedly

At Times ,the printer may stop working and then Recover on its own .This problem can be caused due to overheating

                             How to fix

1) Check the thermistor in the SMPS of the Printer. The thermistor keeps the printer from Overheating

2) Replace the thermistor if it is faulty

Carriage Stuck

                         How to fix

1) Do  shaft oiling the printer

2) Check and oiling carriage bush

3) check and clean Ribbon drive Assembly

4) Check carriage motor and a small gear on Top

5) Check the tension of the belt

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