Ribbon Detection Failure (ZC300)
Ribbon detection failure can be a frustrating error code to fix. Essentially, when you get this error message on your ZC300 the printer is telling you that it cannot determine what type of ribbon is installed in the machine.
This troubleshooting guide will show you how to do the following:
Check ribbon hardware for deficiencies
Recalibrate the ribbon sensor
Download and install firmware
Download and install driver
Ribbon ID Chip
First, remove the ribbon and replace it with another to check if the cartridge is the problem.
If the issue persists, the chip (highlighted in red in the first photo) may be faulty. This chip helps the printer identify the ribbon type.
Try cleaning the chip with a soft cloth. If the printer still doesn't recognize it, it may be damaged and unusable. If the printer doesn't recognize a replacement ribbon, continue with the other troubleshooting options on this page.
If the chip is missing from the cartridge, it will cause the printer to print each card on a different color panel (first card yellow, then magenta, etc). If this happens, take a photo of the ribbon and email to Jake Mark so he can get a credit from the manufacturer.
Ribbon ID Chip
Missing Ribbon ID Chip
Ribbon Sensor
The ribbon sensor is inside the ZC300 printer and lines up with the ribbon's ID chip.
Damaged sensor pins can cause the Ribbon Detection Failed error. If this is the case, ship the printer to Mission, attention Noah Edmonds, and include a completed Equipment Issue Report Form.
*Note -Each form can be cut along the middle black line and used for 2 pieces of equipment
Recalibrating Ribbon Sensor
If the problem isn't with the sensor hardware or the ribbon cartridge, it could be due to the ribbon sensor's calibration.
To recalibrate the printer's ribbon sensor:
Make sure your computer is running Windows 10
Press Windows ( ⊞ ) + I and select Devices, then select Printers and Scanners
Select the Zebra ZC300 Card Printer, click Manage, and select Printing Preferences.
Click on Advanced Settings in the upper right corner
Click Calibrate and change the dropdown selection to Ribbon
You will be prompted to remove the ribbon from the printer
Follow the instructions on the Windows dialogue
Once the calibration process is done, reinstall the ribbon
Installing Firmware
To reinstall the firmware:
Make sure your computer is running Windows 10
Press Windows ( ⊞ ) + I and select Devices, then select Printers and Scanners
Select the Zebra ZC300 Card Printer, click Manage, and select Printing Preferences
Click on Advanced Settings in the upper right corner
Click on Firmware and Settings under the Configuration tab
The current firmware version will be displayed as an address bar for Firmware Source
Click on the small blue file folder icon
Navigate to the downloaded firmware file
Click OK
Click OK
NOTE - Do not turn off the printer during a firmware update, Zebra warns that serious damage could occur if this happens
The printer will automatically reboot at the end of the firmware update process
Installing Driver
If you haven't yet downloaded the drivers, the files are linked above
Navigate to the downloaded driver file to and run it
Click Next
Select Modify unless Install is an option
Click on Install USB Printer Drivers
Follow the instructions on this screen, then Click OK
Make sure to turn the printer on only after restarting the computer you're using
Accept the terms of the license agreement and hit Next
If you haven't installed drivers before, extra screens may appear asking for customer info and where you want the printer's default directory. Keep the directory in the default location.
After that the driver install should start -->
DO NOT follow the instructions on this page as it pertains to turning the computer on.
Only turn the printer back on AFTER you have restarted the computer you are using.
Click on Next
Click Finish"to complete the installation wizard
After this, restart the computer you are using and once the computer is back online, turn the printer on
You should see that the Ribbon Detection Failure error message has been resolved
If these steps did not resolve your issue, try installing the firmware/driver again as a step could have been missed.
If the printer is still giving you a Ribbon Detection Failure error message, the printer should be sent to Mission and addressed to Noah Edmonds with a completed Equipment Issue Report Form
