Update your printer’s drivers and firmware to the newest versions. Clean your printer. Regularly cleaning the printer will keep out dust and debris, which can damage the print head.
FARGO HDP5000 error 97 almost always points to a problem with the ribbon. Here is a more detailed look at troubleshooting it:
Detailed Ribbon Inspection:
- Physical Damage:
- Carefully unroll a section of the ribbon. Look for:
- Tears or rips in the ribbon material.
- Crumpling or wrinkling of the ribbon.
- Any signs of the ribbon being stretched or damaged.
- If you find any damage, replace the ribbon immediately.
- Carefully unroll a section of the ribbon. Look for:
- Ribbon Installation:
- Ensure the ribbon cartridge is seated correctly in the printer.
- Double-check that the ribbon is threaded through the print head mechanism as indicated in the printer’s user manual.
- Make sure the ribbon take-up spool is engaging properly.
- Ribbon Type:
- Verify that you are using a genuine Fargo HDP5000 ribbon.
- Confirm that the ribbon type is compatible with the cards you are using. Some specialized cards might require specific ribbons.
- Ensure that the ribbon is not expired.
4. Printer Sensor and Calibration:
- Ribbon Sensor:
- The HDP5000 uses sensors to detect the presence and movement of the ribbon.
- Dust or debris on these sensors can cause them to malfunction.
- Use compressed air or a soft, dry cloth to gently clean the sensor areas.
- Ribbon Calibration:
- Access the printer’s driver settings on your computer.
- Look for an option to calibrate the ribbon sensor.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to perform the calibration. This process helps the printer accurately detect the ribbon’s position.
5. Printer Maintenance:
- Clean the Print Head:
- A dirty print head can sometimes cause ribbon-related errors.
- Use a Fargo-approved print head cleaning swab to gently clean the print head.
- Roller Cleaning:
- Clean the printer’s rollers to ensure smooth card and ribbon movement.
- Use a soft, lint-free cloth dampened with isopropyl alcohol.
6. Firmware and Software:
- Update Firmware:
- Check the Fargo website for the latest firmware updates for your HDP5000 printer.
- Updating the firmware can resolve known bugs and improve printer performance.
- Printer Driver:
- Ensure you have the latest Fargo HDP5000 printer driver installed on your computer.
7. When to Contact Support:
- If you have tried all of the above steps and the error 97 persists, it’s time to contact Fargo technical support.
- They can provide advanced troubleshooting assistance or arrange for printer repair.
Key Reminders:
- Always turn off and unplug the printer before performing any maintenance.
- Use only genuine Fargo supplies to avoid damaging the printer.
- Refer to the Fargo HDP5000 user manual for detailed instructions.
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