At Zovertang, we understand how frustrating it can be when your ID card or label printer stops working. Whether it's poor print quality, ribbon errors, card jams, or printhead failures, these issues can disrupt your workflow.
In this guide, we’ll cover the most common printer problems, how to fix them, and where to find replacement parts, cleaning kits, and technical support to keep your printer running smoothly.
If your printer needs professional servicing, we offer printer repairs with free inspection and a 1-2 day diagnosis turnaround.
1. Poor Print Quality or Faded Prints
Are your prints looking streaky, faded, or smudged? The most common causes are:
- Dirty printheads or rollers
- Low-quality or incompatible ribbons
- Incorrect printer settings
How to Fix It:
✔ Regularly clean your printer using cleaning kits to remove dust and debris.
✔ Use high-quality ribbons—Check out our ID card printer ribbons.
✔ Adjust print settings—Ensure you’re using the correct resolution and card type.
If the issue persists, you may need a new printhead or roller replacement, which we can provide through our printer repair service.
2. Ribbon Errors or Misalignment
If your printer is displaying a ribbon error, it could be due to:
- Ribbon not installed correctly
- Damaged or worn-out ribbon
- Incompatible ribbon type
How to Fix It:
✔ Reinstall the ribbon properly and ensure it’s tightly seated.
✔ Try a new ribbon—Browse our ID card printer ribbons for genuine replacements.
✔ Update printer firmware to ensure compatibility with new ribbon types.
Still having issues? Send your printer for inspection.
3. Card Jamming or Misfeeds
If your ID card printer keeps jamming, the most common causes are:
- Dirty or worn rollers
- Damaged or poor-quality cards
- Incorrect card thickness settings
How to Fix It:
✔ Use high-quality blank cards from our PVC cards selection.
✔ Clean the rollers using cleaning kits to improve card feeding.
✔ Check card thickness settings in your printer driver.
Need new rollers? We offer printer servicing to replace worn parts.
4. Connectivity or Driver Issues
Is your printer not connecting to your computer or displaying driver errors? Possible causes include:
- Outdated or missing drivers
- USB or network connection issues
- Incorrect printer settings
How to Fix It:
✔ Download the latest drivers from our printer driver guide.
✔ Try a different USB cable or port.
✔ Restart your printer and computer to refresh the connection.
If the issue persists, our technical support team can help troubleshoot.
5. Printhead Replacement
A damaged printhead can cause blurry text, missing print areas, or streaks.
Signs You Need a Printhead Replacement:
- Visible scratches or wear on the printhead
- Poor print quality even after cleaning
- Inconsistent printing with missing lines
How to Fix It:
✔ Regularly clean your printhead using printer cleaning kits.
✔ If cleaning doesn’t help, you may need a new printhead. We can install and test a replacement through our printer repair service.
6. Internal Roller Replacement
Worn-out rollers can cause poor card feeding, smudging, and misaligned prints.
How to Fix It:
✔ Use a cleaning card from our cleaning kits to maintain roller performance.
✔ If the rollers are too worn, we can replace them through our printer repair service.
7. Retransfer Printer Issues
Retransfer printers, like the Fargo HDP5000, can experience:
- Film misalignment
- Overlays peeling off
- Ghosting or fading prints
How to Fix It:
✔ Use the correct retransfer film and cleaning kits to maintain print quality.
✔ Check your printer’s calibration in the settings.
✔ If the problem persists, book a repair with us through our RMA guide.
Need a New Printer?
If repairs are too costly, consider upgrading to a new or refurbished printer:
🔹 New ID Card Printers
🔹 Refurbished ID Card Printers
🔹 New Dual-Sided ID Card Printers
🔹 Refurbished Label Printers
🔹 New Label Printers
Need help choosing? Contact us for expert advice.
Get Your Printer Fixed Today!
If you’re struggling with any of these issues, let us help.
📧 support@zovertang.co.uk
📞 01482 961 261
🌐 Request a Repair