Cleaning the Printhead
Always use a new cleaning pen on the printhead. (An old pen carries contaminants from its previous uses that may damage the printhead.)
The printhead becomes hot while printing. To protect from damaging the printhead and risk of personal injury, avoid touching the printhead. Use only the cleaning pen to perform maintenance.
When you load new media, you can also clean the printhead.
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Rub the cleaning pen across the dark area of the printhead. Clean from the middle to the outside. This will move adhesive transferred from the edges of the media to the printhead outside of the media path.
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Wait one minute before closing the printer.
When you clean the printer, use one of the following supplies that best suits your needs:Cleaning SuppliesCleaning SuppliesOrder QuantityIntended PurposeCleaning pens (105950-035)Set of 12Clean printheadCleaning swabs (105909-057)Set of 25Clean media path, guides and sensorsYou can obtain cleaning supplies at zebra.com/supplies.The cleaning process takes just a couple of minutes using the steps outlined below.Cleaning ProcessPrinter PartMethodIntervalPrintheadAllow the printhead to cool for a minute, then use a new cleaning pen to swab the dark line on the printhead cleaning from the center to the outside edges of the printhead. See Cleaning the Printhead.After every roll of media.Platen rollerRemove the platen roller to clean. Clean the roller thoroughly with 90% medical-grade alcohol and a cleaning swab or lint-free cloth. See Platen Cleaning and Replacement.As needed.Peel barClean it thoroughly with 90% medical-grade alcohol and a fiber-free cleaning swab. Let alcohol dissipate and the printer dries completely.Media pathExteriorUse a water-dampened cloth.InteriorGently brush out the printer.Adhesives and media material can over time transfer onto the printer components along the media path including the platen and printhead. This build-up can accumulate dust and debris. Failure to clean the printhead, media path, and platen roller could result in inadvertent loss of labels, label jams, and possible damage to the printer.Using too much alcohol can result in contamination of the electronic components requiring a much longer drying time before the printer will function properly.