20 Most Recent Datacard SP35 Printer Questions & Answers

problem on printer head

Use original ribbon

Reset all printer settings to default in the print-driver. If this doesn't correct, verify you are using the correct A/C adapter. A surprising number of our clients will mix these up with others, as they look very similar to A/C adapters for laptop PCs, scanners, and other common office items. These other devices normally require much lower power (voltage and/or amperage), and their adapters won't provide enough power to ID-card printers to operate properly. The manufacturer's specification sticker that is affixed to your printer SHOULD indicate the voltage and amperage requirements of the SP35+. Similarly, the A/C adapter will list its output levels of power on its own sticker. These must match one-another. If you still don't get relief, contact an authorize Datacard dealer or repair center (like Safe-Card ID Services!) for other support or repair options.

a) You have a YMCKOK ribbon instead of the YMCKO that you should have due to driver settings(check) b) You set your driver for K ribbon and you have a YMCKOK or YMCKO ribbon

I think rain doesn't have anything to do, unless you had your printer outside... Maybe a light interruption could make your station start over without proper settings. Try checking your printer driver and see if it has the proper settings for ribbon and not printing on black dots.

Take isopropyl alcohol and a clean cloth and clean the printehead of the printer. The printhead is located on the top lid of the printer and has a green and black appearance. Take clean isopropyl moistened cloth and swipe gently across left to right the black portion of the printhead. There may be residue on the printhead obstructing the heat transfer of ribbon to card which cleaning fix. Worst case the printhead has one or more bad elements (pixels). The printhead is an expensive repair (Parts and Labor) so you may examine your options on repair or trade-in on purchase of a new printer. If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/chance_d7833922a926e54f

Check to see if you have the current firmware installed on the printer. You can discover the version by going to Start > All Programs > Datacard Card Printers > Datacard Printer. Look at the bottom of the of the dialog box [Printer Toolbox] for the number following Printer Firmware Version. The number should be above version 24.49. Datacard released a a new ribbon model that includes a new RFID chip. Printers with the older firmware will not recognize the new chip and thus think the ribbon is black only.

1. Update the firmware by going to the Datacard website and use the search function in the top right corner of the website.
2. Enter the search string "SP35 Firmware" one of the top links will point you the the Driver and Support page.
3. Once the page loads, scroll down to the firmware subsection.
4. Click on the "Begin your Go Green firmware upgrade now" link.
5. Enter the contact info and click submit.
6. Click download link once page loads.
7. Open or Run download.
   1. This program will install software on the computer to update printer to new version of firmware. After the firmware is updated the program will ask if you would like to uninstall at end.
8. A new dialog window will display Card printer Firmware Update.
9. Select from drop down the Datacard printer that requires a firmware update.
10. The dialog box will either display the update firmware version that can be flashed or indicate the "printer contains the latest firmware."
11. If a update is possible click the Update button in the bottom left corner of the dialog window.
    1. Do Not Disconnect the power during the flash process.
    2. The printer will make beeps while the printer is flashing, this is normal.
12. Wait till you hear the printer perform it's start-up sequence and you see a dialog on screen for success.
13. Open Printer toolbox as mentioned above and review the firmware version number in the bottom left corner. Notice it should be a number greater than 24.49.
14. Click on the Supplies tab in the printer toolbox dialog window and review the ribbon type.

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/chance_d7833922a926e54f