Hello all,
I have an issue with the mini thermal printer. I can successfully push things to the printer to print, but they come out faded in spots and in garbled characters. When I power on the printer while holding the feed button it just prints CP437 repeatedly on new lines. It doesn't print anything else, just CP437 until I let go of the button. Is there a firmware update I'm missing or is it a faulty printer? Maybe some other issue?
Mini Thermal Printer Issue
Moderators: adafruit_support_bill, adafruit
Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.
- pburgess
- Posts: 4161
- Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2008 2:29 am
Re: Mini Thermal Printer Issue
Possibly printer or power supply related. What are you using to power the printer?
- bmock
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Wed Dec 12, 2012 2:54 pm
Re: Mini Thermal Printer Issue
I bought the starter pack, so it is the 5v adapter. I also had the usb plugged in while printing.
- pburgess
- Posts: 4161
- Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2008 2:29 am
Re: Mini Thermal Printer Issue
Okay. Let's start by removing the Arduino from the equation. Disconnect it from the printer, then hold the feed button while connecting power to the printer. Does it still print the CP437 message in a loop, or does it print the character map?
- bmock
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Wed Dec 12, 2012 2:54 pm
Re: Mini Thermal Printer Issue
Without the arduino plugged in and just power while holding down the button it rhythmically advances the paper but prints nothing. When I put the arduino back in it printed the same CP437 repeatedly.
- pburgess
- Posts: 4161
- Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2008 2:29 am
Re: Mini Thermal Printer Issue
Is that with the button held when connecting power, or pressing it after the fact?
- bmock
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Wed Dec 12, 2012 2:54 pm
Re: Mini Thermal Printer Issue
with it held while giving it power.
- pburgess
- Posts: 4161
- Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2008 2:29 am
Re: Mini Thermal Printer Issue
Okay, that's just wonky. Please email [email protected] and include a link to this post, and we'll issue a replacement.
Thanks for your patience, just wanted to rule out other possibilities first.
Thanks for your patience, just wanted to rule out other possibilities first.
- bmock
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Wed Dec 12, 2012 2:54 pm
Re: Mini Thermal Printer Issue
Thanks for the help!
- bogohack
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Thu Dec 15, 2011 3:23 pm
Re: Mini Thermal Printer Issue
Hi, im having the exact same problem, and i made the same tests suggested, how can i solve this problem?
- adafruit_support_bill
- Posts: 88037
- Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2009 10:11 am
Re: Mini Thermal Printer Issue
What did you try and what were the results of those tests?i made the same tests suggested
- bogohack
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Thu Dec 15, 2011 3:23 pm
Re: Mini Thermal Printer Issue
I unpluged the printer from everything, then i press the feed button, then i pluged to my 5V-2A adapter and it started printing CP437 on an on, then i released the feed button and it stoped printing and that was it, every time i try this is the same result.
- adafruit_support_bill
- Posts: 88037
- Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2009 10:11 am
Re: Mini Thermal Printer Issue
OK then. Contact [email protected] for a replacement printer. Be sure to include a link to this thread.
-
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Sat Oct 06, 2012 2:57 pm
Re: Mini Thermal Printer Issue
I had this happen when I forgot to press the “ON” button from the printer. As a result it was only powered from the Arduino's USB and didn't have enough juice to print. Maybe that's what's happening?
- jbarrera
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Thu Dec 05, 2013 12:15 pm
Re: Mini Thermal Printer Issue
Hi! I'm having the same problem. Everything is unplugged from the printer, and when I power it up after pressing the feed button, it just prints CP437 repeatedly. I'm using a 5V 2A adapter. Should I email Adafruit's support too?
Thank you!
Thank you!
Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.