1. Home
  2. Blog
  3. HOW TO FIX ERROR IN TSC TE200,TE210,TE300,TE310

HOW TO FIX ERROR IN TSC TE200,TE210,TE300,TE310

Article by Blue. Updated October 21, 2021

Your TSC TE200/TE300 is blinking red and you don't know what to do? What does the red LED light mean? No matter how you adjust, the error does not go away from your TSC TE200 thermal printer. You need to print the label urgently and now your work is halted? What should you do? We are here to help. Here is the video tutorial on how you can self-test and calibrate the sensor on your TSC TE200/210/300/210 Thermal Printer.

  • Click here for video guide in Printer's label guide adjustment.
  • Click here for video guide in Printer's sensor position.
  • Click here for video guide in Printer's sensor calibration.
  • Click here for video guide in Printer's self-test mode.

    • Precautions

    Before proceeding, there are additional steps to avoid error message from the printer:

    • Label empty - When label roll finishes, the LED light will blinking in red indicating you to change the label. Replace with a new label.

    • Label size (wrong setting) - When prompted to print, the LED light blink in red indicating the size set on PC does not match the actual size of the label. Make sure label size are setup correctly in the PC software. Additionally, select the correct sensor type for the printing too.

    • Label guide - If you have multiple size label, make sure to adjust the label guide every time you load the label. The guide aligns the label to the centre so the printer prints the same position for subsequent labels. If the guide is too loose or tight, the printing will misalign and prompts paper jam error. Additionally, it goes without saying that the label sticker should be facing upward. You should also make sure that the label width does not exceed its maximum capacity. If you have wider label, you may opt from our variety of printer model to suit for application.

      • TSC TE200 Label Guide
    • Ribbon - Error maybe prompted due to issue with the ribbon. When ribbon is empty, the red blinking error will be prompted. If this is not the case, the ribbon may have been torn. Reroll the ribbon or replace ribbon when necessary. Do make sure the ribbon ink is facing out and the ribbon core are installed correctly onto the printer.

    • Ribbon ink facing out - When you are loading the ribbon, make sure the ink are on the outside. You may have some leftover barcode ribbon lying around. You think that it would be wise not to waste. However, not all barcode ribbon ink wound the same. Before loading the ribbon, make sure the ink are on the outside. A good way to test it is to paste a sticker to the ink surface. You are able to identify which surface the ink is coated based on where the black ink sticks to.

      • TSC TE200 Ribbon
    • Software update - Do make sure you have the correct software version and latest driver for the printer. The latest software will ensure the printer perform efficiently and increase its longevity. It also makes sure the printer works with your PC's specifications.

    Common Problems

    Below are the common problems encountered and recovery steps for the TSC TE200/TE300 barcode printer.

    Problem Cause Solution
    No light on LED.
    • Power cord not properly connected.
    • Plug the power cord into printer and power outlet.
    • Switch the printer on.
    LED showing solid Red light.
    • Printer carriage is open.
    • Close the printer carriage.
    LED showing blinking Red light (Possibility 1).
    • Printing out of label.
    • Label installed incorrectly.
    • Sensor not calibrated.
    LED showing blinking Red light (Possibility 2).
    • Printing out of ribbon.
    • Ribbon installed incorrectly.
    LED showing blinking Red light (Possibility 3).
    • Sensor position incorrect.
    • Label size in PC not set properly.
    • Label stuck inside printer.
    • Set sensor in correct position; under label not between labels
    • Input correct size and/or gap onto PC.
    • Clear and clean any obstruction in the printer mechanism.
    Not printing.
    • USB / serial port cable not well connected.
    • Serial port cable pin configuration incorrect.
    • PC not connected to printer.
    • Reconnect cable.
    • Change new correected port cable.
    • Install correct printer driver.
    Poor printing quality.
    • Ribbon and media is loaded incorrectly.
    • Dust or glue accumulated on the print head.
    • Print density is not set properly.
    • Printhead element is damaged.
    • Ribbon and media are incompatible.
    • Reload the supply.
    • Clean the print head & platen roller.
    • Adjust print density and speed.
    • Run printer self-test to identify any missing dot. Replace printer head.
    • Pair with compatible label and ribbon.
    • Read here for label & ribbon compatibility.
    Label skips when printing.
    • Label size not defined properly.
    • Sensor sensitivity not properly set.
    • The media sensor is blocked by dust and glue.
    • Setup media size in PC correctly.
    • Run sensor calibration and printer self-test.
    • Clean and clear any obstruction to the media sensor.
    Printing moves to left or right during printing.
    • Incorrect label size (width) specified.
    • Label guide was set too wide. Label moves sideways during printing.
    • Setup media size in PC correctly.
    • Set label guide closer to label's width, preventing it moving horizontally.
    Printing moves up or down during printing.
    • Incorrect label size (height) specified.
    • Incorrect sensor type was selected.
    • Label slides due to worn out roller that does not have grip.
    • Setup media size in PC correctly.
    • Select correct sensor type that correspondence to label type.
    • Replace a new roller platen.
    Wrinkle problem.
    • Ribbon installed incorrectly.
    • Media installed incorrectly.
    • Print density too high.
    • Media feed incorrect.
    Gray line on blank label.
    • Print head is dirty.
    • Platen rolelr is dirty.
    • Clean the print head.
    • Clean the platen roller.

    The TE200/TE300 Series provides a competitive and durable desktop printer that is both versatile and easy-to-use. The TE200/TE300 Series flexibility in thermal transfer ribbon core size allows customer to use 1/2" core or 1" core depending on the ribbons supply they have.

    • Printhead : Flat Type
    • Method : Direct thermal / Thermal Transfer
    • Print Width : 108 mm (4.25")
    • Max. print length : 2,794 mm (110")
    • Max. Print Speed : 152.4 mm/second
    • Resolution : 8 dots/mm (203 DPI)
    • Options : External roll mount, internal Bluetooth 4.0, Guillotine cutter

    For more information, contact us now!