Problem Solving - Oki Microline ML380 Handbook

%Problem Solving

Problem Solving
Here are some of the most common printer problems and how to solve them. If you're still having
difficulties, see the Customer Service Guide, included with your printer. It will tell you how to get help from
your dealer or from OKIDATA, and how to get your printer serviced.
What if ...
... nothing happens at all when I turn on the printer?
The printer may not be plugged in. Check the power cord connection to the outlet. If you're using a power
strip, make sure it's turned on. Check to be sure that the fuse hasn't blown or that the circuit breaker
hasn't tripped.
... the printer doesn't print when the computer sends it data?
The printer may be deselected. If the SELECT light is out, press the SELECT button.
... the paper keeps jamming?
Be sure to set the top of form so that the paper is held in place by the bail. If the top of the page is below
the bail, it will catch on the bail as it advances. Don't use the FEED button to load paper into the printer,
use the bail lever (see pages 13 and 17). If you're using continuous forms, be sure that you have the
paper loaded squarely onto the tractors--if the sprocket holes are out of sync on either side, the paper will
jam.
If the paper does jam, back it out of the printer carefully using the platen knob.
Be sure to remove any shreds of paper from the printer before reloading paper. If
you're using continuous-form paper, you can do this by:
backing the paper out of the printer, folding the paper over three times to produce a page four sheets
thick, loading this quadruple-thick sheet onto the tractor pins, and turning the platen knob to bring the
paper around the platen.
This will clear the pieces of jammed paper out of the tractor path and bring them up
and out so you can dispose of them. Don't forget to remove the
quadruple-thick sheet from the printer before you return to
printing!
... there are dots missing on my printouts?
The head gap may not be set correctly.
Try moving the head gap lever to a lower setting (see page 11.) If
that doesn't help, the printhead may be damaged; call for
service.
... my word processor files don't print the way I have the menu and front panel set?
Before sending a file to the printer, many word processors send either
an "initialization string" or an I-Prime signal to the printer.
The initialization string contains codes that reset the printer to a
ML 380 ( 96-02-03 )