Mini Thermal Printer Issue

[bmock]

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?

[pburgess]

Possibly printer or power supply related. What are you using to power the printer?

[bmock]

I bought the starter pack, so it is the 5v adapter. I also had the usb plugged in while printing.

[pburgess]

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]

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]

Is that with the button held when connecting power, or pressing it after the fact?

[bmock]

with it held while giving it power.

[pburgess]

Okay, that's just wonky. Please email support@adafruit.com 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.

[bmock]

Thanks for the help!

[bogohack]

Hi, im having the exact same problem, and i made the same tests suggested, how can i solve this problem?

[adafruit_support_bill]

i made the same tests suggested

What did you try and what were the results of those tests?

[bogohack]

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]

OK then. Contact support@adafruit.com for a replacement printer. Be sure to include a link to this thread.

[MiniatureTigers]

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?