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Fargo Printer Support

By on January 31st, 2020

This is our dedicated Fargo support page. You’ll find answers to some of the most common questions relating to the Fargo product range along with helpful links directly to Fargo Driver updates and user manuals.

Driver and Firmware FAQs

To check your Fargo Driver is running the latest update, you can use Fargo’s free application. The ‘Fargo Workbench Utility’ allows you to update drivers and firmware. To use it:

  1. Download and install Fargo Workbench Utility. Ensure you select to launch the program once it has been downloaded.
  2. Open Workbench and select your printer from the drop-down in the top right of the display.
  3. Select ‘Update Manager’ from the options.
  4. From here, click ‘Check for Updates’
  5. If there are updates to install, you can download the latest Driver and Firmware for your printer.

The best way to update your Fargo’s Driver is to use Fargo Workbench Utility.

If one is available, a driver update will appear when you enter the ‘Check for Updates’ section. Simply click ‘Apply Update’ to install it. You’ll need to restart your computer following an update.

Using the Fargo Workbench Utility, navigate to ‘Update Manager’.

  1. Select the appropriate firmware for your printer and start the download.
  2. The printer’s front LED lights should flash as the update is downloading. You can keep an eye on the firmware update’s progess thanks to a progress bar in the application itself.
  3. The printer will restart on its own after the update is complete, and it should return be ‘Ready’ immediately following this.

Printing and Ribbons FAQs

If your printer ribbon repeatedly breaks or your images are being printed too light or too dark, it’s a good idea to adjust the print head power to see if that can resolve the issue. 

  1. Go to the ‘Devices and Printers’ folder.
  2. Right click on the appropriate Fargo printer, and then choose ‘Printing Preferences’.
  3. Click on the Image Colour tab and then find the ‘Dye-SUB Intensity (YMC)’ slider.
  4. Adjust the heat appropriately and click ‘OK’ to save the change. 

If your Fargo isn’t recognising a ribbon or acknowledging that it’s been replaced, you must calibrate the ribbon sensors. To do this:

  1. Go to your ‘Devices and Printers’ folder.
  2. Right click on the appropriate Fargo printer and choose ‘Printing Preferences’
  3. Click on ‘ToolBox’ towards the bottom of the display. 
  4. Click into the ‘Calibrate Ribbon’ tab. Ensure you’ve followed any guidance before clicking ‘Calibrate’.
  5. The Fargo ribbons should now be calibrated. 

Having problems with your cards jamming when using your Fargo printer? There are several reasons that could be causing the issue. Here’s how to go about resolving them:

  1. Ensure you are running the appropriate Drivers and Firmware. You can find the newest versions on Fargo’s Workbench Utility application or in the Fargo resources below.
  2. Ensure your Fargo printer is clean, paying particular attention to the rollers and print head. 
  3. Calibrate your ribbon sensor.
  4. Ensure your printer ribbon cartridges are installed correctly.
  5. Check your cards aren’t contaminated; they’re susceptible to picking up dust particles and can be affected by static electricity.
  6. Ensure you’re using the correct power supply (the lead that came with your printer)

Ribbon breakages are a common occurrence with ID card printers, but if it keeps happening there are several things you can do to solve the problem.

The first thing to do is tape the broken ribbon back together and roll the taped section into the roller. This will allow you to continue printing. 

  1. Ensure you are running the latest Fargo Driver and Firmware.
  2. Clean your printer. This will keep dust and debris to a minimum, which can damage the print head. 
  3. Make sure your ribbon cartridge is correctly aligned. 
  4. Calibrate your ribbon sensor.
  5. Reduce the print head power.
  6. Try using a different ribbon.
  7. Make sure you’re using the correct power supply that came with your printer. 

If you’re finding your Fargo is regularly printing black smudges on to a card, you’ll need to follow this procedure:

  1. Go your ‘Devices and Printers’ folder and right click on the Fargo printer.
  2. Select ‘Printing Preferences’ and click the ‘Tool Box’ button towards the bottom of the dispaly.
  3. Click into the ‘Advanced Settings’ tab.
  4. Scroll down to the ‘Resin Heat Adjust’ line.
  5. Set the value to 0.
  6. Click ‘OK’ to save the change. Your cards should now print without any black smudges.

Encoding FAQs

Fargo printers are capable of encoding several types of barcodes, which are generally considered the most cost-effective form of encoding data. This is because you won’t need to upgrade your printer with modules and purchase magnetic-stripe or proximity cards.

To print a barcode, you’ll need to assign it to an area on your card. To do this:

  1. Go to your ‘Devices and Printers’ folder.
  2. Right-click on the Fargo printer in question and select ‘Printing Preferences’.
  3. Click on the tab named ‘K Panel Resin’.
  4. Tick the ‘Defined Area’ box and select ‘Print K’ only. This will enable you to position the barcode by defining an area in the above vectors.
  5. Click ‘OK’ to save. You should now be able to print a barcode on to your cards.

Fargo printers are available with encoders that allows them to program magnetic stripe cards. These are used for a wide range of applications including access control systems. 

To begin the encoding process, you’ll need the Fargo Workbench Utility application. We’ll outline the process of printing an encoded test card. This should always been done before you start a print run to ensure the data is correctly encoded.

  1. Open the Fargo Workbench Utility application and choose the printer you wish to encode cards with.
  2. Click on the ‘Card Samples’ tab, then clock on the ‘Magnetic Encoding’ tab.
  3. Click ‘Generate Sample Data’.
  4. Click ‘Encode’ and your printer will now use the sample data in the track fields to encode the card.
  5.  The card will print with the encoded data. If your test card was encoded properly, the card will eject the card.

Errors FAQs

Common errors relating to the printer ribbon with Fargo printers include ‘Error 14’, ‘Error 93’ and ‘Error 97’. To resolve these common problems, there are a number of things you can do.

  1. Ensure your Fargo printer is running the latest Driver and Firmware updates available via the Fargo Workbench Utility application.
  2. Carry out a thorough printer clean, focusing on the printer rollers and ribbon cartridge.
  3. Make sure the ribbon cartridge is loaded and aligned.
  4. Attempt to print using a different ribbon.
  5. Calibrate your ribbon sensor.
  6. Make sure you’re using the correct power supply for your printer. 

Fargo warranty FAQs

All Fargo printers come with a three-year warranty. For direct-to-card printers, that includes the print head. However, retransfer models such as the HDP5000 and HDP6600 features a lifetime warranty on print heads.

Fargo printers are produced by HID – a manufacturer that specialises in access control and ID card printer products. You can read HID’s full warranty policy here.

Fargo Resources

Fargo Workbench Utility download here

Find Drivers and Downloads for the Fargo range of printers

Fargo C50

Fargo DTC1250e, DTC100Me, DTC4250e, DTCII

Fargo DTC1500

Fargo HDP5000, HDP5600, HDPii Plus

Fargo printers are produced by HID, meaning they’re well-known as reliable ID card printers that are capable of creating cost-effective and secure card issuance systems. Popular models include the HDP5000 and the DTC1250e. 

If you can’t find the answer to your problem, you can give one of our friendly staff a call on the number below who will be able to advise you and give you industry-leading advice. 

Need Fargo consumables?

Fargo cleaning kits
Fargo printer ribbons
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