My Valor terminal is printing blank receipts. What do I do?
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If your Valor terminal is printing blank receipts, this indicates a thermal paper issue, as most modern terminals use thermal printing rather than ink.
Go through the following troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue:
- Improper paper orientation: Thermal paper is only coated on one side. If the roll is upside down, the heat from the printer cannot activate the chemical coating, resulting in blank paper. Open the paper compartment, remove the roll, and flip it around. The paper should feed from the bottom of the roll, not the top, with the thermal side (top) facing up toward the printer head.
- Incorrect paper type: You may be using standard paper instead of thermal-sensitive paper. Scratch the paper with a coin or other hard object; if it doesn't leave a contrasting mark, it means you’re not using thermal-sensitive paper.
- Printhead is dirty or obstructed: Dust, paper debris, or adhesive from the start of the roll can block the heat from reaching the paper. To fix this, turn off the terminal, open the cover, and gently clean the metal print head (a thin dark strip inside) using a cotton swab or a cloth dampened with 70% isopropyl alcohol.
- Paper Roll Alignment: The paper is not properly aligned with the printing wheel, or the lid is not fully closed. Remove the roll, clear any paper scraps, and reinsert it, ensuring it is sitting straight and the lid clicks firmly into place.
- Hardware/Component Failure: The roller bar, which presses the paper against the thermal head, might be missing or broken. Inspect the lid to ensure the roller bar is still present and undamaged.
Review the article linked below for more guidance on printing issues.