Poor print quality or no printing on the Connect+ Series

Issue

Your franking machine does not print well. Your print quality may be streaky, fuzzy, spotty, partial, or missing completely.

You may see one of the following error codes: 

• 041822008D
• 041822008E
• 04182200B2
• 418220041
• 418420038
• 418220044

Cause

The franking machine has an issue with the internal printer.

Resolution

Try these solutions in order to resolve your poor print quality or no print issues:

1. Make sure you have a genuine Pitney Bowes ink cartridge
2. Check your ink cartridge's ink level
3. Print a test pattern
4. Clean the printheads

Solution 1 Make sure you have a genuine Pitney Bowes ink cartridge

To prevent print quality issues, make sure you use a genuine Pitney Bowes ink cartridge.

If you need ink, order a genuine Pitney Bowes replacement ink cartridge.

If you still have an issue, go to Solution 2.

Solution 2: Check your ink cartridge’s ink level

Check your ink level to see if you have ink in your ink cartridge

• If yes (your ink levels are above the double horizontal lines), then go to Solution 4.
• If no (your ink levels are below the double horizontal lines), then follow these steps to replace your ink cartridge:

1. When the low ink or out of ink warning appears, select Replace ink cartridge. If there is no low ink message:
   1. Select Settings on the Home screen.
   2. Select Hardware.
   3. Select Printer.
   4. Select the Ink cartridges tab.
   5. Select Replace ink cartridge.
2. Open the ink cartridge cover.
   
   
   
   Important: If a message about the ink cartridge cover being open appears, select Clear message.
3. Pull the ink cartridge straight out.
   
   
4. The franking machine warns you that the ink cartridge is not installed. Select Clear message.
5. Remove the new ink cartridge from its packaging.
   
   
6. Hold the ink cartridge with the label facing upright and push into place.
   
   
7. Close the ink cartridge cover.
8. Select Print test pattern.
9. Check the test sample. If the lines are solid and unbroken, the sample is acceptable.
10. Select Image is OK - Done.

If you still have an issue, go to Solution 3.

Solution 3: Print a test pattern

1. Select Settings from the Home screen.
2. Select Hardware.
3. Select Printer.
4. Select Print Test Pattern.
5. Select Start or Tape.
   • If the pattern is broken or missing lines, select Not OK - Clean print head.
   • If the pattern is not broken or missing lines, select Image is OK - Done.
6. Select Home to return to the Home screen.

If no test pattern prints, go to Solution 4.

Solution 4: Clean the printheads

If your ink cartridge has ink, follow these steps to clean both of your printheads:

1. Open the printer cover.
   
2. If necessary, pull the print carriage forward.
3. Open the blue lid.
   
4. Lift one printhead out by the blue handle.
   
5. Wipe the any excess ink off the printhead with a lint-free cloth.
6. Re-insert the printhead. The print contact must be facing toward the front of the device.
   
7. Make sure the handle is down and then apply pressure only to the center of the printhead.
   
8. If you're having print issues with red print, clean the left printhead. If you're having print issues with black print, clean the right printhead.
9. Close the blue lid securing the printheads in position.
   
10. Close the printer cover.
11. Print another test print and clean the printer nozzles if necessary.