Brother Gt3 Manual

							 
 
GT-3 Series 
7. Troubleshooting
101
7. Troubleshooting 
 
CAUTION 
 Ensure there is adequate space left for safe working. The Platen moves forward while operating and it may be 
injured. 
 Do not handle the platen while printing. If your hand gets  caught between the platen or the T-shirt tray and the 
covers, it may be injured. 
 Do not move the Platen by hand. 
The Printer may be seriously damaged by this. 
 Do not put your hands inside the covers while the printe r’s power is turned on, otherwise your hands may touch 
against moving parts and this may result in injury. 
 Wait at least 1 minute after turning off the  power switch before opening the front cover.   
Do not touch the head heat sink as it may be HOT and may cause a bum. 
 Be careful not to get your fingers caught when closing the fr ont cover, otherwise it may result in injury to your 
fingers. 
 Do not disassemble the ink cartridge.   
 
 Take care not to let the liquids: Ink, Wash Liquid, Main tenance Solution, Pretreatment or waste liquid come into 
contact with your eyes or onto your  skin, otherwise inflammation can result. In case of contact with eyes, do not 
rub but immediately rinse the eyes with water. 
Furthermore, do not drink the liquids: Ink, Wash Liquid, Maintenance Solution, Pretreatment or waste liquid under 
any circumstances, as they can cause vomiting and diarrhea. 
Keep the liquids out of the reach of children. 
  
						

							 
 
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7-1. Solving Printer Problems 
Use the table below to help solve printer problems. 
Problem Cause Solution 
Cannot send print data from the 
PC. You have selected the wrong 
printer.  Confirm the selected printer, and select the correct 
one.  
 
USB cable not connected  Disconnect  and re-connect the USB 2.0 cable   
 Your PC and OS do not satisfy 
the requirements of GT-782.  See “1-3-3. Software Information and check your PC 
properties.  
 
Using an USB cable that does 
not meet the requirement.  Use the USB cable that meets the requirement. 
See “1-3-4. Other Requirements. 
 
The USB hub is not working 
properly.  Connect GT-3 directly to PC with USB 2.0 cable. USB 
hub is not operationally approved.   
 
Noise is disturbing the 
communication between GT-3 
and the PC.    Disconnect the USB 2.0 cable once, and wait for 5 
seconds and connect it again. 
If this does not solve the problem, turn off GT-3 wait 
for 5 seconds and restart.   
 
The PC is not working properly. Restart the PC. 
Try another inlet of USB port. 
 Other USB device is connected 
with your PC.    Remove the other USB device and restart your PC, 
and check if GT-3 works properly.   
 
Something is wrong with the 
USB cable.  Try other or shorter USB 2.0 cables. 
Pressing the Print Button does 
not start printing. 
GT-782 is indicating an error  Solve the cause of the error, and try again. 
 
Ready is not indicated on the 
Display, or some operation is 
working.   Wait till the operation is over.   
 
Auto Head Cleaning is in 
process.   Wait until the Head Cleaning finishes. 
 
The room temperature does not 
meet the requirements.  Adjust the room temperature. 
See “1-3-1 Environment”. 
 
The printer has not received / 
read a data, or is now receiving / 
reading the data.(Print Button is 
not ON.)  Machine will not print until print job has been received.
 
The Print Heads are overheated 
and the message ** Head 
Temp Rising appears.  FFC (flat cable) of the Print Head may not be 
connected firmly and this may cause the rise of Print 
Head temperature. Turn OFF the printer and confirm 
the connection of FFC.    Wait until the heads cool 
down.  
						

							 
 
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Problem Cause Solution 
GT-3 does not turn on. There is no power. Check the power cable connections. 
  The Front Cover is open or not 
closed properly.  Close the Front Cover properly.   
An error occurred just after 
turning on GT-3. 
An error occurred. 
Check the error code with 7-4. Error Messages and 
restart GT-3. If the error is not cleared, please contact 
Brother or your dealer. 
GT-3 cannot read data from 
USB flash drive.  No USB flash drive is inserted 
in the slot, or it is not inserted 
properly. Insert USB flash drive properly. 
 
ARP files are saved.   GT-3 cannot print GT-541/GT-782 print data. Make AR3 
print data with Brother GT-3 F ile Output printer driver.   
  That USB flash drive does not 
match the specification.    Use a USB flash drive that is FAT32 formatted and its 
capacity is under 32 GB 
 
The USB flash drive has poor 
quality.  Confirm that USB flash drive with your PC.   
Cannot do Uni-Directional / 
Bi-Directional Printing.    The setting between the 
Printer Driver and the Printer 
does not match.   The printer setting is prior to the Printer Driver. 
Uni-Directional setting in the Printer Driver is only 
available when the printer setting is [Auto].    
						

							 
 
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7-2. Solving Print Quality Problems 
Use the table below to solve print quality problems. 
Problem Cause Solution 
The graphic applications’ 
settings are not appropriate. 
Maybe CYMK mode is being 
used for data. See “4-2 Setting the Applications’ Print Condition and 
modify the artwork. 
The print condition is not 
appropriate. (less saturation) 
See “4-3. Setting the Printer Driver Condition” and 
select proper Color Processing to adjust saturation 
and contrast. Select the resolution 1200 x 1200 dpi 
and increase the ink amount.   
Print is faded. 
Ink in the Ink Cartridge may be 
getting low.  See “6-1-1. Replacing the Ink Cartridge”. 
Mis-firing of nozzles: Confirm by 
printing Nozzle Check Pattern. 
by referring 7-2-3. Checking 
Print Quality with Nozzle Check 
Pattern . The Print Heads need 
to be cleaned. Press the Head Cleaning Button to clean the Print 
Heads. Or select Head Cleaning menu.    After 
Head Cleaning, check the nozzles with Nozzle 
Check Pattern. If repeating this 5 times does not 
solve the problem, see “7-2-2. Cleaning the Print 
Heads”. 
Some colors are easy to be 
seen.  
Select Color Multiple Pass Printing in the Printer 
Driver. See 4-3-9. Color Multiple Pass Printing.   
Printing on very high absorbent 
material.  
 Select uni-directional of Print Direction. See“7-2-4. 
Changing the Print Direction”.   
The Platen is too low. Printing by 
wider gaps between Print Heads 
and printed medium.  Adjust the Platen height to make the clearance 
between the Clearance Sensor and the surface of the 
Print Heads app. 2 mm. See 4-5. Placing the T-shirt 
on the Platen. When Platen Lowering Set (option) 
is used, put them back to the original parts or lay 
something on the Platen.   
Your print has horizontal stripes 
(banding). 
Firing Adjustment is not 
adjusted.  Firing Adjustment is necessary after Print Head is 
replaced or the Platen is replaced. See 7-2-8. 
Adjustment after the Print Head has been replaced. 
The ink runs and blurs on the 
edge. 
Too much ink is used. 
Using a thin T-shirt that is not 
made with 100% cotton.  Adjust the Ink Volume. See “4-3-10. Settings for Color 
Inks. 
 
Something is printed but no data 
is in the print data.   
Waste ink is overflowed from 
Wiper Cleaner and Print Head 
Caps and stains around the Print 
Heads.  
Some thread or dust attached 
on the Print Head nozzles.    Clean around the Print Heads and replace Wiper 
Cleaners. See 6-1-2. Replacing the Wiper Cleaner 
and Cleaning the Caps / Wipers.  
						

							 
 
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Problem Cause Solution 
The outlines of printed image 
are not clear, or texts and 
outlines are printed doubled. The Platen height may be wrong 
with a too large gap. 
Adjust the Platen height to make the clearance 
between the Clearance Sensor and the surface of the 
Print Heads app. 2 mm. See 4-5. Placing the T-shirt 
on the Platen. When Platen Lowering Set (option) 
is used, put them back to the original parts or lay 
something on the Platen. 
Print Heads hit the garment 
 Keep the surface flat and adjust the height. (esp. both 
edges). See 4-5. Placing the T-shirt on the Platen.   
Flushing Plate Sponge is full of 
waste ink. 
Replace the Flushing Plate Sponge and Flushing 
Plate Felt. See 6-1-3. Replacing Flushing Plate 
Sponge and Flushing Plate Felt.   
Clearance Sensor is stained.    Wipe off 
the both sides of Clearance Sensor. See 
“6-1-6. Cleaning the inside of the printer and restart. 
T-shirt is smudged with ink.   
The Platen Sheet needs to be 
replaced and is dirty.  See “6-2-4. Replacing the Platen Sheet. 
Pale colors are getting 
disappeared while printing.   
The nozzles f the Print Heads 
are getting dried under the 
humid high-temperature 
condition.   See “7-2-10. Adjusting the Flushing Interval”, 7-2-11. 
Adjusting the Flushing Volume. 
Pretreatment was not applied 
enough or done unevenly.   
Apply evenly. See 4-6-1. Applying the Pretreatment”.White is uneven. 
Water drops on the 
Pretreatment-cured surface 
cause stains.    Do not wet the cured surface. See 4-6-1. Applying 
the Pretreatment”. 
Pretreatment was not applied 
enough. 
See 4-6-1. Applying the Pretreatment”. 
Poor curing: Temperature was 
too low and/or the pressure is 
too low.   Confirm the temperature and increase the pressure of 
heat press. See 4-6-1. Applying the Pretreatment”. 
Mis-firing of nozzles: Confirm by 
printing Nozzle Check Pattern. 
by referring 7-2-3. Checking 
Print Quality with Nozzle Check 
Pattern . The Print Heads need 
to be cleaned. Press the Head Cleaning Button to clean the Print 
Heads. Or select Head Cleaning menu.    After 
Head Cleaning, check the nozzles with Nozzle 
Check Pattern. If repeating this 5 times does not 
solve the problem, see “7-2-2. Cleaning the Print 
Heads”. 
White is not white enough.   
Daily Cleaning White is not 
done. White Ink Cartridges were 
not shaken enough.    Do the steps in 6-2-1. Daily Cleaning White for 
replacing dull White Ink. Shake the White Ink 
Cartridges well.   
 
  
						

							 
 
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7-2-1. Procedure for Solving the Print Quality Problems 
Follow the procedure (Step 1 to 7) below until the print quality problem is solved. 
 
The following steps are shown with CMYK Print Heads and do the same in case of White Print Heads.   
 
Step 1: Confirm the amount of remaining Ink in the Ink Cartridge and execute Normal Cleaning. 
Head Cleaning, with flushing fresh ink, can solve most of print quality problems. Check the nozzles by test printing of Nozzle  Check Pattern (see 7-2-3. Checking Print Quality with Nozzle  Check Pattern ) first and execute Normal Cleaning to the Print 
Head concerned (see “7-2-2. Cleaning the Print Heads / Using  the Head Cleaning Button”) Repeat the Normal Cleaning a 
few times. and check again by printing Nozzle Check Pattern.  If the problem is not solved, go on to the next step. 
 
 
 
z   It is very important the machine is used in an environment as s pecified. Use a humidifier to keep the humidity up to 35% to 
keep print quality. 
z   Your printer automatically cleans its Print Heads every 24 prints; however more frequent Print Heads cleaning may need 
to be done depending on the environment. In this case, change  the Auto Head Cleaning frequency (see “7-2-5. Changing 
the Auto Cleaning Setting”). 
 
Step 2: Replace Wiper Cleaners and clean around the Print Heads. 
The Wiper Cleaner absorbs waste ink carried by the Wiper Blade. If Wiper Cleaner cannot absorb waste ink any more, the  dirty Wiper Blade wipes the Print Head Nozzles again and this c auses misfiring or damage the Print Head. Replace the Wiper 
Cleaner regularly and clean the Wiper Blades and caps. Check if it  is too dirty to wipe off the waste ink when you cannot solve  
mis-firing by Nozzle Cleaning.   
How to Check: 
(1)  See 6-1-2. Replacing the Wiper Cleaner and Cleaning the  Caps / Wipers and select [ Maintenance ] > [ Maintenance 
Parts Exchange ] of the menu.   
(2)  Replace Wiper Cleaners as well as cleaning Wiper Blades  and Caps. replace Flushing Plate Sponge and Flushing Plate 
Felt too because the dirty surface of the Flushing Plate fe lt may give dame to the Print Head Nozzles. See 6-1-3. 
Replacing Flushing Plate Sponge and Flushing Plate Felt.   
(3)  Confirm the inside of the printer and clean if necessa ry. See Cleaning the inside of the printer and restart. 
 
 
Do not tilt the Wiper Cleaner Cassette; ink may get on your hands or clothing. 
(4)  Check the Wiper Cleaner, and if it is  heavily soiled, replace it using the Cap Cleaning Kit (see “6-1-2. Replacing the Wiper 
Cleaner and Cleaning the Caps / Wipers”). If the Wiper Clea ner is not heavily soiled, go on to the next step.   
 
 
Step 3: Check the ink tubes and execute Powerful Cleaning. 
Open the Front Cover with both hands until it is locked with t he stopper and check the ink tube inside if there is any empty  air 
space longer than 5 mm. If so, push the Stop Lever to releas e the lock when you close the Front Cover with both hands and 
turn ON the printer, execute Powerful Cleaning to fill the tube with ink. Confirm by turning OFF the printer and open the Front  
Cover. If not enough or the empty air is large, execute Init ial Cleaning in [ Maintenance ] menu. to replace the old ink.   
 
 
 
As for White Ink, you do not have to load Maintenance Solution, go on the Initial Cleaning with White Ink Cartridge with 
Maintenance Cartridge is indicated on the Display, and press  the Stop Button to discontinue the operation after 10 seconds.   
 
  
If the problem is not solved, proceed to the next step. 
  
						

							 
 
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Step 4: Confirm the conditions of mis-firing.   
(1)  Print the Nozzle Check Pattern, and check which Print Head has the problem (see 7-2-3. Checking Print Quality with 
Nozzle Check Pattern ). 
(2)  If the missing positions (nozzles) are  fixed, then go to Step 5. If the missing posit ion shift every time you print Nozzle 
Check Pattern, then maybe some tiny air bubbles are in t he Print Head Nozzles. Execute Powerful Cleaning and confirm 
with Nozzle Check Pattern. (See “7-2-2. Cleaning the Print Heads”).   
 
If you have time, leave the printer unused for 15- 20 minutes then the tiny air may be settled.     
 
If you find mis-firing when you print rather large image though  Nozzle Check Pattern is OK after Normal Cleaning, go to 
Step 6. 
 
   
Step 5: Clean the Print Head Nozzles. 
(1)  Clean the Print Head Nozzle using the Nozzle Cleaning Kit (see “7-2-6. Cleaning the Print Head Nozzles”).     Use new Clean Applicators to clean the Nozzles.   
(2)  Execute Powerful Cleaning to remove air bubbles inside t he Nozzles. Print Nozzle Check Pattern to confirm the print 
quality. If the problem is not solved after Head Cleaning and print test, go to Step 6. 
   Make sure to execute Powerful (or Initial) Cleaning after Nozzle Cleaning.   
If the problem is not solved, go to the next step. 
 
 
Step 6: Contact Brother Customer Service or your dealer.   
Please tell your service how the issue has  started, the present conditions, the troubleshooting that you have done, etc. If you 
are asked to replace the Print Head by yourself, see “7-2-7. Replacing  the Print Head” for the procedure.   
  
						

							 
 
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7-2-2. Cleaning the Print Heads 
Your printer automatically cleans its Print Heads every 24 prints (you can change the frequency; see “7-2-5. Changing the 
Auto Cleaning Setting”), or when your printer has not been used  for more than two hours. The auto-cleaning starts when you 
press the Print Button in these situations. However, t he auto-cleaning may not be enough and cannot solve print quality 
problems (e.g. stripes/ banding appears on the printed image). Please do the manual head cleaning. 
 
Using the Head Cleaning Button 
(1)  Make sure your printer is either [ Standby ] or [ Ready ] mode. 
(2)  Press the Head Cleaning Button. 
(3)  Select either [ All Colors  ], [ All Whites ] or [ All Print Heads ] from  the menu by Up / Down Button and press the OK 
Button. The message [ Head Cleaning…] appears and your prin ter starts Normal Head Cleaning. Press the Stop 
Button to cancel.   
The message returns to either [ Stand By ] or  [ Ready ] when the Head Cleaning is finished.   
 
Normal / Powerful Cleaning 
(1)  Make sure your printer is either [ Standby ] or [ Ready ] mode. 
(2)  Select [ Head Cleaning ] from the menu and press the OK Button.   
(3)  Press the Up/Down Button to select “Head Cleaning”, and then  press the OK Button. Select either [ Normal Cleaning ] or 
[ Powerful Cleaning ] by Up/Down Button and press the OK Bu tton. Refer to the steps in 7-2-1. Procedure for Solving 
the Print Quality Problems. After a long storage, or when  you find ink tubes have empty air space inside, execute 
Initial Head Cleaning in [ Maintenance ] menu first to replace all the ink inside the tube. Select Initial Cleaning in 
Maintenance menu and execute Initial Head Cleaning.   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
04e0029Y 
(4)  Press the Up/Down Button to select which Print Head (color) to clean (can select “All Colors” for Normal mode), and then  press the OK Button. Select either [ All Co lors ] or [ All Whites ] if more than two Print Heads of either CMYK or Whites 
have mis-firing at the same time.   
The message “Head Cleaning…” appears and your printer starts cleaning the Print Heads. 
The message changes to Print Head Selection menu when the head cleaning has been completed. 
 
Confirm the space in Waste Ink Tank before you execut e Initial Cleaning. See “6-2-3. Waste Ink Disposal.” 
 
7-2-3. Checking Print Qua lity with Nozzle Check Pattern 
You can identify which Print Head has the problem by using the Nozzle Check Pattern. Print it when some white blank lines 
can be seen in the print data or white is not white enough.   
  
z  When Platen Lowering Set (option) is us ed, put them back to the original parts or lay something on the Platen.   
z   When you check the White print quality, use co lored paper, clear plastic plate, etc.   
(1)  Install the Platen 14 x 16 (see “4-4. Uninstalling / Installing the Platen”). 
(2)  Set the Platen height to the “A” position  (see “4-5. Placing the T-shirt on the Platen”). 
  
						

							 
 
GT-3 Series 
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(3)  Place a sheet of paper (A4 or letter size) at the right corner of the Platen as shown below. Use adhesive tape to make the 
paper flat. You can use a T-shirt instead of paper.   
 
 
Paper of A4/ Letter size  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0081Y 
 
(4)  Select [ Test Print ] with the Up/Down Bu tton from the menu and then press the OK Button. 
(5)  Press the Up/Down Button to select either “Nozzle Ch eck CMYK”, or Nozzle Check White and then press the OK 
Button. The following message appears. 
 
 
 
 
 
05e0030Y 
(6)  Press the OK Button to start printing the Nozzle Check Pattern. 
(7)  Check the printed pattern to ident ify which Print Head has the problem. 
  CMYK:  
If there is stripes (arrow 1) or line breaks (arrow 2), the Pr int Head of the color (in the following example: Magenta) has the  
problem. The Print Heads need to be cleaned (see “7-2-2. Cleaning the Print Heads”). 
 
2
1  
 
(Continued on the next page)  
						

							 
 
GT-3 Series 
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White:  
Like CMYK shown in the previous page, the Print Heads of W1 W2 (GT-381: one in W1, two in W2) have the problem. 
The Print Heads need to be cleaned (better to execute [ All Whites] , see “7-2-2. Cleaning the Print Heads”). 
     
 
 
 
GT-3 has multiple White Heads (4 on GT-381, 2 on GT-361) and mis-firing is not so severe compared with the one 
with CMYK Print Heads. See the left print result on paper and  some of the nozzles are not fired, but the actual print 
quality on the right print on pretreated T-shirt is enough.   
    
One or two Mis-firing with each Print Head (l eft) but the normal print (right) is OK.   
 
          Execute Head Cleaning if you have the print as shown in the below:   
          Left: Several continuous nozzles are missing like a band with GT-381. 
          Right: The same position in the multiple  Print Heads are missing (W1 and W3) with GT-381.