I have an old Zebra 140Xill, will this do direct thermal transfer, do not have the manual

The "ribon in" warning is because you set the printer to print DIRECT THERMAL insted THERMAL TRANSFER. The first mode is for printing directly on the thermal labels, not for using a ribon. The ribon sensor detects that a ribon is pressent and you get this message. You need to change the printing mode to Thermal Transfer from the printer Setup Menu, or from the Print Driver instaled on PC.

From the owner's manual:

Alternately Flashing Green and Red: Needs Service 8

8. FLASH memory is not programmed.
• Return the printer to an authorized reseller

You can find the complete owner's manual on Zebra's web site.

Yes you can use this printer in thermal transfer mode (uses a ribbon) or direct thermal mode (uses special paper). Look in the manual to see how to configure. The manual is also on the Zebra web site.

I'm including this link to the users manual:

http://www.zebra.com/id/zebra/na/en/index/resource_library/manuals.results.html

But here is the basic troubleshooting info for that issue

No print on the label.The media may not be direct thermal media when printing without ribbon (i.e. thermal
transfer). See the test procedure

Determining Thermal Media Types on page 29.
• For thermal transfer printers, the media may not be outside wound or approved for use in
the G-Series printer. See the following ribbon test procedures: Ribbon Test with Adhesive
on page 32

and Ribbon Scratch Test on page 33.
• Is the media loaded correctly? Follow the instructions for

Loading Roll Media on page 11
in the Getting Started section. For printing using transfer ribbon, see

Loading Transfer Ribbon
on page 14.

Were the new labels thermal paper? Thermal printers need specially made paper to work right.

go to control panel, double click on printer & faxes, right click on the Zebra 140Xill then click on properties there should be a button to click for test page.

1st change the print method to direct thermal on the LCD panel,  then check the driver on your computer, make sure you are printing with direct thermal 

u can check the driver at printer & faxes , right click the printer and select printing preference . 

ribbon in means, you choose direct thermal print method which is printing without a ribbon and yet you print with thermal transfer print method.

just check on lcd panel , change the print method to thermal transfer. and make sure the setting on your driver is thermal transfer too, or else it will keep reverting back to direct thermal

did it stay on direct thermal if you not doing any print job ?
then i assume you the problem is when you printing .In ZEBRA DESIGNER, there's a printing preference that can be set up... i think u selected direct thermal when you print with zebra designer, that's why whenever u start printing, it show RIBBON IN again.
the solution is, Just changed the printing method from zebra designer.

if you aren't using zebra designer, then the problem at your driver. Open Printer & Faxes, then right click your Printer and klik on Printing Preferenced. There u can set up the printing method to Thermal Transfer.

The thing is....... changing the Setting from LCD panel won't change the setting on the driver.

i hope this will help you

Hi there,

Please go to the inhouse program & click printer properties and
change the printer setup to direct thermal and that's it.

Joe