Problem:  A serial receipt printer outputs garbage or random characters onto the receipt paper when connected to a new computer

Solution:  The serial settings between the host (usually a computer) do no match the serial settings on the printer.  Most receipt printers from the factory will have the following serial settings:

• 9600 baud rate/bits per second
• 8 data bits
• 1 stop bit
• No parity
• Hardware or DTR/DSR flow control

Printer serial settings:  If you have switched an existing serial printer to a new computer system you can verify the printer’s serial setting via a self-test.  A self-test will print out the serial setting of the printer.  To perform a print self-test turn off the printer.  Hold down the Feed button and while holding the Feed button turn the printer ON.   A list of the printer’s current serial settings should print onto the receipt paper.  Power cycle the printer to place the printer back into a normal printing state.

Computer/host serial settings:

1. You can check serial settings on a Windows serial port by going to Control Panel. 
2. Double-click System and select the Hardware tab. 
3. Click Device Manager and scroll down to Ports. 
4. Click the” +” next to Ports to display all parallel and serial ports.  A list of all the computer’s serial ports will be displayed (Serial ports show up in Device Manager as COM ports). 
5. Double-click the COM port and select the Port Settings tab.  Check the computer’s serial settings against the printer’s self-test.
6.  If the settings do not match you can change the settings on the computer in the Ports tab to match the printer.
7.  Once the settings on the computer have been set to a match the printer click OK.
8.  Try printing a receipt through your software. 

If there is still garbage printing on the receipt please contact technical support for assistance.