MODEL REFERENCE

Brother GL-100

5 errors · 7 troubleshooting topics · 27 guides

Brother GL-100

The checks and guides below come from the official manuals for this model.

Errors and messages

Messages and indicator states from the manual
ERRORan error occurred
  1. The error table supplies no general repair.
  2. The separate numbering instructions explain that ERROR appears when the last number is not larger than the selected number.
  3. Follow those instructions for that condition only.
BATTERYbatteries are weak
  1. The table identifies weak batteries.
  2. The separate troubleshooting rows direct replacing weak batteries; the power instructions require six brand new AAA alkaline LR03 cells together.
B A T T E R Ybatteries are empty
This spaced BATTERY display means the batteries are empty. The table supplies no separate remedy; see the reviewed battery installation instructions.
FULLtext or memory is full
  1. The maximum 55 characters have been entered or the memory is full.
  2. The separate memory instructions direct deleting one or more stored files before storing a new one when memory is full.
  3. The Clear function removes all text and settings; use it only when that loss is intended.
LONG TXTtext exceeds the selected label length
The text length exceeds the selected label length. The table supplies no separate remedy. See the reviewed label-length and Auto Format instructions for their supported settings.

Troubleshooting

Find the problem you are experiencing
Display stays blank after power on3 checks
Battery insertion
Check that the batteries are correctly inserted.
Weak batteries
Replace weak batteries.
Adapter connection
Check that the adapter is correctly connected.
No printing or blurred characters3 checks
Cassette insertion
Check that the tape cassette is correctly inserted.
Empty cassette
Replace an empty cassette.
Character size
Check that the character size is appropriate for the tape width.
Characters are not formed properly1 check
Weak batteries
Replace weak batteries.
Striped tape appears1 check
Empty cassette
Replace the empty tape cassette.
Memory clears on its own1 check
Weak batteries
The batteries may be weak; replace them.
Blank horizontal line through printed label2 checks
Dust on the print head
Remove the tape cassette and gently wipe the print head up and down with a dry cotton swab.
Optional cleaning cassette
The print head can be cleaned more easily with the optional TZ/TZe-CL3 print head cleaning cassette.
Machine locks up1 check
No response while powered on
  1. Turn the machine off.
  2. Hold Function and Backspace, press Power to turn it back on, then release Function and Backspace.
  3. This erases displayed text and formats, all stored text files, and language and unit settings.

Guides

Power supply & tape cassettes

Instructions from the manual
Install batteries and tape cassette9 steps
  1. Press the rough top area to remove the back cover.
  2. Pull an installed cassette straight up and remove installed batteries.
  3. Insert six new AAA alkaline LR03 batteries with the illustrated polarity; replace all six together with brand new ones.
  4. Insert a Brother TZ/TZe tape cassette until it snaps into place.
  5. Make sure the tape end feeds under the guides and remove the paper tab on a new cassette.
  6. If the ink ribbon is loose, wind the toothed wheel with a finger in the cassette arrow direction.
  7. Insert the two bottom cover hooks into the machine slots and push the cover down firmly until it snaps into place.
  8. Feed once using the Feed function, then push the tape cutter lever to cut.
  9. Do not touch the print head mechanism or cutter edge.
Complete opening, battery, cassette and cover-closing figures; UK GL-100.
Complete opening, battery, cassette and cover-closing figures; UK GL-100.

Diagram key

  • 1 and opening arrow: Press the rough top area and remove the back cover; remove an installed cassette straight up and remove installed batteries.
  • Print head: Do not touch the mechanism; use a soft wipe such as a cotton swab if it is touched.
  • Tape cutter lever: Push to cut only after tape feeding or printing finishes.
  • 2-1, battery insertion arrow and every plus/minus mark: Insert six new AAA alkaline LR03 batteries in the illustrated polarity; replace all six together.
  • 2-2 and cassette insertion arrow: Fit a Brother TZ/TZe cassette so it snaps in place; route tape under its guides and remove the paper tab of a new cassette.
  • Cutter unit: The UK guide specifies replacement TC-5 if blunt; no dismantling sequence is given.
  • Tape exit slot: Fed tape exits here; do not pull the tape.
  • 3 and cover-closing arrow: Fit the two bottom hooks into the slots and push the cover down firmly until it snaps into place; feed once, then cut.
  • Cassette inset and ribbon-winding arrow: Route the tape under the guides, remove a new-cassette paper tab, and wind a loose ribbon with a finger in the arrow direction.
  • AC adapter steps 1 and 2 and connection drawing: Use UK AD-24ES: connect the adapter-cord plug to the bottom jack, then insert the plug into the nearest standard electrical outlet.

Ac adapter (ad-24es)

Instructions from the manual
Connect the UK AC adapter3 steps
  1. Use only the adapter designed for this machine; the UK guide specifies AD-24ES.
  2. Insert the adapter-cord plug into the jack at the machine bottom, then plug it into the nearest standard electrical outlet.
  3. Other adapters may void the warranty; contact a Brother dealer for details.

Cutter unit (replacement)

Instructions from the manual
Replace a blunt cutter unit3 steps
  1. If repeated use makes the blade blunt and tape no longer cuts cleanly, obtain a new TC-5 cutter unit from an authorized Brother dealer.
  2. The guide supplies no removal or fitting sequence.
  3. Do not touch the cutter edge.

Getting started

Instructions from the manual
Start and configure language and units6 steps
  1. Supply six AAA alkaline batteries or the adapter, then press Power.
  2. Use the cursor key to choose English, French or German and press Enter; check the display and press Enter again, or Backspace to cancel.
  3. Choose mm or inch with the cursor key and press Enter; check the display and press Enter again, or Backspace to cancel.
  4. Number keys 1–3 can also display the language and unit choices.
  5. Backspace cancels operations and deletes entries backward.
  6. To initialize settings, turn off, hold Function and Backspace, press Power, then release Function and Backspace.

Keyboard & lcd

Instructions from the manual
Read the keyboard and LCD4 steps
  1. The LCD shows one row of eight characters; entered text may contain up to 55 characters.
  2. The source diagram labels every control and the Function, Style, Upper case/Lower case, Cursor, Size and Underline/Frame indicators.
  3. Press Power to switch on or off.
  4. The machine turns off automatically after five minutes without a key press.

Switching upper case/lower case

Instructions from the manual
Switch uppercase and lowercaseView
Press Caps to switch uppercase and lowercase.

Making two line text

Instructions from the manual
Make two-line textView
Move the cursor to where the second line starts and press Enter. Use 9 mm or 12 mm tape for two-line text.

Entering symbols

Instructions from the manual
Enter symbols4 steps
  1. Press Symbol, choose a group using its character key, choose the symbol with the cursor key and press Enter.
  2. Symbol or the cursor key can display symbols.
  3. Press Symbol for the next group; the corresponding character key skips to another group or repeatedly scrolls its symbols.
  4. The complete printed table has groups A–I.

Entering accented characters

Instructions from the manual
Enter accented characters4 steps
  1. Press Accent, choose the letter group using its character key, choose a character with the cursor key and press Enter.
  2. Accent or the cursor key can display characters.
  3. Accent advances to the next letter group; a corresponding character key skips to that group or repeatedly scrolls its characters.
  4. The table supplies uppercase and lowercase A, C, D, E, I, L, N, O, R, S, T, U, Y and Z forms.

Setting font

Instructions from the manual
Choose a fontView
Press Function, select FONT using Function or the cursor key, and press Enter. Select HELSINKI or OKLAHOMA and press Enter. Function plus 1 is the shortcut.

Setting size

Instructions from the manual
Choose character size5 steps
  1. Press Function, select SIZE and press Enter.
  2. Select AUTO or SIZE1–SIZE5 and press Enter.
  3. AUTO adjusts size to tape width.
  4. Two-line text always prints in SIZE1; 6 mm tape supports only AUTO, SIZE1 and SIZE2.
  5. Function plus 2 is the shortcut.

Setting style

Instructions from the manual
Choose style or mirror text5 steps
  1. Press Function, select STYLE and press Enter.
  2. Choose NORMAL, BOLD, OUTLINE, SHADOW, ITALIC, I+BOLD, I+OUTL, I+SHADOW, VERTICAL or MIRROR and press Enter.
  3. Two-line text always prints in NORMAL.
  4. Use clear tape for MIRROR labels viewed through glass or another transparent surface.
  5. Function plus 3 is the shortcut.

Setting underline/frame

Instructions from the manual
Set underline or frame4 steps
  1. Press Function, select UNDL/FRM and press Enter.
  2. Choose OFF, UNDL, ROUND, BANNER, WOODEN or VINE and press Enter.
  3. VERTICAL text has no underline or frame.
  4. Function plus 4 is the shortcut.

Setting tab

Instructions from the manual
Insert a tabView
Position the cursor where the tab is needed. Press Function, select TAB using Function or the cursor key, and press Enter. Function plus 5 is the shortcut.

Setting tab length (0 - 100mm)

Instructions from the manual
Set tab length3 steps
  1. Press Function, select TAB LEN and press Enter.
  2. Choose a length from 0 to 100 mm with the cursor key, or enter it with number keys, then press Enter.
  3. Function plus 6 is the shortcut.

Setting label length (auto/40 - 300mm)

Instructions from the manual
Set label length4 steps
  1. Press Function, select LENGTH and press Enter.
  2. Choose AUTO or 40–300 mm with the cursor key, or enter the length with number keys, and press Enter.
  3. Any alphabet key or Space returns the selection to AUTO.
  4. Function plus 7 is the shortcut.

Using auto format

Instructions from the manual
Use Auto Format3 steps
  1. Press Function, select A/F and press Enter.
  2. Choose VCR VHS (140 mm), FD 3.5 inch (68 mm), CD CASE (100 mm), FILE TAB (70 mm), AUDIO (89 mm) or VIDEO 8 (92 mm), then press Enter.
  3. Function plus 8 is the shortcut.

To clear

Instructions from the manual
Clear text and settingsView
Press Function, select CLEAR using Function or the cursor key, then press Enter. All text and settings are cleared. Function plus 0 is the shortcut.

Text preview

Instructions from the manual
Preview text4 steps
  1. Press Function, select PREVIEW and press Enter.
  2. The LCD scrolls all text and the label length in mm or inch, then returns to the original text.
  3. Preview shows text only; it does not show font, style, size, underline, frame or additional features.
  4. Function plus Print is the shortcut.

Feeding (tape feed)

Instructions from the manual
Feed tapeView
Press Function, select FEED using Function or the cursor key, then press Enter. Function plus Space is the shortcut.

Printing

Instructions from the manual
Print and cut a labelView
Press Print to print the entered label. Push the tape cutter lever at the upper-right corner to cut. Never cut while PRINT or FEED is displayed.

Tape margin

Instructions from the manual
Set margins and chain printing8 steps
  1. Press Function, select MARGIN and press Enter.
  2. Choose FULL, HALF, NARROW or CHAIN and press Enter.
  3. Function plus period is the shortcut.
  4. FULL, HALF and NARROW leave equal margins of 25, 12 and 4 mm on each side respectively.
  5. Cut along printed dots with scissors to center the text.
  6. CHAIN prints multiple copies with minimum margins, or lets you print text in one style, enter the next text in a different style before feeding, and print it.
  7. Always feed before cutting CHAIN labels or part of the text may be cut off.
  8. Never pull the tape; it may damage the cassette.

Print option/repeat printing

Instructions from the manual
Print repeated copies6 steps
  1. Press Function, select PRINT OP and press Enter.
  2. Select REPEAT, press Enter, choose the copy count and press Enter.
  3. Print up to nine copies.
  4. Function plus comma opens PRINT OP.
  5. For CHAIN margins, feed before cutting to avoid cutting off text; never pull the tape.
  6. For FULL, HALF or NARROW, separate labels with scissors at the printed dots.

Print option/numbering

Instructions from the manual
Print incrementing numbers8 steps
  1. Position the cursor at the number to increase.
  2. Press Function, select PRINT OP and press Enter.
  3. Select NUMBER and press Enter; select the final number and press Enter.
  4. Each printed label increases the selected number by one.
  5. The final number must be larger than the selected number or ERROR appears.
  6. Function plus comma opens PRINT OP.
  7. For CHAIN margins feed before cutting to avoid losing text, and never pull the tape.
  8. For FULL, HALF or NARROW, separate labels at the printed dots with scissors.

Memory (f+9)

Instructions from the manual
Store recall and delete files7 steps
  1. Press Function, select MEMORY using Function or the cursor key, and press Enter.
  2. Choose STORE, RECALL or DELETE with Function or the cursor key and press Enter.
  3. Select a file number with the cursor key and press Enter.
  4. Number keys 1–9 also choose files.
  5. Up to nine frequently used text files can be stored.
  6. If memory is full, delete one or more files before storing a new one.
  7. Function plus 9 is the shortcut.

Function shortcuts (f+...)

Instructions from the manual
Use function shortcuts5 steps
  1. Hold Function and press the shortcut key, then confirm with Enter or the shortcut key again.
  2. Shortcuts are 1 FONT, 2 SIZE, 3 STYLE, 4 UNDL/FRM, 5 TAB, 6 TAB LEN, 7 LENGTH, 8 A/F, 9 MEMORY, 0 CLEAR, period MARGIN, comma PRINT OP, Print PREVIEW and Space FEED.
  3. PRINT OP contains REPEAT PRINTING and NUMBERING.
  4. PREVIEW and FEED require Enter after the LCD message appears.
  5. The chart is also on the machine back.

General precautions

Instructions from the manual
Clean handle and store the machine9 steps
  1. Clean only with a soft dry cloth; do not use alcohol or other organic solvents.
  2. Do not touch the print head mechanism.
  3. If touched, clean immediately with a soft wipe such as a cotton swab to avoid permanent damage.
  4. Do not touch the cutter edge, pull fed tape or cut while printing or feeding.
  5. Keep foreign objects and heavy objects away.
  6. Avoid extreme heat, humidity, dusty places, direct sunlight and rain, including car dashboards and rear compartments.
  7. Do not leave rubber or vinyl on the machine for long periods because it may stain.
  8. For extended disuse remove batteries and disconnect the adapter.
  9. More than three minutes without power loses displayed text, saved files, language and unit settings.

Controls and parts

See the manual diagrams 1 diagram
GL-100 complete keyboard and LCD reference; UK LW8990001 guide.
GL-100 complete keyboard and LCD reference; UK LW8990001 guide.

Diagram key

  • LCD indicators: One row displays eight characters; input may hold up to 55.
  • Size: Shows the selected character size.
  • Upper case/Lower case: Shows the letter-case mode; Caps switches it.
  • Cursor: Marks the text position.
  • Function: Shows function selection.
  • Style: Shows the selected print style.
  • Underline/Frame: Shows the underline or frame setting.
  • Power key: Switches the machine on or off.
  • Cursor key: Selects settings or moves the cursor.
  • Num keys/Function shortcuts: Enter digits; Function combinations open the listed shortcuts.
  • Character keys: Enter text; also choose symbol and accent groups.
  • Accent key: Opens accented character selection.
  • Symbol key: Opens symbols or advances to the next group.
  • Print key: Prints the entered text.
  • Function key: Opens function settings and shortcuts.
  • Enter key: Confirms choices or starts the second line; use 9 mm or 12 mm tape for two lines.
  • Backspace key: Deletes backward or cancels; with Function and Power initializes the machine, losing text, files and settings.
  • Caps key: Switches uppercase and lowercase.
  • Space key: Enters a space; with Function selects Feed.
  • Scissors mark: Identifies the tape cutter lever; do not cut during printing or feeding.

Model details

Model and compatibility

Tape
Brother TZ/TZe tape in 6, 9 and 12 mm widths; two-line text requires 9 or 12 mm tape.
Power
Six AAA alkaline LR03 batteries or UK AD-24ES adapter.
Display and text
One row of eight displayed characters; up to 55 entered characters.
Dimensions and weight
108×196×55 mm (W×D×H); 335 g without batteries or cassette.

Related reviewed instructions

Manuals and sources

  1. Brother operation manual
  2. Brother model support and details
  3. Brother manual download listing
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