MODEL REFERENCE

Brother PT-7100

10 errors · 10 troubleshooting topics · 29 guides

Brother PT-7100

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

Errors and messages

Messages and indicator states from the manual
Batteryweak batteries
Replace weak batteries with new ones. The power instructions specify replacing all six AAA alkaline LR03 batteries together with brand new ones.
BATTERY!batteries about to run out
The installed batteries are about to run out. This row supplies no separate action; see the reviewed battery replacement instructions.
Invalidinvalid numbering or length selection
  1. The cursor has no text above it for Numbering, an invalid Numbering character was selected, or the Tab Length or Label Length number is invalid.
  2. The error row supplies no separate remedy.
  3. See the reviewed Numbering, Tab Length and Label Length instructions for supported selections.
No Textno text available
  1. A requested saved file has no data, Print was pressed with no entered text, or Copies, Numbering, Mirror or Text Preview was selected with no text.
  2. The row supplies no separate remedy; see the reviewed text-entry and file instructions.
Line Lmtline limit exceeded
  1. A third line was attempted with Enter, or two-line printing was attempted on 3.5 mm or 6 mm tape.
  2. The separate Making Two Line Text instructions require 9 mm or 12 mm tape and at most two lines.
No Cassetteno tape cassette installed
Printing was attempted without a cassette. See the reviewed Power Supply & Tape Cassettes instructions to install a Brother TZ cassette.
Cutter Errorcutter used while printing
The cutter lever was used during printing. The separate Printing instructions prohibit cutting while Print or Feed is displayed; no additional repair is supplied.
Fulltext character limit reached
The maximum 80 characters have already been entered. The error row supplies no separate remedy; the reviewed To Clear instructions describe deleting text.
Text Lmttext exceeds selected length
The text exceeds the selected label length or Auto Format length. The row supplies no separate remedy; see the reviewed length, format and text-clearing instructions.
No Frame OK?frame invalid for 3.5 mm tape
Press Enter to print without the frame, or Escape to cancel. Frames cannot be printed on 3.5 mm tape.

Troubleshooting

Find the problem you are experiencing
Display stays blank after power on3 checks
Battery insertion
Check that batteries are correctly inserted.
Weak batteries
Replace weak batteries.
Adapter connection
Check that the AD-24ES adapter is correctly connected.
Margins are too large1 check
Tape margin setting
In [Margin] (Tape Margin), select Half or Narrow for smaller margins.
Printing fails or characters are malformed3 checks
Cassette insertion
Check that the tape cassette is correctly inserted.
Empty cassette
Replace an empty cassette.
Compartment cover
Check that the tape compartment cover is properly closed.
Settings cleared themselves2 checks
Weak batteries
Replace weak batteries.
Power disconnected for more than two minutes
Displayed text and formats are lost; Language, Unit and Time/Date settings also clear. No recovery action is supplied for this condition.
Blank horizontal line through printed label1 check
Dust on the print head
Remove the cassette and gently wipe the print head up and down with a dry cotton swab.
Machine locks up1 check
No response while powered on
Turn off. Hold Function and R, then press Power to turn on. Finally release Function and R. Displayed text and formats, Language, Unit and Time/Date settings are erased.
Power turns off when printing2 checks
Weak batteries
Replace weak batteries.
Battery insertion
Check that batteries are correctly inserted.
Tape does not feed or gets stuck2 checks
Tape path
Check that the tape end feeds under the tape guides.
Cutter used while printing
Do not touch the cutter lever during printing.
Clear all text and format settings1 check
Start a new label
Press Clear and select Txt&Format.
Change the display language1 check
Language setting
Follow Initial Settings step 2: press Function, select Language with the cursor keys and press Enter; choose the language and press Enter.

Guides

Power supply & tape cassettes

Instructions from the manual
Install batteries and tape cassette9 steps
  1. Turn power off before replacing batteries or tape.
  2. Press the rough top area to open the tape compartment cover.
  3. Pull an installed cassette straight up and remove installed batteries.
  4. Insert six new AAA alkaline LR03 batteries with the illustrated polarity; replace all six together with brand new ones.
  5. Insert a Brother TZ tape cassette so it slots into place.
  6. Ensure the tape end feeds under the guides; if the ink ribbon is loose, wind the toothed wheel with a finger in the cassette arrow direction.
  7. Close the back cover securely until it slots into place.
  8. Feed once using Function, Feed, Enter, then push the cutter lever to cut.
  9. Do not touch the cutter blade or metal parts near the print head.
Complete power-off, battery and cassette installation diagrams with all four numbered steps.
Complete power-off, battery and cassette installation diagrams with all four numbered steps.

Diagram key

  • 1 — Open cover and opening arrow: Turn power off for battery or cassette replacement; press the rough top area to open the cover. Pull an installed cassette straight up and remove old batteries.
  • Tape compartment cover: Open at its rough top area and close securely after installation.
  • Print head: Do not touch with fingers; clean with a soft wipe or dry cotton swab.
  • Tape cutter lever: Do not apply excessive pressure or operate while printing.
  • 2 — Batteries, insertion arrow and all repeated plus/minus signs: Insert six new AAA alkaline LR03 cells with the illustrated polarity. Replace all six together with brand new ones.
  • 3 — Cassette and insertion arrow: Insert a Brother TZ cassette so it slots into place.
  • End of tape: The tape end must feed under its guides.
  • Toothed Wheel and ribbon-winding arrow: If the ink ribbon is loose, use a finger to wind the wheel in the arrow direction on the cassette.
  • Tape guide and tape-path arrow: Route the tape end under the tape guides.
  • Cutter's edge: Keep fingers off the cutter blade.
  • Tape exit slot: Tape exits here; never pull fed tape or put foreign objects into the slot.
  • 4 — Back cover and closing arrow: Close securely so it slots into place; feed once, then push the cutter lever to cut.
Connect the AC adapter6 steps
  1. Use the suggested AD-24ES adapter and specified voltage.
  2. Insert its cord plug into the adapter jack at the machine bottom, then plug into the nearest standard outlet.
  3. Insert fully and do not use a loose outlet.
  4. For memory backup, the manual recommends AAA alkaline LR03 batteries together with the adapter.
  5. Keep the machine, adapter and plug dry; do not use the adapter in high humidity, overload, damage, bend or pull the cord.
  6. Disconnect by holding the plug.

Initial settings

Instructions from the manual
Set language units date and time10 steps
  1. Supply power with six AAA alkaline batteries or the adapter and press Power.
  2. Press Function, use Left/Right to choose Language and press Enter; choose the language and press Enter.
  3. English is the default.
  4. Press Function, select Unit and press Enter; choose mm or inch and press Enter.
  5. The default is mm.
  6. Press Function, select TimeDate and press Enter, then Clock and Enter.
  7. Enter day, month, two-digit year, hour and minute in that order, confirming each with Enter; Right can also confirm and advance.
  8. The example is 21/10/09 at 10:30.
  9. Automatic power-off follows five minutes without key use.
  10. Escape cancels an operation.

Keyboard & lcd

Instructions from the manual
Read the keyboard and LCD2 steps
  1. The LCD displays one row of 12 characters while entered text may contain up to 80 characters.
  2. The checked reference diagram identifies Size, Width, Style, Cursor, Caps, Underline/Frame and Label Length indicators and every control.

Switching upper case/lower case

Instructions from the manual
Switch uppercase and lowercaseView
Press Caps to switch between uppercase with its indicator on and lowercase with the indicator off.

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 wide tape for two-line text.

Entering symbols

Instructions from the manual
Enter symbols3 steps
  1. Press Symbol, select the desired symbol with Left/Right and press Enter.
  2. Press Symbol again to move to the next group; Escape cancels.
  3. The complete printed table has 17 groups, including punctuation, mathematical, arrow, currency, electrical, warning, communications and equipment symbols.

Entering accented characters

Instructions from the manual
Enter accented characters4 steps
  1. Enter the base letter, press Accent, choose the desired variant using Accent or Left/Right, then press Enter.
  2. Escape cancels.
  3. The order varies with the selected LCD language.
  4. The printed table supplies uppercase and lowercase variants for A, C, D, E, G, I, K, L, N, O, R, S, T, U, Y and Z.

To clear

Instructions from the manual
Delete text and formatsView
Press Backspace to delete letters one at a time. Press Clear, choose Txt&Format and press Enter to clear text and settings; choose Text Only and press Enter to clear only text.

[size]

Instructions from the manual
Choose character size4 steps
  1. Press Function, select Size with Left/Right and press Enter.
  2. Choose Large, Medium or Small and press Enter.
  3. Text size automatically adjusts according to tape width.
  4. Function plus 1 is the shortcut; confirm with Enter.

[width]

Instructions from the manual
Choose character widthView
Press Function, select Width and press Enter. Choose Normal, ×2 or ×1/2 and press Enter. Function plus 2 is the shortcut; confirm with Enter.

[style] (vertical)

Instructions from the manual
Choose a text style3 steps
  1. Press Function, select Style and press Enter.
  2. Choose Normal, Bold, Outline, Shadow, Italic, I+Bold, I+Outl, I+Shadow or Vertical and press Enter.
  3. Function plus 3 is the shortcut; confirm with Enter.

[underline/frame]

Instructions from the manual
Underline or frame text4 steps
  1. Press Function, select Undl/Frm and press Enter.
  2. Choose Off, Undl, Round, Candy, Callout, Banner or Wooden and press Enter.
  3. Frames cannot print on 3.5 mm tape.
  4. Function plus 4 is the shortcut; confirm with Enter.

[tab]

Instructions from the manual
Insert a tabView
Position the cursor where the tab should go, such as between ABC and D. Press Function, select Tab and press Enter. Function plus 5 is the shortcut; confirm with Enter.

[tab length](auto / 0 - 100 mm)

Instructions from the manual
Set tab length4 steps
  1. Press Function, select Tab Length and press Enter.
  2. Select Auto or 0–100 mm using Left/Right, or enter a length with Number keys, and press Enter.
  3. Space returns to Auto.
  4. Function plus 6 is the shortcut; confirm with Enter.

[label length](auto / 30 - 300 mm)

Instructions from the manual
Set label length4 steps
  1. Press Function, select Length and press Enter.
  2. Choose Auto or 30–300 mm with Left/Right, or enter a length using Number keys, and press Enter.
  3. Space returns to Auto.
  4. Function plus 7 is the shortcut; confirm with Enter.

[auto format]

Instructions from the manual
Use preset label formats3 steps
  1. Press Function, select A/F and press Enter.
  2. Choose VCR VHS 140 mm, Mini DV 42 mm, Audio 89 mm, CD Spine 113 mm, File Tab 82 mm or Divider 42 mm and press Enter.
  3. Function plus 8 is the shortcut; confirm with Enter.

Text preview

Instructions from the manual
Preview label text4 steps
  1. Press Function, select Preview and press Enter.
  2. The LCD shows all text and label length in inch or mm, then returns to the original text.
  3. Preview shows only text, not font, style, size, underline, frame or additional features.
  4. Function plus 0 is the shortcut; confirm with Enter.

Feeding (tape feed)

Instructions from the manual
Feed tapeView
Press Function, select Feed and press Enter. Function plus Space is the shortcut; confirm with Enter. Never pull tape being fed.

Printing

Instructions from the manual
Print cut and apply a label5 steps
  1. Press Print.
  2. Push the tape cutter lever at the upper-right to cut; never cut while Print or Feed is displayed.
  3. Chain Print displays OK to Feed? after printing; follow the reviewed margin instructions before cutting.
  4. Peel the printed label from its backing and apply it.
  5. Before applying, check the material and environmental conditions: the label may peel, become irremovable, change colour or transfer colour.

[margin] (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 Prt and press Enter.
  3. Full leaves 25 mm, Half 12 mm and Narrow 4 mm on each side; cut at printed dots with scissors to centre the text.
  4. Chain Prt prints repeated labels with minimum margins, or combines different text styles: enter text in one style, press Print, cancel feeding, then enter text in another style.
  5. After printing, OK to Feed? appears; Enter feeds and Escape cancels.
  6. Feed tape before using the cutter or part of the text may be cut off.
  7. Never pull tape.
  8. Function plus 9 is the margin shortcut; confirm with Enter.

[copies]

Instructions from the manual
Print multiple copies3 steps
  1. Press Function, select Print Option and press Enter; select Copies and press Enter.
  2. Select 1–9 copies with Left/Right or Number keys and press Enter.
  3. Function plus Print opens Print Option; confirm with Enter.

[numbering]

Instructions from the manual
Print incrementing numbers5 steps
  1. Position the cursor on the number to increment.
  2. Press Function, select Print Option and press Enter, select Numbering and press Enter.
  3. Choose the highest number to print and press Enter.
  4. Each printed label increases the selected number by one; the example is 0123, 0124, 0125.
  5. Function plus Print opens Print Option; confirm with Enter.

[mirror]

Instructions from the manual
Print a mirror label4 steps
  1. Press Function, select Print Option and press Enter; select Mirror and press Enter.
  2. Confirm Mirror Prt? with Enter.
  3. Use clear tape so text reads correctly from the opposite side of glass, windows or other transparent surfaces.
  4. Function plus Print opens Print Option; confirm with Enter.

File (memory)

Instructions from the manual
Save print and open label files6 steps
  1. Enter the label text.
  2. Press Function, select File and press Enter.
  3. Choose Save, Print or Open and press Enter, select one of nine numbered files with Left/Right and press Enter.
  4. Saved labels can be recalled, edited and overwritten.
  5. If Overwrite? appears, Enter saves the new label and Escape cancels.
  6. Function plus File shortcut key (the dot key shown in the manual) opens File; confirm with Enter.

Time/date function

Instructions from the manual
Insert and format time and date5 steps
  1. Position the cursor at the insertion point and press Time/Date to insert it.
  2. To select its format, press Function, choose TimeDate and press Enter, choose Format and press Enter, then choose a format and press Enter.
  3. Formats are D/M/Y, D/M/Y hm, D.M.Y, D.M.Y hm, Y-M-D, Y-M-D hm, M/D/Y and M/D/Y hm.
  4. For 21 October 2009 at 15:30, examples are 21/10/09, 21/10/09 15:30, 21.10.09, 21.10.09 15:30, 09-10-21, 09-10-21 15:30, 10/21/09 and 10/21/09 15:30.
  5. Change the clock through Initial Settings step 4.

General precautions

Instructions from the manual
Clean handle and store the machine9 steps
  1. Clean the machine only with a soft dry cloth; do not use alcohol or organic solvents.
  2. Do not touch the print head with fingers; use a soft wipe such as a cotton swab.
  3. Do not put foreign objects in the tape exit or adapter connector.
  4. Avoid sunlight, rain, heaters, hot appliances, car dashboards or rear compartments, extreme temperature, humidity and dust; standard operating temperature is 10–35°C.
  5. Do not print with an empty cassette or pull fed tape.
  6. Do not drop or hit the machine or adapter or press the LCD.
  7. For prolonged storage remove batteries and disconnect the adapter; after more than two minutes without power displayed text, formats, Language, Unit and Time/Date clear.
  8. Memory data may also be lost through failure, repair or expired batteries.
  9. Do not use the machine for purposes absent from the guide.

Warning

Instructions from the manual
Stop after an abnormal condition4 steps
  1. Disconnect the adapter, remove batteries and immediately stop use after unusual odour, heat, discolouration, deformation or anything unusual during use or storage.
  2. Unplug and stop during an electrical storm.
  3. Do not disassemble or modify the machine, adapter or batteries.
  4. Do not use metallic tools to exchange batteries.

Accessories (supplies may differ by distribution.)

Instructions from the manual
Replace a worn cutter unit3 steps
  1. If a blunt blade or worn cutter stopper causes poor cutting after repeated use, replace it with TC-5 from an authorised Brother reseller.
  2. The guide supplies no removal or installation sequence.
  3. Do not touch the cutter blade or metal parts near the print head, and do not apply excessive pressure to the lever.

Controls and parts

See the manual diagrams 1 diagram
PT-7100 complete keyboard and LCD indicator reference.
PT-7100 complete keyboard and LCD indicator reference.

Diagram key

  • Size: Shows the chosen character size.
  • Width: Shows the character width setting.
  • Style: Shows the selected print style.
  • Cursor: Marks the current text position.
  • Caps: Shows uppercase mode; Caps switches uppercase and lowercase.
  • Underline/Frame: Shows the underline or frame setting.
  • Label Length: Shows the label length setting.
  • Time/Date key: Inserts the configured date and time at the cursor.
  • Power key: Turns the machine on; five idle minutes cause automatic power-off.
  • Print key: Prints the label; do not cut while Print or Feed is displayed.
  • Enter key: Confirms a choice or starts the second line; two lines require 9 mm or 12 mm tape.
  • Cursor key: Moves the cursor and selects settings with Left/Right.
  • Clear key: Choose Txt&Format to clear text and settings, or Text Only to clear only text.
  • Backspace key: Deletes letters one by one.
  • Number key: Enters digits; Number keys can also enter lengths and copy counts.
  • Function key: Opens the function choices; the source also shows numbered shortcuts.
  • Character key: Enters text characters.
  • Caps key: Switches uppercase and lowercase.
  • Symbol key: Selects symbols and advances to the next symbol group.
  • Accent key: Selects accented forms after a base letter.
  • Space key: Returns Tab Length or Label Length to Auto.

Model details

Model and compatibility

Tape
Brother TZ tapes in 3.5, 6, 9 and 12 mm widths; two-line text requires 9 or 12 mm.
Power
Six AAA alkaline LR03 batteries or AD-24ES adapter.
Display and text
One row of 12 displayed characters; up to 80 entered characters.
Dimensions and weight
107.4×202.6×56.6 mm (W×D×H); 365 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
  4. Official machine declaration of conformity
  5. Official AD-24ES adapter declaration of conformity
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