MODEL REFERENCE

Brother PT-H103W

12 errors · 10 troubleshooting topics · 27 guides

Brother PT-H103W

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

Errors and messages

Messages and indicator states from the manual
Low Battery!batteries are weak
2 checks
Weak AAA alkaline batteries
Replace with new batteries.
Weak Ni-MH batteries
Charge fully.
Battery Deadinstalled batteries are running low
The installed batteries are running low. This row supplies no separate remedy; see the reviewed battery replacement instructions.
Invalid!invalid label length number
An invalid number was entered for label length. This row supplies no separate remedy; see the reviewed label-length instructions.
No Text!no text or stored file data
3 checks
No data stored when printing a text file
No separate remedy is supplied in this row; see the reviewed saved-file instructions.
Print pressed with no text
No separate remedy is supplied in this row; see the reviewed text-entry instructions.
Text Preview or Cable Label selected with no text
No separate remedy is supplied in this row; see the reviewed text-entry and cable-label instructions.
Line Limit!too many lines or tape too narrow
2 checks
Third line entered with Enter
This row supplies no separate remedy. The reviewed two-line instructions warn against Enter after the second line.
Two lines printed or previewed on 3.5 mm or 6 mm tape
Install larger tape. The reviewed two-line instructions specify 9 mm or 12 mm tape.
No Cassette!no cassette installed
Printing was attempted without a cassette. This row supplies no separate remedy; see the reviewed cassette installation instructions.
Cutter Errorcutter used during printing
The tape cutter lever was used during printing. This row supplies no separate remedy; the reviewed printing instructions prohibit touching it during Printing or Feeding.
Text Full!maximum 80 characters entered
The maximum 80 characters have already been entered. This row supplies no separate remedy.
Text Limit!text exceeds label length
Reduce the text or select Auto as the label length because the text exceeds the selected length.
No Frame OK?frame enabled on 3.5 mm tape
A frame is enabled on 3.5 mm tape. Press Enter to print without a frame or Backspace to cancel.
OK to Feed?tape feed after Chain Print
This appears after printing with Chain Print. Follow the reviewed Setting Margin sequence, feeding the tape after the last label before cutting.
Wrong Tape!marked TZe cassette required
Use a cassette with the Brother TZe mark.

Troubleshooting

Find the problem you are experiencing
Display stays blank2 checks
Battery insertion
Check that batteries are correctly inserted.
Weak batteries
Replace weak batteries.
Margins are too large1 check
Margin setting
See Setting Margin and select Half or Narrow for smaller margins.
Printer does not print or characters are malformed3 checks
Cassette installation
Check that the cassette is inserted correctly.
Empty cassette
Replace an empty cassette.
Cassette cover
Check that the cover is properly closed.
Settings clear on their own2 checks
Weak batteries
Replace weak batteries.
Power disconnected more than three minutes
All text and formats in the display, language and unit settings are cleared. This condition supplies no separate remedy.
Blank horizontal line through a label1 check
Dust on print head
Remove the cassette and gently wipe the print head up and down with a dry cotton swab.
Printer does not respond to keys1 check
Locked up while on
Follow Resetting the P-touch; all text, settings and stored files are cleared.
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 end feeds under the guides.
Cutter used during printing
Do not touch the cutter lever during printing.
Clear text and formats for a new label1 check
Existing text and formats
Press Clear and select Text&Format.
LCD language is incorrect1 check
Language setting
Follow Initial Settings to select the language.

Guides

Power supply and tape cassette

Instructions from the manual
Install batteries and a tape cassette8 steps
  1. Turn the power off before replacing batteries or cassettes.
  2. Press the indicated area at the top end to open the cover.
  3. Pull an installed cassette straight up and remove existing batteries.
  4. Insert six new AAA LR03 alkaline batteries or six fully charged AAA HR03 Ni-MH batteries, matching every marked polarity.
  5. Always replace all six together with new alkaline or fully charged Ni-MH batteries.
  6. Insert a Brother TZe cassette until it locks, with the end under the guides.
  7. Close the cover securely until it locks.
  8. Consult the manufacturer for current recommended batteries.
PT-H103W cassette and battery setup, complete panel 1 with all callouts.
PT-H103W cassette and battery setup, complete panel 1 with all callouts.

Diagram key

  • 1: Open the Cassette Cover by pressing the indicated top area; pull an installed cassette straight up and remove existing batteries. Power must be off before replacement.
  • Cassette Cover: The labeled cover closes the cassette/battery compartment.
  • Tape Cutter Lever: Identifies the cutter lever; do not touch it while printing or feeding.
  • Cover-opening arrow: Shows the cover opening direction.
PT-H103W cassette and battery setup, complete panel 2 with all callouts.
PT-H103W cassette and battery setup, complete panel 2 with all callouts.

Diagram key

  • 2: Insert six new AAA LR03 alkaline or fully charged AAA HR03 Ni-MH batteries, matching all poles; replace all six together.
  • Repeated battery insertion arrows: Show the six batteries entering their compartments.
  • Repeated + and − signs: Match every marked polarity. Do not reverse battery ends.
  • Polarity enlargement and connecting pointer: Complete enlarged battery polarity detail.
  • Print Head and its enlarged pointer: Identifies the print head. Never touch it; do not touch nearby metal immediately after printing.
PT-H103W cassette and battery setup, complete panel 3 with all callouts.
PT-H103W cassette and battery setup, complete panel 3 with all callouts.

Diagram key

  • 3: Insert a Brother TZe cassette until it locks, with the end under the tape guides.
  • End of Tape: The end must feed beneath the tape guides.
  • Toothed Wheel: Identifies the cassette wheel; no separate adjustment instruction is supplied here.
  • Cutter Edge: Do not touch the cutter blade.
  • Tape Guide and enlarged pointer: Complete tape-path enlargement shows the end beneath the guides.
  • Tape Exit Slot: Do not insert foreign objects into this slot.
  • Cassette insertion arrow: Shows the cassette entering the compartment.
  • Tape-path arrow: Shows the end passing under the guide in the enlargement.
PT-H103W cassette and battery setup, complete panel 4 with all callouts.
PT-H103W cassette and battery setup, complete panel 4 with all callouts.

Diagram key

  • 4: Close the cover securely until it locks.
  • Cover-closing arrow: Shows the closing direction; securely close the cover until it locks.

Lcd display & keyboard

Instructions from the manual
Read LCD and keyboard controls5 steps
  1. The complete reviewed control figure identifies all 25 indicators and keys.
  2. The LCD displays one row of 12 characters while entered text can reach 80 characters.
  3. A specific label length displays the lock symbol.
  4. During setting selection, Space returns to the default item.
  5. Preview is generated and can differ from printing; the displayed length can differ slightly from the actual label.

Initial settings

Instructions from the manual
Set power, language and units5 steps
  1. Install six AAA batteries and press Power.
  2. Press Menu, select Language with Left/Right and Enter, select the language and press Enter.
  3. Press Menu, select Unit and Enter, then select inch or mm and Enter; inch is the default.
  4. The machine turns off after five minutes without key presses.
  5. Backspace cancels an operation.

Entering text

Instructions from the manual
Switch upper and lower caseView
Press Caps to switch upper case on or off.
Enter two lines of text3 steps
  1. Enter the first line and press Enter for the second, or move the cursor to the start of the second line and press Enter.
  2. Use 9 mm or 12 mm tape.
  3. Do not press Enter after the second line or Line Limit! appears.
Clear letters, text or formats3 steps
  1. Backspace deletes letters one at a time.
  2. To clear all text and settings, press Clear, select Text&Format with Left/Right and press Enter.
  3. To clear only text, select Text Only and press Enter.
Enter accented characters4 steps
  1. Type a letter from A to Z, press Accent, then select the accented character with Accent or Left/Right and press Enter.
  2. Backspace cancels.
  3. The accent order depends on the selected LCD language.
  4. The complete printed table lists accents for A, C, D, E, G, I, K, L, N, R, O, S, T, U, Y and Z in upper and lower case.
Set label length3 steps
  1. Press Menu, select Label Length and Enter, then choose Auto or the displayed 1.2–12.0 inch (30–300 mm) range and Enter.
  2. A specific length displays the lock symbol.
  3. After printing, cut at the printed dots with scissors to match the selected length.

Printing labels

Instructions from the manual
Preview a labelView
Press Preview before printing. Only text can be previewed, including none of the size, font or additional features.
Feed tapeView
Press Menu, select Feed with Left/Right and press Enter.
Print, cut and apply a label6 steps
  1. Press Print, choose 1–9 copies with Left/Right or a number key and press Enter.
  2. For one copy, press Enter without selecting a quantity.
  3. Never touch the cutter lever during Printing... or Feeding....
  4. Push the upper-right cutter lever to cut.
  5. Peel the backing and apply the label.
  6. Up to nine copies may be printed.
Set margins and Chain Print12 steps
  1. Press Menu, select Margin and Enter, then select Full, Half, Narrow or Chain Print and Enter.
  2. Full, Half and Narrow leave equal margins on both sides; the manual labels them approximately 25 mm, 12 mm and 4 mm.
  3. For Chain Print, enter text, press Print and select the copies with Left/Right or number keys.
  4. Press Enter to print and wait for OK to Feed?.
  5. Press Backspace to enter more text.
  6. Clear the text, enter the next label and press Print.
  7. After the last label, press Enter at OK to Feed?.
  8. Feed the tape before pressing the cutter lever to cut the chain.
  9. For Half or Narrow, displayed length runs from the printed dots to the end.
  10. Use Narrow for multiple copies with minimum margin.
  11. Cut at the dots with scissors to center the text.
  12. Never pull the tape; it may damage the cassette.

Saving label files

Instructions from the manual
Save a label file4 steps
  1. Store up to nine labels, each up to 80 characters, with 720 characters total.
  2. Press Menu, select File and Enter, select Save and Enter, choose a file number and Enter.
  3. Existing labels can be edited and overwritten.
  4. If Overwrite? appears, Enter saves the new label and Backspace cancels.
Print a saved label fileView
Press Menu, select File and Enter, select Print and Enter, choose the file and Enter, then choose 1–9 copies and press Enter.
Open a saved label fileView
Press Menu, select File and Enter, select Open and Enter, choose the file number and Enter.

Accessories

Instructions from the manual
Replace the cutter unit4 steps
  1. If repeated use dulls the blade and tape no longer cuts cleanly, obtain replacement TC-4 from an authorized Brother reseller.
  2. Pull out the two green cutter-unit sections in the illustrated arrow directions.
  3. Insert the new unit until it snaps into place.
  4. WARNING: Do not touch the cutter blade directly with your fingers.
Complete TC-4 cutter replacement enlargement and both removal arrows.
Complete TC-4 cutter replacement enlargement and both removal arrows.

Diagram key

  • Two green cutter-unit sections: Pull both sections out in the illustrated arrow directions, then install a new TC-4 until it snaps into place.
  • Two upward arrows: Show removal of both sections.
  • Enlarged detail and connecting pointer: Shows the cutter sections in their compartment. Do not touch the cutter blade directly with your fingers.

Resetting the p-touch

Instructions from the manual
Reset the printerView
Turn the labeler off. Hold Menu and R, then press Power to turn it on. Release Menu and R. The internal memory is reset; all text, settings and stored files are cleared.

Frame key

Instructions from the manual
Select a frameView
Press Frame, select a frame with Left/Right and press Enter. The printed Frame Key table supplies designs 2–25. Frames cannot be printed on 3.5 mm tape.

Cable label

Instructions from the manual
Create a cable label5 steps
  1. Enter the two lines of text, then press Menu, select Cable and Enter.
  2. Confirm Print OK? with Enter, choose 1–9 copies and Enter.
  3. The resulting two-line text wraps around the cable.
  4. Brother Flexible ID tape is recommended; refer to its insertion sheet for usage conditions.
  5. Cable Label automatically selects Auto length and Full margins.

Text keys

Instructions from the manual
Set text size, style and width4 steps
  1. Press Size, Style or Menu+1 to select size, style or width, then choose with Left/Right.
  2. Sizes are Large, Medium and Small.
  3. Styles are Normal, Bold, Outline, Shadow, Italic, I+Bold, I+Outline, I+Shadow and Vertical.
  4. Widths are Normal, ×2 and ×1/2.

Short cut keys

Instructions from the manual
Use menu shortcutsView
Press Menu with 1 for Width, 2 for Label Length, 3 for Margin, 4 for File, 5 for Cable, 6 for Feed, 7 for Unit, or 0 for Language.

Symbol key

Instructions from the manual
Enter basic or pictograph symbols5 steps
  1. Press Symbol, select Basic and Enter, select a symbol with Left/Right and Enter.
  2. For pictographs, select Pictograph and Enter, choose the category and Enter, then choose a symbol and Enter.
  3. Backspace returns to the previous step.
  4. Printed pictographs may appear differently on the display, as the shoe example shows.
  5. The complete Basic and Pictograph catalogs remain in the linked manual.
Print the pictograph listView
Press Symbol, select Print List and Enter, then confirm Print OK? with Enter. Backspace returns to the previous step.

General precautions

Instructions from the manual
Clean, handle and store safely11 steps
  1. Use only a soft dry cloth on the labeler, never alcohol or organic solvents.
  2. Clean the print head with a soft wipe and never touch it.
  3. Do not insert objects into the exit slot or battery compartment.
  4. Avoid direct sunlight, rain, heaters, extremes of temperature, high humidity and dust.
  5. Do not apply excessive cutter force, print with an empty cassette, or pull tape during printing or feeding.
  6. Remove the protective display sticker before use.
  7. Check the material and environment before applying labels; labels may unpeel or become irremovable, change color or transfer it.
  8. Use only marked Brother TZe tape and purposes described in this guide.
  9. The printer cannot charge batteries.
  10. Memory is lost after failure, repair or battery expiry; disconnection over three minutes clears text, formats and files.
  11. Actual printed length can differ from displayed length.

Safety precautions

Instructions from the manual
Follow battery, cutter and child safety precautions8 steps
  1. Keep the labeler, its parts and labels away from children when unused.
  2. Seek medical attention if any object is swallowed.
  3. Do not touch the cutter or metal near the print head immediately after printing.
  4. Rinse battery fluid from skin or clothes with clean water.
  5. Remove batteries before long non-use.
  6. Use only specified batteries; never mix ages, types, charge levels, manufacturers or models, and never reverse polarity.
  7. Do not drop or hit the labeler, press its LCD, or trap a finger when closing the cover.
  8. Read Ni-MH battery and charger instructions and charge with a specialized charger before use.
Stop use for battery leakage or abnormal heat5 steps
  1. Avoid humidity and wet hands or spills.
  2. If battery fluid reaches the eyes, immediately rinse with plenty of clean water and seek medical attention.
  3. Do not dismantle or modify the labeler or batteries, short battery terminals with metal, use sharp tools to replace cells, or expose batteries to fire or heat.
  4. Remove batteries immediately and stop use for unusual odor, heat, discoloration, deformation or other abnormalities.
  5. Do not use damaged, deformed, leaking batteries or batteries with damaged labels; fluid or heat may result.

Federal communications commission(fcc)

Instructions from the manual
Respond to radio or television interference3 steps
  1. Determine interference by switching the equipment off and on.
  2. Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna, increase separation from the receiver, connect to an outlet on a different circuit, or consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician.
  3. Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Brother can void operating authority.

Controls and parts

See the manual diagrams 1 diagram
PT-H103W display indicators and keyboard with all 25 explanations.
PT-H103W display indicators and keyboard with all 25 explanations.

Diagram key

  • 1: Size
  • 2: Cursor
  • 3: Caps
  • 4: Underline/Frame
  • 5: Width
  • 6: Style
  • 7: Label Length; the lock symbol also appears for a specific label length.
  • 8: Guidance: left and right
  • 9: Power key
  • 10: Cursor key: Right
  • 11: Cursor key: Left
  • 12: Backspace key
  • 13: Size key
  • 14: Style key
  • 15: Character keys
  • 16: Caps key
  • 17: Preview key
  • 18: Menu key
  • 19: Clear key
  • 20: Print key
  • 21: Enter key
  • 22: Symbol key
  • 23: Frame key
  • 24: Accent key
  • 25: Space key
  • Scissors pictogram: Printed on the illustrated casing; the guide gives no separate keyed instruction for this marking.

Model details

Model and compatibility

Power supply
Six AAA LR03 alkaline or six AAA HR03 Ni-MH batteries; no built-in charging.
Tape
Brother TZe in3.5,6,9 or12mm widths; two-line labels require9/12mm.
Label memory
Nine saved labels,80characters per file and720characters total.

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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