Philips PageWriter TC70

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What This Guide Helps With

This guide assists Clinical Engineering in troubleshooting situations where the PageWriter TC70 thermal printer fails to produce EKG printouts. Symptoms may include blank printouts, printer error messages, paper jams, or the printer not initializing. Most causes are external and simple to check, such as paper issues, printer cover misalignment, or power connections, before considering internal printer faults.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

Verify Printer Power and Status

Ensure the printer is powered on and the device itself has no general power faults.
Check for error lights on the printer. A powered printer with normal indicators rules out power issues.

Check Paper Supply

Open the printer compartment and confirm paper roll is installed correctly, oriented properly, and has sufficient length.
Misaligned or empty paper often triggers “No Paper” or blank printouts.

Inspect Paper Path and Cover

Ensure the printer cover is fully closed and latched.
Check for paper jams, misfeeds, or debris in the feed path. Remove any obstructions.

Confirm Printer Settings in Device Menu

Navigate to the PageWriter TC70 system menu and verify the printer is selected as the output device.
Run a Printer Self-Test if available. This helps isolate device vs. printer issues.

Swap Paper Roll with Known Good Roll

Use a verified functional thermal paper to rule out paper quality issues.

Check Cables and Connections

For external printer modules, ensure ribbon or connector cables are fully seated.
Re-seat connectors if needed. Loose connections can cause printer faults.

Restart Device

Power cycle the EKG machine after verifying paper and connections.
Sometimes a reboot clears temporary printer errors.

If the Problem Persists

External causes have been ruled out (power, paper, cover, connections, device settings).

The thermal printer mechanism or board is likely internal.
Remove the device from service.
Label Out of Service.
Send the printer or device for repair or bench evaluation.

Knowing when to stop is proper troubleshooting and ensures patient safety.

Clinical Use Tip

Do not attempt to print ECGs on an active patient until the printer is functional.
Move the patient to another PageWriter or monitor for uninterrupted recording.
Document any patient impact if the printer failure occurs during active monitoring.

Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)

CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution

Complaint

What was reported by the clinical staff.

Example:
“Printer is not producing ECG printouts; screen shows ‘Printer Error’.”

Cause

What was observed during troubleshooting.

Example:
“Paper was empty and cover not fully closed; printer self-test failed even after correcting paper.”

Resolution

What action was taken.

Example:
“Device removed from service, labeled Out of Service, and sent to Philips service for internal printer repair.”

Helpful Details to Include

Paper type and lot used
Printer error messages (exact wording)
Indicator lights (colors, flashing patterns)
Last successful printout timestamp
Any unusual sounds or smells from the printer
Final device status after troubleshooting

Final Thought

Patient safety and continuity of care are paramount. Start with simple, verifiable checks to prevent unnecessary disassembly. Escalate to repair when internal issues are suspected. Document all steps clearly for regulatory compliance and future reference.

That is successful troubleshooting.