NO RIBBON FOUND Error
Ribbon compatibility guide for SMART-21, SMART-31, SMART-51, SMART-70, and SMART-81 printers.
What This Error Usually Means
A NO RIBBON FOUND error usually means the printer cannot detect the installed ribbon correctly. In many cases, this is caused by an incorrect ribbon being installed for the printer model.
SMART-21 Specific Note
On the SMART-21, the printer may blink red. To confirm the issue, open the printer driver, go to the Service tab, select Printer Info, and expand the + option. If the printer reports NO RIBBON FOUND, verify that the correct SMART-21 ribbon is installed.
Quick Model Reference
| Printer Model | Compatible Ribbon Family | Important Note |
|---|---|---|
| SMART-21 | SMART-21 ribbon family only | Uses smaller SMART-21 ribbons; not interchangeable with SMART-31/51 ribbons. |
| SMART-31 | SMART-31 / SMART-51 ribbon family | Shares the main direct-to-card ribbon family with SMART-51. |
| SMART-51 | SMART-31 / SMART-51 ribbon family | SMART-51L also uses laminate film when lamination is installed. |
| SMART-70 | SMART-70 ribbon family only | Uses SMART-70 high-capacity ribbons; not interchangeable with SMART-31/51. |
| SMART-81 | SMART-81 retransfer ribbon / film family | Retransfer printers require the correct ribbon and retransfer film combination. |
Basic Troubleshooting Steps
- Confirm the exact printer model.
- Confirm the ribbon part number and ribbon type.
- Make sure the ribbon is installed in the correct cartridge or tray.
- Power cycle the printer after reseating the ribbon.
- If the error remains, test with a known-good compatible ribbon.
SMART-21 Compatible Ribbons
| Part Number | Ribbon Type | Yield | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 653313RK | YMCKO Consumable Kit | 100 prints | Includes 1 YMCKO ribbon and 100 CR80 PVC cards. Sold as kit. |
| 653314 | K Resin Black | 1200 prints | Includes cleaning roller. |
| 653315 | W Resin White | 1200 prints | Includes cleaning roller. |
| 653316 | MG Resin Metallic Gold | 1200 prints | Includes cleaning roller. |
| 653317 | MS Resin Metallic Silver | 1200 prints | Includes cleaning roller. |
SMART-31 and SMART-51 Compatible Ribbons
SMART-31 and SMART-51 use the same primary direct-to-card ribbon family. These ribbons should not be used in SMART-21, SMART-70, or SMART-81 printers.
| Part Number | Ribbon Type | Yield | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 659366 | YMCKO Full-Color | 250 cards/roll | Full-color, resin black, overlay panel with cleaning roller. |
| 900900 | YMCKO Ribbon Kit in Cassette | 250 images/roll | Assembled in cassette with cleaning roller. MOQ 10 pcs. |
| 659863 | YMCKO Full-Color | 100 cards/roll | Full-color, resin black, overlay panel with cleaning roller. |
| 900903 | YMCKO Ribbon Kit in Cassette | 100 images/roll | Assembled in cassette with cleaning roller. MOQ 10 pcs. |
| 659376 | YMCKOK Full-Color | 200 cards/roll | Full-color, two resin black panels, overlay panel with cleaning roller. |
| 900902 | YMCKOK Ribbon Kit in Cassette | 200 images/roll | Assembled in cassette with cleaning roller. MOQ 10 pcs. |
| 659378 | YMCKO Half-Color | 350 cards/roll | Half-color, resin black, overlay panel with cleaning roller. |
| 659380 | YMCFKO UV | 200 cards/roll | Full-color with UV panel and cleaning roller. |
| 653307 | YMCPKO Pearlescent | 200 cards/roll | Full-color with pearlescent panel and cleaning roller. |
| 659367 | K Resin Black | 1200 cards/roll | Black monochrome ribbon with cleaning roller. |
| 900901 | K Resin Black Kit in Cassette | 1200 images/roll | Assembled in cassette with cleaning roller. MOQ 10 pcs. |
| 659389 | BO Black / Overlay | See catalog | Dye-sub grayscale black and overlay ribbon with cleaning roller. MOQ 10 pcs. |
| 659385 | KO Black / Overlay | 600 cards/roll | Dye-sub black and overlay ribbon with cleaning roller. |
| 659370 | W Resin White | 1200 cards/roll | Monochrome ribbon with cleaning roller. |
| 659371 | R Resin Red | 1200 cards/roll | Monochrome ribbon with cleaning roller. |
| 659372 | B Resin Blue | 1200 cards/roll | Monochrome ribbon with cleaning roller. |
| 659373 | MS Resin Metallic Silver | 1200 cards/roll | Monochrome ribbon with cleaning roller. |
| 659374 | MG Resin Metallic Gold | 1200 cards/roll | Monochrome ribbon with cleaning roller. |
| 659375 | SO Scratch-Off | 1200 cards/roll | Scratch-off mono ribbon with cleaning roller. |
SMART-70 Compatible Ribbons
| Part Number | Ribbon Type | Yield | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 659111 | YMCKO Full-Color | 500 cards/roll | Full-color, resin black, overlay panel with cleaning roller. |
| 659243 | YMC Full-Color | 1000 cards/roll | Must laminate or use with 659111. |
| 659113 | YMCKOK Full-Color | 500 cards/roll | Full-color, two resin black panels, overlay panel with cleaning roller. |
| 659112 | YMCKO Half-Color | 1000 cards/roll | Special order. |
| 659114 | YMCFKO UV | 500 cards/roll | Full-color and UV panel ribbon with cleaning roller. |
| 659115 | K Resin Black | 3000 cards/roll | Black monochrome ribbon with cleaning roller. |
| 659197 | MS Resin Metallic Silver | 3000 cards/roll | Monochrome ribbon with cleaning roller. |
| 659198 | MG Resin Metallic Gold | 3000 cards/roll | Monochrome ribbon with cleaning roller. |
| 659193 | W Resin White | 3000 cards/roll | Monochrome ribbon with cleaning roller. |
| 659195 | B Resin Blue | 3000 cards/roll | Monochrome ribbon with cleaning roller. |
| 659194 | R Resin Red | 3000 cards/roll | Monochrome ribbon with cleaning roller. |
| 659196 | SO Scratch-Off | 3000 cards/roll | Scratch-off mono ribbon with cleaning roller. |
| 659119 | KO Black / Overlay | 1500 cards/roll | Black and overlay ribbon with cleaning roller. |
SMART-81 Compatible Ribbons and Film
SMART-81 is a retransfer printer. Confirm both the ribbon and retransfer film when troubleshooting ribbon detection or supply-related errors.
| Part Number | Supply Type | Yield | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 653547 | YMCK Color Ribbon and Retransfer Film Pack | 500 images | Includes color ribbon and retransfer film. |
| 653378 | YMCKK Color Ribbon | 500 images | Ribbon only. Film not included. |
| 653379 | YMCFK Color Ribbon with UV Panel | 500 images | Ribbon only. Film not included. |
| 653431 | Retransfer INTM Film | 500 images | Film only. Ink/ribbon not included. |
Common Compatibility Mistakes
- Installing a SMART-31/51 ribbon in a SMART-21.
- Installing a SMART-31/51 ribbon in a SMART-70.
- Installing SMART-70 ribbon in a SMART-31 or SMART-51.
- Using SMART-81 ribbon without the required retransfer film.
- Assuming similar ribbon names, such as YMCKO, mean the ribbons are physically compatible across all printer families.
Escalation Guidance
If the printer still reports NO RIBBON FOUND after confirming compatibility and reseating the ribbon, collect the following before escalation:
- Printer model and serial number
- Ribbon part number
- Ribbon type shown on the box or tag
- Photo of the ribbon tag or cartridge label
- Screenshot or photo of the driver status showing the error
- Confirmation that a known-good compatible ribbon was tested, if available
Comments
0 comments
Please sign in to leave a comment.