How to Uninstall & Reinstall Entrust Sigma Card Printer Drivers to Resolve Error Code 110 and Ribbon Issues

When it comes to printing professional-quality ID cards, membership cards, or any specialized credential, Entrust Sigma Card Printers are often top of the list. They offer reliability, durability, and high-quality printing results. However, like all tech devices, these printers can encounter a few hiccups. One of the most common is the dreaded Error Code 110. This error typically indicates a ribbon-related problem—often meaning the ribbon is jammed, out of usable ribbon, or otherwise unrecognised by the printer. Another scenario might be that your printer’s ribbon isn’t registering correctly due to a driver conflict or an outdated firmware version. These issues frequently occur when the printer isn’t set up exactly as required or when a software update conflicts with an older driver or firmware.

This blog post will guide you through uninstalling and reinstalling your Entrust Sigma Card Printer drivers in order to fix issues like Error Code 110, jammed ribbons, or any related driver conflicts. 

We’ll cover the quick approach to driver reinstallation, highlight the importance of using the USB stick provided with your card printer, and explain why online drivers might not be compatible if you haven’t updated your firmware. 

Additionally, we’ll point you to some support videos and existing blogs for deeper troubleshooting and a complete installation process. By the end of this extensive guide, you’ll know how to remedy simple yet frustrating printer errors, keep your card printer running at its best, and understand the essential steps to aligning firmware and drivers for smooth operation.

Understanding Error Code 110 and Ribbon Jams 

Error Code 110 on the Entrust Sigma Card Printer commonly points to a ribbon issue. In most cases, this occurs when your ribbon spool is empty, or nearly empty, or if the printer detects a break in the ribbon that makes it unusable. In my case, the print ribbon finished before my card printing job finished so it caused the printer to jam and show the error code of 110. 

What should you do in this case? 

To complete the current card job, you would usually:

1. Open the printer and remove the ribbon cartridge.

2. Install a new ribbon and cleaning roller.

3. Replace the cartridge and close the printer.

This would usually get rid of the error and you can continue with the printing job.

However, if you’ve attempted to load a new ribbon but the printer driver or printer itself hasn’t recognised that change, you might see the same error. 

Another related issue is an actual physical jam inside the printer, where the ribbon becomes tangled or caught on one of the spindles.

Before diving into reinstalling drivers, check the physical state of your printer ribbon. Is it near the end of its roll? Has it snapped? Is there any visible twisting or tangling? 

A quick visual inspection can save you the time of a lengthy driver reinstallation if the fix is as simple as replacing or readjusting your ribbon spool. You may need to turn off your card printer and turn it back on again for it to recognise the new printer ribbon in the card printer.

However, if you’ve determined that the ribbon is fine but the printer still won’t recognise it, then the problem might lie with your device drivers or the communication between the firmware and driver versions.

Why Driver Reinstallation Can Solve Ribbon Issues

You might wonder: how can reinstalling printer drivers possibly fix an error like a jammed ribbon? It’s a fair question. 

Drivers act as the software-based intermediaries between your operating system (Windows, for instance) and your hardware (your Entrust Sigma Card Printer). If the driver becomes corrupted, outdated, or incompatible with the current firmware on your printer, the commands sent from your computer might not match what the printer sees.

In some cases, your printer might incorrectly interpret a normal ribbon spool as “unusable” if the driver can’t read or report the correct ribbon status. 

This leads to persistent “ribbon out” or “ribbon jam” errors, even though you have a perfectly functional ribbon installed. Reinstalling the drivers not only refreshes the software-to-hardware communication but can also resolve hidden conflicts in your system that are causing repeated error codes.

When to Uninstall and Reinstall Your Drivers

There are a few clear signs indicating that it may be time to uninstall and reinstall your Entrust Sigma Card Printer drivers:

1. Persistent Error Codes: If you keep seeing Error Code 110 or similar ribbon-related errors even after replacing or adjusting the ribbon, a driver issue might be the root cause.

2. Communication Errors: Your computer stops recognising the printer or you see “Device not found” errors in your Devices and Printers panel.

3. Firmware Mismatch: If you recently attempted a firmware upgrade and you did not update your drivers accordingly, or vice versa, you can wind up with a mismatch causing intermittent errors.

4. Operating System Updates: Sometimes, after Windows updates or upgrades, legacy drivers conflict with new OS settings.

However, note that reinstalling drivers should usually be your last step after verifying the physical condition of your printer ribbon and clearing any obvious jams. If after all that you still can’t get your printer to function correctly, a quick driver cleanup and reinstallation can often do the trick.

An important Note on Firmware and USB Sticks

A very important point—and one we cannot stress enough—is that the Entrust Sigma Card Printers need specific driver and firmware versions to work correctly. In many cases, the drivers available online on manufacturer websites might be at a higher level than what your current printer firmware supports. 

If you attempt to install those online drivers without having updated your printer’s firmware, you can run into even more incompatibilities and errors.

That’s why it’s essential to use the USB stick provided with your Entrust Sigma Card Printer. This USB stick is loaded with the compatible version of the driver for your specific printer’s firmware. Installing from the USB ensures you don’t jump to a version that your printer isn’t yet prepared to handle. And if you do want to update to the latest firmware and driver versions for improved performance or new features, it’s best to do so under guidance from trained technicians—like Card Monster’s in-house team—so that you don’t make your printer inoperable.

For more on updating firmware, check out our dedicated blog post:
Updating Card Printer Firmware (Entrust). Here you will get the full detailed approach on how to upgrade your firmware to the latest version and how to update your drivers as well without having to uninstall and reinstall them. 

If you decide to update your firmware, our technicians at Card Monster can handle the process to ensure your device remains compatible with the latest drivers.

Step-by-Step: Uninstalling Your Entrust Sigma Card Printer Drivers

While we won’t go into extreme detail—since we have an in-depth blog that walks you through how to uninstall Entrust Datacard series drivers step by step—here’s a concise overview to refresh your memory:

1. Open Control Panel: Go to your Windows Control Panel and look for “Hardware & Sound” or “Add/Remove Programs,” depending on your Windows version.

2. Uninstall Printer Driver: Find the listing for your Entrust Sigma Card Printer driver or Datacard series driver under “View Devices and Printers”.  Select your card printer, and choose “Uninstall.”

3. Follow On-Screen Prompts: Plug in the USB that you got your driver from and search for the XPS driver installation program. Select the trash button in the top right panel of the driver design and it will guide you through the uninstallation process. Confirm any prompts to fully remove the driver. Make sure that you remove the USB cable from the card printer to ensure that your card printer does not get confused and try to connect once restarted. 

4. Restart Your Computer: After the driver is removed, reboot your system to finalise the uninstallation.

For more detailed instructions, visit our blog post on How to Uninstall Datacard Series Drivers. It provides an in-depth explanation and screenshots to ensure you don’t miss a step.

Step-by-Step: Reinstalling Your Entrust Sigma Card Printer Drivers 

Next comes the reinstallation. Again, we have a dedicated blog post on How to Install a New DS Card Printer on Your PC Using a USB that goes into great detail. However, here’s the quick version:

1. Use Your USB Stick: This cannot be emphasised enough. Always use the USB stick that came with your Entrust Sigma Card Printer to ensure the driver version matches your firmware. Unless you have updated your firmware to the latest version and updated your drivers, you should always use the USB that it came with. 

2. Plug In the USB Stick and Printer: Connect the printer via USB to your computer only when instructed, and insert the USB stick into your PC’s USB port.

3. Run the Installer: Locate the installer file on the USB stick (often labelled something like “XPS Card Printer” or “Entrust Installer” or “Sigma Installer”), and double-click to start it.

4. Follow On-Screen Instructions: Let the installer guide you through selecting the device model, confirming license agreements, and setting up the drivers.

5. Complete the Setup: The installation process should inform you to plug in the USB for your card printer. Once the installation is finished, your system should recognise your Entrust Sigma Card Printer without error codes.

6. Test the Printer: Print a test card or attempt a normal card print job to ensure everything works smoothly.

If you’d like more in-depth screenshots, best practices, or troubleshooting tips for installing new drivers on your PC, please read our step-by-step guide in the linked blog.

Why the USB Stick Matters

At this point, you might be asking yourself: “Can I just go to Entrust’s website and grab the latest driver?” While that might work in some scenarios, there’s a significant risk that the new driver version won’t be compatible with an older firmware. Driver-firmware mismatch can lead to endless error codes, incomplete prints, or a total device malfunction.

Entrust Sigma printers—like many advanced hardware devices—require that you keep the firmware and driver versions in alignment. 

The USB stick provided with your printer ensures that you’re installing the correct, tested combination of driver and firmware. If you do choose to upgrade your firmware, you’ll also want the appropriate updated driver. Again, the best practice here is to coordinate with Card Monster to make sure that you’re upgrading everything in the correct order.

In some cases, people who install the driver from online resources without confirming firmware compatibility end up needing a total reinstall or, worse, professional intervention to revert to a stable setup. You can save yourself the headache by keeping the entire process consistent: use the driver on your USB stick unless otherwise instructed by support.

Handling Physical Ribbon Jams

Let’s circle back to the physical side of things. When you experience a jam inside your Entrust Sigma Card Printer, here are a few steps to clear it safely:

1. Power Down: Turn off your card printer if the card printer does not recognise the changed card printer ribbon.

2. Open the Printer Cover: Locate the ribbon access door. Remove any obstructions or gently pull out the ribbon spool if it’s jammed.

3. Check Ribbon Integrity: Inspect for tears, wrinkles, or tangles. If the ribbon is damaged, discard it and replace it with a new spool.

4. Reinstall Ribbon: Load the ribbon correctly, ensuring it’s tight and aligned with the feed path.

5. Close the Cover and Restart: Plug the printer back in and power it on. If the jam is cleared but you still see Error Code 110, then a driver reinstallation might be necessary.

For a visual walkthrough, be sure to check out our YouTube videos showing how to clear jams and correct ribbon alignment:

These videos provide helpful visuals so you can see exactly where to handle the ribbon and how to avoid future tangles.

Double-Checking the Printer Ribbon Status

Sometimes, the simplest fix is the best fix. If you’re getting an Error Code 110, always confirm that your ribbon isn’t at the end of its life. Many ribbons are “smart ribbons” with chips that let the printer know how many prints remain. If the chip indicates zero, the printer won’t budge—even if there might be a little leftover ribbon you think you can use. 

Make sure that before you start a new card job you have enough ribbon to last you the full job without having to replace it midway. Rather use a whole new ribbon if you do not know when the ribbon will run out. 

In such cases, your best move is to replace the ribbon entirely. Using a nearly empty or expired ribbon can also degrade print quality, leading to blurred text or incomplete images. If you do need to replace your ribbon, follow the loading instructions carefully. Then, see if the printer recognises the new ribbon. If it still refuses to print, proceed with the steps to uninstall and reinstall your drivers—using your USB stick, of course!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Skipping the Reboot: After uninstalling your printer driver, it’s crucial to reboot your computer before attempting a reinstallation. This ensures all old driver files are properly implemented.

2. Installing an Online Driver Version: Installing from the manufacturer’s website without verifying firmware compatibility is the quickest way to generate brand-new error codes.

3. Forgetting Firmware Updates: If you do have advanced knowledge and choose to update your firmware, do not forget that the driver must match this new version.

4. Neglecting Routine Maintenance: A dirty printer can cause jams and misreads. Clean your printer rollers, card feed path, and internal components according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.

5. Not Watching Tutorials: If you’re unsure about a particular step, watch an official tutorial video or refer to the detailed blog guides.

By sidestepping these common errors, you’ll save yourself time, money, and frustration.

Why You Might Need a Technician

Even though reinstalling drivers and replacing ribbons are relatively straightforward, you might encounter unique situations where the printer still refuses to cooperate. In some cases, advanced firmware corruption or hardware faults can create persistent error codes that simple driver reinstallation won’t fix.

If you suspect your printer needs a firmware upgrade or if you see repeated issues even after you’ve followed all the recommended steps, it may be time to consult a professional. The experts at Card Monster can take a look at your printer, perform a safe firmware update, and ensure your driver installation is fully compatible with your system. This is especially important if you’re not comfortable manually updating firmware or if your organisation relies on these printers daily for critical credentialing tasks.

Additional Tips for a Healthy Entrust Sigma Card Printer

While the focus of this post is on ribbon jams and driver reinstallation, maintaining your printer is an ongoing task:

• Regular Cleaning: Dust and debris can accumulate inside the printer, leading to poor print quality or jams. Use manufacturer-approved cleaning kits as recommended in your printer manual.

• Proper Storage of Ribbons: Keep your ribbons in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Heat and humidity can damage the ribbon surface or adhesive layers.

• Use Genuine Supplies: Using third-party or counterfeit ribbons might save a few dollars upfront, but they often lack the quality and precise engineering of genuine Entrust supplies. This can lead to more jams and reduced print quality.

• Follow Recommended Print Volume: Overworking your printer beyond its recommended monthly duty cycle can speed up wear and tear. If you need to print thousands of cards per week, consider having multiple units.

Simple maintenance steps can spare you from the inconvenience of frequent repairs or complicated troubleshooting.

Conclusion: Keep Your Printer Error-Free 

Dealing with Error Code 110 or a physically jammed ribbon in an Entrust Sigma Card Printer can be stressful, especially if you need to print important credentials on short notice. Fortunately, the fix is usually straightforward: replace the ribbon, clear any jams, and if all else fails, uninstall and reinstall the printer drivers from the USB stick that was originally provided. 

This approach resolves most detection errors, ensuring that your printer and computer speak the same language and that your firmware level matches your driver level.

When performing these tasks, remember to rely on the resources we’ve provided. Our detailed blogs and video tutorials walk you through each step carefully. For more advanced operations, such as firmware updates, we’re here to help at Card Monster. Our technicians can ensure a smooth update process, preventing the pitfalls of mismatched firmware and drivers.

Armed with these insights, you’ll be back to printing high-quality cards in no time—no more fussing with stuck ribbons or cryptic error messages. And if you ever do feel stuck, don’t hesitate to reach out. After all, our goal is to help you get the most out of your Entrust Sigma Card Printer, day in and day out.