TYPEWRITER TROUBLESHOOTING • BEGINNER GUIDE
Does your typewriter ribbon reach the end of one spool and then stop moving? Perhaps the keys still strike, but the letters become faint because the same section of ribbon is being used repeatedly. Or perhaps you have fitted a new ribbon and expected it to reverse automatically, but nothing happens.
There is no single fix for every machine. Some typewriters reverse when a metal eyelet in the ribbon catches a small fork. Others reverse when the ribbon becomes taut. Some require a manual control. Before touching anything, identify the make and exact model of your typewriter. You can start with InkSmart’s typewriter finder.
How ribbon reversal normally works
On many manual typewriters, only one spool is actively driven at a time. It takes up the ribbon while the other spool supplies it. Near the end, a reversing mechanism changes which spool is driven, allowing the same ribbon to travel back across the printing point. That is normal: the ribbon does not have to be thrown away after a single pass.
However, not every typewriter uses the same reversing trigger. In an r/typewriters discussion about an Olympia SM9, a contributor explained that this model uses ribbon tension and small sensing pins, rather than eyelets catching forks. The model distinction matters: advice that is correct for one machine can be wrong for another.
7 safe checks when a ribbon will not reverse
1. Confirm the ribbon has actually reached its end
A spool that appears nearly empty may still have usable ribbon wound around it. Do not try to trigger reversal just because one spool looks smaller than the other. Watch the ribbon feed during a few normal keystrokes with paper inserted. If it continues to advance smoothly, it may not be at the reversal point yet.
Stop if the ribbon becomes tight, bunches up, or no longer advances. Repeatedly typing against a jam is not a useful test.
2. Identify whether your machine uses eyelets, tension, or a manual control
Look up the ribbon-installation section of the instruction manual for your exact model. An eyelet-operated system uses a small metal grommet near a ribbon end to move a reversing fork. A tension-operated system senses the resistance as the supply spool reaches its end. A manual system requires the user to change direction using the specified control.
Do not assume that an eyelet is missing simply because the ribbon has none. For example, the Olympia SM9 discussion above describes a tension-based system. A different machine may genuinely require eyelets.
3. Check the ribbon path beside each spool
Incorrect threading can prevent the reversing mechanism from sensing the end of the ribbon. On eyelet-operated machines, the ribbon generally must pass through the designated reversing fork so the eyelet can engage it. On tension-operated machines, the ribbon may need to pass around a sensing pin in a particular direction.
Take a photograph before removing anything. Compare the ribbon route with the manufacturer's illustration, paying special attention to the small guides beside each spool. If you cannot clearly identify a guide, do not improvise a path.
4. Check for the correct ribbon end fittings
If your model requires metal eyelets, inspect the ribbon ends for the appropriate fittings. A replacement ribbon without the required eyelets may feed normally until it reaches the end, then fail to reverse. Conversely, eyelets are not a universal requirement, and adding them to a tension-operated machine is not a sensible default repair.
A Reddit thread discusses improvised staples as reversal triggers. We do not recommend staples, knots, or improvised metal fittings: they may snag, detach, or damage delicate guides. Obtain a ribbon configured for the model instead.
5. Check that the spools are correctly seated
A poorly seated spool may slip instead of driving the ribbon. Check visually that each spool is sitting level, that its retaining hardware is correctly positioned, and that it is not rubbing against the cover or nearby parts. Spools with similar diameters can still have different centre fittings or drive arrangements.
If you have just installed a replacement, compare it with the original spool. Do not force an incompatible spool onto the shaft. Our guide to changing a typewriter ribbon explains why keeping original spools can be useful.
6. Distinguish a reversal fault from a general feed fault
Does the ribbon advance normally for many lines and fail only at the end? That points towards the reversal process. If it never advances at all, or immediately forms loose loops, the issue may instead involve threading, take-up attachment, spool engagement, or the feed mechanism.
On a twin-spool typewriter, it is often normal for one spool to be driven while the other rotates only as ribbon unwinds. Both spools do not need to be powered simultaneously. If the ribbon is folding or accumulating, stop and check its path rather than trying to force a reversal.
7. Stop if the reversing control does not respond normally
Some machines provide a manual reversal control, while others permit a specific sensing lever to be moved gently as described in their manuals. Only try that if you have identified the exact control and the manufacturer explains its use. A stiff lever, missing spring, or mechanism that does not engage may need specialist attention.
Avoid dismantling linkages, spraying lubricant into the mechanism, or adjusting springs based on advice for a different typewriter. Take photographs and describe the symptom to a repairer instead.
What should you test after correcting the ribbon path?
- With the machine off, confirm that the ribbon is flat and correctly routed according to the model's manual.
- Check that both spools are seated and the ribbon is attached to the intended take-up spool.
- Close the cover if the manual requires it, insert paper, and type a few lines.
- Watch for smooth ribbon advance and normal print density.
- Do not deliberately pull the ribbon to its end or repeatedly force the mechanism just to prove reversal.
Frequently asked questions
Does every typewriter ribbon need metal eyelets?
No. Some machines use eyelets to trigger reversal, while others use ribbon tension or a manual reversing control. Choose a ribbon based on the machine, not on a universal rule.
Why does my typewriter print faintly when the ribbon stops?
If the ribbon no longer advances, the same small area may be struck repeatedly and give weaker impressions. But faint print can also result from a dry ribbon, incorrect threading, or a colour selector set to a stencil/no-ribbon position. Reversal is only one possibility.
Can I reverse the ribbon by turning the spools myself?
Do not use hand-winding as a substitute for diagnosing a failed reversing mechanism. Some manuals describe a safe method for removing slack or changing direction, but the procedure varies. Follow the instructions for your exact model.
Should I replace the ribbon or repair the typewriter?
If the ribbon lacks fittings required by your model, a correctly configured replacement may solve the problem. If the ribbon is correctly fitted but the reversing mechanism still fails, a repair assessment may be more appropriate than buying multiple ribbons.
Need help identifying the correct ribbon?
Send InkSmart your typewriter's make and model and, if possible, a clear photograph showing both spools and the ribbon path. That helps us check compatibility before you order. Visit our contact page or search your model on the InkSmart homepage.