Troubleshooting Zebra Label Printer

This article provides solutions for common Zebra printer connectivity and print quality issues.

Related Articles

• Setting up a Zebra Printer
• Label Printer Supplies

Common issues and troubleshooting steps

Printer is feeding blank labels when powering on or after printing

 Start a calibration by holding the X and the Pause button as shown here.

Printed labels contain white stripes

This is most likely caused by wrong ribbon insertion. The ribbon contains the ink that is fused onto the labels. It is rolled over the label paper. Load the ribbon like this: Zebra ZD421 Changing Ribbon
If you are reusing an existing ribbon:

1. Sever the Ribbon: Cut the ribbon between the spindles.✂️
2. Take out the receiving spindle
3. Unroll the ribbon from the receiving spindle
4. Insert the receiving and supplying pieces correctly
5. Reattach the ribbon to the receiving side with some tape
6. Run printer calibration

You are also able to increase the temperature or darkness option in the printer settings (to max. value 30):

• On macOS printer settings can be changed as described in https://help.distru.com/en/articles/5174454-how-to-set-up-a-zebra-printer-for-mac-os#h_2aa053100a.
  
   
• On Windows the darkness can be configured in the Zebra Setup Utilities -> Printer Settings -> Darkness

Printer prints a test page but is not shown in Cula Device settings

If the printer works on the computer but Cula Device settings shows no devices, the browser has likely blocked access to QZ Tray. See Resetting browser permissions for QZ Tray.

Printer is not recognized by the computer

• Follow detailed instructions at: https://www.zebra.com/content/dam/support-dam/en/documentation/unrestricted/guide/product/zd421-zd621-ug-en.pdf#page=179 

Recalibration of Printer

1. Power On: Check that the Zebra Printer is operational 
2. Load Labels: Ensure that the printing label roll is installed correctly 
3. Initiate Calibration: Press and hold the Pause and Cancel button at the same time for 2 seconds
4. Calibration: The Zebra Printer will print a few blank labels, measure the media and return to the calibrated state. It will return to a solid green steady state.

Printer prints a small QR code instead of the label, when printing from the Cula browser app

Currently, we don’t have a solution for that, the workaround is to use PDF print from Windows (and not the web print integration from the Cula app). 

Printer burns through ribbon stock/produces smeared prints 

Cula sets the printer printing darkness at maximum for easy readability. However, if your labels may show up light or smeared, it may be that your ribbon is too thin and you need to reduce the darkness.

To fix this: 

1. Navigate to the Devices Module: Go to https://app.cula.earth/org/sites/devices or go to the Site view and select Devices in the left navigation bar.
   
2. Select the Pencil icon of the Printer in use:
3. Reduce the Darkness settings:
4. Select Confirm to save your changes.

Printer Replacement

Switch from one printer (e.g. thermal direct model) to another (e.g. thermal transfer model)

1. Remove printer from system device settings
2. Follow setup instructions from Setting up a Zebra Printer (except step 1 [Install QZ.io])

Printer Maintenance

Change thermal transfer cartridge

Follow page 186 ff. from https://www.zebra.com/content/dam/support-dam/en/documentation/unrestricted/guide/product/zd421-zd621-ug-en.pdf#page=186 

Other Issues

My issue is not found in any of the above sections

Contact the assigned Customer Success Manager or email support@cula.tech.