Wireless Zebra label printer ZD421

Learn how to set up the Wireless Zebra label printer ZD421 with your Windows or Mac computer. You can also use this guide to learn how to troubleshoot common issues with the Wireless Zebra label printer ZD421.

The Wireless Zebra label printer ZD421 can't print labels from your iOS or Android tablet.

Tip

If you need help installing and setting up your Zebra label printer, then contact Zebra support.

Label requirements for your Wireless Zebra label printer ZD421

To print labels with your label printer, you can go to the Zebra Supplies Selector | ZipZebra Supplies Solutions website to find the Zebra brand labels that meet your needs.

Set up your Wireless Zebra label printer ZD421

To set up your Wireless Zebra label printer ZD421 you need to download the printer driver, connect the printer to your device, and then calibrate the media settings.

The media settings need to match the type of media you're using. You can learn about how to identify media types on Zebra's Identify Type of Media support page.

Caution

Don't connect your printer to your computer before you install the driver.

If you connected your printer to a computer with a USB cable before driver installation, then the printer might appear as an unknown (unspecified) device in "Devices and Printers".

Steps:

1. Download and install the printer driver from the Zebra Printer Setup website.
2. Download and install the Zebra Setup Utilities (ZSU) printer configuration utility.
3. Connect your printer:
   1. Download and open the Zebra Setup Utilities.
   2. Select Configure Printer Connectivity.
   3. Enter your network details, and then select the Band and WLAN Country.
   4. Enter the ESSID, and then select the Security mode.
   5. Input the WLAN password. Select String if the password contains letters and numbers and it isn't in hexadecimal form.
   6. Select Finish and turn your printer off and then on again.
4. Load the media (media usually means labels, but it also includes tag stock, receipt paper, and other things you can print on):
   1. Open the printer, and then place the media in the roll holders.
   2. Pull the end of the media out of the front of the printer.
   3. Press the media down under the media guides.
   4. Close the printer, and then press the FEED button one time to exit pause mode.
5. Test your printer by printing a configuration report.

If you change the size or type of media, then you'll need to calibrate the media sensors.

The printer settings must match the supplies you're using for your print job and the options on your printer. Adjust the printer settings as necessary using Zebra Setup Utilities software.

To learn more about the printer setup, refer to the Zebra ZD421 quick setup guide.

Calibrate the media sensors for the USB Zebra label printer ZD421

If you change the type of media you use or you experience label printing issues, then you might need to calibrate the media sensors for your printer.

Steps:

1. Open the printer.
2. Verify the media sensor is in the correct location for your media, and then close the printer.
3. Press and hold the FEED button until the status indicator light blinks on and off twice, and then release the Feed button.

The printer feeds and measures several labels. When calibration finishes, the status indicator displays a steady green light.

If label print issues persist, then verify that the label size settings match your actual label dimensions and clean the print head using the provided cleaning kit.

Print a configuration report for the USB Zebra label printer ZD421

You might need to print a configuration report to test whether your printer works.

Steps:

1. Make sure the media loads properly in the printer and that the top cover of the printer is closed.
2. Turn the printer on.
3. When the printer is in the ready state (STATUS indicator is solid green), press and hold the FEED. button for approximately 2 seconds until the STATUS Indicator blinks off one time, and then release the FEED button.

The Printer and Network Configuration Reports prints. When the printer stops, the STATUS Indicator turns solid green.

Factory reset your Wireless Zebra label printer ZD421

If troubleshooting your Wireless Zebra label printer ZD421 doesn't work, then you can restore the printer to its factory settings:

Steps:

1. Turn the printer off.
2. Press and hold the PAUSE and the FEED button simultaneously.
3. When holding the PAUSE and the FEED button, turn on the printer.
4. Continue holding until the status indicator is the only indicator lit.

The printer resets to its factory settings.

Troubleshoot the USB Zebra label printer ZD421

If you're experiencing issues with your USB Zebra label printer ZD421, then select the issue that you're experiencing, and then follow the troubleshooting steps.

Troubleshoot the battery pack not working

If your printer has a battery pack option and the battery pack isn't recognized, then troubleshoot with the following steps.

Step 1: Identify the printer's current firmware version

1. Turn on the printer.
2. Press FEED and CANCEL for two seconds. The "Printer and Network Configuration Reports" prints, and then the printer returns to the READY status.
3. Find the line on the "Printer and Network Configuration Report" that says Firmware Version.

Step 2: Upgrade the printer's firmware version

1. Select the firmware for your operating system on the ZD421 Series Printer Support Downloads page.
2. Download the firmware file to your hard drive, and then open the downloaded file and save it to a known location.
3. Confirm the firmware updates by printing the configuration again: press FEED and CANCEL for two seconds.
4. Connect the battery pack, and then press the FEED button to see if it works.

If issues continue, then contact Zebra Support.

Troubleshoot label printing issues

If you're experiencing label printing errors, such as stopping in the wrong location or feeding a blank label between printing labels, then you'll need to calibrate the media sensors.

The media settings need to match the type of media you're using. You can learn about how to identify media types on Zebra's Identify Type of Media support page.

If issues continue, then contact Zebra Support.

Troubleshoot media getting stuck when printing or feeding

If your printer media gets stuck when its printing or feeding, then your printhead might be overheating. You can troubleshoot with the following steps:

• Lower the print speed or darkness.
• Make sure there's proper ventialation and the vents aren't blocked.
• Clean the printhead.
• If you're printing larger jobs, then try printing in batches.

Troubleshoot printer disconnecting after period of inactivity

If your printer disconnects after a period of inactivity, then turn your printer off and unplug it from its power source. If the issue continues, then you might need to change the default timeout value in ZebraNet Print Server's Connection Time Out setting. The default timeout value is 300 seconds (5 minutes), which means that after 5 minutes of no communication, the printer drops the connection.

Caution

It's not recommended to disable timeout checking unless your operating system needs to keep the port open. If you're experiencing issues where the port becomes unavailable, then try lowering the timeout value instead of disabling it.

Steps:

1. Enter your printer's IP address into your web browser.
2. If your printer has firmware x.10 or higher, then in the Printer Home Page section, select Print Server Settings. For firmware lower than x.10, go to step 3.
3. In the Status and Configuration section, select Print Server.
4. Enter the login credentials:
   • Username: admin
   • Password: 1234
5. Select TCP/IP Configuration, and then scroll down to the Connection Timeout Checking section.
6. The default value is Yes with a timeout of 300 seconds. You can make the following changes:
   • Change the timeout value to meet your application needs.
   • Set the value to No to deactivate timeout checking (not recommended).
7. Click Submit Changes, then select The unit must be reset for new values to take effect.
8. When you're prompted to reset the device, select Yes.