Zebra ZSB label printer series

Learn how to set up the Zebra 2" and 4" ZSB label printer series. You can also use this guide to learn how to troubleshoot common issues with the Zebra ZSB label printer series.

Label requirements for your Zebra ZSB label printer series

To print labels with a Zebra ZSB Series printer, you need to use Zebra brand labels in one of the following sizes:

• Zebra Barcodes ZSB-LC6 (2.25" x 1") - 57mm x 25mm
• Zebra Multipurpose ZSB-LC7 (1.25" x 1.25") - 32mm x 32mm
• Zebra Jewelry ZSB-LC8 (2.25" x 0.5") - 57mm x 13mm
• Zebra XL Shipping ZSB-LC1 (4" x 6") - 102mm x 152mm

Set up your Zebra ZSB series printer

To set up and use your Zebra ZSB series label printer, you need to have Wi-Fi connection.

Steps:

1. Power on your label printer. The printer automatically prints a label with a QR code when you first turn it on.
2. Scan the QR code with your Android or iOS device’s camera, and then download the ZSB Series app.
3. Create a Zebra utility account. There are no fees associated with account creation.
4. Follow the steps in the app to set up your printer.

To learn more about the ZSB series printer setup, refer to the ZSB series printer quick setup guide.

Add additional networks for your ZSB series printer

You can add up to 5 networks for your printer. Follow the instructions to add additional networks.

Note

Make sure you turn on Bluetooth on your device before you add a new Wi-Fi network.

Steps:

1. Open the ZSB Series mobile app, and then log in to your account.
2. Tap the Menu icon, and then tap Printer Settings.
3. Tap your printer name > Wi-Fi > Manage Networks button.

Note

If you receive a "Bluetooth Connection Failed" message, then follow the instructions on the screen. Tap Continue and the Manage Networks button again to start the process. A "Bluetooth Pairing Request" message pops up. Tap Pair, and then continue with step 4.

4. Scroll down, and then tap Add Network.
5. Select your network, and then provide the password.
6. Tap Submit.

If your network isn't on the list, then you can enter it manually. In Add Network screen, select Enter Network Manually. Type your network's name, choose the Security type (if the network requires a password, then choose WPA PSK). Type your network's password within the pop-up window, and then tap Join.

After you add the new network, you can choose the network you want to set up as the first option by holding and dragging it to the first position. The printer always connects to the first network in the list.

If you want to remove a network, then tap the red minus symbol next to the network's name. Tap Apply Changes.

Connect your ZSB series printer to a hotspot

If there's no Wi-Fi connections available, then you can createa hotspot on a mobile device to connect your printer.

Steps:

1. In the ZSB Series mobile app, go to Printer Settings.
2. Select your printer by tapping on its name.
3. Select Wi-Fi, and then select the Manage Networks button.
4. After you set up a hotspot on your phone, select Add Network.
5. The Add Network window appears with a list of available networks. Find your hotspot network, tap on it, and then provide the password.
6. Tap Submit.

Note

If the hotspot network isn't found, then you can enter it manually. In the Add Network window, select Enter Network Manually. A pop-up window opens. Enter your hotspot's network name. Under Security, choose WPA PSK if your network has a password. Insert the network's password.

7. After adding a new network, you can choose which one you want to connect to. Choose which network should be the first one by holding and dragging it to the top position. The printer always connects to the first network in the list.

If you want to change the network, then you can change the order of the networks, and then tap Apply Changes.

Troubleshoot your ZSB series printer

If you're experiencing issues with your ZSB series printer, then select the issue you're experiencing, and then follow the troublehsooting steps.

Troubleshoot connection issues

If your ZSB series printer won't connect or disconnects frequently, then you need to unpair and repair the printer with your device.

Steps:

iPhone

1. Open your device Settings, and then tap Bluetooth.
2. Find your printer in the list of devices, and then tap the 'i' icon next to it.
3. Tap Forget this Device.
4. Follow the steps in the ZSB Series app to re-connect your printer.

Android

1. Open your device Settings, and then tap Bluetooth.
2. Find your printer in the list of devices, and then tap '>' next to it.
3. Tap Unpair.
4. Follow the steps in the ZSB Series app to re-connect your printer.

If issues continue, then contact Zebra Support.

Troubleshoot printer offline issues

If your ZSB series printer is offline, then review the following LED status indicator table for troubleshooting steps.

LED indicator status troubleshooting guide for ZSB series printers

LED indicator status	Troubleshooting steps
LED is Off	- Make sure the printer is plugged into power outlet through the power adapter, and then press the power button. - Check the power adapter LED (it should be solid green). - If the power adapter LED is off, then check the power cable connections to adapter and outlet.
LED blinks blue on left side	Printer is in Bluetooth pairing mode and requires setup.
LED is solid red on right side	Printer isn't connected to Wi-Fi. Refer to the Troubleshoot Wi-Fi connection issues section.
LED is solid white	Printer is successfully connected to Wi-Fi. Printer status should display Online.

If the printer status still displays Offline in either the web portal, the mobile app, or printer driver, then troubleshoot with the following steps.

• Web Portal: click the Refresh button on your browser.
• Mobile app: select another page such as My Designs or Common Designs, and then go back to the Home page. If the ZSB series printer status still displays Offline, then log out and log back in by tapping the Menu icon > pencil icon to open the Settings. Scroll down, and then tap Log out.
• Printer Driver: Sign out and then sign back in by clicking the status monitor in the system tray (Windows) or menu bar (Mac), and then click the circled letter in the upper right corner. Select your account name, and then click Sign Out.

If the printer still displays Offline, then the printer might be successfully connected to Wi-Fi, but is unable to reach the internet to connect to Zebra’s cloud servers. Make sure the ZSB series printer connects to a network that's confirmed to have internet access.

You can also try connecting your ZSB series printer to a hotspot.

If issues continue, then contact Zebra Support.

Troubleshoot Wi-Fi connection issues

When the ZSB series printer loses network connection, the right segment of the ZSB series printer LED indicator turns solid red, and the web portal, mobile app, and printer driver dispalys the printer status as Offline.

If your printer disconnects from your Wi-Fi network, then it might be a result of one of the following issues.

The network is no longer available

Verify that your network is available. If its not available, then you'll need to add an additional network, and then connect to the new network.

Network settings have changed

Verify that your network settings haven't changed, such as the ESSID and the password.

If your network settings have changed, then either change them back to the previous settings used when the printer was initially connected, or use the ZSB app to remove the current network, and then add an additional network.

The ZSB series printer is out of range of the network

If the printer is far away from the router, then the Wi-Fi signal might be too weak or out of range for the printer to establish a connection to the network. Move the printer closer to the router.

The network went offline and the ZSB series printer failed to reconnect when it was restored

If the network goes offline (for example, due to a power outage), then power cycle the printer. To do this, press and hold the power button for 5 seconds to power down the printer, and then press the button again to power it back on.

The ZSB series printer connects to the network but there's no internet access

If the printer has no internet access, then the bottom segment of the LED turns solid red (rather than the right segment). Check your network, and then after you've confirmed that the network has internet access, power cycle the printer. To do this, press and hold the power button for 5 seconds to power down the printer, and then press the button again to power it back on.

If issues continue, then contact Zebra Support.

Troubleshoot "Paper out" message

If a "Paper out" message displays in the ZSB Workspace and printer driver (typically accompanied by the printer LED flashing red in alternating top to bottom and left to right segments), then it might be a result of one of the following issues.

The cartridge is out of labels

Replace the cartridge.

The maximum number of labels permitted by the chip is reached

The cartridge contains labels, but the maximum number of labels the chip permits is reached. This typically occurs when blank labels are pushed back into the cartridge after the printer advances them. If this isn't the case and a significant number of labels remain in the cartridge, then contact Zebra Support.

The chip isn't making adequate contact with the printer pins

The printer pins require contact to read the chip. Remove and reinsert the cartridge, ensuring it's properly seated. If this doesn't resolve the issue, then contact Zebra Support for a replacement cartridge.

The label isn't on the platen

Pull the label out so that it extends beyond the platen. If necessary, then use a pair of tweezers or a similar tool to grab the leading label and pull it forward from the roll. You can also use a small piece of tape. Close the cover to advance the label.

If the label is irretrievable in a new, unused cartridge, then contact Zebra Support for a replacement cartridge.

The chip is missing

The chip is located on the bottom of the cartridge. If you received the cartridge without a chip, then contact Zebra Support for a replacement cartridge.

Remove the chip and recycle the rest of the cartridge when all labels deplete.

The notch between labels isn't punched out

This is due to a manufacturing defect. Pull out the labels until you encounter one with a properly punched notch, then close the printer cover.

The packaging insert wasn't removed

The printer ships with a packaging insert over the cartridge. Remove this insert and close the printer cover before printing labels to ensure cartridge functionality.

Paper Out Indication Persists

If the previous solutions aren't successful, then perform the following troubleshooting steps:

• Ensure the cartridge isn't cracked or damaged.
• Ensure the cartridge sticker isn't torn or removed, as this can affect cartridge functionality.
• Reboot the printer.
• Install another cartridge.

If the "Paper out" indication is still unresolved, then contact Zebra Support for a replacement cartridge.

Troubleshoot printer printing blank labels

If the ZSB series printer prints blank labels, then make sure the size of the label image matches the size of the label you're printing on. If the size of the label image doesn't match the size of the label, then either crop the image to the correct size before printing or check the print preview in the print application to make sure the portion of the image to print appears in the print preview.

If issues continue, then contact Zebra Support.

Troubleshoot failure to print using driver

If a print job sent through the driver fails to print, then you might be signed out of Printer Tools. Check the ZSB Status Monitor located in the System Tray (Windows) or on the Menu Bar (Mac).

If you're signed out, then sign in, and then send your print job again. If you're not signed out, then sign out, and then in again. When you sign back in, send your print job again.

If issues continue, then contact Zebra Support.

Troubleshoot LED lights flashing

If your ZSB series printer's LED lights flash, then refer to Zebra's documentation on ZSB Series Printers LED Light Indicator Behavior to identify and troubleshoot the issue.

If issues continue, then contact Zebra Support.

Factory reset your ZSB series printer

If troubleshooting your ZSB series printer doesn't work, then you might need to return the printer to its factory default settings.

Steps:

1. Turn on the printer.
2. Insert a paper clip (or similar tool) into the hole beside the power connector to press the reset button.

   

3. Continue pressing the reset button for 6 seconds. The LED ring surrounding the power button blinks white as the printer reboots, and then blue and red on the left and right sides when the factory reset completes.

   

After your printer restores to factory settings, it restarts and prints a QR code on a label.