Zebra Technologies Z4Mplus Communication Problems

Troubleshooting

Print Quality Problems

Communication Problems

Data light does not flash when a label format is sent.

Problem	Solution

The printer does not respond to	Check the printer driver or software
label requests.	communications settings.
	Confirm you are using the correct
	communication cable. See Cable
	Requirements on page 32.
	Via the front panel, check the protocol
	setting. It should be set to the default none.
	See page 73.
	Ensure that the correct driver is being used.

Several labels print, then the printer skips, misplaces, misses, or distorts the image on the label after a label is sent to the printer.

Problem	Solution

The host is set to EPP parallel	Change the settings on the computer host
communications.	to standard parallel communications.
The serial communication	Standard RS-232 cables are appropriate for
settings are incorrect.	lengths under 50 ft. (15.2 m); RS-422 and
	RS-485 cables allow serial transmission up
	to 4000 ft.(1.2 km). Check cable length and
	shielding, and confirm the appropriate RS-
	232, RS-422, or RS-485 setting is being
	used.
	Check the printer driver or software
	communications settings.

A label format was sent to the printer but not recognized. The DATA light flashes but no printing occurs.

106	Z4Mplus and Z6Mplus User Guide

Contents

Page Z4Mplus and Z6Mplus User Guide: Customer order number 13163L Manufacturer part number 13163LB Your Feedback Is Important Product and Personal Information Document Usability Comments • Thank you for taking the time to provide us with feedback ! Fax: 1.847.821.1795 Attention: TechPubs — CTC ! E-mail: techpubs@zebra.com Proprietary Statement FCC Compliance Statement Canadian DOC Compliance Statement Liability Disclaimer Limitation of Liability Copyrights Page Z6M Zebra Technologies Corporation Page Warranty Information Page Supplies Products Warranty Exclusions & Conditions Statement Page Page Page Page Page Page Page Table of Contents Page Page Appendix A • DB-9Connectors Appendix C • • Memory Cards Appendix D • • Extend Printhead Life Preface Support Web address: US Phone Number: +1 UK/International Phone Number: +44 (0) 1494 Title Content Description About this Chapter: Alternate Color: Command Line Examples: Post-Install scripts in the Illustration Call-out Instructions: Page Introduction Report Damage Storage Page Number Description Printer Side View Number Description Page Printer Setup Media Roll Media Fanfold Media Ribbon Non-ContinuousWeb Media Non-ContinuousBlack Mark Labels Continuous Media Print Mode Mode Printer Option Action Load the Media Page Auto Calibration Page Set Printhead Pressure Page Print a Configuration Label CANCEL Page Page LCD Display Meaning Basic Configuration Process See the instructions below to perform basic a configuration: SETUP/EXIT PLUS 3.Press SELECT PLUS (+) 16.Press SELECT 24.Press SELECT SETUP/EXIT 31.Press SELECT Adjust the Reflective Sensor Page Transmissive Sensor Communication Standard Interfaces Parallel Port Cable Requirements Printer Basics Page Page Front Panel Keys Front Panel Lights Tear-OffMode See the instructions below to load media in Tear-OffMode: Page Cutter Mode See the instructions below to load media in Cutter-OffMode: Page Peel-OffMode See the instructions below to load media in Peel-OffMode: FEED Page Liner Take-UpMode See the instructions below to load media in Liner Take-UpMode: Page Liner Removal Peel Mode Page Page Rewind Mode Page Page Media Removal Page See the instructions below to load the ribbon: not Page Remove the Ribbon Configuration Enter Setup Mode See the instructions below to enter the setup mode: Change Password-ProtectedParameters Leave the Setup Mode Display Shows Action/Explanation Adjusting Print Darkness: Press PLUS (+) to increase Default: +10 Range: Adjusting the Tear-offPosition: Press PLUS (+) to Default: +0 Selecting Print Mode: Press PLUS (+) or MINUS (–)to Default: Tear-off Selections: Setting Media Type: Press PLUS (+) or MINUS (–)to Default: Setting the Sensor Type: Press PLUS (+) or MINUS (–)to Default: Web Selections: Web, mark Setting the Sensor Select: Press PLUS (+) or MINUS (–) Selecting Print Method: Press PLUS (+) for the next Setting Print Width: Default; Range: Setting Maximum Length: Press PLUS (+) to increase the List Fonts: List Bar Codes: List Images: List Formats: List Setup: List All: Caution • SETUP/EXIT f Sensor Profile: Manual Calibration: Press PLUS (+) to start the Page Setting Parallel Communications: Press PLUS (+) or Setting Serial Communications: Press PLUS (+) or Default: RS-232 Setting Baud: Press PLUS (+) or MINUS (–)to display Setting Data Bits: Default: 7-bits Setting Parity: Press PLUS (+) or MINUS (–)to display Default: None Setting Host Handshake: Press PLUS (+) or MINUS (–)to Setting Protocol: Press PLUS (+) or MINUS (–)to display Setting Network ID: Setting Communications Mode: Press PLUS (+) or Notes • Control Prefix Character: Press MINUS (–)to move to Format Prefix Character: Press MINUS (–)to move to the Delimiter Character: Press MINUS (–)to move to the next Selecting ZPL Mode: Press PLUS (+) or MINUS (–)to Default: ZPL Selections: ZPL II, ZPL Media Power Up: Press PLUS (+) or MINUS (–)to display Head Close: Backfeed Sequence: Press PLUS (+) or MINUS (–)to Adjusting Label Top Position: Press PLUS (+) to increase the value, press Page Example: Format Convert: Press PLUS (+) or MINUS (–)to display Idle Display: RTC Date: RTC Time: Password Level: Press PLUS (+) or MINUS (–)to display IP Resolution: Press PLUS (+) or MINUS (–)to display Default: Dynamic IP Protocols: Press PLUS (+) or MINUS (–)to display Default: All IP Address: Subnet Mask: Press PLUS (+) or MINUS (–)to display Default Gateway: Selecting the Display Language: Press PLUS (+) or Default: English Save Settings: Default: Permanent Permanent: Temporary: Cancel: Routine Care and Adjustments Area Interval Direct Thermal Mode: After every roll of media (or 500 feet of fanfold media) Thermal Transfer Mode: After every roll of ribbon or three rolls of media Clean the Printhead and Platen Roller Avoid abrasion Clean the printhead regularly Page Clean the Sensors Clean the Rewind Option Page Clean the Peel-OffAssembly Clean the Cutter Module Page Perform the following procedure to replace the fuse: Page Troubleshooting Error condition — RIBBON OUT Error condition — RIBBON IN Error condition — PAPER OUT Error condition — HEAD OPEN Warning — HEAD OVER TEMP Warning — HEAD UNDER TEMP Warning — CUTTER JAM OUT OF MEMORY General print quality issues Gray lines on blank labels with no consistent pattern Light, consistent vertical lines running through all labels Intermittent creases on the left and right edges of the label Wrinkled ribbon Calibration Communication Problems Page Power-OnSelf Test Additional Printer Self Tests Cancel Self Test Perform the following procedure to complete the Cancel Self Test: Pause Self Test Perform the following procedure to complete the Pause Self Test: Feed Self Test Perform the following procedure to complete the Feed Self Test: Loading Factory Defaults Specifications General Specifications Printing Specifications Thin film printhead with energy control Page Page Ribbon Specifications Page Z4M/Z6Mplus ZPL II Features Z4M/Z6Mplus Bar Code Features Power Line Cord Specifications must DB-9Connectors Hardware Control Signal Descriptions RS-232Serial Data Port Pin Number Name RS-232Interface Connections Page RS-232Interconnections Using a DB-25Cable RS-422/RS-485Interconnections Page Parallel Data Port Parallel Cabling Requirements 36-PinConnectors Page Memory Cards Install the PCMCIA Card Page Page Extend Printhead Life Challenge Preventive Maintenance Avoid the Contributing Factors to Premature Printhead Failure Cleaning Film Use Save-a-Printhead Cleaning Film How to Order Cleaning Film Kits Order kit number: For Printers with Print Widths of: Index