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The details here are for a quick reference only but should provide a quick solution to problems. We have no connection with either Zebra/Eltron or Seagull. Their products are copyright and we make no claims in relation to them. The information here is simply to help our own customers. If you have any detailed problems with your Zebra/Eltron printer or need technical assistance then you should seek it from the original supplier and, since we do not sell printers it's not us! Please note that if you want extensive assistance resolving printer issues then we will expect to make a charge for this.
The Zebra website is at www.zebra.com where you should find solutions to all your problems there.
Printer drivers can be obtained from either Zebra or Seagull Scientific. The Zebra ones are fine for standard paper sizes but you should consider the Seagull one for unusual sizes or use with XP. If your printout goes across the page instead of down then again use the Seagull ones. If you upgrade from the Zebra driver to the Seagull driver then check the printer properties afterwards. If this does not have a banner that says 'Drivers by Seagull' then it has pulled the original Zebra driver back in (and Windows is being over-helpful), resulting in you wasting your time.
If you get blank sheets of paper out of the printer when you try to print, even though the Windows test page printed, then the chances are that you are using the wrong paper size in the printer settings. The default paper size is 2 inches by 4 inches.
An example of how to set up the correct label size of the printer is [HERE] and an example of how to install the driver is [HERE]
Most problems that we get calls about occur immediately after the change of a label roll and are due to not performing an 'autosense' procedure (as per the manual. You did read it?) Typical effects are spurious characters on the labels or printing the wrong page length. You may even push some printers into Line Mode instead of Page Mode (see below).
Before you start doing a lot of work try changing the printer cable. It may be faulty!
If connecting the printer via USB you should carefully read the instructions in the manual BEFORE attaching the printer. Failure to do so will result in the need for complicated solutions and you will need to contact your supplier to resolve this.
Eltron Orion/2443 autosense
Turn the power off.
1. Hold down the feed button.
2. Turn the
power on with the feed button DOWN.
3. When the indicator light flashes,
release the button.
4. It should print a diagnostic dump.
5. Tap the
feed button to exit the dump mode.
Note: at the top of the dump it will tell you the MODE of the printer. This may say PAGE MODE or LINE MODE. To print barcode labels this printer should be in PAGE MODE. If it is in LINE MODE then you should perform the autosense procedure as normal then follow the procedure at the bottom of this page.
LP2844 autosense (not the 2844Z)
Turn the power off.
1. Hold down the feed button.
2. Turn the
power on with the feed button DOWN.
3. When the indicator light flashes,
release the button.
4. It should print a diagnostic dump.
5. Tap the
feed button to exit the dump mode.
The colour of the feed light has the following meanings -
Solid green - OK.
Solid orange - ribbon out
Solid red - media
out
2722/2742/3742 autosense
Turn the power off.
1. Hold down the feed button.
2. Turn the
power on with the feed button DOWN.
3. Release the button.
4. It should
print a diagnostic dump.
5. Tap the feed button to exit the dump mode.
LP2844Z/LP3844Z autosense
This printer performs an automatic autosense.
To perform a manual autosense -
1. Turn the printer power ON.
2. Press and HOLD DOWN the feed button
until the green status light flashes once then twice.
3. Release the feed
button
4. The printer will print and stop at the edge of a label.
5.
Press the feed button once and a blank label will print.
If this does not work you should reset the printer -
1. Turn the power off.
2. Press and HOLD the feed button.
3.
Turn the power ON with the button held down.
4. A diagnostic page will be
printed.
5. Release the feed button when the green status LED flashes four
times.
6. Turn OFF the printer.
7. Turn ON the printer.
Custom paper sizes
If you are part of the TPN network you will need to set a custom paper size for your label if using Windows XP, 2000 or NT. The official guide to doing this is on the Microsoft support site.
The TPN label is 4 inches across by 8 inches down and is not a standard paper size. Although most current models are fine, some thermal printers cannot print an 8 inch label e.g. Eltron Tigerwriter.
Go into Printers and click on FILE. Choose Server Properties. Create a new label which you can call TPN Label. Set the size and choose. Save. This should then appear in the list of available label sizes on the Printer Properties.
If using the Seagull driver you may need to create a custom paper size within the printer driver properties.
Note that you may have to be logged on with supervisory access to create a custom paper size.
Creation of USB Virtual Printing Port
Install the printer driver usually setting it to print to LPT1.
When you plug in the Zebra/Eltron to the USB port you will get a 'new hardware found' message. Click on Next.
Choose the option of 'Search for a driver for my device' and Next.
On the Locate driver files screen, uncheck all boxes and click Next.
On the Driver Files Search Results page choose 'DISABLE THE DEVICE' and Finish. A virtual printing port will be created. This will be called USB001 or similar.
Now go into the Printer Properties and alter the port to USB001.
Page mode/Line mode
Some Zebra/Eltron printers have the ability to print labels or tally rolls. When you print a label and get gibberish then the chances are that the printer is in line mode. You may have accidentally done this when changing the paper. To get it out of line mode do this -
This shows what the DUMP should show -
