There are two methods for setting up a Zebra printer.
Either connect the printer via USB cable to a pc and use the Zebra Setup Utilities or connect to the printer via the Zebra Printer Setup app on a handheld scanner or smartphone.
We recommend the using the method 1.
Methods
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Method 1: Using the mobile app "Zebra Printer Setup Utility"
To manage and setup Zebra printer you need to install the "Zebra Printer Setup Utility" app (link) on either a smartphone or on a handheld scanner.
Note: the application cannot be used on
- Use a mobile Android device (iPhones can not perform the initial setup of a printer)
- Install Zebra Printer Setup Utility from the Play Store
- Once the app has been installed hold the scanner/phone against the printer to start the connection. You may have to move your scanner/phone around the printer until the connection is initiated
- The mobile device will vibrate once when the connection is starting
- Once the scanner/phone is connected to the printer you can begin connecting the printer to the WI-FI
If you are having trouble connecting to the printer try and put the printer into "Limited Connection" mode by holding down the feed button down until the connection LED starts blinking, then hold the scanner/phone against the printer again until it vibrates.
Setting up the Connection
Step 1)
Go into connectivity settings:
Step 2)
Select Wireless.
Step 3)
Turn off Power Save Mode and leave the other settings unchanged unless you need to set the printer up with a static IP then set the IP Addressing Protocol to Static.
Step 4)
Leave settings unchanged unless the network requires any of the details set.
Step 5)
Enter the name of the network you want the printer to connect to in the ESSID field and set the security mode to WPA PSK.
Unless the network requires any of the other fields changed then select next.
Step 6)
Enter in the code for the network and select next.
Step 7)
Select apply unless you are setting up multiple printers then you can save the settings to a file to ease the setup of the others.
After this the printer will restart and then connect to the wireless network.
Information Gathering
To verify the printers connection to the correct network and get the IP adderes from the printer follow these steps:
Step 1)
Press on the printer icon in Zebra Printer Setup.
Step 2)
Go into the connectivity menu, then under the Wireless header you can find the IP address.
Method 2: Windows program "Zebra Setup Utilities"
Prerequisites
- Connect the printer using a micro-USB cable. Make sure it is not being pushed by the rubber port cover
1. Install and launch of Zebra Setup Utilities
Most Zebra printers can be configured using Zebra Setup Utilities which is a Windows application – it can be downloaded from Zebras website:
https://www.zebra.com/us/en/support-downloads/printer-software/printer-setup-utilities.html
When you have downloaded the executable, right click the file, and select "Run as administrator". The installer should be run with all suggested settings, so a simple "Next-next-next" install. Once installed, you will see the Setup Utilities main screen once you run the application:
In this case, a printer was connected via USB cable to the PC during application startup, this printer is shown in the screen under "Printers" (marked blue in the picture above). If you printer was not connected during startup, you can install it by clicking "Install New Printer" which will let you select your printer from a list and install the right driver for it.
2. Configuration of wireless network (Wi-fi) on Zebra printer
To configure Wi-fi on a printer, click "Configure Printer Connectivity" under the "Printer Configuration" menu. This will launch the wizard seen below. Select "Wireless" and then click "Next":
Next you will need to select if the printer should use a dynamic or static IP. Most will use dynamic (DHCP) but consult your IT Department if in doubt - click "Next" after the appropriate setting has been made:
Next up is the Wi-fi band – again, this depends on the specific configuration of your company WiFi, but the "802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4/5GHz)" will cover most needs as it contains all variants and frequencies. Consult your IT department if in doubt. Click "Next" to proceed:
It should not be required to select a WLAN country, so you can leave the default setting and proceed by clicking "Next":
Here you are required to enter the name of the Wi-fi, what's known as the ESSID of the network. If you don't know it, you should contact your IT department. In the same window you will need to select the security mode. Most will use WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK but as with the other technical selections you should consult your IT department if in doubt. Note that the ESSID must be written exactly like defined by the network administrators - the slightest deviation will prohibit the printer from connecting to the network:
Next page will let you enter the password/key – also known as Pre-shared key (PSK) of the network. This is normally a string value so "String" should be selected. Please note that the key will be visible as clear text when typing. As with the ESSID above, the PSK must be written exactly correct - otherwise the printer will not be able connect. Proceed by clicking "Next":
It should not be required to select anything but default in the "Advanced Settings" so this screen can be skipped, and you can proceed by clicking "Next":
Next screen will display the commands that will be sent to the printer for configuring the Wireless connection for review. Providing that the configurations you have made prior to here, you should not need to review this, and can proceed by clicking "Next":
The last screen will let you choose to either send the commands created using this wizard to the printer, or alternatively save it to a file. Select the "Printer" option and then click "Finish".
If you save it to a file, it will ease future setup of similar printers, and may be a good thing to do. In this scenario, we'll finish off by selecting "Printer" and click "Finish". This will send the configuration to the printer, and you should see the printer restart, and upon powering up again, the Wi-fi symbol on the printer should signal connectivity.
If you after the printer restart do not see the Wi-fi signal. (Give it a minute to locate the network) then you should consult your IT department with the settings you have entered in this wizard, and verify that they are correct, and redo the wizard with any updated information.
Information Gathering
To figure out what IP address the printer has gotten from the DHCP you need to:
First go into open communications with the printer:
Then send the following command to the printer:
! U1 getvar "ip.addr"
Remember you have to click on Send to printer twice before the printer receives the command.
If the printer has been connected correctly you will get an IP address in the second window, if it returns with four zeros the printer hasn't been able to connected yet.