Zebra TLP 2824 Printer Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting the Zebra TLP 2824 (ZPL)

IMPORTANT NOTE: When using the ZEBRA Printers for your labels, the best firmware version for a smooth Bravo experience is the V61.17.17Z. You can find a document at the bottom of this page that shows how to update the firmware of your printers.

What do I do if the labels don't print exactly on the labels or start to drift down on the labels?

To perform a soft calibration, navigate to your Devices and Printers inside of your Control Panel in Windows. Right click on the label printer and select    Printing Preferences, then select the Tools tab followed by selecting the action called Calibrate Media and click the send button below. Your printer will    then begin printing a few blank labels. Tap the feed button on the printer and a blank label will feed out. To perform a physical calibration, go to the printer and begin holding the feed button down. The printer will then begin to make a series of progressive flashes. The flashes will represent numbers in a sequence. It will flash once, then twice, then three times, this will continue until the series of seven flashes. After the seventh flash release the button immediately. If done correctly this will print out a media test, after the test is complete tap the feed button once more to make sure your alignment is correct.

What do I do if my printer is not obtaining an IP address? Or when I print the status page, all I see if 0.0.0.0 or an IP address that does not match the DHCP settings of my internal network configuration?

Hold down the feed button, the printer will the begin to made a series of progressive flashes. The flashes will represent numbers in a sequence as described in the previous example, only this time we will be releasing it on the fourth flash. This will put the printer into the factory default mode. Once    the printer has entered the Factory Default mode, the status light will turn orange for three seconds. During that time, you may do two things:

Do nothing and the printer will reset to the factory defaults automatically as described above.

Press and hold the feed button to enter a factory default reset mode for printers with a network printer option. Releasing the button after the first flash will reset the network factory options. Releasing the button after the second flash sequence will reset the printer defaults. Releasing the button after the third flash sequence will reset both the printer and network settings.

You can also use the printer’s RESET button. This button is located underneath the power switch inside a small divot. The printer’s RESET button can restore the printer or network (the internal print server) to the Factory Default configuration. By pressing and holding the RESET button for one (1) or more seconds, the printer will enter a reset sequence and the status light will begin blinking every second until released. Releasing the button at the appropriate time tells the printer which reset function to perform.

If you hold the RESET button for 1-5 seconds, the printer shall perform a Factory Default reset. Upon completion of the Factory Default reset, the printer shall automatically print a configuration label and a network label (if present).

If you hold the RESET button for 6-10 seconds, the printer shall drop connection to the network and a network Factory Default reset shall occur. Upon completion of the network default reset, the printer shall automatically print a configuration label and a network label. If no Ethernet is installed    in the printer, the printer will perform no action if the button is pressed 5 or more seconds.

If you hold the RESET button for 6-10 seconds, the printer shall drop connection to the network and a network Factory Default reset shall occur. Upon completion of the network default reset, the printer shall automatically print a configuration label and a network label. If no Ethernet is installed in the printer, the printer will perform no action if the button is pressed 5 or more seconds.

In order to reset the printer and network, using the RESET button, you must perform two separate reset actions: a printer reset (press and hold the button 1-5 seconds) and a network reset (press and hold the button 6-10 seconds).

What do I do if the light on the printer is solid red and will not print?

Power the printer off for 30 seconds, then power the printer back on.

Load more labels into the printer.

Close the printer lid.

What do I do if the printer is doing a double green flash and will not print?

Press the feed button to resume printing.

What do I do if the printer starts to alternately flash green and red?

Contact Zebra Support.

What do I do if the printer starts to alternately flash red, orange, or green?

Do Not Turn The Printer Off! Wait until it is done. Defragmentation is a normal operation of the printer – necessary to manage the memory space for optimal use. The printer will defragment its memory both after a Factory Default and when the printer detects that a defragment is required. When the printer is in this condition, allow it to finish defragmenting. If this warning occurs frequently, check the label formats. Formats that frequently and repeatedly write to and erase from memory, may cause the printer to defragment often. Using formats that avoid frequent and repeated memory write/erase event, will minimize the need for defragmentation.

What do I do if there is nothing appearing on the label when I print a tag?

Purchase correct labels

What do I do if the label is only printing half of the label correctly? The label only shows up on the left or right sides.

Contact Zebra Support

Open the printer and see if there is a rogue label in the way of the thermal transfer unit. Remove the rogue label and try and print again.

If you are still having trouble and need assistance, don't hesitate to call our support line (888) 407-6287 option 3.