Zebra GX420d printing problem

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Zebra GX420d printing problem

Seth Thomas posted 9 Years Ago

Hi. We've been using a GoDEX DT4 for printing standard children's ministry checkin labels from Rock and it works great. We used it because we already had it and it accepted the ZPL language fine. We recently purchased two GX420d printers for use, as our children's ministry has grown. However, after setting them up and attempting to print, they only print part way through the first label (has the child's name, etc.) and when it reaches the black bar with the random generated checkin number, the printer stops and a solid red light appears. After a few seconds, the rest of the unprinted label will advance and the printer will return to 'ready' status with a green light. However, the 2nd "pickup" label does not print at all. This happens exactly the same with both printers, which would seem to be a configuration issue? Anybody else had this happen? Not sure what to do...

Seth Thomas · Answer 1 · 2015-10-01T16:29-07:00

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Seth Thomas replied 9 Years Ago

Yes. 4x2 direct thermal labels. It is set to auto calibrate and I don't know if that is playing into the situation.

Michael Garrison

9 years ago

Seth, it's been long enough since we set up our GX420d s that I don't remember what the out-of-the-box setup process was like- auto-calibrate vs setting label sizes, etc. Next time I'm there I'll try to see if I can figure my way back into the setup to see how ours are set.
Michael Garrison

9 years ago

One more thought that might help troubleshoot- we could try directly sending a label to the printer instead of going through Rock. That would eliminate Rock configuration issues.
I can walk you through running that test, but I need to know whether the printers are installed as a Windows system printer on any of your computers...we'll need to be able to make them available as a network shared printer.
Michael Garrison

9 years ago

Just got in to the web interface- I forgot I don't have to physically print the setups with a network printer =)
It looks like we use "non-continuous" media, "web" sensor type, 812 width and 7917 length. So I take that to mean not auto-calibrated.
I guess another question is, have you calibrated your printer(s)? I think you hold down the button- the light will flash once, then twice, once it flashes twice release the button and it runs a calibration. But again, I was more involved with deployment rather than the day-to-day use of the printers so I may be remembering that incorrectly.

Seth Thomas · Answer 2 · 2015-10-02T20:47-07:00

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Seth Thomas replied 9 Years Ago

Yes. I've calibrated them. They are setup as Windows installed printers as static IP address network printers.

Michael Garrison · Answer 3 · 2015-10-08T12:35-07:00

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Michael Garrison replied 9 Years Ago

Seth, sorry I didn't write back before now.

Let's try sending a file directly to the printer to bypass Rock. Hopefully this will isolate whether it's an issue with the configuration in Rock or the printer itself.

Prerequisites:
1) Create or download a known-good label (.prn) file. (see below for the contents of a 4x2 label we use- I'm pretty sure it's a slightly tweaked stock Rock label)
2) Know the UNC path of the shared printer ( \\computername\printer ). I haven't been able to use just an IP address, it needs to be a shared Windows system printer.

Steps:
1) Using a Windows machine with the .prn file available, open up the command line (Start -> search for "cmd" and click "Command Prompt" when it finds it)
Note that I find it easiest to log into the machine from which the printer is shared.
2) Assuming the .prn file is located at c:\test.prn, run the following command: (change the file path and the UNC path for your setup)

copy /b "c:\test.prn" \\computername\printer

(In this example the double quote marks aren't necessary, but they're there in case your path has spaces). Alternately if you're logged in on the computer sharing the printer, you can copy it to \\127.0.0.1\printer instead of using computername- this is how I do it in a script we use to print out blank nametags intended to be filled out manually

3) If the entire label prints out, it's not an issue with the printer. The next step I would recommend in that case would be to download the .prn file you've got set up in Rock and try sending that. Note that it will print out with the prompt text instead of any actual data (name, code, allergies, etc).

Let me know how the test goes...

Known good 4x2 label:

Copy and paste the following into Notepad. When saving, change "Save as Type" to "All Files (*.*)" and end your filename with .prn. This isn't required but is good practice to help you keep it straight =)

CT~~CD,~CC^~CT~
^XA~TA000~JSN^LT0^MNW^MTD^PON^PMN^LH0,0^JMA^PR6,6~SD15^JUS^LRN^CI0^XZ
^XA
^MMT
^PW812
^LL0406
^LS0
^FT512,118^A0N,135,134^FB280,1,0,R^FH\^FD???^FS
^FT14,342^A0N,39,38^FH\^FDChild Pick-up Receipt^FS
^FT15,369^A0N,23,24^FH\^FDFor the safety of your child, you must present this receipt when picking^FS
^FT15,393^A0N,23,24^FH\^FDup your child. If you lose this please see the area director.^FS
^LRY^FO0,0^GB812,0,136^FS^LRN
^PQ1,0,1,Y^XZ

Edit Answer

Seth, sorry I didn't write back before now.

Let's try sending a file directly to the printer to bypass Rock. Hopefully this will isolate whether it's an issue with the configuration in Rock or the printer itself.

Prerequisites: 
1) Create or download a known-good label (.prn) file. (see below for the contents of a 4x2 label we use- I'm pretty sure it's a slightly tweaked stock Rock label) 
2) Know the UNC path of the&nbsp;shared printer&nbsp;( <a href="file://\\computername\printer">\\computername\printer</a> ). I haven't been able to use just an IP address, it needs to be a shared Windows system printer.

Steps: 
1)&nbsp;Using a Windows machine with the .prn file available, open up the command line (Start -&gt; search for "cmd" and click "Command Prompt" when it finds it) 
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Note that I find it easiest to log into the machine from which the printer is shared. 
2) Assuming the .prn file is located at c:\test.prn, run the following command: (change the file path and the UNC path for your setup)

<pre>
copy /b "c:\test.prn" \\computername\printer</pre>

(In this example the double quote marks aren't necessary, but they're there in case your path has spaces). Alternately if you're logged in on the computer sharing the printer, you can copy it to <a href="file://\\127.0.0.1\printer">\\127.0.0.1\printer</a> instead of using computername- this is how I do it in&nbsp;a script we use to print out blank nametags intended to be filled out manually

3) If the entire label prints out, it's not an issue with the printer. The next step I would recommend in that case would be to download the .prn file you've got set up in Rock and try sending that. Note that it will print out with the prompt text instead of any actual data (name, code, allergies, etc).

Let me know how the test goes...

<hr />
Known good 4x2 label:

Copy and paste the following into Notepad. When saving, change "Save as Type" to "All Files (*.*)" and end your filename with .prn. This isn't required but is good practice to help you keep it straight =)

<hr /><pre>
CT~~CD,~CC^~CT~
^XA~TA000~JSN^LT0^MNW^MTD^PON^PMN^LH0,0^JMA^PR6,6~SD15^JUS^LRN^CI0^XZ
^XA
^MMT
^PW812
^LL0406
^LS0
^FT512,118^A0N,135,134^FB280,1,0,R^FH\^FD???^FS
^FT14,342^A0N,39,38^FH\^FDChild Pick-up Receipt^FS
^FT15,369^A0N,23,24^FH\^FDFor the safety of your child, you must present this receipt when picking^FS
^FT15,393^A0N,23,24^FH\^FDup your child. If you lose this please see the area director.^FS
^LRY^FO0,0^GB812,0,136^FS^LRN
^PQ1,0,1,Y^XZ
</pre>

<p>Seth, sorry I didn't write back before now.</p>

<p>Let's try sending a file directly to the printer to bypass Rock. Hopefully this will isolate whether it's an issue with the configuration in Rock or the printer itself.</p>

<p><strong>Prerequisites:</strong><br />
1) Create or download a known-good label (.prn) file. (see below for the contents of a 4x2 label we use- I'm pretty sure it's a slightly tweaked stock Rock label)<br />
2) Know the UNC path of the&nbsp;shared printer&nbsp;( <a href="file://\\computername\printer">\\computername\printer</a> ). I haven't been able to use just an IP address, it needs to be a shared Windows system printer.</p>

<p><strong>Steps:</strong><br />
1)&nbsp;Using a Windows machine with the .prn file available, open up the command line (Start -&gt; search for "cmd" and click "Command Prompt" when it finds it)<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Note that I find it easiest to log into the machine from which the printer is shared.<br />
2) Assuming the .prn file is located at c:\test.prn, run the following command: (change the file path and the UNC path for your setup)</p>

<pre>
copy /b "c:\test.prn" \\computername\printer</pre>

<p>(In this example the double quote marks aren't necessary, but they're there in case your path has spaces). Alternately if you're logged in on the computer sharing the printer, you can copy it to <a href="file://\\127.0.0.1\printer">\\127.0.0.1\printer</a> instead of using computername- this is how I do it in&nbsp;a script we use to print out blank nametags intended to be filled out manually</p>

<p>3) If the entire label prints out, it's not an issue with the printer. The next step I would recommend in that case would be to download the .prn file you've got set up in Rock and try sending that. Note that it will print out with the prompt text instead of any actual data (name, code, allergies, etc).</p>

<p>Let me know how the test goes...</p>

<hr />
<p><strong>Known good 4x2 label:</strong></p>

<p>Copy and paste the following into Notepad. When saving, change "Save as Type" to "All Files (*.*)" and end your filename with .prn. This isn't required but is good practice to help you keep it straight =)</p>

<hr /><pre>
CT~~CD,~CC^~CT~
^XA~TA000~JSN^LT0^MNW^MTD^PON^PMN^LH0,0^JMA^PR6,6~SD15^JUS^LRN^CI0^XZ
^XA
^MMT
^PW812
^LL0406
^LS0
^FT512,118^A0N,135,134^FB280,1,0,R^FH\^FD???^FS
^FT14,342^A0N,39,38^FH\^FDChild Pick-up Receipt^FS
^FT15,369^A0N,23,24^FH\^FDFor the safety of your child, you must present this receipt when picking^FS
^FT15,393^A0N,23,24^FH\^FDup your child. If you lose this please see the area director.^FS
^LRY^FO0,0^GB812,0,136^FS^LRN
^PQ1,0,1,Y^XZ
</pre>

<p>Seth, sorry I didn't write back before now.</p>

<p>Let's try sending a file directly to the printer to bypass Rock. Hopefully this will isolate whether it's an issue with the configuration in Rock or the printer itself.</p>

<p><strong>Prerequisites:</strong><br />
1) Create or download a known-good label (.prn) file. (see below for the contents of a 4x2 label we use- I'm pretty sure it's a slightly tweaked stock Rock label)<br />
2) Know the UNC path of the&nbsp;shared printer&nbsp;( <a href="file://\\computername\printer">\\computername\printer</a> ). I haven't been able to use just an IP address, it needs to be a shared Windows system printer.</p>

<p><strong>Steps:</strong><br />
1)&nbsp;Using a Windows machine with the .prn file available, open up the command line (Start -&gt; search for "cmd" and click "Command Prompt" when it finds it)<br />
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Note that I find it easiest to log into the machine from which the printer is shared.<br />
2) Assuming the .prn file is located at c:\test.prn, run the following command: (change the file path and the UNC path for your setup)</p>

<pre>
copy /b "c:\test.prn" \\computername\printer</pre>

<p>(In this example the double quote marks aren't necessary, but they're there in case your path has spaces). Alternately if you're logged in on the computer sharing the printer, you can copy it to <a href="file://\\127.0.0.1\printer">\\127.0.0.1\printer</a> instead of using computername- this is how I do it in&nbsp;a script we use to print out blank nametags intended to be filled out manually</p>

<p>3) If the entire label prints out, it's not an issue with the printer. The next step I would recommend in that case would be to download the .prn file you've got set up in Rock and try sending that. Note that it will print out with the prompt text instead of any actual data (name, code, allergies, etc).</p>

<p>Let me know how the test goes...</p>

<hr />
<p><strong>Known good 4x2 label:</strong></p>

<p>Copy and paste the following into Notepad. When saving, change "Save as Type" to "All Files (*.*)" and end your filename with .prn. This isn't required but is good practice to help you keep it straight =)</p>

<hr /><pre>
CT~~CD,~CC^~CT~
^XA~TA000~JSN^LT0^MNW^MTD^PON^PMN^LH0,0^JMA^PR6,6~SD15^JUS^LRN^CI0^XZ
^XA
^MMT
^PW812
^LL0406
^LS0
^FT512,118^A0N,135,134^FB280,1,0,R^FH\^FD???^FS
^FT14,342^A0N,39,38^FH\^FDChild Pick-up Receipt^FS
^FT15,369^A0N,23,24^FH\^FDFor the safety of your child, you must present this receipt when picking^FS
^FT15,393^A0N,23,24^FH\^FDup your child. If you lose this please see the area director.^FS
^LRY^FO0,0^GB812,0,136^FS^LRN
^PQ1,0,1,Y^XZ
</pre>

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Seth Thomas · Answer 4 · 2015-10-10T19:41-07:00

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Seth Thomas replied 9 Years Ago

Okay. Sorry for the delay. I was able to run this test as you suggested. The label and process here does the same thing... Prints to about 1/2 way through the black bar at the top of the label and then stops... light turns red, and then after a moment, advances through a blank label, and then resets to green light. Does the same with 2 different printers. What are the chances both printers are bad? Configuration labels print fine. Printing a "Test" label from the windows printer settings seems to print fine also. And I can setup a 4" x 2" label in Microsoft Publisher and print it just fine also. Any thoughts?

Edit Answer

<p>Okay. Sorry for the delay. I was able to run this test as you suggested. The label and process here does the same thing... Prints to about 1/2 way through the black bar at the top of the label and then stops... light turns red, and then after a moment, advances through a blank label, and then resets to green light. Does the same with 2 different printers. What are the chances both printers are bad? Configuration labels print fine. Printing a "Test" label from the windows printer settings seems to print fine also. And I can setup a 4" x 2" label in Microsoft Publisher and print it just fine also. Any thoughts?</p>

<p>Okay. Sorry for the delay. I was able to run this test as you suggested. The label and process here does the same thing... Prints to about 1/2 way through the black bar at the top of the label and then stops... light turns red, and then after a moment, advances through a blank label, and then resets to green light. Does the same with 2 different printers. What are the chances both printers are bad? Configuration labels print fine. Printing a "Test" label from the windows printer settings seems to print fine also. And I can setup a 4" x 2" label in Microsoft Publisher and print it just fine also. Any thoughts?</p>

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Michael Garrison

9 years ago

Were you using your own Rock label or the one I copied above? If you were using your own label I would speculate that an illegal character has slipped into your file somewhere.

Try pasting your label's file contents into http://labelary.com/viewer.html (setting the dimensions to 4x2) and see if that renders correctly... (I don't know how that viewer would treat file errors though, I just think it might be worth a try)

And try a different file for the test- another one of yours or the one I posted above.

Seth Thomas · Answer 5 · 2015-10-12T11:39-07:00

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Seth Thomas replied 9 Years Ago

I used your label. I'll try another when I'm back in the office. I'm wondering if my actual label rolls might be bad... And causing a printer error if they don't line up right... Not sure where we ordered them

Michael Garrison

9 years ago

That's probably a good thought- since Rock isn't the issue and the label file itself isn't the common denominator, and I agree it's unlikely that both printers are bad, that's something left that both would have in common. Though the fact they can print a configuration report and Windows test page argues a bit against that.

Keep us up to date but I might be out of ideas, sorry
Nick Airdo

8 years ago

Seth, were you using the stock Zebra drivers for Windows or alternate drivers (such as those from another provider like Seagull Scientific)?

Lee Peterson · Answer 6 · 2018-07-14T08:35-07:00

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Lee Peterson replied 6 Years Ago

I'm not sure if this was resolved, but it seems that there's a good chance the power supply is bad. Try swapping with a known good one.

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Zebra GX420d printing problem

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