Zebra Printer Firmware Upgrade Information

Description

Upgrading or downgrading firmware on a Zebra Printer

Applies To

Zebra Printers 

Requirements

Any of the following

• FTP capability
• Zebra Designer Driver (If you are using the ZebraDesigner Driver with your application) Read More>>
• ZebraNet Bridge Read More>>
• Zebra Set-Up Utility Read More>>
• ZDownloader Utility Read More>>
   

Overview

The Zebra Printers accept firmware updates or upgrades using standard communications methods. The firmware file is available from the Zebra "Support and Downloads" selection at www.zebra.com. Read More>>

Once you locate your printer on the support site and download the firmware file from the Web, run the self-extracting executable file (vXX_XX_X.exe), which will produce a .ZPL firmware file. Send the .ZPL file to the printer via one of the suggested methods to update the printer firmware. The goal is to send the file using a method that does not alter or corrupt the firmware content in any way. The time it takes to transmit the file to the printer varies but allow the process to complete before taking any system or printer action. 

The printer acknowledges the upgrade by performing a reset and then printing a configuration list. Assure the printer has media loaded and is ready to print when sending the new firmware file.

Note: It is always good practice to record the existing printer configurations before upgrading/downgrading the printer since some values may be defaulted during the firmware loading process. Read More>>

Procedure

Directions for uploading from the Windows environment:

1 Download the firmware file from Zebra's website (vXX_XX_X.exe) to an appropriate working directory on your hard drive.

2. Extract the vXX_XX_X.exe file to produce the .ZPL file 

3. Send the .ZPL file to the printer via the method of your choice 

Sending the .zpl file

FTP - Use standard FTP commands to transfer the .zpl file to the printer.

ZebraDesigner Driver - Use the Send File feature under Tools  to send the .zpl file Read More>>

Zebra Setup Utility - Use the "Send File" feature to communicate the .zpl file to the printer. Read More>>

ZebraNet Bridge - Use the "Copy/Paste File" feature to send the .zpl file to the printer. Read More>>

Helpful Information

If the printer fails to accept the firmware assure you are downloading the correct version. If that is verified you can try to put the printer into a "Force Download" condition. This varies slightly from printer to printer based on the printer model.

Force Firmware Download Mode

Note:  You must use ZDownloader if sending firmware to printers in Force Firmware Download Mode.  The following link contains instructions on how to do so.  ZDownloader Instructions  Read More>>

• ZM/RZ Series Printers Read More>>
• ZT220 Printer Read More>>
• ZT230, ZT400 Read More>>
• S4M Printer Read More>>
• Xi4 Series, 105SL Plus, or ZE500 (Power on the printer pressing and holding the Plus and Minus buttons)
• Xi3Plus, 105SL, or Pax4 (Power on the printer holding the two black oval buttons located under the display)
• QLn Series Printers Read More>>