Zebra 411 label not aligning

[ASAM]

My Zebra 411 label printer begins to print fine, but it after a few labels it goes over the edge of the label and is completely unaligned.  Does anyone have a fix for this?  

[Summer2024 · Accepted solution]

Hi, @ASAM ! Welcome to the Square Community! 

I've done some research and it seems like the best option here is to manually calibrate the printer. Manual calibration helps the printer re-learn where each label starts and ends.

To manually calibrate a Zebra ZT411:

1. Turn off the printer.

2. Hold down the PAUSE and CANCEL buttons.

3. While holding those, turn the printer back on.

4. Continue holding the buttons until you see the screen say "Calibrating..."

5. The printer will feed several labels and adjust its internal sensor.

Let the calibration process finish completely and don’t press any buttons while it’s running.

Clean the Media Sensor

If labels are drifting, the sensor that detects gaps between labels might be dirty or partially blocked.

To clean it:

• Open the print head.

• Locate the media sensor (usually below the label path).

• Use a soft cloth or a cotton swab with isopropyl alcohol to gently clean it.

• Let it dry before closing the printer and trying again.

Check Label Type and Sensor Settings

• Go to the printer’s control panel 

• Make sure Media Type is set correctly:

  • Use "Gap/Web sensing" if you’re using standard gap-separated labels.

  • Use "Mark sensing" for labels with black marks on the back.

• Incorrect settings can cause misreads after several prints.

Verify Label Size in Square 

• Make sure the label size in Square matches your physical labels exactly.

If none of the above works: 

• Try a new roll of labels. sometimes misalignment is caused by inconsistently cut or damaged media.

• Update your firmware 

• Run a media sensor test through the printer’s UI if available.

I hope this helps! 

[ASAM]

Unfortunately the recommendation must be for something else.  There is no screen for a word to flash, such as "calibrating".  

[Summer2024]

Can you send me a picture of your printer? I'm wondering if it is an older model. 

[ASAM]

[ASAM]

Now it is not only printing off set, but it's going through multiple labels in between.  This was a recent attempt to print 4 labels as a test.  

The other options you gave me do not make any sense to me, though I do appreciate your continued support, because there is no place to do the following:

Check Label Type and Sensor Settings

• Go to the printer’s control panel 

• Make sure Media Type is set correctly:

  • Use "Gap/Web sensing" if you’re using standard gap-separated labels.

  • Use "Mark sensing" for labels with black marks on the back.

• Incorrect settings can cause misreads after several prints.

Where would I do these things?  Yes, I tried other media, it worked yesterday afternoon and now we are back to these issues.  I did clean it (I think) correctly.  Again, all help is great I simply do not seem to have the options to follow some of the directions you are sending.   Thanks.

[ASAM]

I'll try all of these, thanks!  The printer was offline for a week so I'm only just trying to print again now

[ASAM]

Solved by downloading new firmware.  Thank you!!!!