Salesforce

Windows 10 Bluetooth Setup with Zebra Printers

« Go Back

Information

 
Issue / QuestionHow to setup Bluetooth for Zebra Printers on Windows 10?
Applicable ToZebra Printers, Windows 10, zDesigner Driver
Resolution / Answer

Procedure: 

 
NOTE Ensure that you have the zDesigner driver installed and available. Refer to this article: Installing the Zebra Printer Driver on a Windows PC.
 
  1. With the driver installed, connect your Zebra mobile printer via USB and make sure that you can communicate with the printer.
Plug and Play from Windows 10 will automatically create a zDesigner Driver instance for your printer with a USB port.

 
NOTE Download and install the Zebra Setup Utility (ZSU) You can access the following link for details: Bluetooth Setup using the Zebra Setup Utility.
  1. Once you have started the ZSU, select the zDesigner driver for your USB-connected Zebra printer and choose Configure Printer Connectivity.

 
  1. Select Bluetooth and click Next.
  1. Enter a Friendly name and an Authentication pin number of your choice. You can leave the default values for the remaining Bluetooth settings and click Next.
  1. Click Next.
 
  1. Unless you want to capture the settings to a file, leave this option set as Printer and click Finish.
 

(In the case of a ZQ510 the printer displays RESTARTING after receiving the Bluetooth settings).
You can now close the ZSU and disconnect the USB cable from the printer.
 
  1. In Windows 10 Search the web and Windows box, type Bluetooth, and select Bluetooth Settings
 
After a few moments, Windows should list your Zebra Bluetooth printer.
 
  1. Highlight the printer with the Friendly name you entered in the Zebra Setup Utility and click Pair.
 
  1. When prompted, enter the passcode created in the ZSU and click Next. 
The screen may quickly flash Connected but then will show as Driver is unavailable.
  1. Click More Bluetooth options

 
IMPORTANT! It is critical that you follow these next instructions closely and choose the COM port created by Windows 10. It will not work and will result in an error if you do not or cannot select the COM port created by Windows 10.
  1. From the Bluetooth Settings box, click the COM Ports tab and confirm the Outgoing port listed for the Zebra printer and its Friendly name that you had previously created. In this example, the COM84 is exceptionally high due to passed pairing attempts that failed because of known issues in the earlier versions of Windows 10. The latest updates have addressed those issues so your Windows 10 installation must be up-to-date. 
  1. If Devices and Printers is already open, close it and re-open. Manage Bluetooth devices and Bluetooth Settings should also be closed. Your printer with its friendly name should be listed. 
  1. Right-click the printer and choose Properties. This shows the COM port created by Windows 10.

 
IMPORTANT! In order to print successfully with no Errors, you must select this COM Port.
It has proven to be necessary to manually add a new printer.
  1. Open the Zebra Setup Utility.  
 
NOTE If you did not download and install a new version of the Zebra Setup Utility at the beginning of this process, check the About screen to ensure that you are running a current version that will install a current ZDesigner driver (v1.1.9.1155 or newer).
  1. Select Install New Printer. 
  2. From Options screen, select Install Printer. 
  1. Select your printer model and the language you wish to use, then click Next.
  1. Temporarily select LPT3.
  1. Uncheck the Launch installation of Zebra Font Downloader Setup Wizard option and click Finish.
  1. If this message displays, ignore and click Next.
  1. Click Ignore and then OK to the next message to complete the installation. 
  1. Once completed, the new printer will display in the ZSU. 
  1. Re-open Devices and Printers then right-click and choose Printer Properties.
  1. Click the Ports tab and confirm that the Outgoing Port created by Window 10, in this case, COM 84, is now available to select.
  2. Select the port and click Apply.
  1. Click the General tab and select Print Test Page.

With the correct port selected, a Test Page prints with no error message. If the correct Port is not available you cannot select a different COM port.

When you attempt to print you will receive an Error printing from the operating system and from Devices and Printers.
 

 
 

This means that your Windows 10 is missing a key update that corrected this Microsoft issue. These are suggested steps available from the internet to help with the task of updating your Windows 10 operating system.
 

You can try completing all steps in the link below to correct the Microsoft issues with the earlier version of Windows 10 and ensure that your operating system is up-to-date.
 
At this point, it is not a Zebra or zDesigner driver issue. This was a known MS operating system issue affecting all driver manufacturers that MS updates have resolved.
 
NOTE Make sure your mobile printer is not in sleep mode. Sending a job when the printer is in sleep mode, also results in a temporary Error Printing message from the operating system that is corrected as soon as the printer is powered back up.
URL NameWindows-10-Bluetooth-Setup-with-Zebra-Printers
TitleWindows 10 Bluetooth Setup with Zebra Printers

Powered by