Connecting Your Printer to a Computer
Connecting Your Printer to a Computer

Connecting Your Printer to a Computer

Use these steps to connect your printer to a computer.
  1. Decide how you will connect to the printer.
    Your printer supports these interface options and configurations:
    • Universal Serial Bus (USB 2.0) interface — Standard. For cable requirements, see Interface Cable Requirements, Universal Serial Bus (USB) Interface, and Universal Serial Bus (USB) Interface.
    • RS232 Serial — Standard on ZD621 printers, and field upgrade option on ZD421 printers. See Serial Port Interface.
    • Ethernet / LAN — Standard on ZD621 printers, and field upgrade option on ZD421 printers. See Interface Cable Requirements and Ethernet (LAN, RJ-45) for cable requirements.
    • Internal Wi-Fi (802.11ac) and Bluetooth Classic 4.1 (3.0 Compatible) — Factory-installed option. See Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Classic Wireless Connectivity Option.
      Zebra ZD Series printers which are equipped with the Wi-Fi connectivity option have support for Bluetooth Low Energy (low-speed connection). You can configure them using Zebra Setup Utilities installed on an Android or iOS device.
    Be sure to review the cabling and unique parameters for each physical printer communication interface. This will help you set up the printer with the correct settings. For detailed instructions on configuring network (Ethernet / Wi-Fi) and Bluetooth communication, see the Wired and Wireless Print Server User Guide and the Bluetooth Wireless Guide available from the product information links listed in About this Guide.
  2. Switch printer power OFF.
  3. Connect the printer to the computer or device you will use to manage the printer using your selected connection method (USB, Ethernet / LAN, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth).
  4. Run Zebra Setup Utilities (ZSU) from your central device. See Running the Printer Installation Wizard.
    The central device may be a Windows PC or laptop running the operating systems listed in Setup for Windows, an Android device, or an Apple device. Supported printer connection options are Wired/Ethernet, USB, and Wireless, Bluetooth Classic, and Bluetooth Low Energy (Bluetooth LE).
    Zebra Setup Utilities (ZSU) are designed to assist you with installing these interfaces. To download the ZSU user guide, go to zebra.com/setup.
    Wait to turn printer power ON until you are instructed to do so by the Installation Wizard. Keep the power switch in the OFF position when attaching the interface cable. The power cord must be inserted into the power supply and the power receptacle on the back of the printer BEFORE you connect or disconnect the communications cables.
    The ZSU wizard installs the Zebra Windows drivers.
  5. When the ZSU installation wizard prompts you do to so, turn printer power ON, then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the printer setup.