Barcode / Label Manager - Troubleshooting

Barcode / Label Manager - Troubleshooting

This guide provides technical solutions for problems with printing labels in Barcode or Label Manager, whether they are system errors, hardware failures, or barcode calibration issues.

Notes
If your barcodes' lines are printing too wide, the printer driver requires a higher printing quality or DPI setting.

This will start with some general steps that can be used for any label printing problems, especially if the printer doesn't print labels at all. Skip ahead if you have tried these initial steps.

A- Initial Basic Troubleshooting

Check the Printer

First, ensure that the printer is connected and working. Confirm that all the cables to your printer are firmly plugged in and that the printer has power. A printer without lights may be disconnected from the power.
Try restarting your printer if cables are connected and even if there are lights.
Make sure your printer has paper loaded and that it is feeding properly.
For Zebra label printers, these are what the indicator lights mean:
  1. Solid Green: Ready.
  2. Flashing Green: Press the Feed button once to reset the sensor.
  3. Red/Amber or No Light: Restart the printer. Check power connections at the wall, the printer, and the AC adapter "brick" mid-cable.

Print a Windows Test Page

  1. Click the start menu in Windows and type 'control' on your keyboard. 
  2. Click the Control Panel app.
  3. Select Devices and Printers. Depending on your version of Windows, you may have to first change the View by option at the top to Small Icons before this option appears.
  4. Find your printer in the list of printers. Right-click it and choose Printer Properties.
  5. Click Print Test Page.
If your printer is not shown in the list of printers, then it may need to be setup/added. Try clicking Add a printer. If your printer appears on the list, follow the prompts to install it. If it does not appear on the list, you may have to contact a computer technician to help you connect it.
For Zebra label printers, you may follow the steps HERE to install ones that use a transfer ribbon, or HERE for ones that don't.

If the printer is greyed out in the list, or says it's unavailable, recheck the connections, and you may need to remove and re-setup the printer.
Network Printers - IP Address
The following steps apply only to printers that are not connected to a pc via USB, but are instead connected directly to your network via a network cable or WiFi. If your printer is directly connected to your PC, do not follow these steps.

If you have a network printer that isn't printing test pages, these steps must be followed:
  1. Open the Devices and Printers screen. Depending on your version of Windows, you may have to first change the View by option at the top to Small Icons before this option appears.
  2. Find your printer in the list of printers. Right-click it and choose Printer Properties.
  3. Obtain the IP address of your printer. An IP address is 4 numbers separated by 3 decimals e.g. 192.168.1.20 .
    1. For GK series label printers that do not have a display, hold down the feed button until the light flashes once, then release. A label will print out with the IP address listed.
    2. For ZD series label printers that do not have a display, hold down both the feed and cancel buttons for two seconds. A label will print out with the IP address listed.
    3. For printers with a display, you will have to navigate the menu to find the IP address. It should be under Network Settings or TCP/IP. As there are hundreds of printer models available, more specific advice is impossible. Consider searching online to find a guide for your specific model of printer, or talk to a printer technician.
  4. Back on your PC, on the printer properties of your printer.
  5. Click the Ports tab and click Add port.
    Alert
    The standard WSD port that Windows sets up with network A4 printers doesn't work with labels, which is why this is necessary.
  6. Choose Standard TCP/IP Port and click New Port.
  7. Click Next, then enter the IP address you obtained in the Printer Name or IP Address section. The port name should fill in automatically.
  8. Click Next & Finish, then try printing a test page again.
If you are still unable to print a test page from Windows, you will need to talk to a computer technician to help you troubleshoot this issue.

If you are able to print a test page, skip this next part.
Restart the Windows Print Controller
If your printer appears in Devices and Printers but does not print a test page, try these steps:
  1. Open the Windows Task Manager by clicking the start menu and typing 'task manager'.
  2. Right click the Task Manager app and choose Run as Administrator.
  3. Click on the Services tab. Depending on your version of Windows, you may need to first click More Details.
  4. Find Spooler in the list of services. Right-click it and choose Stop.
  5. Right-click it again and choose Start.
  6. Try to print a test page again.

 

Restart Retailer

If you are able to print test pages or other documents on the printer, but cannot print labels in Retailer, doing a quick close and reopen on Retailer can help. It can also happen if printer settings have changed since the last time Retailer was opened.

B- Barcode Manager / Label Manager Settings

If you were able to print a windows test page, but cannot print labels from Retailer, check the following settings in the barcode manager or label manager.
  1. Make sure the labels you are trying to print are set to No in the Printed column. If they are marked as Yes, you can change it by clicking into this field, or by clicking Reset to change all labels to No.
  2. Click Printer Settings and make sure Print to the Label Printer is selected, then choose the correct printer from the drop-down box and hit OK.
  3. If you are using Barcode Manager, make sure you are hitting Print Label Printer and not Print.
  4. Close Retailer and restart it (if you haven't already), before trying to print labels again.

Check Print for Operator Option

In Barcode/Label Manager, you are able to change the ordering of the printed labels based on the options available. The Print for Operator option will also hide any labels that isn't assigned to that operator number. Tick one of the other options if you do not need to use this option.
Info
Click HERE for more information on how to use operator numbers.

C- Resolving System & Database Errors

If Retailer presents an error code while printing or loading the queue, use these fixes:

  • Error: "frmFBarMan, ResetToDefaultPrinter -> System Error: The RPC server is unavailable" (Code 1722)
    This indicates the Windows Print Spooler service has stopped.
    1. Press [Windows Key] + [R], type services.msc, and press Enter.
    2. Locate Print Spooler in the list.
    3. Right-click it and select Restart (or Start).
    4. Alternatively, open Task Manager → Services tab, right-click Spooler, and select Restart.
    5. Restart Retailer.

  • Error: "frmFBarMan, Transfer Nexux DB: tbl Barcode: The filter timed out" ($3C54 / 15444)
    This occurs when the database is overwhelmed by a massive queue, usually in the Shelf Label section.
    1. Open Barcode Manager and click the Shelf Label button.
    2. Click Clear Queue to empty the historical data and resolve the timeout.

  • Errant / Invalid Barcodes
    • Barcode Manager or Label Manager may refuse to print specific barcodes, and a window will pop up listing these barcodes, asking if you wish to remove them from the queue. There are a few reasons this might happen:
    • Barcode is too long or contains letters or symbols: Retailer cannot print barcodes over a set length or ones containing special characters or letters. You will need to change the barcodes of these stock items.
    • Barcode check-digit does not match: Barcodes are not just random numbers; some of the numbers have specific meaning. You will need to change the barcodes of these stock items - do not input random numbers, but instead press [Alt]+[G] when entering the barcode to have Retailer generate a valid number.
    • Barcode does not match a stock item in your system: The barcode in the list does not match any of your stock, so Retailer cannot find the other details to print on the label. Delete this entry and re-queue the label.
    • Your system language is not set to English: For certain functions in Retailer to work properly, the language settings in Windows must be in English. You will need to change the region settings in your Windows settings, then close & re-open Retailer.

D- Printer Calibration & Maintenance

Ensure your labels are readable and the printer remains healthy.

For dedicated label printers (Zebra/Label Blaster):

  • Blank Labels: If the printer feeds multiple blank labels, open the lid and clear any foreign debris, loose labels, or dust covering the sensor. Consider cleaning that with a wet wipe.

  • Printer Calibration: If labels are badly aligned or occasionally blank and the settings have not changed, consult the specific Zebra model manual for the "Feed" button flash sequence to trigger these:

    • Transfer Printers (with Ribbon): Perform a manual "Ribbon" calibration.

    • Direct Printers (no Ribbon): Perform a manual "Thermal" calibration.

For A4 Hardware Safety: Never reuse A4 label sheets that have had labels removed. The heat of the printer can cause the remaining labels to peel off inside, wrapping around the rollers and causing expensive adhesive damage.


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