Zebra Printer ZD421

Warning: This maintenance check requires trained personnel with PPE!

IMPORTANT: Contaminants on the platen roller can damage the printhead or cause the media to slip or stick when printing. Adhesive, dirt, general dust, oils and other contaminants should be cleaned PROMPTLY off the platen.

CAUTION: When cleaning Linerless Platens, do NOT wash or scrub. Washing or scrubbing may damage the platen. Remove adhesive particles ONLY using the adhesive side of linerless media.

Open the cover (and if a label dispenser is installed. the dispenser door).

Pull the platen-bearing latch release tabs on the right and left sides towards the front of the printer and rotate them up.

Lift the platen out of the printer’s bottom frame.

Slide the gear and the two bearings off the shaft of the platen roller.

Clean the platen with a fiber and lint free swab (such as a Texpad swab) or a lint-free, clean, damp cloth very lightly moistened with 99.7% pure. medical-grade isopropyl alcohol.

Dust can accumulate on the media sensors and must be cleaned periodically.

NOTE: Do NOT use an air compressor to remove dust. The action of air compressors tends to add moisture, fine grit, and lubricant which can contaminate your printer.

Cleaning the Sensor – Lower Half of the ZD421/ZD621 Printers

The lower half of all ZD621/ZD421 model printers are all cleaned the same way. Use this procedure to clean the sensor window.

1. Clean the window of the movable sensor by gently brushing away dust or using a can of compressed air. If necessary, use a dry swab to brush away dust.

2. If adhesives or other contaminants remain, use a swab moistened with 99.7% pure isopropyl alcohol to break them up. Discard the used swab(s).

3. Use a dry swab to remove any residue that may be left from the first cleaning.

4. Repeat the preceding steps as required until all residue and streaks are removed from the sensor.

Review these printhead removal/installation steps before you proceed to replace the printhead.

CAUTION: Prepare your work area by protecting against static discharge. Your work area must be static-safe. You must use a properly grounded conductive cushioned mat to hold the printer and use a conductive wrist strap to protect yourself.

Replacing the Printhead – ZD421/ZD621 Direct Thermal Printer Models

1. Use these steps to remove the printhead:

c) Push the printhead release latch away from the printhead. The right side of printhead releases.

d) Swing the loose, right side of the printhead out of the printer. Pull it out and to the right a little to get the left side of the printhead clear.

e) Pull the printhead out and free of the top cover to gain access to its attached cables on the backside of the printhead. In the figure that follows, the red outline indicates the printhead retainer slot which is on the left side as you face the open printer.

Clean as needed using a soft cloth, brush, or compressed air to wipe or blow dust and particles out of the printer.

The exterior of the printer can be cleaned using plain soap and water solutions to moisten the cloth. Only use the minimum amount of cleaning solution to avoid getting solution in the printer or other areas. Do NOT clean connectors or interior of the printer with this method.

The latest healthcare printer models now include ultraviolet (UV) and disinfectant-ready plastics for hospital and other similar environments.

The printer user interface controls are sealed so they can be cleaned with the rest of the printer’s exterior. See the Guide To Disinfecting and Cleaning Zebra Healthcare Printers on the Zebra website at zebra.com/support for the latest information on tested and approved cleaning materials and cleaning methods.

Download the latest firmware from the Zebra website

Select your printer in Zebra Setup Utilities

Click the Action tab in the Tools window

Click Send file in the Tools window

Click Browse (...) and select the latest firmware file you downloaded