1. Make sure the modem is turned on and receiving power. For external modems, at least one status light should be lit (such as the MR or HS light) when the modem is turned on and properly receiving power.
2. Make sure the phone line is connected properly. Modems have a line and a phone jack. Plug the phone line (generally originating from a wall jack) into the modem's line jack. Then plug a telephone into the modem's phone jack. Pick up the telephone receiver. If (and only if) you hear a dial tone, you've connected the phone line properly.
3. Make sure the RS232 cable operative is connected properly. For external modems only: the RS232 cable generally has 25 pins where it connects to the modem and nine pins where it connects to the computer's serial port. Make sure this cable connects snugly. Just in case the cable is bad, you might try using another RS232 cable.
4. Is another communications program (such as Procomm, Terminal, or a Fax program) currently running? If the modem is being accessed by another program, UPS OnLine® products will not be able to use the modem. Close the interfering program and try again.
5. Try out all of the COM port settings in the Ports field. The modem port may be configured as COM1, COM2, COM3, or COM4. If you don't know your COM port number, simply try all of the COM ports.
6. Try the second serial port (external modems only). IBM PCs and compatibles generally have two 9-pin male serial ports in which a modem's RS232 cable may be plugged into. Your external modem should currently be plugged into one of these serial ports. If the other serial port is free, try plugging the modem into this port. Because a different COM port is now being utilized, you must repeat step 5.
7. Does a serial device conflict exist? All serial devices (such as modems, Eltron printers, and some mice) have a specific COM port setting and a specific IRQ (Interrupt ReQuest number) setting. No two serial devices may share the same COM port setting. Likewise, no two serial devices may share the same IRQ setting. If they do, a conflict arises, and one or both of the conflicting serial devices fail to function. The COM port and IRQ settings on one of the conflicting serial devices will need to be changed so that they are unique.
8. At this point, if your problem is not resolved, two possibilities remain. Both are fairly technical, and may require support from the modem's vendor or a qualified computer technician. COM port and IRQ settings are generally configured using jumpers. There is a card within your computer which connects to the two serial ports on the back of the computer (via ribbon cable). Typically this is the IDE card, but here we will call it "the serial card". External modems are connected (via an RS232 cable) to a serial port, which in turn is connected to the serial card. Jumpers are located on this serial card. The card's user manual will discuss the jumper settings. For internal modems, jumpers are located on the modem itself. The modem's user manual will discuss the jumper settings.

1. Make sure the Dial Prefix setting is correct. If you hear the modem dialing but never hear the modem "squealing" (signifying that a modem connection is being established), chances are that the Dial Prefix setting is incorrect. If the problem occurs during registration, verify that the Dial Prefix setting is correct. The default prefix 9 should be removed if dialing 9 for an outside line is not necessary.
2. Find out whether the Baud Rate field is set to a value higher than what your modem or computer is capable of. The recommended maximum baud rate setting is 9600. If a communications problem exists when using a high-speed modem, dropping the baud rate value to 9600 may resolve the problem. Also note: some computers will not support external modems set to a baud rate faster than 9600.
3. Try selecting Hayes Compatible Modem in the Modem field. The Hayes Compatible Modem setting has been found to work with most modems, regardless of the modem's make and model. If experiencing a communications problem, always try this setting.
4. Use the following modem initialization string if you are using a US Robotics Sportster modem that is faster than 14,400 baud (14. 4kbps): AT&F&B1&H1&R2&A3&K3X4.

1. Turn off power to the printer (it is located on the back of the printer, just above the power cord).
2. Hold down the Feed button and turn the printer back on.
3. When a label starts to feed from the printer, release the Feed button.
4. Four labels will feed from the machine; the last label will read "Now in Dump Mode".
5. Press the Feed button one more time and another label will print out reading "Out of Dump Mode".
6. To test the alignment, reprocess a package by selecting Page Up from the Process Package screen.
7. Press F10 to reprint the label. This process will not duplicate the package in your system, it will only reprint the label.

1. Verify that the printer's power is on and connected to the computer.
2. Open the black-dome cover and remove the spindle. If there are still a few labels loaded into the printer, rip off the labels from inside the cover then press the Feed button to eject the labels still inside the print head. Insert the spindle into a new roll of labels and set them in the open dome cover.
3. Slide the paper guides open until they are flush with the width of the labels.
4. Remove 3 to 4 labels from the wax backing and then feed the backing down along the bottom of the label well until they stop.
5. Gently feed the backing into the front slot and tap the Feed button to grab the backing.
6. Once the backing is grabbed by the printer, press and hold the Feed button until about 4 inches of backing comes through the front of the printer.
7. Feed the backing in front of the silver bar and then behind the white plastic roller. Tap the Feed button to grab the backing through the rollers.
8. Press and hold the Feed button while firmly holding the roll of labels, to pick up the backing slack. Once the slack is picked up, continue pressing the Feed button until a label comes through the bottom of the printer. At some point the light should turn green once it senses the gap between labels.
9. Replace the spindle into the holder and then align the labels.

1. Turn off power to the printer (located on the back of the printer, just above the power cord).
2. Hold down the Feed button and turn the printer back on. As soon as a label starts to feed from the printer, release the Feed button. Four labels will feed from the machine; the last label will read "Now in Dump Mode". Press the Feed button one more time and another label will print out reading "Out of Dump Mode". To test the alignment, reprocess a package by selecting Page Up from the Process Package screen. Press F10 to reprint the label. This process will not duplicate the package in your system, it will only reprint the label.

1. Turn off the power switch on rear of printer (located on the back of the printer, just above the power cord).
2. Press and hold the Feed button and the Pause button.
3. While holding both buttons down, turn on the power to the printer. Labels will begin to feed.
4. After the second label begins to feed out, release the Feed and Pause buttons.
5. The last label should read "Now in Dump Mode".
6. Press the Feed button once.
7. Another label should print out the message "Out of Dump Mode".
8. Continue normal shipping process.

For UPS OnLine WorldShip Users:

UPS thermal printers (Models: LP 2543, LP 2844, Zebra S4M, and ZP-450) require a special printer driver to function normally with the UPS OnLine^® WorldShip^® system.

The driver can be installed after you have completed the installation of the UPS OnLine WorldShip program.

More information about WorldShip installation

For UPS Internet Shipping Users:

The UPS thermal printers (Models: LP 2543, LP 2844, Zebra S4M, and ZP-450) require a special printer driver and either a Web browser plug-in or an ActiveX control installed to print directly from the Web site.

To download and install the printer driver and control program, please follow the link below to find the instructions for your computer operating system. The same driver runs all three printer models we support.

Download UPS Printer Drivers

1. Make sure that the printer is turned on and receiving power. The power indicator on the top of the printer lights up when power is on. The color of the indicator tells you the status of the printer:
2. • Red light means the printer is out of paper.
   • Yellow light means the printer has detected an error. To reset it, press the Feed button or turn the power off and on again.
   • Green light means the printer is ready to print.
   
   
3. Make sure the RS232 cable is operative and connected correctly. The RS232 cable generally has a nine-pin male connector where it connects to the printer, and a nine-pin female connector where it connects to the computer's serial port. Make sure this cable connects snugly. You might try using another RS232 cable in case the cable is bad.
4. Try all of the COM port settings in the Ports field. The printer port may be configured as COM1, COM2, COM3, or COM4. If you don't know your printer COM port number, try all of the COM ports.
5. Try the second serial port. IBM PCs and compatibles generally have two nine-pin male serial ports into which you can plug the printer's RS232 cable. Your printer should be plugged into one of them. If the other serial port is free, try plugging the label printer into this port.

If the above steps do not remedy your printing problem, then you may require the assistance of a technical support person. The following technical advice may help:

Discover whether a serial device conflict exists. All serial devices have a specific COM port setting and a specific Interrupt ReQuest Number (IRQ) setting. No two serial devices may share the same COM port setting. Likewise, no two serial devices may share the same IRQ setting. If they do, a conflict arises and one or both of the conflicting serial devices fail to function. The COM port and IRQ settings for one of the conflicting serial devices needs to be changed.

COM port and IRQ settings are generally configured using jumpers. There is a card in your computer that connects to the two serial ports on the back of the computer (via ribbon cable). Typically this is the IDE card, but it is termed the serial card here. The label printer is connected (via an RS232 cable) to a serial port, which in turn is connected to the serial card. Jumpers are located on this serial card. The card's user manual discusses the jumper settings.

Note that the MSD.EXE program is a tool which may be used to diagnose serial device conflicts. Try running MSD.EXE, and press C to determine which COM ports are active (meaning they are present and are not failing due to a conflict). Press Q to determine which IRQs are being utilized by serial devices (they will be tied to COM ports).

1. Turn the printer off by pressing the Operate button once.
2. Set the blue paper-thickness lever, which is located on the upper left, to 1 or 2.
3. Set the paper-feed lever, which is located on the upper right, to the proper position. For example, if the paper is feeding in from back the lever should be in the second position from the front.
4. Press the Operate button to turn the printer back on. The Ready light should be steady green.
5. If any other lights are on (for example, Condensed or Roman), press the Font button repeatedly until both Condensed and Roman lights are off and the ready light on.
6. Lift the top smoky-gray cover and open the tractor's lock tabs.
7. Open the sprocket cover then load paper into sprocket pins and close cover.
8. Press the Paper Feed button once. This will feed the paper forward. The top edge of the form should be lined up with the top edge of the four-inch, wing-shaped piece of clear plastic under the print head. The Ready light should be steady green.
9. Press the Pause/Tear Off button once. This will feed the paper forward. The top edge of the form should be slightly above the edge of the smoky-gray cover. The Ready light should be blinking.
10. Press the Pause/Tear Off button once. This will feed the paper back to the Top of Form position. The Ready light should be steady green.
11. Reset the printer head.

1. Turn the printer off.
2. Open the cover on the top of the printer and locate the print head (the print head moves left and right to print on the paper).
3. Reach inside the printer and push the print head all the way to the right and then all the way to the left.
4. Turn the printer back on, and test it out.
5. If the problem persists, make sure the printer cables are correctly installed.

1. Check to see that the printer paper is not jammed and is advancing properly.
2. Remove the paper by holding down the Font and Eject buttons to back out the paper.
3. Replace the paper on the tractor feeds and make sure that the proper paper loading position is selected using the lever on the right hand side.
4. Go through the reloading procedure for the Epson FX 870 and 880+ listed in the above FAQ on this page.

1. Unload any COD labels or forms that are loaded in the printer.
2. Turn the printer off.
3. Lift the top cover and slide the print head all the way to the right side of the printer, and then slide it all the way to the left side of the printer.
4. Load the labels or forms on the first three pins of the tractor feed mechanisms and snap down the guides.
5. Hold down the Alt and Micro Up buttons simultaneously.
6. Turn the printer on (at this stage Printer beeps and the Out of Paper light blinks). Release Alt and Micro Up.
7. Press Alt and Form Feed so the forms advance. Note that the labels should align with the top of the metal strike plate, located directly behind the print head. The ready light should be blinking. If the labels do not align with this plate:
8. • Press Micro Up or Micro Down to adjust the labels or forms to the proper height.
   • When aligning a COD form, make sure the top of the forms come to approximately 1/8 of an inch above the strike plate.
   • Address labels should be aligned to the very top of the strike plate.

After completing the steps listed above, press Start/Stop to save changes. Note that the labels move to the tear off position (the perforated edge of the label or forms that are flush with the edge of the smoke colored plastic cover is the tear off position). If the labels or forms are not at the tear off position, perform these steps:

1. Press Start/Stop. The printer will come out of ready mode.
2. Press Macro Up or Macro Down to align the labels the labels or forms to the tear off position.
3. Press Start/Stop and the printer returns to the ready status.

1. Hold down the Test button until the machine makes a buzzing sound.
2. Release the Test button and a label will print from the machine. If the label reads, "Blank labels dispensed on backing", press the Advance button once.
3. This will produce a label that reads, "Blank labels to take-up reel". Press the Test button again.
4. This will save the changes and print out another test label. If the printer has the correct settings but is still printing blank labels, the problem could result from improper label loading. Make sure labels are loaded correctly. If they are loaded correctly, make sure that the L-shaped print head arm is down and towards the front of the printer.