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Why is my mobile printer battery not charging?
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In brief. When the battery of a mobile printer, or of a desktop printer's battery base, does not charge, manufacturers first cite a temperature outside the charging range: 0 to 40 °C for the Zebra QLn420, ZQ511 and ZQ630, 5 to 35 °C for the Sato PW208NX and PW4NX. Next come a worn or faulty battery, which the printer reports with a message or a red light, a new battery that has not yet been activated or is incorrectly installed, then the charger or the connection. First bring the battery back to room temperature and recharge it with the original charger; a battery reported as worn must be replaced.
Examples:
See all 72 printers
Godex
Honeywell
- Honeywell 4 MP Compact
- Honeywell MP Compact and Nova Series
- Honeywell PC23d
- Honeywell PC42d and PC42t Series
- Honeywell PC43d and PC43t Series
- Honeywell PD43
- Honeywell PD45S
- Honeywell PF4i
- Honeywell PM23c
- Honeywell PM43 Series
- Honeywell PM45 and PM45C Series
- Honeywell PX45 and PX65 Series
- Honeywell PX6i
- Honeywell PX940
- Honeywell RP Series
Sato
Zebra
- Zebra G-Series GK420d, GK420t, GX420d, GX420t and GX430t
- Zebra G-Series GK420d, GK420t, GX420d, GX420t and GX430t
- Zebra QLn420
- Zebra S4M
- Zebra ZC100 and ZC300
- Zebra ZD410
- Zebra ZD411
- Zebra ZD420t and ZD420d
- Zebra ZD421
- Zebra ZD500R RFID
- Zebra ZD510-HC
- Zebra ZD611
- Zebra ZD620t and ZD620d Series
- Zebra ZD621
- Zebra ZQ310 and ZQ310 Plus Series
- Zebra ZQ320 and ZQ320 Plus Series
- Zebra ZQ510 and ZQ520 Series
- Zebra ZQ511 and ZQ521 Series
- Zebra ZQ610 Plus
- Zebra ZQ620 and ZQ620 Plus Series
- Zebra ZQ630 Plus and ZQ630 Plus RFID
- Zebra ZT230
- Zebra ZT231
- Zebra ZT400 Series
- Zebra ZT411
- Zebra ZT420
- Zebra ZT421 and ZT421 RFID
- Zebra ZT510
- Zebra ZT600 Series
- Zebra ZXP Series 7
Why is a mobile printer battery not charging? The causes cited by manufacturers
These causes are ranked from the most cited to the rarest in the manufacturers' guides; the entry for your model, in the model-by-model table below, gives the exact procedure.
- Temperature outside the charging rangeThe range depends on the manufacturer: 0 to 40 °C for the Zebra QLn420, ZQ510 and ZQ511, which then display
CHARGING TEMP FAULT; 5 to 35 °C for the Sato PW208NX and PW4NX; 0 to 40 °C for the Brother PJ-863 and RJ-4250WB, which recommend 5 to 35 °C. The guide for the Zebra ZQ310 Plus and ZQ320 Plus gives 0 to 37 °C in its section on charging. On the battery bases of the Zebra ZD420 and ZD620, a flashing red health light indicates a charging error, in particular a battery that is too hot or too cold. - Worn or faulty batteryZebra smart batteries count their cycles: from 300, the ZQ511 and ZQ630 display
Battery Diminished Consider Replacing; at 600, the ZQ630 displaysReplace Battery Shutting Downand switches off after 30 seconds. On the battery bases of the ZD420 and ZD620, a solid red health light indicates a battery that is at the end of its life or failing. Sato recommends replacement after 300 cycles or 3 years, and specifies that a degraded or faulty battery (errors1061and1063on the PW4NX) can no longer be charged. - New battery not activated, empty or incorrectly installedZebra ships its batteries in sleep mode: you wake them up by connecting the AC adapter or placing them in a charger (QLn420, ZQ630), after removing their insulating tape on the ZQ610 Plus and ZQ630. The battery bases of the ZD421 and ZD611 wake up with a short press on their button; if no charge bar is lit, the printer cannot start. Sato ships its batteries uncharged and recommends recharging them every six months: a deep discharge can make them impossible to recharge (PW208NX, PW4NX).
- Charger, adapter or contacts at faultFor a PW4NX that does not charge, Sato has you check the battery in the charger, the adapter plug, the position of the printer on the cradle and the cleanliness of the charging contacts, which a label can cover. On the Godex MX20, the RS-232 + USB port does not charge the battery: only the power socket does. Zebra specifies that the QLn420 battery only charges on 12 V DC, with the Zebra AC adapter.
- Non-original batteryZebra specifies that the QLn420, ZQ510 and ZQ511 only work correctly with its original smart batteries; on the ZQ510 and ZQ511,
BATTERY FAILEDcorresponds to a failed battery authentication. Honeywell asks you to use only its batteries in the RP2 and RP4, and the battery supplied on the PC43d base: another type presents a risk of explosion.
What to check, in order
- Read the message or the lightIt often identifies the cause:
CHARGING TEMP FAULTfor temperature on the Zebra ZQ510 and ZQ511, two red flashes per second for a charging fault on the ZQ310 Plus, error1062for an abnormal battery temperature on the Sato PW4NX,Impossible à charger(cannot charge) on the Brother RJ-4250WB. - Bring the battery back to room temperatureThen restart charging away from sunlight, preferably with the printer off: according to Zebra, charging is faster this way and slower if you print at the same time. For the PW208NX, Sato advises leaving a battery that is too hot or too cold for about an hour between 5 and 35 °C before charging it.
- Check the battery and the connectionBattery pushed in until it clicks, insulation removed from a new battery, adapter plug fully inserted, printer properly seated on its cradle. On the Sato PW4NX, wipe the charging contacts with a dry cloth, with the printer off and the battery removed.
- Check the battery healthBattery menu on the Zebra ZQ610 Plus and ZQ620 Plus (health status and number of cycles), configuration report on the ZQ511 and ZQ310 Plus, [Battery] menu on the Sato PW208NX, battery TEST button on the Honeywell RP4.
- Try another charger or another batteryTo isolate the cause, Zebra advises charging the QLn420 battery in an external Zebra charger, then trying a charged battery. On the Godex MX20 charging station, reinstall the battery if the light flashes red.
- Replace the battery, then contact supportA battery reported as worn or faulty is replaced with an original battery. If the error persists with a new battery, Sato refers you to its technical support or your reseller; GoDEX asks you to contact the reseller after 4 to 5 unsuccessful reinstallations on the MX20 charging station.
Caution: Only use batteries and chargers approved by the manufacturer: according to Zebra, a battery that is incorrectly charged or exposed to high temperatures can explode, leak or catch fire. Do not short-circuit its terminals, puncture it or take it apart. Stop using a battery that heats up, gives off an odour or becomes deformed, as Sato and Brother request.
What the documentation recommends, model by model
For 23 models, the manufacturer's documentation describes this symptom. Each row links to the detailed entry in the guide, with the full procedure and its sources.
| Model | Guide entry | Short answer |
|---|---|---|
| Zebra ZD421 | Why does the battery on my Zebra ZD421 show a red light? | Solid red health light: internal battery error; flashing red: charging error (temperature too high or too low, internal monitoring error…). Let the battery return to room temperature and check its charge; if the fault persists, it may be at the end of its life or faulty and must be replaced. |
| Zebra ZD421 | Why won't my battery-powered Zebra ZD421 switch on? | When no charge bars are lit, the battery needs recharging and the printer cannot be switched on. Batteries are also shipped in shutdown mode: press the battery button to wake it up, then switch the printer on within one minute; a full charge takes about two hours. |
| Sato FX3-LX | What should I do when my Sato FX3-LX shows “Error 1043 (Battery Low)”? | The optional battery is almost empty. Connect the printer to mains power with the supplied adapter or place it on the charging cradle, or replace the battery with a charged one. |
| Sato FX3-LX | Why does my Sato FX3-LX show “Error 1061 (Battery Degradation)” or “Error 1071 (Worn out battery)”, and do I need to change the battery? | Yes: these messages indicate a degraded (1061), defective (1063) or worn-out (1070, 1071) battery, which Sato asks you to replace. A worn-out battery reduces operating time and can degrade print quality. |
| Zebra QLn420 | Why will my Zebra QLn420 not switch on? | Check that the battery is properly clicked into place, then recharge or replace it. A new battery is supplied in sleep mode: connect the AC adapter or place it in a Zebra charger to wake it up. To switch the QLn420 on, hold down the Power button for 1.5 to 2.5 seconds. |
| Zebra QLn420 | What should I do when my Zebra QLn420 shows “BATTERY LOW”? | The battery is almost empty: according to Zebra, the battery icon no longer shows any bars at 20% charge or less. Recharge it with the AC adapter, the cradle or a Zebra charger, or replace it with a charged battery. |
| Godex MX20 | Why won't my Godex MX20 switch on (no lights)? | According to the GoDEX manual, first check that the battery is fully charged. Also check that it is properly clipped into its compartment, then press POWER: the POWER light should come on. |
| Godex MX20 | How do I charge the battery in my Godex MX20 correctly? | With the printer off, connect the AC adapter to the printer's power jack and then to a wall socket, and switch the printer back on. Allow about 3 hours, at a temperature between 0 °C and 40 °C; the BATTERY light turns green when the battery is full. |
| Zebra ZQ630 | Why does my Zebra ZQ630 not switch on? | Check that the battery is correctly installed, then recharge or replace it. With a new battery, remove the insulating tape and connect the AC adapter or place the battery in a charger: according to Zebra, batteries are shipped in sleep mode and must be woken up before first use. |
| Zebra ZQ630 | Why is my Zebra ZQ630 showing “BATTERY LOW”? | The battery has reached its low charge warning threshold: the printer may switch off at any moment if printing continues. Replace it with a charged battery, connect the AC adapter or place the printer on its charging cradle. |
| Zebra ZQ511 | Why does my Zebra ZQ511 not switch on, or keep a blank display? | Check that the battery is properly installed and charged, or that the battery eliminator is connected to a live power source. A new battery must have its insulation removed and be charged for the first time; if the display is blank but the light is flashing green, the printer is in sleep mode. |
| Zebra ZQ511 | Why does my Zebra ZQ511 show “BATTERY DIMINISHED CONSIDER REPLACING” at start-up? | The PowerPrecision+ battery has exceeded 300 charge cycles: Zebra then rates its condition as “Replace”. The printer still works, but plan for a new battery: at 600 cycles, it will switch itself off. |
| Zebra ZQ610 Plus | Why does my Zebra ZQ610 Plus not switch on? | Check that the battery is correctly installed, then recharge or replace it. With a new battery, remove the insulating tape and connect the AC adapter: batteries are shipped in sleep mode. |
| Zebra ZQ610 Plus | Why is my Zebra ZQ610 Plus showing “BATTERY LOW”? | The battery has reached its low charge warning threshold: the printer may switch off at any moment if printing continues. Replace it with a charged battery, connect the AC adapter or place the printer on its charging cradle. |
| Zebra ZQ510 | Why won't my Zebra ZQ510 switch on, or why does the display stay blank? | Check that the battery is correctly installed and charged, or that the AC adapter is connected to a power source. If the display is blank but the light is flashing, the printer is in sleep mode: press the Power button or the select key. |
| Zebra ZQ510 | What does “BATTERY DIMINISHED CONSIDER REPLACING” mean when my Zebra ZQ510 starts up? | The smart battery has exceeded 300 charge cycles: Zebra then classifies its state as “Replace”. The printer still works, but plan for a new battery: at 600 cycles, it will shut itself down at start-up. |
| Sato PW208NX | Why does my Sato PW208NX show “Error 1043 (Low Battery)” and then switch itself off? | The battery is almost empty. Connect the AC adapter (or place the printer on its cradle) and charge until the error disappears, or insert a charged battery. The Sato page specifies that the printer switches off automatically after 30 to 40 seconds, and printing remains blocked as long as the error is displayed. |
| Sato PW208NX | Why does my Sato PW208NX not switch on, or why does it show “Error 1060 (No Battery)”? | Check that the battery is inserted and charged: the battery is not fully charged when purchased. Error 1060 indicates a missing or disconnected battery; if it is displayed with a battery in place, Sato asks you to replace the battery. |
| Zebra ZD410 | Why is the battery light on my Zebra ZD410 red? | On the optional battery base, a red indicator signals a battery at the end of its life, an internal failure or a battery that is too hot or too cold. Remove the battery, recharge it at room temperature and replace it if the fault persists. |
| Zebra ZD411 | What do the battery lights on my Zebra ZD411 mean (red status light, charge bars)? | A solid red battery status light indicates an internal error: remove the battery. Flashing red, it indicates a charging error or a temperature out of range; with no charge bar lit, the battery must be recharged before the printer can be turned on. |
| Zebra ZD411 | Why does the battery on my Zebra ZD411 show a red light? | The battery has detected a fault: end of life, component failure, or battery too hot or too cold. Remove it, let it return to room temperature, recharge it and check its charge; if that does not work, replace it. |
| Zebra ZD420 | Zebra ZD420 battery base: what does the red health light mean? | Solid red: internal battery error, battery at end of life or faulty; Zebra asks you to replace it. Flashing red: charging error, in particular a battery that is too hot or too cold; let it return to room temperature before recharging it. |
| Zebra ZD611 | What should I do when the battery on my Zebra ZD611 shows a red light? | The red light indicates a battery fault: end of life, component failure, or battery too hot or too cold. Let it return to room temperature, check its charge by recharging it, then replace it if the fault persists. |
| Zebra ZD620 | The battery light on my Zebra ZD620 is red: is the battery dead? | A solid red health light indicates an internal error: Zebra states that the battery is at the end of its life or faulty and must be replaced. Flashing red indicates a charging error, for example a battery that is too hot or too cold: let it return to room temperature and then recharge it. |
| Zebra ZD621 | Why is there a red light on the battery of my Zebra ZD621? | According to Zebra, the optional battery is reporting a fault: temperature out of range, end of life or a failed component. Let it return to room temperature, then check its charge; if the fault persists, replace it. |
| Zebra ZQ310 Plus | Why does my Zebra ZQ310 Plus stay off when I press the Power button? | Keep your finger on Power until the light comes on, check that the battery is seated correctly, then recharge or replace it. Note: a new battery leaves the factory in sleep mode and must first be put on charge. |
| Zebra ZQ310 Plus | How do I charge a Zebra ZQ310 Plus and tell whether the battery is full? | Connect the AC-to-USB adapter to the USB Type-C port, hidden under a rubber flap: the Power ring stays yellow while charging and turns solid green when the battery is full. For a fleet, Zebra offers 1-slot and 3-slot chargers and 1-bay and 5-bay cradles. |
| Zebra ZQ320 Plus | My Zebra ZQ320 Plus will not switch on: what should I do? | Hold the Power button down until the light comes on, check that the battery is installed correctly, then recharge or replace it. A new battery is supplied in sleep mode: it must be put on charge before first use. |
| Zebra ZQ320 Plus | How do I charge the battery in my Zebra ZQ320 Plus, and what do the charge lights mean? | Connect the AC-to-USB adapter to the printer's USB Type-C port, under the rubber cover: the Power button ring turns yellow while charging, then solid green. Zebra also offers 1-slot and 3-slot chargers and 1-bay and 5-bay cradles. |
| Zebra ZQ620 Plus | Why will my Zebra ZQ620 Plus not switch on? | Check that the battery is installed correctly, then recharge or replace it. On a new battery, first remove the insulating tape (tape insulator) stuck to the battery. |
| Zebra ZQ620 Plus | Why does my Zebra ZQ620 Plus show “BATTERY LOW”? | The battery has reached the low charge warning threshold: the printer may switch off at any moment if you continue printing. Replace the battery with a charged battery, connect the AC adapter or place the printer in a charging cradle. |
| Honeywell PC43 | How long does the battery of a Honeywell PC43d last and how do I charge it? | The optional battery base of the PC43d provides up to 8 hours of runtime depending on use, and a full charge takes 4 hours. On mains power, its lights show the charge level; on battery, press the Charge Level button to show it briefly. |
| Honeywell RP2 and RP4 | How do I charge the battery of a Honeywell RP2 or RP4? | Insert the battery, plug the Honeywell power supply into the printer’s socket, then into the mains. Before first use, Honeywell asks for a charge of at least 4 hours, as batteries are shipped partially charged. |
| Honeywell RP2 and RP4 | Why does my Honeywell RP4 give three short beeps with a red battery light? | Three short beeps and a battery light flashing red indicate a critical or missing battery. Recharge the battery or fit a charged Honeywell battery. |
| Sato PW4NX | What should I do when my Sato PW4NX shows “Error 1043 (Battery Low)”? | The battery is almost empty. Recharge it (Sato AC adapter, cradle or charger) or replace it with a charged battery; while error 1043 is displayed, printing and feeding remain blocked, even while charging. |
| Sato PW4NX | What do battery errors 1060, 1061, 1062, 1063, 1070 and 1071 mean on my Sato PW4NX? | Error 1060 indicates a missing or disconnected battery: insert it until it clicks. The other messages indicate a battery that is degraded, worn out, faulty or at an abnormal temperature: Sato asks you to replace it. |
| Brother PocketJet PJ-8 | Why is the Status light on my Brother PJ-863 flashing? | On battery, the Status light shows the charge level: one flash every 4 seconds signals a half-charged battery, two flashes a low charge. When the Power light also starts flashing, Brother asks you to recharge the battery. |
| Brother PocketJet PJ-8 | How do I charge the battery of my Brother PJ-863 and how long does it take? | With the printer off, connect the AC adapter, the car adapter, the USB Type-C AC adapter or a USB Type-C cable connected to a computer or charger. According to Brother, a full charge takes about 2 hours with the dedicated adapter; the Status light goes out when it is complete. |
| Brother RJ-4250WB | Why is the light on my Brother RJ-4250WB flashing orange or red? | According to Brother, flashing orange indicates a low Li-ion battery and flashing red an empty battery. Recharge it with the AC adapter, the car adapter, the charger or the charging cradle: allow about 4 hours. |
| Brother RJ-4250WB | What should I do if my Brother RJ-4250WB shows “Impossible à charger” (unable to charge) or “Erreur de batterie” (battery error)? | According to Brother, the battery is not fully charged within the expected time, despite continuous charging. Check that it is installed correctly; if charging still fails, the battery may be faulty and need replacing. |
Frequently asked questions
At what temperature should I charge a mobile printer battery?
It depends on the manufacturer: 0 to 40 °C for the Zebra QLn420, ZQ510 and ZQ511, 5 to 35 °C for the Sato PW208NX and PW4NX, 0 to 40 °C for the Brother PJ-863 and RJ-4250WB, ideally 5 to 35 °C. Outside the range, charging stops or does not start. Let the battery return to room temperature before restarting the charge.
When should I replace a mobile printer battery?
When the printer tells you to. On the Zebra QLn420, ZQ511 or ZQ630, the message Battery Diminished Consider Replacing appears from 300 charge cycles, and the printer switches itself off at 600 cycles. Sato recommends replacement after 300 cycles or 3 years of use; a Honeywell white paper advises replacing a battery whose health falls below 70% or that has been in service for more than two years.
Why doesn't a new battery work in my mobile printer?
It is often shipped in sleep mode or with little charge. Zebra asks you to remove its insulating tape, then wake it up by connecting the AC adapter or placing it in a charger; Honeywell requires at least 4 hours of charging before first using an RP2 or RP4. Sato ships its batteries uncharged: charge them before using them.
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