Zebra has announced that new European regulations are coming for the security of network devices, such as label printers. These regulations fall under the European Radio Equipment Directive (RED) and will take effect on August 1, 2025. Due to these new rules, Zebra printers must be better protected against hackers and misuse. Therefore, a mandatory software update (firmware update) will be released for many Zebra printers.
Zebra has announced that new European regulations regarding the security of network devices, such as label printers, are coming. These rules fall under the European Radio Equipment Directive (RED) and will take effect from August 1, 2025. Due to these new rules, Zebra printers must be better protected against hackers and misuse. Therefore, a mandatory software update (firmware update) is coming for many Zebra printers. From this update onwards, setting up the network will work differently than you are used to.
From software version Link-OS 7.4.2, Zebra printers will be significantly more strictly secured by default:
Services such as FTP - SNMP - Web interface (HTTP) - Direct network connection (TCP) - are now disabled. Do you want to use them? Then you must first log in with a password.
➡️ This means: you can no longer simply connect and use a printer without security.
Every new printer is set to secure mode by default.
Upon first use, you must:
set a password
create an administrator
Without this password, you cannot fully set up the printer.
Downloading:
new software
settings
secure files
can only be done after you have logged in. This prevents unauthorized persons from changing anything.
Even if you reset the printer to factory settings, the security settings will remain saved.
➡️ So: resetting no longer means that everything is “open”.
Old WiFi security (WPA/TKIP) no longer works.
Minimum requirement is now:
WPA2 with AES
or newer (such as WPA3)
Do you have an old network? Then the printer may no longer be able to connect.
The screen on the printer will be blocked until:
an administrator sets a PIN code
Only then can you use all functions.
Due to these rules, the network connection of Zebra printers must henceforth be set up more actively and consciously.
Previously: ➡️ Connect printer → configure network → done
In the future: ➡️ Connect printer → set password → configure security → activate network services → test
It takes a little more time, but it is safer.
These Zebra printers are subject to the new rules:
Industrial printers: ZT111, ZT231, ZT411, ZT421, ZT510, ZT610, ZT620
Desktop printers: ZD230, ZD411, ZD421, ZD611, ZD621
Mobile printers: ZQ310, ZQ320 Plus, ZQ511, ZQ521, ZQ610 Plus, ZQ620 Plus, ZQ630 Plus
How do you solve this? Look here at our next blog containing the solution and useful tips!
