Zebra ZT231 How To Clear A Pause Request Error

Watch the video below.

Step-By-Step Instructions To Clear A Pause Request Error On The Zebra ZT231

To clear a “Pause Request” error on a Zebra ZT231 printer, follow these steps:

What Does the “Pause Request” Mean?

This error typically occurs when:

• A pause command was issued from the printer’s interface or software.
• There’s a print job issue or media condition (like label/ribbon out).
• The printer is waiting for user intervention.

Steps to Clear the “Pause Request” Error:

1. Check the Display:
• If the screen shows “Paused”, the printer is manually or programmatically paused.
• If it says “Pause Request”, it might be coming from software/driver.
2. Unpause the Printer:
• Press the PAUSE button on the printer panel.
• If that doesn’t work, proceed to software checks.
3. Check for Print Queue Issues:
• On your computer, open the Devices and Printers menu.
• Right-click the ZT231 printer → See what’s printing.
• If there’s a stuck job, right-click and cancel it.
4. Reboot the Printer:
• Turn off the printer.
• Wait 5–10 seconds, then power it back on.
5. Check Ribbon/Labels:
• Ensure media is correctly loaded.
• Confirm the sensors aren’t misaligned or dirty.
6. Driver/Software Pause Command:
• If you’re using Zebra Setup Utilities or other software, make sure it’s not sending a pause.
• Open Zebra Setup Utilities → Select your printer → Click Open Printer Tools → Click Send Command.
• Type the following and send: ~JA
  This is the ZPL command to resume printing.
7. Firmware/Driver Issues:
• Ensure the firmware is up to date.
• Update the printer driver to the latest version from Zebra’s support site.