DYMO LabelWriter Troubleshooting

This article helps solve common hardware, software, and label issues that can affect the DYMO LabelWriter 450 and LabelWriter 550 label printers and Lightspeed Label Printing.

Running low on labels? Order more from the Lightspeed Store.

This guide does not cover issues related to using the third-party DYMO software to print labels or using other DYMO printer models. For help with a problem not listed below, contact DYMO for support.

Table of Contents

Hardware Issues

This section provides solutions to hardware-related issues you may encounter with the DYMO LabelWriter 450 label printer.

NOTE: For help with an issue not listed here, contact DYMO directly for support.

My DYMO LabelWriter will not turn on.

When powered on, the status light on the DYMO LabelWriter glows solid blue. If the light is off and the printer will not turn on, there may be an issue with how the power adapter is connected to the printer or with the power outlet in use.

  1. Unplug the power adapter from the printer, then plug it securely back in.
  2. Unplug the power cable from the power adapter, then plug it securely back in.
  3. If the problem persists, unplug the power cable from the power outlet and plug it into a different outlet.

    Make sure to use an outlet you know for sure is working.

The printer’s light is flashing blue.

A flashing blue light means the printer either ran out of labels or the labels are not loaded properly. Follow the specific set of steps below that reflects whether or not there are labels left in the printer.

  • If no labels are left on the roll:
    1. Load a new roll of labels into the printer. Make sure to use official, DYMO-branded labels.

      Purchase more labels from the Lightspeed Store.

  • If there are labels left on the roll:
    1. Make sure the labels feed from the bottom of the roll as shown here.
    2. Check that the spool is loaded into the printer’s lid as far left as possible.
    3. Ensure you are using official, DYMO-branded labels.
    4. Follow the steps here to clear any stuck labels, then reload the roll.
    5. If the problem persists, unplug the printer from power and plug it back in.

    My DYMO LabelWriter is jammed or stuck.

    If a label is jamming up the printer or part of the printer is stuck, follow the steps below to fix it.

    1. Clear any jammed labels by following steps 1a - 1d below.
      a  If labels have fed through the printer, tear them off from the rest of the roll.
      b  Press the forward feed button on the front of the printer to feed any stuck labels through.
      DYMO LabelWriter 450

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      DYMO LabelWriter 550

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      c  Still stuck? Press the reverse feed button on the inside (LabelWriter 450) or outside (LabelWriter 550) of the printer.
      DYMO LabelWriter 450

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      DYMO LabelWriter 550

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      d  If the problem persists, push the label release lever forward and manually pull the stuck label out.
    2. If the printer is still stuck or you need additional support, contact DYMO directly.

    How do I change the roll of labels in my printer?

    If labels are loaded in the printer but you want to switch to a different size, swap out the roll. Follow these steps to remove the existing roll of labels from the printer and load a new one.

    1. Tear off any labels that have fed through the printer.
    2. Press the reverse feed button on the inside (LabelWriter 450) or outside (LabelWriter 55) of the printer.
      DYMO LabelWriter 450

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      DYMO LabelWriter 550

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    3. Follow the steps here to load a new roll of labels.

    Can I connect the printer to my iPad or Android tablet?

    No. DYMO label printers are only compatible with desktop and laptop computers running Windows or macOS. Visit our DYMO Setup article to learn how to set up the printer.

    DYMO Software Issues

    This section provides solutions for software-related issues you might have while printing labels.

    NOTE: For help with an issue not listed here, contact DYMO directly for support.

    “We were unable to connect to the DYMO drivers on your system…”

    This error occurs when accessing Lightspeed Label Printing without the DYMO drivers installed or enabled to run in your web browser. Follow the steps below to resolve the issue.

    1. Download and install the DYMO Connect software by following the steps here.
    2. Follow steps 1 - 3 located here to access Lightspeed Label Printing.
    3. If prompted, trust or allow the DYMO plugin to run in your browser.
      Click to Enlarge
    4. If the problem persists, check the support documentation for your web browser to learn how to allow plugins to run in the browser.

    "Your browser does not support label printing..."

    This error appears when accessing Lightspeed Label Printing from an unsupported device or web browser. Follow the specific set of steps below for the type of device you are using to open the label printing page.

  • If using a computer to access Lightspeed Label Printing:
    1. Update your web browser to the latest version, then try printing again.
    2. If the problem persists, use a different browser to print labels.
  • If using a tablet or mobile device to access Lightspeed Label Printing:
    1. Open the Lightspeed Label Printing page on the computer your DYMO printer is connected to.

      Labels cannot be printed from a tablet or mobile device.

    My printer is not listed on the Lightspeed Label Printing page.

    If the DYMO LabelWriter label printer does not show up as an option on the Lightspeed Label Printing page, troubleshoot the connection between the printer and your computer.

    1. Make sure the DYMO printer is powered on and physically connected to the computer by USB cable.

      If the printer will not turn on, follow the steps here to troubleshoot that issue.

    2. Follow the steps here to download and install the latest version of the DYMO Label software.
    3. Make sure the DYMO software is running.

      If it is running, the DYMO icon will appear on the macOS menu bar (as shown below) or on the Windows taskbar notification area.

    4. If the problem persists, restart your computer.

    Labels do not print when I click 'Print'.

    This issue can occur for a few reasons, such as selecting the wrong printer in Lightspeed Label Printing. If you do not receive an error message indicating why printing failed, follow the steps below to troubleshoot.

    1. Make sure the DYMO printer is powered on and connected to the computer by USB cable.

      If the printer will not turn on, follow the steps here to troubleshoot that issue.

    2. Select the correct DYMO printer on the Lightspeed Label Printing page.

      If the printer is not listed, follow these steps above to troubleshoot.

      Click to Enlarge
    3. Check the printer settings on your computer to make sure the printer is connected and NOT paused.
        Mac
        a  Click the Apple icon on the menu bar and select ‘System Preferences’.
        b  Click ‘Printers & Scanners’.
        c  Select the DYMO printer and click ‘Open Print Queue’.
        If the printer is not listed, unplug it from the computer and plug it back in.
        d  If printing is paused, click the play button to resume the print queue.
        Windows
        a  Follow the steps here to open the Control Panel, then select ‘Devices and Printers’.
        b  Click the DYMO printer.
        If the printer is not listed, unplug it from the computer and plug it back in.
        c  If the printer’s ‘Status’ is ‘Offline’, right-click it for system troubleshooting.
        d  Double-click the DYMO printer to see if there is a print queue. Select any paused documents and click ‘Resume’.
    4. Follow the steps here to download and install the latest version of the DYMO Label software.
    5. Make sure the DYMO software is running.

      If it is running, the DYMO icon will appear on the macOS menu bar (as shown below) or on the Windows taskbar notification area.

    6. If the problem persists, restart your computer.

    Am I using the latest version of the DYMO software?

    For the best possible experience when using Lightspeed Label Printing, always run the latest version of the DYMO Connect or DYMO Label software. Follow the steps below to check which version you have installed and compare it with the version in our support article.

    The images below are for macOS and will look different on Windows computers.

    1. Open the DYMO Connect or DYMO Label app.
    2. From the menu bar, click 'DYMO Connect' or 'DYMO Label' and select 'About' (macOS), or click ‘Help’ and select ‘About’ (Windows).
    3. Look for the version number below the logo.
    4. Compare the version you are running with the version available in our Lightspeed Label Printing article.
    5. If you are not using the latest version, download and install the version in our support article.

    Is the DYMO software working properly?

    If you cannot print labels and have exhausted your troubleshooting efforts, try checking if the DYMO Connect or DYMO Label software is running properly.

    The images below are for macOS and will look different on Windows computers

    1. Click the DYMO icon on the menu bar (macOS) or taskbar notification area (Windows), then select 'Diagnose'.
    2. Click 'OK' to run a certificate test to view any errors.
    3. If there are errors, reboot your computer and reopen the DYMO Connect or DYMO Label software.

    Label Issues

    This section covers issues related to how labels look after they finish printing.

    NOTE: For help with an issue not listed here, contact DYMO directly for support.

    Prices, currency symbols, barcodes, store name, or descriptions do not print on labels.

    Customize how labels will look when printed from BackOffice using Lightspeed Label Printing to add pricing, currency symbols, and other information to labels.

    1. In BackOffice, click 'Settings' and select 'Label Printing'.
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    2. Enable the relevant settings to print item prices, currency symbols, barcodes, descriptions, and/or the store name on labels.

      Not sure which settings to enable? Visit our Lightspeed Label Printing article for help.

      Click to Enlarge
    3. Click 'Save' to save changes.
      Click to Enlarge

    Labels print multiple times or on multiple labels.

    This usually means the printer’s sensor is dirty. Follow the steps below to clean the sensor.

    1. Ensure you are using DYMO-branded labels, not labels made by a third party.

      To order DYMO labels, visit the Lightspeed Store.

    2. Open the printer’s lid and remove the roll of labels.
    3. Insert the cleaning card included with the printer through the label’s feed path.
    4. Follow the steps here to properly reload the labels.

    Blank labels are printing.

    This issue can occur for a few reasons. The printer may be loaded with an unsupported label size or type, the printer’s sensor may be dirty, or there may be a problem with the DYMO drivers.

    1. Make sure you are using a supported label size.

      View supported label sizes here.

    2. Check that you are using DYMO-branded labels.

      Use only labels manufactured by DYMO, such as those available in the Lightspeed Store.

    3. Verify the labels are loaded correctly in the printer

      The labels should feed from the bottom of the roll, and the spool should be loaded into the printer’s lid as far to the left as possible (as seen here).

    4. Follow steps 4a - 4c below to clean the printer's sensor.
      a  Open the printer’s lid, and remove the roll of labels.
      b  Insert the cleaning card included with the printer through the label’s feed path.
      c  Reload the labels, and try printing again.
    5. If the problem persists, follow the steps here to download and reinstall the DYMO Label software.

    Barcodes look blurry or smudged and are not scanning.

    If barcodes are not printing clearly or appear smudged, blurry, or dark and unscannable, follow the steps below for your Mac or Windows computer to change the printer’s settings.

    Mac

    1. Click the magnifying glass on the menu bar.
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    2. Search for and open 'Terminal'.
    3. Copy and paste the following text into Terminal: cupsctl WebInterface=yes, then press Enter.
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    4. Visit http://localhost:631/printers in a web browser.
    5. Select the DYMO LabelWriter printer.
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    6. Click the Administration drop-down menu and choose 'Set Default Options'.
    7. Change the 'Print Density' to 'Light', then click 'Set Default Options'.
      Click to Enlarge
    8. If prompted, enter your computer's admin username and password and click 'Log In'.
    9. Refresh BackOffice and reprint your labels.

    Windows

    1. From the Control Panel, click 'View Devices and Printers'.
      Click to Enlarge
    2. Right-click on the DYMO LabelWriter printer and select 'Printing Preferences'.
    3. Click the 'Paper/Quality' tab.
      Click to Enlarge
    4. Click 'Advanced'.
    5. Change the 'Print Density' to 'Light', then click 'OK'.
      Click to Enlarge
    6. Refresh BackOffice and reprint your labels.

    The print quality of my labels is low.

    This problem is usually caused by a dirty printer sensor, by using an old roll of labels, or by using third-party labels not manufactured by DYMO. Follow the steps below to resolve this issue.

    1. Follow these steps above to clean the printer's sensor.
    2. If the problem persists, load a new roll of DYMO labels into the printer.

      Be sure to use labels made by DYMO. Visit the Lightspeed Store to purchase more labels.

    Labels are printing slowly.

    This issue is caused by running an out-of-date version of the DYMO software.

    1. Follow the steps here to download and reinstall the DYMO Connect software.

    My labels do not scan at the register.

    Visit our Barcode Scanner Troubleshooting guide for help with issues related to scanning labels at a Lightspeed Retail POS.