Zebra DS2208 and DS2278 troubleshooting: beeps, LEDs and fixes

CauseThe DS2208 gets no power over its cable. The DS2278 battery is flat or in Battery Preservation Mode.

Fix

1. DS2208: push the cable into the scanner until it clicks, and try another USB port.
2. DS2278: place the scanner in the cradle to charge. Four short high beeps with a red LED on trigger release mean the battery is low.
3. A DS2278 left unused and uncharged switches itself off after nine hours by default. Pull the trigger or put it in the cradle, then wait a few seconds.

CauseThe bar code type is switched off, printed light on dark, too short, or too far away.

Fix

1. Check the type. QR Code, Data Matrix, PDF417, EAN/UPC, Code 128, Code 39 and Interleaved 2 of 5 are on by default. Code 11, MSI, MicroPDF417, MaxiCode and postal codes are off.
2. Enable the missing type in the PRG chapter "Symbologies", for example Enable QR Code.
3. White bars on a dark background: in section "Inverse 1D", scan Inverse Autodetect. The default reads regular codes only.
4. Interleaved 2 of 5 codes shorter than 6 digits are ignored by default. Change this in section "Set Lengths for Interleaved 2 of 5".
5. Keep the whole code in view, about 1.3 to 36.8 cm away for a standard EAN.

CauseNo text field has focus, the host type is not keyboard, or the DS2278 lost its cradle link.

Fix

1. Click into Notepad and scan again. If the data appears there, check your software.
2. Four long low beeps mean a transmission error. In the PRG chapter "USB Interface", section "USB Device Type", scan USB Keyboard HID.
3. DS2278: insert it in the cradle or scan the pairing bar code on the back of the cradle.
4. DS2278 cradle still silent: unplug the power supply and USB cable from the cradle, wait three seconds, reconnect the cable, then the power supply, and pair again.

CauseThe scanner assumes a US English keyboard; the PC uses another layout. Inverted case comes from Caps Lock.

Fix

1. Scan the country keyboard type that matches the Windows layout. Our keyboard layout guide lists the setting for each of our markets.
2. For case problems, turn off Caps Lock or scan Override Caps Lock Key (Enable).

CauseBy default the scanner sends no suffix. If Enter appears twice, both the scanner and your software add one.

Fix

1. To add Enter, scan Add Enter Key (Carriage Return/Line Feed).
2. To remove it, scan Data As Is in section "Scan Data Transmission Format".

Details, Tab and prefixes: see our Enter and Tab suffix guide.

CausePairing was missed or too early, the scanner is in direct Bluetooth mode, or the host holds an old pairing.

Fix

1. Cradle: insert the scanner straight down, or scan the pairing bar code on the back of the cradle. Wait for the low/high connection beep before scanning anything else.
2. Rejection beep right after a reset: wait five seconds before you scan the cradle's pairing bar code, or insert the scanner instead.
3. Scanner was used directly with a PC or phone: scan Cradle Bluetooth Classic (PRG section "Radio Communication Host Types"), then pair with the cradle.
4. Direct Bluetooth fails: remove the scanner from the device's Bluetooth list and turn Bluetooth off and on. Scan Set Factory Defaults, then HID Bluetooth Classic, and pair again.
5. Phone does not find the scanner: scan Limited Discoverable Mode and search within 30 seconds.

CauseThe scanner is out of range or the receiver lost power. Bar codes scanned while it reconnects are not sent.

Fix

1. Walk back into range and pull the trigger.
2. Expect at least 10 m in open air, less through walls and shelving.
3. Occasional drops that reconnect by themselves: increase the value in section "Link Supervision Timeout".
4. To keep scans made out of range, use Out of Range Batch Mode (section "Batch Mode").

CauseA charging error, too much heat, dirty contacts or a weak USB power source.

Fix

1. Charge between 0 and 40 °C. Above 40 °C the battery does not charge.
2. Seat the scanner fully and keep the contacts clean.
3. A standard USB port needs up to 17 hours for a full charge; a BC 1.2 port or external supply about 5 hours.
4. If the error stays, contact us.

CauseProgramming bar codes were scanned by accident.

Fix

1. Open the PRG at chapter "User Preferences & Miscellaneous Options", section "Default Parameters".
2. Scan Set Factory Defaults for Zebra's factory values. Restore Defaults returns to custom defaults saved with Write to Custom Defaults, if any, otherwise also to factory values.
3. The Quick Start Guides print the reset bar code under "Set Defaults": Set Factory Defaults in the DS2208 QSG, Return to Factory Defaults in the DS2278 QSG.
4. Set up again what you need: Enter suffix, keyboard layout, and for the DS2278 the pairing.