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Dymo LabelWriter 550 series label printers

You can use the Dymo LabelWriter 550 series label printers to print shipping labels.

Note: This printer can also be used for barcode labels- for more information go to Barcode Printers

The Dymo LabelWriter 550 series label printers connect to your Windows or Mac computer by USB or Wi-Fi. You can also use this guide to troubleshoot common issues with the Dymo LabelWriter 550 series label printers.

If you need help installing, setting up, or troubleshooting your Dymo LabelWriter 550 series label printer, then contact Dymo's support.

To customize and print your barcode labels, you can use the Dymo Label software.

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Requirements for using a Dymo LabelWriter 550 series label printer

You need to meet the following system requirements to use the Dymo LabelWriter 550 series label printers:

  • Windows 8.1 or later
  • macOS v10.14 Mojave or later

Download the Dymo label Software

Download and install the latest version of Dymo Label software from the Dymo website.

Connect your Dymo LabelWriter 550 series label printer to power

Make sure to only use the power adapter that's included with your Dymo LabelWriter 550 series label printers. Follow these steps to connect your printer to power.

Steps:

  1. Plug the power cord into the power adapter, and then plug the power adapter into the power connector on the back of the printer.
  2. Plug the other end of the power cord into a power outlet.
  3. Press the POWER button on the side of the printer.

Connect the Dymo LabelWriter 550 series label printer to your computer

You can connect the Dymo LabelWriter 550 series label printer directly to your computer with a USB cable. If you have a Dymo LabelWriter 5XL printer, then you can also connect it to the local area network (LAN) with an Ethernet cable. The Dymo LabelWriter 550 printer can't connect to a LAN.

If you connect with a USB cable, then you must only use the supplied DYMO USB cable with part number 1997364. If you don't have a cable, then contact Dymo support.

Steps:

Connect with a USB cable
  1. Plug the USB cable into the USB port on the back of the printer.
  2. Plug the other end of the cable into an available USB port on your computer.
  3. Turn on the printer's power. The USB status light on the front of the printer will turn on.
  4. Start Dymo Connect for Desktop software.

macOS: If the printer isn't in the printer list when the installation is complete, refer to the macOS instructions on how to add it.

Connect to a LAN
  1. Plug the LAN cable into the LAN port on the back of the printer.
  2. Plug the other end of the cable into an active LAN port on your network.
  3. Turn on the printer's power. The LAN status light on the front of the printer will turn on.
  4. Download and install Dymo Connect for Desktop on all computers that will print labels to this printer on the network.
  5. In Dymo Connect for Desktop, select Add Network Printer from the File menu and follow the instructions to add the printer.

If the printer is connected to your computer both through USB and LAN ports, then the printer displays twice in Dymo Connect for Desktop.

Load labels into the Dymo LabelWriter 550 series label printers

Follow these steps to load labels into the Dymo LabelWriter 550 series label printer.

Steps:

  1. Turn the printer on, and then press the label reverse feed button to eject the labels that protected the printer during shipment.
  2. Open the top cover and remove any packing material inside the label compartment.
  3. Remove the label spool from inside the cover, and then separate the spool guide from the spindle.
  4. Hold the spool spindle, and then place the label roll on the spindle so that the labels feed from underneath and that the left edge of the label roll is firmly against the side of the spool.
  5. Slide the spool guide onto the right side of the spool, and then press the guide tightly against the side of the label roll. The label roll must fit snugly against both sides of the lable spool, with no gaps.
  6. Insert the label spool into the slot in the printer cover with the labels extending from underneath the roll.
  7. Align the left edge of the label with the left edge of the label exit slot, and then insert the label into the slot. The printer automatically advances the labels, stopping at the beginning of the first label.
  8. Slide the label guide to the left until the label guide aligns with the right edge of the label, and then close the top cover.

Clean the Dymo LabelWriter 550 series label printers

To keep your printer working properly, you need to occasionally clean the exterior and interior of the printer.

Steps:

  1. Disconnect the power cord.
  2. Use a lint-free cloth to wipe the exterior of the printer.
  3. Remove dirt and smudges with one of the following cleaning solutions:
    • Isopropyl alcohol
    • Diluted dishwashing detergent
    • Diluted glass cleaner
  4. Open the printer's top cover, and then use a small, soft brush or cotton swab to whisk away paper dust and other stray particles from the inside of the printer.
  5. Remove the roll of labels, and then clean under the roll.
  6. Reconnect the power cord.
  7. Optional: If you have a LabelWriter cleaning card, follow the instructions printed on cleaning card packaging. To purchase cleaning cards, go to the Dymo website.
  8. Reload the roll of labels, and then close the top cover.

Power status lights for the Dymo LabelWriter 550 series label printers

The power status light visually displays the current power state of the printer.

Description of power status light meanings for the Dymo LabelWriter 550 series label printers.
Status LightDescription
OffPower is off.
Solid onPower is on and printer is ready.
GlowingPrinter is in power saving mode.
Fast blinkingAn error occurred, such as labels are missing or another error condition.

Troubleshoot the Dymo LabelWriter 550 series label printer

Select the Dymo LabelWriter 550 sereis label printer issue, and then follow the troubleshooting steps.

Troubleshoot the printer not displaying in your wireless network list

If your Dymo LabelWriter 550 series label printer doesn't display in your wireless network list, then make sure Dymo Connect for Desktop software is installed before connecting the printer.

For LAN connections, Dymo Connect for Desktop must be installed on each computer that will print to the LabelWriter printer. For locations that use both Ethernet and a wireless network, make sure the router is set to forward traffic between wired and wireless networks.

If the printer's issue isn't resolved, then contact Dymo's support.

Troubleshoot print quality issues

Poor print quality is usually caused by one of the following issues:

  • An old roll of labels.
  • Labels made by a manufacturer other than Dymo.
  • Labels where the thermal coating has been compromised.
  • A dirty print head.

Make sure you're using Dymo-branded labels. Don't use third-party labels because the thermal coating on other labels has a different sensitivity than Dymo-branded labels. Also, the perforated holes between the labels made by other manufacturers are frequently not detectable by LabelWriter printers.

If the print quality becomes faint, small dots of white appear scattered through the printed characters, or light and dark patches of printing appear, then your roll of labels might be faulty. Try a different roll from a fresh box. If the second roll prints correctly, then the problem is with the first roll of labels.

Another possibility is that you need to clean the print head.

If you continue to experience issues with broken characters or other print quality issues, then perform a printer self-test. The self-test verifies that all elements of the print head and printing mechanism are working.

Steps:

  1. With a roll of labels in the printer, press and hold the FORM-FEED button on the front of the printer for five to ten seconds. The printer begins printing vertical lines along the width of the printer. The test pattern automatically changes every 3/4 inch (19 mm).
  2. When the self-test begins, release the FORM-FEED button. 3 To stop the self-test, press and release the FORM-FEED button.

If the printer's issue isn't resolved, then contact Dymo's support.

Troubleshoot label jams

If labels are jammed in the printer, then you can clear them with the following steps.

Steps:

  1. Tear off any labels that have already fed through the printer.
  2. Press the label release lever forward, and then pull the jammed label out of the label feed slot.

If the printer's issue isn't resolved, then contact Dymo's support.

Troubleshoot labels not feeding correctly

If your labels don't feed correctly, then check the following set up requirements:

  • Your labels are loaded properly and the left edge of the label aligns with the left edge of the label feed slot.
  • You're using Dymo-branded labels. The perforated holes between the labels made by other manufacturers are frequently not detectable by Dymo printers. When the perforations aren't detected, the labels won't feed correctly.

If the printer's issue isn't resolved, then contact Dymo's support.

Troubleshoot printer not printing or not stopping printing

If your printer doesn't print or stops printing when in use, then troublshoot with the following steps:

  • Make sure that the printer receives power and that the power cable hasn't been disconnected.
  • If the status light on the front of the printer isn't lit, then check to make sure the power cable is plugged in, and that your power strip is working.
  • Make sure that the issue isn't with the outlet or power strip by plugging something else into the wall outlet and power strip.
  • Confirm that the printer feeds labels properly by pushing the form feed button when the printer is on.
  • If the labels are jammed, then the status light blinks. Refer to the Troubleshoot label jams section of this page.
  • Make sure that your USB cable hasn't come loose from the back of your printer or from your computer.
  • Make sure that your LabelWriter printer driver is installed correctly.

If the printer's issue isn't resolved, then contact Dymo's support.