~HD – Head Diagnostic
What ~HD does
~HD is part of the Status and Diagnostics reference. Use it when working with head diagnostic on compatible Zebra printers. This independent reference focuses on the command shape, configuration inputs, defaults, and the surrounding commands that are commonly used with it.
Syntax
~HDParameter quick reference
Head Temp = 29Ambient Temp = 00Head Test = PassedDarkness Adjust = 23Print Speed = 2Slew Speed = 6Backfeed Speed = 2Static_pitch_length = 0521Dynamic_pitch_length = 0540Max_dynamic_pitch_length = 0540
Implementation guidance
- Confirm that the printer model and firmware support the command before deployment.
- Test the smallest valid command first, then add optional parameters one at a time.
- Keep units in printer dots unless the command explicitly defines another unit.
- Verify the result on the target media, because resolution, orientation, and stored settings can change the output.
Troubleshooting
If the printer ignores the instruction, check the command prefix, delimiter characters, firmware support, and whether the command belongs inside a ^XA and ^XZ format. For output commands, also confirm that the field is closed with ^FS where required.
Source note
This independently written page was checked against the Zebra programming guide revision supplied for this project (reference page 219). Zebra, ZPL, and related product names are trademarks of their respective owners.