How to fix Dymo LabelWriter labels feeding incorrectly
Applies to
Dymo LabelWriter 450 series, Dymo LabelWriter 550 series, Dymo LabelWriter 4XL, Dymo LabelWriter 5XL, Windows, macOS, Dymo Connect, and Dymo Label Software
Last updated
May 2026
Problem
Your Dymo LabelWriter is not feeding labels correctly. The printer may pull through several labels at once, skip labels, stop halfway through a label, feed labels at an angle, print across two labels, or eject labels without printing properly.
This can be frustrating because the printer may still be detected by the computer and may still attempt to print. Feeding problems are usually caused by the label roll not being loaded correctly, the wrong label size being selected, dirty rollers, label residue inside the printer, damaged labels, or a mismatch between the label roll and the printer model.
Solution
To fix incorrect label feeding, reload the label roll carefully, make sure the roll is seated tightly on the spool, confirm the correct label size is selected in Dymo Connect, check for stuck labels or adhesive residue, clean the printer if needed, and test with a known compatible label roll.
In most cases, feeding problems are mechanical rather than software related. However, the wrong label size or template in Dymo Connect can also make the printer behave as if it has a feeding fault.
Step by step instructions
Check how the labels are loaded
Open the top cover of the Dymo LabelWriter and remove the label roll.
The labels should feed from underneath the roll into the printer. If the roll is installed the wrong way round, the printer may pull the labels unevenly or fail to detect each label correctly.
Check the following before reloading:
- The labels feed from the bottom of the roll.
- The label roll is not upside down or backwards.
- The first label is not curled, torn, or folded.
- The label backing is smooth and not creased.
- The roll is not rubbing against the inside of the printer.
Reload the roll and feed the first label into the slot until the printer grips it.
Make sure the roll is tight on the spool
A loose label roll is one of the most common reasons for angled feeding.
The roll should sit firmly against the spool guide. If there is a gap, the roll can move from side to side while printing, which causes the labels to enter the printer at an angle.
Before printing, check that:
- The roll is pushed fully onto the spool.
- The spool guide is pressed snugly against the roll.
- The roll does not wobble from side to side.
- The labels feed straight into the printer.
- The spool is correctly seated in the printer.
If the roll is not aligned, remove it and reload it before sending another print job.
Press the feed button
Press the feed button once and watch how the label moves through the printer.
This helps you see whether the problem happens during basic feeding or only when printing from software.
If the label feeds smoothly using the button, the printer mechanism is likely working. The issue may be the selected label size, template, software, or print queue.
If the label feeds at an angle, jams, or pulls several labels through, the issue is more likely the roll, spool, feed path, or internal rollers.
Check for stuck labels inside the printer
Open the printer cover and inspect the label path carefully.
A small torn label or sticky piece of backing paper can cause repeated feeding issues. Even if the printer looks clear at first glance, check around the feed slot and roller area.
Look for:
- Torn label pieces.
- Adhesive residue.
- Labels wrapped around a roller.
- Dust or paper fragments.
- Labels stuck near the feed sensor.
- Bent or curled labels blocking the path.
Remove any loose material gently. Do not use sharp tools inside the printer, as these can damage the print head, sensor, or rollers.
Check the label roll for damage
Remove the roll and inspect the labels.
A damaged roll can cause the LabelWriter to skip, jam, or feed inconsistently. This is especially common if the roll has been dropped, squashed, stored in heat, or left loose in a drawer.
Check for:
- Flattened sides on the roll.
- Labels peeling away from the backing.
- Curled label edges.
- Torn label backing.
- Sticky residue on the sides of the roll.
- Labels that are not evenly wound.
If the roll looks damaged, test with a new or known working roll.
Confirm the correct label size in Dymo Connect
Open Dymo Connect and check the selected label size.
If the software is set to the wrong label size, the printer may feed too far, stop too early, print over the gap between labels, or use more than one label for a single design.
Check that:
- The selected template matches the physical label roll.
- The label orientation is correct.
- The design fits inside the printable area.
- The correct LabelWriter printer is selected.
- The print preview looks right before printing.
If you are unsure, create a new label from a standard template that matches the roll rather than using an old saved design.
Create a simple test label
Create a new label with plain text only.
Do not use imported contacts, barcodes, shipping labels, marketplace labels, or old templates for this test. A simple label helps confirm whether the feeding problem is caused by the printer or by the document being printed.
Use this approach:
- Open a new blank label in Dymo Connect.
- Select the correct physical label size.
- Add a single text box.
- Type Test Label.
- Print one label only.
If the test label feeds correctly, the original label design or application may be causing the issue.
Clear the print queue
A stuck or repeated print job can make it seem like the printer is feeding labels incorrectly.
On Windows, open Settings, then Bluetooth and devices, then Printers and scanners. Select the Dymo LabelWriter and open the print queue. Cancel any stuck or repeated jobs.
On macOS, open System Settings, then Printers and Scanners. Select the Dymo LabelWriter and open the print queue. Remove any waiting jobs.
After clearing the queue, close Dymo Connect, reopen it, and print one test label.
Clean the rollers and feed path
If the printer has been used for a long time, dust and adhesive residue can build up inside the feed path.
This can cause labels to slip, skew, or stick while feeding. Cleaning can often improve feeding reliability.
Use:
- A Dymo cleaning card if available.
- A lint-free cloth.
- A small amount of isopropyl alcohol on the cloth.
- Gentle pressure around the feed path and roller area.
Do not pour liquid into the printer. Do not scrape the rollers or print head with sharp objects. Allow the printer to dry fully before testing again.
Check LabelWriter 550 label compatibility
If you are using a Dymo LabelWriter 550 series printer, check that the label roll is compatible with the 550 series.
The 550 series is designed to detect compatible label rolls. If the roll is not detected correctly, the software may not know the correct label size, which can lead to feeding and printing problems.
Check the following:
- The roll is compatible with your 550 series model.
- The roll is seated correctly.
- Dymo Connect detects the label type.
- The detected label size matches the labels installed.
- The labels are not damaged or incorrectly wound.
If the printer behaves strangely with one roll but works with another, the first roll may be incompatible or faulty.
Restart the printer and computer
Close Dymo Connect and disconnect the USB cable from the computer.
Unplug the printer power cable and wait a few seconds. Reconnect the power, reconnect the USB cable directly to the computer, and restart the computer.
After the restart, open Dymo Connect and print one simple test label.
This can clear temporary print queue, driver, and communication issues.
Reinstall the Dymo software if feeding problems continue
If the labels feed correctly from the feed button but not when printing from the computer, reinstall the Dymo software.
Remove old or duplicate Dymo printer entries from Windows Printers and scanners or macOS Printers and Scanners first. Then download the latest software from the official Dymo support page at https://www.dymo.com/support?cfid=user-guide
Install the software, restart the computer, reconnect the LabelWriter directly by USB, and test again with a basic label.
Optional methods or tools
- Use a Dymo cleaning card to clean the feed path.
- Try a new or known working label roll.
- Use Dymo Connect to create a plain text test label.
- Clear the print queue before testing again.
- Try another USB port if feeding problems happen only when printing from the computer.
- Use the printer feed button to separate mechanical feeding issues from software printing issues.
- Download the latest Dymo software from https://www.dymo.com/support?cfid=user-guide
- Test with genuine compatible labels if you are using a LabelWriter 550 series printer.
Best practices or tips
- Always push the label roll firmly against the spool guide.
- Make sure labels feed from the bottom of the roll.
- Keep the label path clear of torn labels and adhesive residue.
- Store label rolls in their packaging when not in use.
- Avoid using squashed, curled, damp, or heat-damaged label rolls.
- Select the exact label size in Dymo Connect before printing.
- Print one test label after changing rolls.
- Do not pull labels manually while the printer is feeding.
Dymo LabelWriter feeding problems are usually caused by roll alignment, label damage, residue inside the printer, or the wrong label size being selected in the software. A badly seated roll can make labels feed at an angle, while an incorrect template can make the printer skip labels or print across more than one label.
Once the LabelWriter feeds a simple test label correctly, you can return to address labels, shipping labels, barcodes, name badges, and saved templates. Testing with a clean printer, correctly seated roll, and matching label size is the fastest way to separate a genuine printer fault from a label or software issue.
