Erbium (Er³⁺)-doped fluoride microstructured fibers based on ZBLYAN glasses, which are recognized for low intrinsic loss in the mid-infrared (MIR) region and strong compatibility with rare-earth ion doping, are fabricated via the stack-and-draw method. This technique enables precise replication of preset air-hole configurations, effectively suppressing parasitic losses in the MIR band and creating a stable gain environment for 2.8 μm lasing, which originates from the ⁴I_11/2→⁴I_13/2 energy level transition of Er³⁺ ions. Using a 976 nm laser diode in an end-pumping configuration, stable 2.8 μm lasing is achieved from an 86 cm-long Er³⁺-doped fluoride microstructured fibers. The system delivers a maximum unsaturated output power of ~34 mW and a slope efficiency of only up to 4.2%-low performance mainly caused by ~4% Fresnel reflection at one fiber end, which provides insufficient photon feedback and induces significant cavity loss. Systematic studies explore the effects of key parameters. Overly short fibers lack sufficient gain accumulation, while overly long ones amplify scattering loss. An increased Er³⁺ concentration enhances gain generation and improves laser efficiency. By contrast, insufficient Er³⁺ concentration fails to provide adequate gain, restricting laser output performance. Resonator reflectivity with an appropriate value facilitates the efficient generation of 2.8 μm lasing. These results confirm Er³⁺-doped fluoride microstructured fibers as promising gain media for 2.8 μm lasers, supporting potential applications in biomedical spectroscopy and environmental gas sensing.