Solved: HP Color LaserJet MFP M280nw network issues. - HP Support Community

FKHDK · ‎04-13-2026

I am the unfortunate owner, of the above mentioned product, which keeps dropping network connectivity.

I have it narrowed down to "deep sleep" issues with reconnecting to the network.

This happens REGARDLESS of it being on wired or wireless networks.

I have updated firmware, changed operating system on clients, changed client PLATFORMS, but REGARDLESS of ALL of the supposed fixes ever posted on here, the ONLY thing that works, is to powercycle the printer. It's not even enough to button mash or reconfigure the network interface ON the printer, it is like the printer forgets EVERYTHING about even HAVING a network interface, when it wakes up from deep sleep.

NONE of the "supposed fixes" ever posted here, has made ONE bit of a difference. I am contemplating creating a docker container, whose ONLY job should be to send a keepalive packet to the printer 5 minutes before it goes to sleep, because in its infinite wisdom, HP seems to have made it IMPOSSIBLE to turn off the sleep function on the printer.

I know of SEVERAL competing products, where this problem NEVER happens, so claiming it is an unsolvable problem, will not fly.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

FKHDK · ‎05-15-2026

I have to admit, this gave me a pretty good laugh 😄

You ended the support reply by linking me to a "similar discussion" and suggesting I read it... only for me to discover it linked straight back to this very thread and my own original post.

For a brief moment I entered a recursive support loop.

That said, I may have a working theory and workaround attempt:

The printer itself appears to stay alive, but after extended inactivity the network side seems to become unreachable — possibly related to sleep / deep sleep behavior.

Current workaround / thesis:

I happened to use Synology Task Scheduler because I already had a NAS running, but the idea itself is platform-independent.

Any scheduler should work (cron, Windows Task Scheduler, PowerShell, Linux, Raspberry Pi, etc.).

The concept is simply to generate a tiny amount of real network traffic before the printer reaches its sleep threshold:

[code]
curl http://PRINTER_IP > /dev/null
[/code]

Scheduled at:

01:00
07:00
13:00
19:00

Time chosen due to some scheduler wonkiness around midnight and repeating tasks.

The printer power-saving timeout is already configured to the maximum of 8 hours, so I deliberately stayed below that threshold.

I have also added minimalist logging of HTTP response code, response time and completion timestamp to make later troubleshooting easier.

The idea here is that this may not even be HP-specific. If the issue is tied to network sleep behavior, a tiny amount of periodic traffic could potentially work as a generic workaround for similar printers as well.

No long-term validation yet, so I’m calling this a working theory rather than a confirmed fix.

If it survives production testing, future-me may return with updates 😄

Come to think of it... you actually DID link me to a solution after all 😄

It just happened to be this thread — and a future version of me posting a workaround attempt.

So... thank you! 😂

View solution in original post

Pallipurath · ‎04-15-2026

Hi @FKHDK

Welcome to the HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query.

I understand that you are experiencing issues with the printer dropping its network connection when it enters sleep mode. I would kindly request that you check the distance between the printer and the router, ensuring they are within 10 feet of each other. Also I would request you to please perform the below steps and check which should resolve the issue.

Adjust Network Settings

Ensure your router is broadcasting on 2.4 GHz
Disable AP isolation or MAC filtering if enabled.
If your router uses WPA3, switch to WPA2 temporarily.

Use Embedded Web Server

Type the printer’s IP into a browser to access the Embedded Web Server (EWS).
Under Networking > Advanced Settings, disable “Auto-Off” or “Deep Sleep” if the option is available.
Some users report success by enabling IPv6 or adjusting DNS settings to Google DNS (8.8.8.8).

Factory Reset

On touchscreen: Setup → Service → Restore Factory Settings.
Reconfigure Wi‑Fi and preferences from scratch.

Reset Network Settings on Printer

On the touchscreen: Setup → Network → Restore Network Defaults.
Confirm reset, then restart the printer.
Reconnect using Wireless Setup Wizard (enter Wi‑Fi password carefully).

Hope this helps, Please revert if the issue persists.

Take care and have an amazing day!

I'm an HP Employee.

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FKHDK · ‎04-15-2026

I just stated directly, that i HAVE tried ALL of the supposed fixes, ever posted on here.

NONE of them works. I have had the printer on Static IP, Dynamic IP, Cabled networking, Wireless networking, have factory reset, have changed sleep timeout. NONE OF IT WORKS. Telling me to change WPA level is kind of angering, when there IS no WPA level on cabled networking.

It is pretty clear to me, that you are working off a generic troubleshooting list. Throw that away - it doesn't address the specific issue. If you had just a MODICUM of experience in this specific printer, you would know it only allows me to set deep sleep to 8 hours, no further.

What i need is a firmware, with the possibility to turn off deep sleep COMPLETELY, (something that SHOULD be standard anyway, considering I pay for my own power consumption) because it seems to be THAT feature, that kills all network communication to and from the unit.

I've worked in IT for 30 years, this is not my first rodeo.

Pallipurath · ‎04-17-2026

Hi @FKHDK,

Thank you for responding.

I regret to hear that the issues is not resolved and HP does not provide firmware for the Color LaserJet MFP M280nw that allows you to completely disable “Deep Sleep” mode. The printer’s energy‑saving features are built into the firmware and cannot be turned off entirely—only adjusted or minimized through settings.

Disable Sleep Mode or Adjust Sleep Timer

Open the HP Smart app or enter your printer’s IP address in a web browser to access the Embedded Web Server (EWS).
Go to Settings > Preferences > Energy Settings or Power Management.
Set Sleep Mode to a longer duration or disable it temporarily.
Click Apply.

Have a good day.

I'm an HP Employee.

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FKHDK · ‎04-18-2026

So the fact that i directly TOLD you, that there is NO option to disable the energy savings in the firmware, prompted you to tell me to enter the settings and ... NOT disable deep sleep, when i DIRECTLY STATED as FACT, that it does NOT change ANYTHING ?

I need a firmware, that gives me an option to DISABLE the power saving function. Powercycling the printer every 10 hours is NOT a viable option.

FKHDK · ‎05-10-2026

Guess i have to keep pinging this issue, since nobody has reacted and/or responded in 3 weeks now. Could you please relay to a solution, that doesn't completely kill connectivity on network printers, due to deep sleep in your firmware being utterly borked ? Someone ought to be looking into the code. Alternatively opensource the firmware, and i'll fix the problem myself. It's absolutely clear it is not a hardware problem, because it ONLY happens when the device enters deep sleep.

Meghana_10 · ‎05-12-2026

We apologize for the inconvenience caused to you @FKHDK

However we suggest you to download the latest software and drivers from the link provided below and check if it helps in resolving the issue.

HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M280nw Software and Driver Downloads | HP® Support

Have a great day!

I'm an HP Employee.

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FKHDK · ‎05-12-2026

It does NOT resolve the issue. It is NOT a driver issue, it is a firmware deep sleep issue.

My printer is WIRED, it goes into deep sleep and i can't wake it up from a web browser pointed to the management web server at the configured ip address.

Meghana_10 · ‎05-13-2026

Thank you so much for the update @FKHDK

We do understand the importance of the printer being connected to the network even after it being in the sleep mode.

However, to ensure your printer maintains a stable connection and is instantly available when waking from sleep mode, we recommend assigning a manual (static) IP address along with a manual DNS configuration.

Please follow the steps below:

Try assigning a static IP address and a manual DNS address:

* Obtain the IP address of the printer.

* Type the IP address on your web browser to obtain the printer EWS page on your computer.

* Go to the “Network” tab – Click on “Wireless (802.11) – Then click on “Network address (IPv4)

* Click on the radio button which says, “Manual IP” and then click “Suggest a manual IP address” to give a manual IP address to your printer.

* Click on radio button which says, “Manual DNS Server” and under manual preferred type 8.8.8.8 and under manual alternate type 8.8.4.4 (This is Google DNS server address)

Have a great day!

I'm an HP Employee.

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And if you found this reply helpful, clicking Yes below is a great way to let us know we’re providing the support you need, as it encourages us to keep improving and sharing helpful guidance.

FKHDK · ‎05-13-2026

While i appreciate the response, it instantly shows me you didn't read my message AT ALL.

I have SEVERAL times stated, that my printer is WIRED, it has STATIC ip, it has stable DNS connection, and the problem is FIRMWARE.

The deep sleep function locks the printer COMPLETELY. When the printer enters sleep, there is NO magic packet or connection to it, not even the built in web server on the printer, that manages to wake it up again.

The ONLY remedy i have found, is power cycling. Your product is borderline unuseable, when it has to powercycle on a daily basis. I have linux PC's on my network that can enter deep sleep, that i can wake up that i haven't power cycled in monthsm but a HP priinter can't survive for 72 hours in a wired network.

PLEASE for all that is holy, fix the firmware issue.

HP Color LaserJet MFP M280nw network issues.

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Adjust Network Settings

Use Embedded Web Server