MFP M477fdw wakes up immediately after going to sleep

[dnm240]

My printer will go to sleep after the configured amount of time, but then wakes up 20 seconds later.  It does this over and over again.  Awake for 5 minutes, asleep for 20 seconds.  I would like very much for it to stay asleep, as I want neither the noise nor the power consumption.  The constant cycle of sleep-wake is particularly frustrating to sit near.

The printer is connected to a network, but the behavior continues if I disconnect the network cable.  Wifi is turned off.  The fax is not being used, and is not connected.  What is wrong?

[ALS-77]

There might be an Auto On setting in the printer. There could be something wrong with a sensor or the touchscreen. Make sure the touchscreen is clean.

Some things to consider from the manual:

Sleep delay
When the printer is in sleep delay mode, the control-panel backlight is turned off, but the printer retains all printer settings, downloaded fonts, and macros. The default setting is a 15-minute idle time. The setting can be changed or turned off from the control panel menus.
The printer exits sleep delay mode and enters the warm-up cycle when any of the following occurs.
● A print job, valid data, or a PML or PJL command is received at the serial port.
● The control panel is touched (button press or touchscreen touch depending on model).
● A document is loaded in the document feeder or the scanner lid is opened (M377, M477 only).
● A tray is opened.
TIP: Error messages override the sleep delay message. The printer enters sleep mode at the appropriate time, but the error message continues to appear.

Auto On / Auto Off mode

Touchscreen control panels
1. From the Home screen on the product control panel, touch the Setup button.
2. Open the following menus:
● System Setup
● Energy Settings
● Sleep/Auto Off After
3. Select the time for the Sleep/Auto Off delay.

[dnm240]

Touchscreen is spotless.

As I wrote:

"My printer will go to sleep after the configured amount of time, but then wakes up 20 seconds later.  It does this over and over again.  Awake for 5 minutes, asleep for 20 seconds."

What I meant by that is exactly what it says.  The settings are for sleeping after 5 minutes.  None of the events you mention are occurring.  Nobody is sending a job to the printer, as it ISN'T even connected to anything!  Nobody is touching the screen, or the trays, the document feeder, or ANYTHING.  The printer's sleep function simply doesn't work.  If this is a sensor problem with the screen, it has been this way since the machine was purchased, and should be repaired.  Is there a diagnostic that I can run or a log that I can look at to determine WHY it is waking up?  I am smart enough to read a log or run a diagnostic if somebody can point me to the proper location.

[ALS-77]

I wasn't sure on this model if there was also an Auto On option that would be grouped together maybe with the Auto Off/Sleep option. I also listed what was in the manual just in case there might be something in the document feeder or a tray/door that isn't closed all the way and causing an intermittent switch activation, or maybe the screen was dirty or had something spilled on it that might be incidentally activating it. Since I can't work on it in person, it's very hard to troubleshoot blind, I was hoping to lead you to look at the options to maybe see something that might be questionable. 

You might also check to make sure the firmware is the latest version. There may be a firmware fix for what you're dealing with.

Also, make sure you're plugged straight into a wall power outlet and not a surge protector, power strip or UPS.

The service manual doesn't list any diagnostics that would help in this situation.

[dnm240]

I certainly haven't found an auto-on option in any of the settings, and I have looked.  I have plugged the printer directly into the wall, and that has not fixed it.  I have seen other posts that mention the fax capability as the culprit, but as stated originally, I am not using the fax.  One post mentioned replacing the fax board inside the printer.  Is that a potential source of trouble?  How would we know?

[dnm240]

I am willing to post a copy of the settings taken from the embedded web server in the printer if it will help with diagnosis.

[ALS-77]

I suppose a bad fax board could cause your issue. You could simply disconnect/remove it from the printer to see if it changes your problem without replacing it.

[dnm240]

How can I do that?  Am I on my own to try figuring it out, or is there a good way to get into the printer to test this?

[ALS-77]

I sent you a private message with a link to the service manual you can use.

[dnm240]

I disconnected the fax board, but the printer is too smart or not smart enough.  It complains that the fax board is disconnected, and goes into a reboot cycle, making it impossible to test whether the fax was causing it to wake up.  Is there a way to disable the fax feature entirely via software configuration?