Network printer options

[philecreed]

We have an HP Color Laserjet CP3505dn installed (directly wired to the router) in a wired network which has 8 computers with a range of Windows OS's from Vista to 10. When I go to add this printer to each computer, the Windows network search finds the named printer with its IP address but also finds the printer with a NP designation. Which one should I use?
I have been using the IP address successfully but I have noted that when the router is rebooted, the IP address of the printer changes and I have to reinstall the printer on each computer. I have also been using the IP address because when I installed the NP designation, I got the message "Printer is out of ink" and nothing would print. (Note: I'm using manual override on ink).
Ideally, I would like to install the printer once on each computer and have the computer find the printer on the network each time the computer is rebooted. How can I do this?

[dansdaduk · Accepted solution]

>> ... when the router is rebooted, the IP address of the printer changes ...

This implies that the printer is obtaining its IP-address via DHCP.

You could instead configure the printer to use a static IP-address (and 'reserve' this address in the router so that it doesn't get allocated to another device when the printer is powered-off).

[philecreed]

Many thanks for the reply. I'll try to configure the printer and router next week to use a static IP address for the printer. I'll let you know the results.

Phil

[philecreed]

Configured printer for static ip and reserved that ip in the router software as suggested. Rebooted modem and router and all computers and everything seems to work fine. Will reply back if the problem crops up again. This accidental techie thanks you deeply for the prompt and excellent advice!

[dansdaduk]

You are welcome.

Glad that you have the printer working now.