problem connecting printer to laptop

[saucer]

Hello. I have a MacBook running OS 10.13, and a LaserJet Professional P1606dn printer. They are connected by wifi; the printer is plugged into a wifi extender which is plugged into the power socket. Last week I installed a new wifi modem (also plugged into a wifi extender), and the printer stopped working. I presume the two events are not coincidental. (For some time now the Systems Preference Printers & Scanners set up has not shown the name of my printer; I had to type in the IPv4 address, and this worked fine.)

Today I ran a test page on the printer, and it showed a new IPv4 address, presumably because of the new modem. I deleted the printer in System Preferences and reinstalled it, using the new IPv4 address, but kept getting a message: "Couldn't open fifo (2)".

Can anyone help?

[KrazyToad · Accepted solution]

@saucer

Welcome to HP Support Forums. A really great platform for posting all your questions and finding solutions.
 

I have gone through your Post and I would like to help

Restart your Router, printer and Mac and try connecting the printer directly to your new WiFi and bypass the extender

Ensure your Mac is up to date and also update the Print Firmware from this 

Once you connect the Printer to your WiFi network, ensure your Mac is up to date and also update the Print Firmware from this Link: https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/HP-LaserJet-P1600-Printer-series/4110408/model/4110...

Next, Remove and Re-add the printer

1. Click the Apple menu, click System Preferences, and then click Print & Scan or Printers & Scanners.

   Figure : Example of the Printers & Scanners window

   

2. Check if your printer name displays in the Printers list, and then do one of the following steps.

   • If your printer is listed, remove and re-add the printer to confirm it is set up for AirPrint. Click the printer name, click the minus sign to delete the printer, click the plus sign , click Add Printer or Scanner, click the printer name and then continue to the next step.

   • If your printer is not listed, click the plus sign, click Add Printer or Scanner, click the name of your printer, and then continue to the next step.

3. Confirm AirPrint or Secure AirPrint displays in the Use or Print Using menu, and then click Add.

   Figure : AirPrint displays in the Use menu

   

4. Open a document or photo, click File, and then click Print.

Let me know how it goes

Thank you and have a good day 😊

If the information I've provided was helpful, give us some reinforcement by clicking the "Solution Accepted" on this Post and it will also help other community members with similar issue.

[saucer]

Thank you for your help, KrazyToad. I'm away from computer and printer for a few days and will try what you say when I return.

[KrazyToad]

@saucer 

Please try those steps at your convenience and keep me posted if you need further assistance

Thank you 😊

[saucer]

Thank you, KrazyToad, that worked! I'm not sure how, because I couldn't get through to the link for firmware you gave me. Presumably the firmware on my laptop is OK. A bonus is that the printer's name -- as opposed to the IP address -- now shows up in the printer choice menu.

Next question: will it work when I take the printer off the hall table, unplug it from the wifi modem, and plug it into an extender in a room upstairs? Or must I keep it plugged in directly to the modem?

Many thanks for your help.

[KrazyToad]

@saucer

Airprint works with wireless.It is recommended to have the printer connected directly to the wireless network but you can always try with the extender and check. 😊