Can't get my HP Colour LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw to work with Apple AirPrint, on my iPad Air 2

[sjgowdy]

Hi Folks, hoping someone will be able to help me here.. I just bought a HP Colour LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw printer, but I can't get it to work - or even be recognised or found, as an Air Printer on my iPad Air 2. I just keep getting the message that 'Air Printer not found'. Both the printer and my iPad are connected to my wireless network at home, the printer works fine with my PC's & Android smart phone (all over wireless), but I can't get the printer to work by AirPrint with my iPad Air 2. Now - I'm a bit of an iOS novice - I've worked with PC's and Windows all my life, so I'm sure there's something simple that I'm just not doing! I do believe that the printer is indeed AirPrint compatible, but don't know what to try next. Any suggestions or instruction from you good folks would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks in advance, Stephen

[MKazi · Accepted solution]

@sjgowdy

Welcome to HP Support Forums. 🙂

I came across your post and would like to assist. 

I understand that your HP Colour LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw does not print from your iPad. A message appears saying "'Air Printer not found". The printer works fine from other devices in the same network. Fabulous diagnostics, spectacular analysis of the issue by you. Kudos to you for that. 

This indicates that the network connectivity is fine. I recommend you to perform the following steps to isolate the issue and arrive at a fix: 

• Please ensure that your iPad has iOS 4.2 or later running on it.
• You may watch this HP video to check if you have the right options to print using Airprint.

If the issue persists then please continue to perform the following steps to fix this issue:

When you try to select a printer, a No AirPrint Printers Found message displays. To resolve the issue, restart the printer and Apple iOS device, and then make sure they are connected to the same network.

   NOTE: If your printer is connected to a computer with a USB cable, you must use Wi-Fi Direct/HP wireless direct (if available) as an alternative.

Step 1: Move the router closer to the printer

Make sure other household items do not interfere with the wireless signal, and then move the router closer to the printer.

1. Move the router away from household items that can interfere with the wireless signal, such as microwave ovens and cordless phones.

2. Move the printer closer to the wireless router.

3. Make sure your router is set at 2.4 GHz.

   If you are unsure how to check this setting, consult your router documentation or contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP).

Step 2: Restart all devices, and make sure they are on the same network

Restart the router and printer, verify wireless connectivity and status on a Network Configuration page, and then turn on the Apple device to check wireless settings.

1. Turn off the router, and then turn it on.

   Contact the router manufacturer for instructions on how to turn off the router.

      NOTE: Do not reset the router.

2. Turn off the printer, and then turn it on.

3. Turn off the Apple device.

      NOTE: Do not turn on the Apple iOS device yet.

4. Print a Network Configuration page.

   For instructions on printing a Network Configuration page, go to HP Customer Support. Type your printer model, and then search for the document to "print a configuration page."

5. Check the Active Connection Type in the General Information section on the report. The connection type should be Wireless.

6. Check the status in the 802.11 Wireless section on the report. The status should be Connected. The printer IP Address also displays in the 802.11 section of the report for active wireless connections.

7. Make sure the Network Name (SSID) on the report is the same as the name of the wireless network for your networked printer.

   • If the HP printer is connected to the correct wireless network, continue with these steps.

   • If the HP printer is not connected to the correct wireless network, go to HP Customer Care, type your printer model in the search field, and then browse to the support document about how to connect your printer to a wireless network.

8. Turn on your Apple iOS device.

9. Tap the Settings icon .

10. Tap Wi-Fi.

11. Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on and there is a checkmark next to your wireless network name.

12. Return to the Settings menu, and then make sure Bluetooth is turned off.

Try to print. If the issue persists, continue to the next step.

Step 3: Update the printer firmware

Go to Updating Firmware on the Printer to download and install the latest printer firmware

Try to print. If the issue persists, continue to the next step.

Step 4: Make sure AirPrint is enabled

Open the Embedded Web Server (EWS), and then make sure AirPrint is enabled.

1. Print a Network Configuration page to obtain the printer IP address needed to view the EWS webpage.

   For instructions on printing a Network Configuration page, go to HP Customer Support. Type your printer model, and then search for the document to "print a configuration page."

2. Find the printer IP address on the Network Configuration page.

   Figure : Example of a printer IP address

   

3. On your computer, open an Internet browser.

4. Type the printer IP address in the browser address bar, and then press Enter.

      NOTE: Make sure to type the IP address into the Internet browser's address box. If typed into a toolbar search box or search engine, the EWS does not open.

5. If a website security certificate displays in the Internet browser, click Continue.

   The EWS information page for the printer opens.

6. Click the Settings tab.

7. Click Security, and then click Administrator Settings.

8. Under Network Settings, select AirPrint, if it is not already selected, and then click Apply.

   Figure : Selecting AirPrint

   

9. Restart the printer.

Try to print. If the issue persists, continue to the next step.

Step 5: Make sure the router can forward Bonjour packets

Not all wireless routers support Bonjour or all of Bonjour's features. Since Bonjour is the default method for discovering printers on a network, you must first make sure your wireless router supports Bonjour, and then turn the Apple device off and on.

Check the specifications or support documentation for your router or contact the router manufacturer to make sure your router supports Bonjour. It must also support forwarding Bonjour packets.

• If your router supports Bonjour, skip to the next step.

• If your router does not support Bonjour, use a router that supports Bonjour or add the printer to your printer list using the IP tab and the printer IP address.

  Try to print. 

I sincerely hope this fixes the issue. Keep me posted for further assistance.

Cheers! 

[sjgowdy]

Hi MKazi, 

Thank you so much for taking the time to post your very comprehensive response - it's greatly appreciated. I'm happy to advise that I eventually got the issue sorted out myself (I think/hope!) and your post itemises nearly exactly what I did to fix this.

I checked for any software/firmware updates on the printer and there was indeed one, which was downloaded and installed. Printer was restarted, as was my iPad, but still no printer found via AirPrint. I then checked my router settings, and it is indeed dual channel, i.e. 2.4GHz & 5GHz. The printer was configured to use both channels, so I changed that setting to, initially, use the 5GHz only.....and connectivity got worse! I then changed the setting to use 2.4GHz channel only - and it then worked fine! My iPad picked up the printer immediately, as an Air Printer and the connection has remained strong so far.

So, once again, many thanks for your response, if I hadn't already solved the issue, following your instructions would definitely have fixed the issue!

Kind regards,

Stephen

[MKazi]

@sjgowdy

Great news! 

I'm glad that the issue is resolved and truly appreciate your hardwork and patience. 

Happy printing!