My HP Envy 7640 won't stay connected to wifi network

[Kunshan]

My brand new MacBook Air, and my older iPhone, iPad and Mac are constantly losing their wifi connection to my HP Envy 7640.  I have reinstalled the drivers on the machines, and reprogrammed the wifi settings on the printer.  My network signal is excellent, accordding to the Wireless Network Test Results, and no problems were found in my diagnostic results.  It works for a while, but after a time I get the same message that my computer can't detect the printer.  This has been going on for at least a year, and afflicted my MacBook Pro as well.  Sometimes turning the printer on and off helps, but never for long.  I have hardwired the Mac to the printer, and when I'm really desperate carry my laptop to the printer and hardwire it as well.  But unless this can be fixed, I'm ready to buy a different brand.  What's the point of having a wifi printer if the wifi doesn't work?

[sabretooth04]

These settings are for setting up your wireless or wired printers to:

* Stay connected to your router
* Fix printer ‘offline’ status
* Wake from sleep mode
* Speed up wireless printing

While DHCP is convenient, devices such as printers (wired and wireless) should always be assigned a static (fixed) IP address manually to avoid conflicts on your wireless network and MUST be outside the DHCP range of the router. This is because printers are the only external devices that do not have the power to automatically interrupt the router for a new DHCP address once the least time expires.  

After setting the static IP, the computer(s) must be updated under Printer Properties/Ports to show a Standard TCP/IP port with the printers’ new static IP address.

1. Set a static IP in the printer outside the DHCP range of the router (check your manual).  This static IP is important as DHCP IP addresses will change upon different power up sequences of your devices.  You always want your printer to come up with the same IP address all the time.  See how to do this here:

http://www.watchingthenet.com/linksys-tip-assign-static-ip-address-to-printer-while-using-dhcp-on-yo...

This is for Linksys routers but can be used for all routers. Verify your DHCP range and change this first if needed.  After setting the static IP, the computer(s) must be updated under Printer Properties/Ports to show a Standard TCP/IP port with the printers IP address.  

To see why this problem exists and how to fix it, watch this video here for Windows.   Scroll down for MAC information.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEqvUKxWmq4

How to set a Standard TCP/IP port.  This is important.

a.    Click Start/Devices and Printers.  Right click on your HP Printer.  Select Printer Properties.  Select the Ports tab at the top.
b.    Select Add Port.  Select Standard TCP/IP Port.  Select New Port.
c.    Follow the Add Port Wizard.  Under Printer Name or IP Address, input the Static IP address you just set from the above information.  Example:  192.168.1.15.  The IP address will be copied under Port Name.  This is OK to leave this alone or you can put in your Printer Model.
d.    Select Next and Finish the Wizard.

If you create a TCP/IP port without a static IP above, you may lose your TCP/IP connection and have the same issue. This is because your network has powered up differently giving you a different DHCP address to the printer that does not match the TCP/IP address above.  This could occur at anytime just like the video shows.

For MAC PCs perform the above Static IP setting in the router and then watch here on how to perform your IP setting for MAC computers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5tNFjEBDOw

By performing the above, the printers Embedded Web Server (EWS) will now work all the time by going to your Static IP address in your browser.  

2. Verify in the printer that 'Auto Off/Sleep/Energy Saving Mode' is disabled and/or the System Mode Time Out is set to zero (0).  Use the Embedded Web Server (EWS) by going to the printers IP address in your browsers address bar, click Settings Tab/Auto Off, or use the Printer Assistant, Printer Home Page (EWS). Also check your Printer Properties.

3. If the printer supports and has IPv6 enabled, disable IPv6 in the printer.

4. Make sure printer is plugged directly into a wall outlet and not into a UPS, power strip or surge protector. This will cause the printer to drop offline and disconnect (yes verified!).

5.  Make sure your printer and router are at least 5 feet apart from each other.

Additional steps to be taken if you continue to have the problem (if they are posted)…

[Kunshan]

Thanks sabretooth04, but this is way beyond my technical capabilities.  I'm a fire and forget kind of guy.  I think I need to buy a simpler and more reliable printer.

[sabretooth04 · Accepted solution]

They all have the same problem no matter which manufacturer.   It's easy, just follow the videos and text. 

[Kunshan]

You were right.  The second video did the trick, even for a Luddite like me.  Thanks!

[sabretooth04]

See.  A lot cheaper that a new printer... ;-).

[Kunshan]

Sorry sabretooth04, I spoke too soon.  The printer worked for a while, but once it went to sleep, my laptop again lost the connection.  I have gone into the router and set a static IP address for the printer.  I then followed the video you suggested to indicate what the IP address of my printer was.  This also only worked until the printer goes to sleep.  I have tried to turn off the autosleep feature, but on my printer (HP Envy 7640) it only gives me a choice between 5, 10 or 15 minutes, not a 0 minute option.  What am I doing wrong?  This seems to have become a bigger problem recently.

[sabretooth04]

What is the static IP you set in the printer?

What is the starting DHCP address in the router?

What is the ending DHCP address in the router?

[Kunshan]

How can I turn off the autosleep function?

[sabretooth04]

Read number 2 above.