Printer has to be re-connected to internet everytime

[Mz0]

My printer constantly disconnects itself from my network.  Every time I want to print something, I have to run and re-connect the printer to the internet (type in the password for my wi-fi, wait for it to connect). 

It is insanely obnoxious and relentless. What can I do to stop this? I've tried deleting the printer from my computer and re-installing it, but it doesn't change anything. The printer still disconnects itself after an indeterminable period of time (hours? maybe a day?) 

When I go to print, (if I haven't first gone to the printer and manually re-connected it to the internet), when I try to print, the printer command screen says this on my computer:

"looking for printer" "printer not connected"

I'm about to throw this thing out and buy a different printer from another company because this has been infuriating. Please help??

[Raj1788]

@Mz0,

Welcome to HP Forums, 

This is a great place to get support, find answers and tips to your technical queries.

I understand that the printer has an intermittent connectivity issue, need not worry I'll be glad to assist you.

To provide you with an accurate solution, I'll need a few more details

Have tried to change any setting on the printer?

Are you facing this issue after an update?

Is the wifi running with 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz?

Meantime, let's follow the below steps,

Step 1: Check the connection between the printer and the Mac (connectivity)

Offline messages happen when the Mac cannot communicate with the printer. Select the type of connection you have, then follow the instructions to make sure the connection is working.

You have a USB printer connection

You have a network printer connection

If your printer displays in the Printer list on your computer, it is connected to the computer. Open the Printer list to make sure your printer is connected.

1. Restart your printer and wait for the printer to become idle.

2. If the connection is not restored after restarting your printer, restart your router.

   1. Finish or close all activity occurring on the network.

   2. Disconnect the power cord from your router, and wait 10 seconds.

   3. Connect the power cord and wait for the router to initialize and establish a new connection to your Internet Service Provider. The Internet activity light should indicate a normal state before continuing.

3. Restart the computer and wait for it to become idle.

4. When the computer has finished restarting, click the Apple icon , and then click System Preferences.

5. Click Printers and Scanners, Print & Fax, or Print & Scan to open the Printers list.

6. Click your HP printer in the Printers list, and then click Open Print Queue.

   • If the printer does not display in the device list, and no options for the printer are shown, there is no network connection. Stop troubleshooting, and then search for a document related to connecting your printer to network.

   • If the printer displays in the device list and the printer options are shown, the printer is connected to the network. Try printing again and continue to the next step if the problem persists.

Step 2: Reset the printer

Resetting power to the printer forces the printer to reset stored values in the firmware. A power reset can help when the printer is not accepting communication from the Mac.

1. Make sure the printer is idle, not making any sounds, before continuing.

2. With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer.

3. Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.

4. Wait at least 60 seconds.

5. Plug the power cord back into the wall outlet.

6. Reconnect the power cord to the rear of the printer.

7. If the printer does not turn on by itself, press the Power button  to turn it on.

8. Try printing again and note what happens.

   • If the printer prints, you can stop troubleshooting.

   • If the print job becomes stuck again, continue to the next step.

Step 3: Remove multiple printers from the printer list

Check for multiple devices in the Printers list, and then remove any extra entries other than one in idle status.

1. Search the Mac for Print, and then click Print & Fax, Print & Scan, or Printers & Scanners in the list of results.

2. Find the printer names that match your printer from the list of devices.

   Figure : Printers and Scanner window with multiple names of a printer in the list

   

3. If you see multiple printer queues for the same printer, remove all extra printers by selecting them one at a time, and then clicking the minus button  at the bottom of the list. Leave one 'idle' printer in the list that matches your printer if available and use this printer as the Default printer.

4. Try printing again.

   • If the printer prints, you can stop troubleshooting.

   • If the printer remains offline or displays an error, continue to the next step.

Step 4: Delete the existing print queue and add the printer

Remove the printer queue from the list of printers, and then add it again. Doing so creates a new printing session.

1. Make sure your Mac is connected to the Internet.

2. In the Printers list, click your HP printer, and then click the Minus button  to delete it.

3. Click the Add button .

4. Find and select the name of your printer from the Printer list, and then click Add to add your printer. Do not select an HP Fax driver.

      NOTE:

   If your printer does not display in the list, make sure the printer is connected, turned on, has power, and is ready to print.

   Figure : Example of the printer selection list

   

5. Click Print Using or Use.

6. Select the name of your printer (if available) or AirPrint.

   Figure : Menu showing AirPrint selected

   

   Your new printer queue displays in the Printers list in an Idle status .

   Figure : Example of a newly added printer in the Printers & Scanners list

   

7. Try printing again.

   • If the printer prints, you can stop troubleshooting.

   • If the printer remains offline or displays an error, continue to the next step.

Keep me posted,

For I shall follow-up on this case to ensure the concern has been addressed, 

And your device is up and running again, 

If the information I've provided was helpful, give us some reinforcement by clicking the solution and kudos buttons, that'll help us and others see that we've got the answers!

Good Luck.

[tmccune75]

That is great advice...However, I only really need to print once a week and I have to follow these steps every single time i want to print. In the end, I still have to reset the printer, enter the gigantic WIFI key-phrase on that tiny little screen, then wait several minutes for it to finally connect.  The strange thing is, I fell into the habit of signing into my router and checking connected devices. My router shows that the printer is connected and has the IP address I assigned it.  But when I try to view the Embedded Web Server page, it won't come up.  At least not until I hold the power button down for a few seconds, then reboot it, enter in the WIFI-key phrase and wait to start the waiting game.  I shouldn't have to shut my router down or perform the above-mentioned steps, every time I need to print my time sheets.  This is so annoying!

[Raj1788]

@tmccune75

Welcome to the HP Community

Could you please help me with the operating system of the computer?

And the exact model name or the product number of the printer?

Keep me posted.

Have a great day!

Cheers:)

[tmccune75]

The printer is an HP OfficeJet 4650 and all the machines I try to print from are using Windows 10.  

[Raj1788]

@tmccune75

Restoring network defaults.

1. From the Home screen, touch (Wireless) and then touch ( Settings ).

2. Touch Restore network defaults and follow the on-screen instruction.

Update the firmware for the printer: https://support.hp.com/in-en/product/hp-officejet-4650-all-in-one-printer-series/5447930/document/c0... 

Restart the printer.

Connect the printer back to the network.

Assign Manual IP to the printer:

1) Print a Network configuration page from the printer's control panel. 

2) Look for IP address from the Network configuration page. 

3) Open web browser - Chrome or IE or any other browser that you are using. 

4) Type the IP address mentioned on Network configuration page into the browser's address bar or URL bar and press enter button. 

5) Go to the Network tab. 

6) Click on Networking from the left pane. 

7) Then click on Network Address (IP). 

😎 Click on Manual IP Address and go to suggest a Manual IP. 

9) Scroll down the screen and select Manual DNS server. 

10) Enter the Primary and secondary DNS server from the Network Configuration page into the Manual Preferred DNS server field. 

11) Click on Apply. 

Refer to the video link for step by step instructions - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCnYyq80V9g 

Note: The video is for win 8 but steps are similar for other operating systems as well. You need to enter the IP address in the browser's URL or the address bar to access the printer page.

Keep me posted, how it goes!

If the information I've provided was helpful, give us some reinforcement by clicking the Accepted Solution and Kudos buttons, that'll help us and others see that we've got the answers!

Have a great day!

Cheers:)