can't print to HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw from Windows 10 PC

[SFCohen]

I've had this printer for almost two years and it's been playing nicely with my Surface Pro (5th Gen) via a wireless network. Suddenly, I can no longer print from the PC using either the HP app (pdfs only) or directly from MS Word. I get a generic error message that it can't print, and then I have to cancel the document from the print queue. The printer is listed as the default, and I can see and adjust the printer properties and I can clear the print queue from the PC. I can print via wifi on the same network from my smartphone, which I've been doing in a pinch but it's really unwieldy. I can also print from another computer on our home network, also via wifi.

I have tried multiple times using the HP Print and Scan Doctor, and get the result "Printer Offline" - which it can't fix. I have exhausted the virtual agent, and tried multiple times uninstalling and reinstalling the printer software, redownloading it from the HP web site. Still no joy. I checked on the printer to see if there is a firmware update available, and it tells me there is not.

During one of these various troubleshooting efforts I was able to print an internal diagnostics page from the PC, but not a test page. I tried printing a wireless network test report from the printer and it shows that the wireless signal strength is weak. Oddly enough, I had printed the same test report some time ago (can't remember when and there's no date on either report) and no problems were found in wireless signal strength. Neither the computer nor the router have been moved in that time, so I don't understand why there's a different result. I also noticed that the channel is different between the two reports; I don't know if this is part of the problem or irrelevant.

I don't know if there was a recent Windows update that brought this all on. Otherwise, nothing has changed in the setup between the PC and the printer.

Any help you can provide is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[TEJ1602 · Accepted solution]

@SFCohen, Welcome to HP Support Community!

Follow the steps below to resolve the issue-

1. Remove All Barriers: Certain building materials can get in the way of weaker signals like Bluetooth. Metal, bulletproof glass, concrete, and plaster are particularly bad, and marble, plaster, and brick aren’t great easy. So if you’re really struggling with interference, your first step should be to move your Bluetooth devices away from these materials. That means no brick walls between you and your devices, and definitely no metal desks!
    
2. Change Router Channel: If you have an Apple router and you’re constantly getting interference with your WiFi, try rebooting it. Upon restart, the station will search for a new channel. Specifically, a different channel than the one your Bluetooth devices is using to communicate. If you don’t have an Apple router, you may need to instead go into your router settings and try changing the channel manually. Experiment with different channels to see which one works best.
    
3. Move Closer to Your Router: If you often find that you’re getting interference when talking on a wireless headset while on a WiFi call (you’ll know because you’ll hear static), try moving closer to your router. This will give you a more robust WiFi connection, so the Bluetooth frequency can’t overpower it.
    
4. Get Away From Microwaves and Fluorescent Lighting: Both emit frequencies of 2.4GHz, and moving away from them will distance you from the source.

Use HP Print and Scan Doctor

Download HP Print and Scan Doctor and run the program. It will automatically diagnose and fix any printer connectivity issues. 

For more information, go to https://support.hp.com/us-en/topic/printscandoctor

Update the printer firmware

Download available firmware updates from the HP website

With the printer on and connected to the computer, go to HP Customer Support - Software and Driver Downloads, and then identify your printer. Look for and install any available firmware updates. Refer to the document HP Printers - Updating or Upgrading Printer Firmware

Create a TCP IP port

1. Print a Configuration Page to get the printer's IPv4 address (you can also tap on the wireless icon on the front panel of your Printer to get the IP address)
2. On your PC, go to Control Panel, from Devices and Printers, right-click the printer and left-click Printer Properties, select the Ports tab.
3. Click Add Port, select Standard TCP/IP Port, then select New Port and follow the wizard.
4. Type in the proper IP address for the printer.

Assign manual IP to the printer

The steps on how to set a manual IP address can be found here.

For the DNS servers please use 8.8.8.8 for the Manual Preferred DNS Server and 8.8.4.4 for the Alternate DNS server. These are Google’s public DNS servers.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!