AirPrint not working properly via 5 GHz WLAN for HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdw

[GeorgMetz]

Yesterday I set up my brand new Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdw. I configured it to use the 5GHz band for WLAN. I do this with every possible device because the 2.4 GHz band is pretty much crowded around here (seeing about 20 other WLANs). The printer could not get set up properly in Mac OS X 10.15.4 and was also not found on our iOS devices. Sometimes it showed up, then not at all, another time the connection started and then broke and so on.

After hours of trying to get it working, I eventually connected the printer via ethernet cable to the router and guess what, everything worked like a charm. So I set up the printer to use the 2.4 GHz WLAN and viola, it worked well. Both WLANs are configured identically, so there aren't any differences except for the much broader bandwidth and thus speed with 5 GHz.

So please HP, fix this!

I suppose this is a firmware bug not a driver issue, because with AirPrint I do not have to install any drivers. At least not on my iOS devices.

[ShlomiL]

Hi,

this is not a firmware bug, but more related to your network configuration.

AirPrint relies on DNS Mltucasting, from your description I would suspect that your network does not allow the router can forward Bonjour packets through the 5GHz Band, this is something to be checked with your router service provider.

Also, I suggest ensuring your router firmware is fully up to date with its latest firmware too.

Shlomi

[GeorgMetz]

Thanks for your reply Shlomi. I checked the network setup in the router in expert settings and if I did not miss something the configuration is the same for 2.4 and 5 GHz. I will re-check this and report here.

Georg

[GeorgMetz]

Hello Shlomi, i checked every option and every parameter in my router. I could not find any difference between the 2.4 and 5 GHz network. Other devices like our iPhones work perfectly in the 5 GHz network (e.g. AirDrop or AirPlay to our TV). AFAIK these services also rely on Bonjour. So, I still suspect the printer. 🙂

[ShlomiL]

Hi @GeorgMetz,

Have you made sure that both the printer and the router have the latest firmware?

Could you clarify your router brand and model please? It is hard to provide any further steps to try without getting your cooperation by providing as much details as possible.

Shlomi

[GeorgMetz]

Hi Shlomil

Yes, I checked the printer's fw yesterday via its ews page (https://192.168.1.x). It says:

• Firmware version: CLRWTRXXXN002.1936B.00
• Firmware date: 2019-09-06

My router is a model from Sagemcom, provided by Sunrise, which is my ISP. It's this one: https://www.sunrise.ch/en/residential/help/mobile/mobile-einrichten/hardware-support.html?page=devic...

Manual / description here: https://www.sunrise.ch/content/dam/sunrise/residential/hilfe/internet/Sunrise_Home_User_Manual_Sunri...

Firmware is updated automatically by Sunrise when the router is restarted. Uptime is 17 days or so, fw should be "new enough".

Thanks for your help! 🙂