Printer disconnects from wireless network almost every week, and must re-plug power cable

[HongS]

It happened at least 4 times in less than 2 months.

Setup: 2.4G WiFi (802.11n), static IP

Problem:

• Everything worked fine for some period. After some idle time, the solid blue wireless light near touchscreen started blinking. The "Network Setup" page on touch screen shows "IP: Not Connected" and "Network Name: N/A". Whenever this happened, my DD-WRT router admin page doesn't show the wireless connection from this printer anymore. Meanwhile all other wireless clients work fine. So it's a problem in WiFi (802.11)  layer, it doesn't even reached IP layer yet.
• I can switch wireless off and on through touchscreen, but the problem stays. But when I click "Advanced Settings", the touchscreen freeze immediately. Pressing anywhere (even power button on the front) doesn't change anything. The only way is unplug the power cable. When plugged back, it can always connect to the network automatically. (Does it waste ink on every start?)

The most unacceptable thing is that the printer itself "dies" when asked to read the settings. I call this a bug in the firmware. No matter what router I use, it's unbelievable that a read-only operation on touchscreen can make the whole machine no longer operational.

Assuming it's somehow too costly to have a month-long wireless connection, I'd be satisfied if switching wireless function off-and-on from the touchscreen can actually have the same impact as physically re-plugging the printer.

More experiments:

• It can happen in less than 1 day after printing some papers.
• It can happen when sending anonymous data to HP is disabled.
• Restarting router, nothing changed.
• When it connects, WiFi signal level is good, and similar to other phone/laptop, according to router admin page. Everything is in the same room.

So, hello Support Team,

How likely is this kind of issue to be fixed in newer firmware? Do you know any workaround except wired connection?

Thank you.

[Betty0610]

@HongS

Welcome to the HP Support Community.

I can definitely check that with the development team or pass on this information. Meanwhile, let's try setting a manual IP address:

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).  

8. 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 - Assigning an HP Printer a Static IP Address in Windows 8 | HP 

https://youtu.be/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.  

HP Printer does not maintain wireless connections - https://support.hp.com/lt-en/document/c02790693.  

Let me know if this helps.

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

Thanks!

Have a great day!

[HongS]

Hi Betty,

I'm afraid that the method you said is what I am using since beginning: a manual IP (static IP) outside DHCP range.

I just want to leave some clues here, in case other users search similar issues. Hope one of them have more time or tools to debug it further.

Video showing the "frozen" printer and the normal state after restarted: https://mega.nz/file/MCQwFIRZ#vZSk2rZcg3_AdkpI769ubSa1qRITsg-9qJcy7I4g7eo
Firmware: PALMINPPXN003.2010A.00

[Betty0610 · Accepted solution]

We'll have to perform a reset on the Printer for this. I have sent you a private message, for more details that cannot be shared in a public post.

Please do check your inbox on the forums page for the private message.

Let me know if this helps.

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

Thanks!

[HongS]

Thank you.

Just tried. Let me wait for 2 weeks to see whether it happens again or not.

[Betty0610]

Sure 🙂 Keep us posted and you're most welcome 🙂

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

Thanks!

Have a great day!

[HongS]

Thank you. 19 days without issue so far. Clicked "Accept as solution".