Setup MFP 180nw printer/scanner on wired Ethernet fails

[NI2003]

Unable to setup printer/scanner over wired Ethernet network, HP software tools fail to connect to printer.

Printer is configured with IP, can access it over HTTP. I've setup printing in Windows using JetDirect TCP/IP port, both in Windows 7 and Windows 10 and can print documents. However, when trying to scan it fails saying device can not be found on the network ("The HP LJ M170M181 was not found").

HP Print and Scan Doctor sees there is a printer at the correct IP address and offers to fix printer and scanner but then fails to connect to the printer and gives me ridiculous instructions (connect printer to the network, reboot driver, disable firewall/antivirus software etc. - Come on, HP devs!!!). I also tried the "Troubleshoot HP Installation Failure - Network" with less than impressive results. Same thing, it can't connect to the printer even if I specify the IP address, with the added bonus that the software doesn't have the option to close, quit or exit. Yes, my friends, you have to open task manager search and kill the process otherwise it will not let you quit (don't know how much the developer is being paid for his incompetence). Knowledge base on HP support website can be summarized as "install our software and everything will just work", not much help here.

I'm a knowledgeable person in computer and networking so any suggestion on how to setup scanning over Ethernet will be welcome.

[sandytechy20]

@NI2003

Welcome to HP support community.

Test network communication by pinging the network

• Open a command-line prompt on your computer.
• click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then press Enter.
• Type ping followed by the IP address for your printer.
• If the window displays round-trip times, the network is working.
• If the ping command failed, verify that the network hubs are on, and then verify that the network settings, the printer, and the computer are all configured for the same network (also known as subnet).
• Open the printer properties and click the Ports tab. Verify that the current IP address for the printer is selected. The printer IP address is listed on the printer configuration page.
• f you installed the printer using the HP standard TCP/IP port, select the box labeled Always print to this printer, even if its IP address changes.
• If you installed the printer using a Microsoft standard TCP/IP port, use the printer’s hostname instead of the IP address.
• If the IP address is correct, delete the printer and then add it again.

If the connection is good, refer this HP document for further steps to fix this issue:- Click here

Let me know how it goes.

To thank me for my efforts to help you, please mark my post as an accepted solution so that it benefits several others.

Cheers.

[NI2003]

Hi Sandytechy20,

First of all I'd like to thank you for taking the time to reply to my post.

Unfortunately the ping test you suggest does not apply here. As I said in my original post, I can access the printer via http and I can successfully print. A packet capture I've taken shows the HP troubleshooting software successfully probing the printer via ping and snmp followed by a long conversation with the printer via http (I can send you the detail if you're interested). By the way, the analysis of captured packets showed the HP software will not acknowledge the presence of a printer unless it can probe it via snmp read-only with "public" as a community name.

My frustration (I would appreciate if you could forward my words to HP engineering/development team) is that the so called troubleshooting software does not log anything. There's a progress bar at the end of which software declares it can not connect to printer, and that's all. For decades now, any piece of decent troubleshooting software makes use of extensive logging where it communicates the actions it takes and the results that are to be expected. Without it, it's useless.

Any other ideas on what I should try ?

[TEJ1602]

@NI2003

Refer to this document HP Printers - How to Scan (Windows) under the section What other scanning apps or methods can I use? for help.

Keep me posted for further assistance.

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!

[NI2003]

Thank you, TEJ1602 for your suggestions.

Still no luck. Windows Fax and Scan application only shows my Canon flatbed scanner connected on a USB port. In order to be able to change for the MFP M180 scanner, it needs to be added in Windows Devices and Printers. It is already there as a printer so I'm trying to add it as a device but Windows is lost trying to search for one. How is the printer supposed to announce itself as a scanner on the network ?

[TEJ1602]

@NI2003

This requires some additional troubleshooting on a remote session.

Please reach out to the HP Support in your region for further assistance.

Hope this helps!

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!