HP laserjet 3301 fdw goes offline

[pixelm1]

This printer keeps going offline.   i have to reboot it and that works sometimes.   i have updated the firmware to the latest (although that failed once and took a while to resolve). I see the community has reported the same issues.  It's not a software problem on my end, the drivers are up to date, and so is the printer.    Does HP have a ticket to fix the issue?  It's clearly a problem on the HP end. 

[Dragon-Fur]

@pixelm1 

Welcome to the HP Community --

I am not aware that this printer has onboard issues that would prevent it from staying connected.

You can / should check for yourself,

Open the printer's product home website 

and

Select / open Bulletins and Alerts.

"Offline" might be the result of the way the printer is connected -- or not staying connected -- to your network.

Open for reference --

 User Guide – HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301-3304/3388 Series

Suggestions --

 Search the document for " EWS ", including Chapter 4 - Configure your printer - Pages 24-25

Example - EWS - Network - Wi-Fi - IP Config

Example – Alternate EWS format (Select newer printers and select Laser Printers)

Open your Browser > Type / enter the Printer IP address into URL / Address bar

Section Network > Primary Ethernet > Check / Adjust Status and other tabs...

Open your Browser > Type / enter the Printer IP address into URL / Address bar

Section Network > Wi-Fi > Section IP Config > IPv4

Notes

• It is not mandatory that you use a manual / static IP address.  Doing so can improve stability.
• If needful and if supported, set the Band Frequency to the frequency you want the printer to use.

EWS_9135_Network_Wi-Fi_IP_Config_IPv4_3

Connection - Specifications

Connection Type	Wireless
Connectivity (facet)	Apple AirPrint™; Ethernet networking; Mopria™; USB; Wireless (Wi-Fi®); Wireless direct printing; Fax
Connectivity, Std	1 Hi-Speed USB 2.0 (device); 1 Hi-Speed USB 2.0 (host); 1 Wi-Fi 802.11ac (dual band); 2 RJ-11 Fax/Modem port/phone line; Auto-crossover Ethernet; 1 Gigabit Ethernet 10/100TX network

Your first line of defense is a strong, updated, fully configured router and network.  Forcing your devices to depend on less than the best can result in odd, spurious, or persistent issues.  Check your router logs for obvious signs of trouble.

Ethernet, should you be able to make use of it, is generally a better choice.

If you are forced to use Wireless for any reason, there might be methods that can improve the stability.

In general, while this model series does not require an SSID network name to connect to the network you want the printer to use, the printer might benefit from having its own IP address (manual / static IP).  

Additionally, if supported, you might select whether the printer connects to 2.4GHz and / or 5GHz.

What else?

Additional help is available in category Troubleshooting

Topic Printing

Subtopic Wireless & Network

===================================

Message Content References

Technology Tips - Video Gallery from our HP Expert greenturtle

 Technology Tips– YouTube Video Help for Printers

and

 HP Support Official Channel – HP Support Video Gallery

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References / Resources

HP Printer Home Page - References and Resources

Learn about your Printer - Solve Problems

“Things that are your printer”

When the website support page opens, Select (as available) a Category > Topic > Subtopic

NOTE: Content depends on device type and Operating System

Categories: Warranty Check, Alerts, Troubleshooting, Ink & Paper, HP Software & Drivers / Firmware Updates, Setup & User Guides, Product Specifications, Account & Registration, Warranty & Repair

Open 

 Product Home - Printers

 Enter the device type and model name of your HP product

OR

 Select a saved product from HP Account Dashboard

OR

HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301fdw  

Thank you for participating in the HP Community --

Real people who own, use, and support HP devices.

Click Yes to say Thank You for the help !

Question / Concern Answered, Click my Post "Accept as Solution"

[pixelm1]

There are several comments in this support group about this particular printer going offline. 

My printer is hardwired to ethernet.   it will show the ip address, which hasn't been changing.  (By the way, it is impossible to find, using instructions online, any way to move to a static IP address, so if you know how to do that, it would be helpful - the menus on screen or on the embedded IP address do not provide for it).  It will nonetheless not show up on any computer connected to the internet without a reboot.

[Dragon-Fur]

@pixelm1 

Edit / Update - Add Image Example for Primary Ethernet - IPv4 Configuration

---

@pixelm1 wrote:

There are several comments in this support group about this particular printer going offline. 

My printer is hardwired to Ethernet.   

it will show the ip address, which hasn't been changing. 

(By the way, it is impossible to find, using instructions online, any way to move to a static IP address, so if you know how to do that, it would be helpful - the menus on screen or on the embedded IP address do not provide for it). 

It will nonetheless not show up on any computer connected to the internet without a reboot.

---

Sure - Comments, that is, what other people say, can be important when you are trying to build a consensus.

========================================

If the IP address is already set to static / manual and is not changing, then the underlying cause is likely elsewhere.

EWS can be used to update / view / adjust (change)  the network Ethernet connection to Manual

For example,

EWS > Network > Primary Ethernet  > Status >

Scroll down -- Open Section IPv4 > Select "Change Settings"

OR

EWS > Network > Primary Ethernet > Section IP Config > IPv4 Configuration

Under "IP Configuration method" 

Open the drop-down menu and select "Manual"

Next,

Enter the IP address, Subnet Mask, and Default Gateway information.

As appropriate, enter

Preferred DNS Server and the Alternate DNS

Click Apply

General Example - EWS - Network - Primary Ethernet

EWS_9135_Network_Primary_Ethernet_Status_IPv4_1

-- Reminders --

Changing the IP address is not trivial.

Think, plan, act based on evidence and your skill level.

• As you know, changing the IP address breaks the current EWS session.  Wait and then open a new session in a couple of minutes.

AND

• Both the router AND the printer must agree on the same settings.  That means you cannot assign one IP address for the printer on the router and then assign a different IP address on the printer.

• When you change the IP address for the printer, all / any devices that use this information must also be updated with the new IP address.

What if?

If you believe the "Offline" issue lies elsewhere, there is no reason to change the IP address or the other related settings.

If you have not already done so, perhaps check your router's logs -- most routers provide at least a modicum of information about the devices connected to the router's network.

Should I have anything else to offer, I will post back.

Thank you for participating in the HP Community --

Real people who own, use, and support HP devices.

Click Yes to say Thank You for the help !

Question / Concern Answered, Click my Post "Accept as Solution"

[pixelm1]

Hi.  Thanks for trying to help. 

To be clear from my prior response. 

1 The printer is connected by ethernet.  there is no need to fuss around with the Wifi. 

2 The router is an eero fully upto date connected to the ISPs cable modem.   That is also up to date. 

3. The IP address is NOT changing - it shows under the same IP address even when it is showing offline on all the devices trying to connect to it. 

4. I thought I'd try to set a static IP just to see if it makes a difference, but this option is not available on this printer - either from the menu screen on the device OR when accessing over the browser.

5.  All these were tried before i posted.   i do see others having the same problem with this specific model.  I don't know how to get a support bulleting started at HP, but it is clearly an issue. 

[Dragon-Fur]

@pixelm1 

You are welcome.

I believed the printer should indeed support a Static / Manual IP address option.

That it does not appear to do so is something I cannot explain.

I do not have a different solution.

Having nothing useful to offer, I will withdraw.

Perhaps -- Hopefully -- Another Expert or Agent can provide something not already suggested.

I will put forth a request -- should there be a response, look for a message here.

Thank you for participating in the HP Community --

Real people who own, use, and support HP devices.

Click Yes to say Thank You for the help !

Question / Concern Answered, Click my Post "Accept as Solution"