Laser jet pro mfp 281 fdw goes offline

[micke66]

Hi.

I have a very anoing issue. My printer goes offline all the time..

The printer is connected to a Mesh system ( connected via 5ghz wifi). 

This connection seems to be ok, because whwn i check in my router app, it reports that the signal is strong, and i can se that it is some traffic. 

All good so far.

But when i want to print a document from my laptop (windows 10) the trouble starts. 
Because in the pc the printer is offline, and my attempts to print out a document results in a cue in the printer queue. The printer panel indicates ready and online on wifi.

If i try to the repair software in windows. The printer goes online for a short period of time (couple of minutes), then back to offline. 

Same problem if i run the repair service in "HP smart". 

These problems have occured recent 6 months (i dont know exactly). Buy i didnt have these problems form the start. 

[Anand_Andy]

Hi @micke66,

Welcome to the HP Support Community

I understand you are facing a connectivity issue with your HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw. Not to worry I will help you to get a resolution to resolve the issue.

To assist you better:

• How far is the printer located from the WiFi router?
• Do you have a dual-band router?
• If you have a dual-band router and both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks share the same name/SSID, the printer will not be able to connect to the network. In this case, contact your Internet service provider to assign different names to both networks.

While you respond to that, Let's perform a power drain: 

• With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer and also unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.
• Remove USB cable, if present.
• Wait for 2-3 minutes, press and hold the power button on your printer for about 30 seconds to remove any additional charge.
• Now plug back the power cable straight to a wall outlet without any surge protector or an extension cord (This is important) and then plug back the power cord to the printer.
• Turn on the printer and wait till warm-up period finishes and the printer is idle

Update the printer firmware 

• Click here to download and install the latest printer firmware from your product
• Click here to know different methods of updating printer firmware.

If the issue persists, then please follow the below steps to resolve the issue.

Use HP Print and Scan Doctor to check connectivity

Download a special version of HP Print and Scan Doctor specifically created to help with printer offline conditions.

1. Download HP Print and Scan Doctor.
2. Run HPPSdr.exe from the download location on your computer.
3. Once HP Print and Scan Doctor opens, click Start, and then select your printer.
   • If your printer in not in the list, turn it off and on, and then click Retry.
   • If there is a connection problem, follow the instructions in HP Print and Scan Doctor.
4. If a screen prompts you to turn on printer updates, click Yes.
5. If a screen prompts you to make your printer the default printer, click Yes.

Set a manual IP-

• To set a manual IP and try the steps below -
• Touch on the wifi icon ((i)) on the printer, and take down the IP address 
• Open a web browser (ex Chrome or Mozilla) and type in the printer's IP
• then go to network ---> general ---> network protocols ---> select IPV4 only-->apply 
• Go to wireless ---> wireless 802.11---> select manual ip ---> apply
• Enter 8.8.8.8 for the first DNS and 8.8.4.4 for the second DNS.  

then go to settings on the main EWS page --> power management ---> select sleep mode to max 15min

Connect the printer to the TCP/IP port

• Touch the wifi icon ((i)) on the printer and take down the IP address 
• Click Start/Devices and Printers.  Right-click on your HP Printer.  Select Printer Properties.  Select the Ports tab at the top.
• Select Add Port.  Select Standard TCP/IP Port.  Select New Port.
• Follow the Add Port Wizard.  Under Printer Name or IP Address. Example:  192.168.1.15.  The IP address will be copied under Port Name.  
• Select Next and Finish the Wizard.

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 “Yes" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping

[micke66 · Accepted solution]

Hi Anand-Andy!
Thank you for the response! I will try to respond to your message. 

- The printer is located <5 m from nearest mesh node, and on the second floor. The signal is strong. 

- Yes i have a dual-band router.  This has been like this since i bought the printer. And this problem has occured lately. 

- The SSID is not exactly the same on these two bands. 

I followed your instruction about pulling the power cord as you suggested and so on. 

Then i ran the firmware update with LAN cable connected (if i connect this cable the printer works properly). 

I restarted my Pc and the printer and tried to print via wifi after the restart. 

And this solved my problems! 

At least for now. 🙂 

[Anand_Andy]

 @micke66,

That's great! Happy to hear that.

If you need further assistance feel free to reach out to us. 

Have a great day ahead!

If the information I've provided was helpful, give us some reinforcement by clicking the "Accept as Solution" and "Kudos, Thumbs Up" buttons on the public post, that'll help us and others see that we've got the answers!