OfficeJet 8710 Drops WiFi connection repeatedly

[WEBSTER5]

Until recently, this printer worked consistently well. About two weeks ago, I started getting "printer offline" errors when I tried to print after successfully sending a job, then sleeping the computer (MacBook Pro, running OS 11.6.2 Big Sur). Each time I want to print, I have to unplug the printer and reconnect. Computer and printer are connected via home WiFi system (AT&T Internet).  I've done everything I can think of to rectify this problem: restarted home gateway modem; powered printer off/unplugged; uninstalled existing HP software, and reinstalled it; reset the printing system in the MacBook's System Prefs-->Printers & Scanners. I've tried to update the firmware (printer is about 5 years old) but after downloading the drivers the installation program gave me an error, something to the effect of the firmware package I downloaded from HP didn't contain updates for my printer. Has anyone run into this kind of problem, or have any suggestions about where to go next? 

[sandytechy20]

@WEBSTER5

Welcome to the HP support community.

I understand that you are getting printer offline error, I am glad to assist you.

I'd like to know the following to isolate the issue further-

1.) Are the printer and Mac connected to the same network?

2.) Is your router dual-band enabled i.e., both 2.4GHz and 5GHz? If yes, make sure the dual-band has different SSIDs for 2.4G and 5G networks.

3.) What is the distance between the router and the printer?

4.) Is there an antivirus software installed on your Mac?

5.) Could you perform a ping test  and let me know the results? Use the printer IP address to perform a ping test, the printer IP can be located by selecting the wireless icon on the printer display.

Perform a ping test to check the connectivity

1. Click Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
2. type ping "IP address" and press enter

Wait until 10 pings have been performed and then press ctrl c on the keyboard and hit return. 

The results will appear.

Share the ping test results.

Reply with the requested information for further assistance.

If this helps, please mark the public post as an accepted solution so that it benefits several others.

Cheers.

[WEBSTER5]

Thanks for the reply.

Printer and Mac are consistently connected to a robust home WiFi network.

I have dual-band capability through  Netgear 7300 extender. All connections have unique ssid's. 

Router is about 30-40 feet from printer

No anti-virus software installed.

Here are test results, notes at end:

Initial state is MacBook Pro (OS Big Sur 11.6.2) connected to primary home network, AT&T BGW320-505 home gateway, SSID ATT9WCW3xi

Printer indicates connection exists to this ssid

First ping:

PING 192.168.1.64 (192.168.1.64): 56 data bytes

Request timeout for icmp_seq 0

Request timeout for icmp_seq 1

Request timeout for icmp_seq 2

Request timeout for icmp_seq 3

ping: sendto: No route to host

Request timeout for icmp_seq 4

ping: sendto: Host is down

Request timeout for icmp_seq 5

ping: sendto: Host is down

Request timeout for icmp_seq 6

ping: sendto: Host is down

Request timeout for icmp_seq 7

ping: sendto: Host is down

Request timeout for icmp_seq 8

ping: sendto: Host is down

Request timeout for icmp_seq 9

ping: sendto: Host is down

Request timeout for icmp_seq 10

ping: sendto: Host is down

___________

Unplugged then plugged in printer

Ping:

WebsMacBook2082:~ wwebsternewbold$ ping 192.168.1.64

PING 192.168.1.64 (192.168.1.64): 56 data bytes

64 bytes from 192.168.1.64: icmp_seq=0 ttl=255 time=88.908 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.1.64: icmp_seq=1 ttl=255 time=65.376 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.1.64: icmp_seq=2 ttl=255 time=14.310 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.1.64: icmp_seq=3 ttl=255 time=54.335 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.1.64: icmp_seq=4 ttl=255 time=53.278 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.1.64: icmp_seq=5 ttl=255 time=146.645 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.1.64: icmp_seq=6 ttl=255 time=237.023 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.1.64: icmp_seq=7 ttl=255 time=77.494 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.1.64: icmp_seq=8 ttl=255 time=64.443 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.1.64: icmp_seq=9 ttl=255 time=51.520 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.1.64: icmp_seq=10 ttl=255 time=50.632 ms       

I successfully printed two jobs.

____________

I put Macbook on Sleep, restarted it. Printer went offline.

Ping:

WebsMacBook2082:~ wwebsternewbold$ ping 192.168.1.64

PING 192.168.1.64 (192.168.1.64): 56 data bytes

Request timeout for icmp_seq 0

Request timeout for icmp_seq 1

Request timeout for icmp_seq 2

Request timeout for icmp_seq 3

ping: sendto: No route to host

Request timeout for icmp_seq 4

ping: sendto: Host is down

Request timeout for icmp_seq 5

ping: sendto: Host is down

Request timeout for icmp_seq 6

ping: sendto: Host is down

Request timeout for icmp_seq 7

ping: sendto: Host is down

Request timeout for icmp_seq 8

ping: sendto: Host is down

_______

This has been the repeated pattern:  Cold start printer; successful print via Mac printer (from Word or other application); computer sleeps or is turned off; printer goes offline. WiFi light on printer remains on, connection to wireless network indicated. This pattern, however, has only manifested itself in the last two months. Prior to that, printing was working as usual.  The are two MacBooks using the printer, mine and my daughter's. She has a new MacBook running Monterey. The same drop-offline behavior happens regardless of the computer in use.

[WEBSTER5 · Accepted solution]

I restarted the AT&T home gateway and the printer connection has held for some hours...Rebooting the gateway is usually the first thing I try, and I thought I had done it, but apparently I forgot it in the holiday rush. Thanks to Sandytechy for the suggestions. If the dropping off happens again, I'll be back for some more ideas.

Webster

[sandytechy20]

@WEBSTER5

I am sending you a private message requesting a few details to isolate this issue.

Please check the mailbox icon at the top-right corner of this screen.

Cheers.