Printer drops from internet Envy Inspire 7900

[Weezie46]

The computer keeps indicating the printer is off line but the printer indicates it is connected to the wifi.  They are both o the same network.  This printer is about 6 month old.  For the first three months it never did this.  Now it does it all the time.  Had the Geek squad out as I am so frustrated and they deleted and added the printer and it worked.  I got rid of my old printer because it was doing the same thing - the new one is no better.  Ideas

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @Weezie46 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

Thank you for providing those details. I understand how concerning it can be when your HP ENVY Inspire 7955e appears offline even though it shows as connected to Wi-Fi, especially after it worked normally during the first few months.

Since the printer and Mac are on the same network and the printer was recently re-added, let's focus on connection stability:

On the printer control panel, print a Network Configuration Report and confirm the printer has a valid IP address.

Open a web browser on your Mac and enter the printer's IP address. If the Embedded Web Server opens reliably, the printer is maintaining its network connection.

In System Settings > Printers & Scanners, remove the existing printer and add it again using the printer's IP address instead of the Bonjour/AirPrint entry:

• Select "Add Printer"
• Choose the IP tab
• Enter the printer's IP address
• Add the printer

Ensure the printer is connected to the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network if your router broadcasts separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.

Restart the printer, Mac, and network equipment, then assign a manual or reserved IP address for the printer in your router settings to help prevent communication interruptions.

Open the HP App and check for any available printer firmware updates. Install any updates that are offered and restart the printer afterward.

If the printer continues showing offline, please share whether the issue affects printing only or both printing and scanning, and whether the printer's IP address changes when the problem occurs.

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[Weezie46]

Okay -  I checked the IP address and entered it into the web browser and nothing happened.  I have deleted the printer from the iMac and the MacBook. I am running Sequoia 15.6 on the iMac and  Sonoma 14.8 on the MacBook.  I unplugged the router and the printer - shut down 

both computers.  Plugged them back in after 5 min and turned the computers back on.  Tried to add the printer to both computers and it still says it can't locate the printer.  When it indicates the printer is not available it will not print or scan.  The IP address on the printer remains the same.  I did pay the Geek Squad $129 to come out last week to see what was happening - in 5 min they had it connected again.  He said I had to add the printer using the settings and not the HP app.  Two hours after they left - the printer would not connect.  So far just today I have spent 5 hours trying everything.  I am so frustrated.  Someone must know how to fix this or if it is not fixable - what brand of printer should I try next!?  Sorry I see you work for HP.  Not to mention I am 80 years old and not sure I ca live long enough to fix this LOL.  Thanks for helping me and reading my rant.

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @Weezie46,

Thank you for coming back with those details, and I truly appreciate the time and patience you've already invested. I can understand how concerning this feels, especially after removing and re-adding the printer, restarting all devices, and even having the printer working briefly before it disappeared again. The fact that the printer's IP address remains unchanged and that entering the IP address in the browser does not open the Embedded Web Server provides a very useful clue.

Since the printer cannot be reached directly through its IP address, the focus should shift from printer setup to the communication path between the printer and the network.

Please try the following:

Print a Wireless Network Test Report from the printer control panel.

• Review the report for any signal quality warnings, packet loss information, or network communication errors.
• Confirm that the printer shows "Connected" and note the signal strength.

From the printer control panel, access:

• Settings
• Network Setup
• Advanced Settings

Check whether your router combines the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands under one network name (SSID).

• If it does, temporarily connect the printer to a dedicated 2.4 GHz network, if your router allows it.
• Printers can sometimes maintain a Wi‑Fi connection while communication with network devices becomes inconsistent.

Restore Network Settings on the printer:

• Open Setup
• Network Setup
• Restore Network Settings

Before adding the printer again, verify basic communication:

• Open Safari.
• Enter the exact printer IP address.
• If the printer's Embedded Web Server page appears, the network path is working correctly and the printer can then be added back to macOS.

Since the issue affects both the iMac and MacBook simultaneously, pay close attention to any network equipment such as mesh Wi‑Fi systems, Wi‑Fi extenders, or access points. If present, let us know the router or mesh system model. That information may help identify what is interrupting communication between the Macs and the printer even though the printer reports that it is connected.

You've already completed many of the same diagnostic steps that a technician would perform, and the details you've provided are excellent. The result of the browser test is particularly valuable because it helps narrow the issue significantly and points us toward the network communication path rather than a simple printer installation problem.

Regards,

Hawks_Eye