Printer going to sleep constantly

[SusanHu]

My printer seems to be constantly offline, in the sleep mode.  How do I get my printer to stay on all the time, ready to print?  We use the printer at all hours and currently find that we always have to turn the printer off and then back on every time nearly that we use it.  Can I disable the sleep mode or is there an easier way to wake it up????  We are getting super frustrated.

[Dragora · Accepted solution]

Hi SusanHu

This issue is a common complaint with HP printers that prioritize energy conservation. While you cannot completely disable the sleep mode, you can change the settings to keep the printer awake for a much longer period. Your printer's "offline" status is likely a result of it entering this deep sleep mode, which can cause it to drop its network connection.

Solution: Adjust Power and Sleep Settings

You need to access the printer's menu to change the settings for both Sleep Mode and Auto-Off.

1. On the printer's control panel, swipe down to access the dashboard.

2. Tap the Setup icon (the gear ⚙️).

3. Scroll down and find the Energy Settings or a similar option.

4. Within the Energy Settings, you should find two key options to adjust:

   • Sleep/Auto Off After Inactivity: This setting determines how long the printer waits before it enters a low-power "sleep" state. Set this to the maximum possible time (often 1 hour).

   • Shut Down After Inactivity: This is a separate setting that tells the printer to completely power off after a certain period. Look for an option to disable this or set it to the longest possible time, such as 8 hours.

Other Troubleshooting Steps

If adjusting the sleep settings doesn't resolve the issue, the problem might be related to your network connection.

• Firmware Update: Make sure your printer has the latest firmware. Firmware updates often include bug fixes for network connectivity and sleep mode issues. You can check for and install firmware updates directly from the printer's control panel or from the HP support website.

• Static IP Address: The printer may be losing its network connection because its IP address is changing. Assigning a static IP address to the printer can prevent this. You can do this through your router settings or the printer's Embedded Web Server (EWS) by typing the printer's IP address into a web browser.

• Power Source: Ensure the printer is plugged directly into a wall outlet, not a power strip or surge protector. HP recommends this because power strips can sometimes interfere with the printer's power management and connectivity.

Watch this video on How to Change HP Printer's Sleep and Auto Shutdown Settings. This video shows how to adjust the sleep and auto-off settings on an HP printer, which is the main solution for your problem.

I hope the above is helpful

[SusanHu]

Thank you Dragora for your explanation.  However there is no place to "swipe up" on my printer.  There are setting adjustments similar to what you describe but they are very confusing.  My husband and I are MD's and we are perplexed.  I wonder if HP provides guidance regarding the settings on our printer.  HP Color Laser Jet MFP M182nw

[Dragora]

Hi SusanHu

I understand, please follow the instructions on page 76 of the following user guide:

https://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c06431838.pdf 

I hope the above is helpful