Found a possible solution to HP 7520 network printing problems

[BeneMelos]

My problem, as seems to have been reported frequently, is that although my HP 7520 printer is active on my wireless network (i.e., printer network diagnostics all OK and printer can receive HP ePrint jobs), my home computers have generally been unable to submit print jobs directly to the printer.  The error is something like "Unable to Connect blah blah blah".  I used all the methods documented in HP Support articles, and nothing resolved the problem.  I am using a Verizon wireless router, Westell A90-9100EM15-10 (http://westell.com/support/ultraline-series3/a90-9100em15-10) running FW version 50.03.00.10.  After poking around at random, I found the printer's web interface (i.e., at 192.168.1.20) and found an option in the Network -> Wireless (802.11) -> Advanced webpage.  At the very bottom in the "Compatibility" section, there are two options: "In an infrastructure network use 802.11b behavior." and "In an infrastructure network use 802.11b/g behavior."  Neither were checked.  Since my router was configured for both 802.11b/g, I checked the second option.  After clicking "Apply" and allowing the printer to re-connect to the network I do not have the same kinds of printer problems.  I have not done enough follow up testing to be certain, and in one case, a laptop on a wireless connection to my 7520 printer did not seem to be able to connect.  I used the Command terminal and pinged my printer.  Once I did that, the laptop was able to detect the printer, and I was able to submit a print job.  I will follow up in the next day or so to report whether or not I have any further problems.

Here is a screen shot of the HP 7520 configuration webpage I mentioned, and I've circled in blue the option I changed.

[BeneMelos]

Argh... nevermind. The printer still dropped from the network after some undetermined time period. This is getting frustrating. I did go into my router's web-based control panels and confirm the printer was a connected device, and after I did that, the printer was working again. Frustrating... trying to figure out what is causing this problem or else I'm probably taking this printer back.

[sabretooth04 · Accepted solution]

These settings are for setting up your wireless printer to stay connected to your router, keep wireless devices better connected and make your router secure and hack proof.

1. Set a static IP in the printer (click here) outside the DHCP range of the router (check your manual). 

    This is for Linksys routers but can be used for all routers.  Verify your DHCP range and change this

    first if needed.  More Wireless Printing help is here.

2. Verify in the printer that 'Auto Off' is disabled.  Use the Embedded Web Server (EWS) by going to the  

    printers IP address in your browsers address bar, click  Settings Tab/Auto Off.  Or use the Printer

    Assistant, Printer Home Page (EWS). 

In the router:  (Refer to your router manual for information)

3. Use a fixed wireless channel like 1,6 or 11, never 'auto', try channel 1 first then the rest. 

4. Set router to 20Mhz only, or 145Mbps depending on router. 

5. Always use WPA2-AES (Personal) encryption, but you can try ‘mixed’ mode. 

6. Disable WPS and never use it and disable UPnP for the routers security.  Nobody can hack your

    system now and helps with wireless connectivity (if you want to know why, search the web). 

7. If you have a dual band router (2.4Ghz and 5.0Ghz bands), make sure the SSID’s are NOT the same,

    they must be different for all bands, even for any Guest networks. 

8. Save all settings.  Power off both, wait 2 mins.  Power on router wait 2 mins. 

9. Power on printer and verify it reconnects to router. 

Windows 7/8/8.1   Is Network Discovery on or off?

1. Control Panel/Network and Internet/Network and Sharing Center/Advanced sharing settings.

2. Under Home or Work (current profile) / Network Discovery.

3. Select "Turn on network discovery" and save changes.

[BeneMelos]

I am thankful for your response, sabretooth04...

I guess I had actually discounted the value of using a static IP instead of a dynamic IP address, and so I had presumed I had already done all that was actually necessary.  Turns out I was wrong.  By setting the static IP (and setting the DNS server to get my HP ePrint service back), my printer network connectivity to my home computers appears to be much more consistent.  I will thumb up your instructions tomorrow when I've confirmed that I don't see the connectivity flakiness for at least a day.

Here is a link on setting a Static IP, including the DNS server which is required to keep Web Services available to the printer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llYNMNKJMX4

Best regards,

Bruce

[BeneMelos]

Setting the static IP (and DNS gateway) is confirmed to have fixed my network problems!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  I should have got this a few days ago... It pays to give attention to the details of tech articles because this is part of the typical troubleshooting for printer network issues.

Best regards,

Bruce