HP LaserJet P1102w - Appears as offline every time I restart the computer

[mauro_pp]

Hi all!

As I wrote in the subject, I have a P1102w printer connected to two different computers (both with Win 7 64bits) in the same network through Wi-Fi.

Everything always worked find until I started to have a problem in only one of those PCs: every time I turn on the computer, this printer appears as offline (I see it with the transparent icon in Devices & Printers). I have to delete it and add it again with "Add a new printer" (network type option) and, after doing this, it start working again perfectly.

I know that the printer network settings are correctly configured because it never lose connection from my wireless network and works perfect from the other computer.

I've already tried unistalling all the HP software, installing it again and conecting the printer and it works at this first time but, in the next restart, it apears as offline again.

Also I tried to change the printer IP adress to another static one, but the problem persist every time I start again this computer.

I hope anyone could help me with this problem because is really anoying and takes me so much time to add again the printer every time I start my PC and need to use it.

Thank you very much!

[mauro_pp]

Please, any help with this? It's really anoying and I still can't fix it.

[Gemini02]

Hi @mauro_pp,

I see by your post that on the one computer you have to install the printer all the time to get it connected again. I can help you with this.

You have already done a lot of steps mentioned in your post to try and resolve this issue.

I checked the website and there is a new firmware update that you can try.

HP LaserJet P1102w Firmware Update Utility.

I believe you can turn off the sleep mode on this model through the printer properties to see if that helps.

Auto-Off Delay Time is Too Short.

Let me know how you make out.

Have a nice day!
Thank You.

[mauro_pp]

Thank you very much for your answer @Gemini02 

Last weekend, when I reinstalled all the HP software, I'd already used the new version from the web, instead of the one in the CD.

I've just try increasing in a significant way the Auto-Off Delay time, but the same follows happening everytime I restart Windows. The other computer works ok when the printer is in Auto-Off mode, I don't think this would be the problem.

Can you think in another possible solution, please?

It's very strage that this start happening from one day to another in only this PC, after almost a month of proper operation with the printer and without changing any HP software o any network parameter.

Thanks and regards!!!

[Gemini02]

Hi mauro_pp,

This is certainly a peculiar issue that you are having. Usually it would have something to do with the IPV4 address.

If it happens again, just for kicks, check the IP address on the computer to see if it still matches the printers.

(shouldn't change with the Static IP already setup)

Go to start, devices and printers, right click the printer, left click printer properties, click on the ports tab, click configure port to view the printer's IP address.

Also please try to access the Embedded Web Server for the printer.

Type the IP address into your web browser's address bar. (Internet Explorer)

Trying to determine if is software related or the networking.

Here is a document for 'Printer is offline' Message Displays on the Computer and the HP Printer Will Not Print.

What were the results when you ran the Print and Scan Doctor? (did it print or scan, any error messages)

Let me know the results.

Thank You.

[rock-doc]

I have the same problem with my printer, going offline. This is not the same thing as it going to "sleep mode"--that only needs a push of the button to wake it up again, just to advise the help desk at HP.

When I try to print something, nothing happens. I went through all the exercises you went through, and I updated the firmware last week as well.

Looking at the printers page, I see the printer is greyed out; I didn't know what this meant originally, but when I looked to see what was printing, the menu there showed it to be offline. By simply turning that thing off, fixed (for a day).

Getting tired of this, I decided today to run the printer via USB cable directly from my router, which has a print server USB  port. By just tweeking the IP address in the ports tab and confirming the same in my router page, it is running happily, and I will be able to print wireless from my laptop(s).

If I find any other issues, I will post again.

[sabretooth04]

Make and model number of router? 

These settings are for setting up your wireless (or wired) printer to:

• Stay connected to your router
• Fix printer ‘offline’ status
• Wake from sleep mode
• Keep all wireless devices better connected

While DHCP is convenient, devices such as printers (wired and wireless) should always be assigned a static (fixed) IP address manually to avoid conflicts on your wireless network and must be outside the DHCP range of the router.  After setting the static IP, the computer must be updated under Printer Properties/Ports to show a Standard TCP/IP port with the printers IP address. 

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 and here   and even more here.  Video here explains the problem and how to fix the problem. <-- So watch this!
2. Verify in the printer that 'Auto Off/Sleep/Energy Saving Mode' is disabled and/or the System Mode Time Out is set to zero (0). 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). Also check your Printer Properties.
3. If the printer supports and has IPv6 enabled, turn off IPv6 in the printer.
4. Make sure printer is plugged directly into a wall outlet and not into a UPS, power strip or surge protector. This will cause the printer to drop offline and disconnect (yes verified!).

Additional steps to be taken if you continue to have the problem (if they are posted)…

[rock-doc]

A quick P.S. to my last missive.

I just looked at the Device Settings tab under Properties. In addition to a sleep timer setting there is an auto-off setting. My was set to 4 hours, and I have now set this to "never."

Speaking of "never", I don't recall having ever touched the settings on this tab. Other issues may be at play here. One big one I had was with the default paper size being set to A4 instead of letter. Being in Canada, I used Canadian English instead of US English as my default system settings, etc. However, when I reinstalled the printer, it defaulted to A4, thinking that only the US used "letter" size, I suppose. I had to reconfigure everything to US settings in Windows, reboot, then install printer, and it would default to letter. I probably did not set the config settings back as the recent printer installs have not been giving me A4 sizes (unless the firmware upgrade solved that issue.)

[rock-doc]

my router is an SMC Barricade SMCWGBR14-N.

thanks for that additional advice. I think I am outside the DHCP already, but will double-check.

I like your 4 points at bottom--my old printer was a monochrome Optra R with a network card, display screen, etc. It was literally starting to fall apart, and the toner refill costs were getting prohibitive! Nearly put my back out lifting it.

[ptu12]

Simply change the USB port. Let the computer intall device. It will appear as another printer with the same name (1) after. Delet the old one.