Printer keeps loosing local network, but doesn't at the same time

[LDMartin_1959]

The printer keeps showing as "off line" to devices on the local network (MULTIPLE devices on MULTIPLE OS's, so it's NOT an operating system issue, nor is it a software issue). HOWEVER, I can use mobile devices to print OVER THE INTERNET. SO…it IS connected to the network (otherwise, it couldn't be printed to from the internet).

The conversations I previously had with HP "support" people were basically useless. Their solution was just "implement a work-around, then ignore the root problem" ("Reset the printers network configuration. Does it work now? Well, then it really isn't a problem.")

Does ANYONE have any idea why this is happening, and (more importantly) HOW TO RESOLVE IT??

[BeemerBiker]

I am not sure what the problem is but I would like to help. Networking various system can be difficult especially with firewalls and WIFi booster / repeaters

Do you have a flex system: WiFi boosters or repeater and a central modem or router?

When you say I can use mobile devices to print OVER THE INTERNET I think you mean that your Android or iPhone can printer directly to the printer using WiFi.  If so, then then possibly the printer is not really on the network.

Can you get a network report form the printe?.  It may look something like this

LAN	STATUS	IP address	SSID	Password
WiFi	enabled	192.168.1.15	ATT-ARRIS-2 .4	GuessAgain
WiFi-direct	enabled	192.168.23.1	DIRECT-WHATEVER	BadGuess
Wired	disabled
USB	disabled

The above shows that the printer can be accessed by WiFi-Direct and, in addition, is on the local network at address 192.168.1.15

PCs or laptops on your local network need to be able to access that IP address.  if they cannot access it then they cannot print.  You mentioned multiple OS cannot print.   Using a  windows command prompt or a Linux terminal try accessing the printer using the ping command.

For example, the printer at 1.15 cannot be reached but the one at 1.120 can.

C:\Users\josep>ping 192.168.1.15

Reply from 192.168.1.31: Destination host unreachable.

C:\Users\josep>ping 192.168.1.120

Reply from 192.168.1.120: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=255

let  me know what you find out. If the printer it not connected to the modem then there are videos available to help.

[LDMartin_1959]

"Do you have a flex system?" No.

"WiFi boosters or repeater and a central modem or route?" No, a single combined modem/router (ISP provided).

"I think you mean that your Android or iPhone can printer directly to the printer using WiFi." Incorrect. When the issue arises (periodically, not all the time—usually after the printer has not been used for a day or two) I can not print to the printer from any device via WiFi (Source Device > WiFi > Printer). I can only print using the HP Smart utility (Source Device > Internet > Home Modem/Router > WiFi > Printer).

The status report shows that the printer is "connected" via WiFi and WiFi Direct, which isn't a surprise since—as I said—I can print indirectly via the HP Smart utility. And no, it is not using WiFi Direct since I can print over the internet from remote locations.

[BeemerBiker]

Thanks for clearing that up.

If HP Smart can access the printer it is likely because it can search for it and find it.

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@LDMartin_1959 wrote:

usually after the printer has not been used for a day or two) I can not print to the printer from any device via WiFi (

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It likely went to sleep or powered down and when it woke up the printer got a different IP address from your modem.

Rather than program the printer not to sleep, you should log into the modem and have it assign a fixed IP address to the printer. 

With the printer working, log into the modem and look for it's IP address or it's MAC address.  Go to the DHCP server and assign that IP address as fixed or reserved.

Modems / routers have different was to assign a reserved IP address.  I can show you how to do it on an Arris modem but you are on your own for any other modems.  Most modem manufacturers have support and some have a forum to ask questions.

[LDMartin_1959]

I can manually wake up the printer, but it still makes no difference. I can power cycle the printer, but it makes no difference. And if the modem is assigning, the printer and IP dynamically, and the HP Smart software can find it via the Internet, it really doesn’t make sense that my computers and phones, trying to access it directly through the modem, which assigned the IP address, can’t find it.

 And as far as support for the modem from the ISP, There really isn’t any. It’s just some more cheap Chinese junk that companies like my ISP by that washes their hands of all support and makes it the responsibility of the purchasing company and they are useless.

[BeemerBiker]

Try using the hostname of the printer instead of it's IP address.

get a network report from the printer as mentioned earlier.

If the IP4 address is 192.168.1.120 then find it't hostname

you can obtain the hostname using the windows administrator command prompt and entering the following command.

nslookup 192.168.1.120

The hostname NPI40CB07.attlocal.net can be used to access the printer even if the IP address of the printer changes.


In windows 11,enter "printers and scanners" in the search bar and use the "add a printer manually".   select the TCP/IP not IPP after clicking next.