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Do you need the WPS PIN to connect your printer? Click here for tips and tricks!
HP Recommended
HP 8600
Microsoft Windows 7 (64-bit)

Every time I attempt to use my Officejet Pro 8600, I am unable to connect to it wirelessly.  In order to make the printer/scanner work I have to turn it off and on again, at which point I am able to print or scan with no issues. The same issue is occurring with all of the laptops connected -- Windows 7 and 10 operating systems

3 REPLIES 3
HP Recommended

Please provide the following relevant information so someone can help including:

 

Full Printer Model Number –  done

Operating System of computer -  done

Detailed Problem Description listing all network devices (routers, extenders, switches)-

Connection Method - USB, Hardwired LAN, Wireless, Wireless Direct? -

Make and model number of modem and router(s)? -

Error messages - on printer screen and/or computer, any blinking light patterns? –

Is the printer plugged directly into the wall outlet?  Do not use any UPS, power strip or surge protector.  Yes this WILL cause the printer to drop offline and print strangely.

Do you think the printer is going to sleep and can’t wake up? -

If wireless, when the problem occurs, what is the status of Blue Wireless light on the printer, on, off or blinking? –

 

Power off printer and router.  Power on router and wait 3 mins, power on printer.  Does it connect to the router now?  Do you have a valid IP address?

HP Recommended

Connection Method - Wireless

 

Make and model number of modem and router(s)? - Xfinity modem

 

Error messages - on printer screen and/or computer, any blinking light patterns? – None

 

Is the printer plugged directly into the wall outlet?  YES Do not use any UPS, power strip or surge protector.  Yes this WILL cause the printer to drop offline and print strangely.

 

Do you think the printer is going to sleep and can’t wake up? - NO CLUE

 

If wireless, when the problem occurs, what is the status of Blue Wireless light on the printer, on, off or blinking? – NO issues seen to appear on the screen on the printer

 

I'v had this printer for a few years -- never  had an issue until yesterday and I can connect and see the printer on my lap top,  but it won't print until I turn on and off

HP Recommended

These settings are for setting up your wireless or wired printers to:

* Stay connected to your router
* Fix printer ‘offline’ status
* Wake from sleep mode
* Speed up wireless printing

 

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 address range of the router. This is because printers are the only external devices that do not have the ability to automatically interrupt the router for a new DHCP address once the least time expires.  Again, do not have the printers static IP within the DHCP range of the router as this is against Networking 101 rules and will confuse the router.  Make things simple – In the router, set starting DHCP address range 192.168.1.100 (or 192.168.0.100). Ending DHCP address range 192.168.1.150 (or 192.168.0.150).  Set Printer Static IP to 192.168.1.10 (or 192.168.0.10). 

 

After setting the static IP, the computer(s) must be updated under Printer Properties/Ports to show a Standard TCP/IP port with the printers’ new static IP address.

1. Set a static IP in the printer outside the DHCP range of the router (check your manual).  This Static IP is important as DHCP IP addresses will change upon different power up sequences of your devices.  You always want your printer to come up with the same IP address all the time.  See how to do this here:


http://www.watchingthenet.com/linksys-tip-assign-static-ip-address-to-printer-while-using-dhcp-on-yo...

 

This is for Linksys routers but can be used for all routers. Verify your DHCP range and change this first if needed.  Then after setting the static IP in the printer, the computer(s) must be updated under Printer Properties/Ports to show a Standard TCP/IP port with the printers IP address. 

 

To see why this problem exists and how to fix it, watch this video here for Windows.   Scroll down for MAC information.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEqvUKxWmq4

 

How to set a Standard TCP/IP port.  This is important.

 

a).  Click Start/Devices and Printers. Right click on your Printer.  Select Printer Properties.  Select the Ports tab at the top.

b).  Select Add Port. Select Standard TCP/IP Port.  Select New Port.

c).  Follow the Add Port Wizard. Under Printer Name or IP Address, input the Static IP address you just set from the above information.  Example:  168.1.15.  The IP address will be copied under Port Name.  This is OK to leave this alone or you can put in your Printer Model.

d).  Select Next and Finish the Wizard.

 

If you create a TCP/IP port without a static IP above, you may lose your TCP/IP connection and have the same issue. This is because your network has powered up differently giving you a different DHCP address to the printer that does not match the TCP/IP address above.  This could occur at anytime just like the video shows.

 

For MAC PCs perform the above Static IP setting in the router and then watch here on how to perform your IP setting for MAC computers.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5tNFjEBDOw

 

By performing the above, the printers Embedded Web Server (EWS) will now work all the time by going to your Printers Static IP address in your browser. 

 

2.  Wireless connection only, turn off the Wired LAN in the printer.

 

a).  Login to your printers EWS from a web browser using your Static IP in the address bar.

b).  Go to the menu item Network at the top.

c).  On the side menu expand WIRED network settings.

d).  Click on advanced.

e).  Set the Network Interface to off.

 

 3.  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) if your printer supports this. Use the Embedded Web Server (EWS), if this is a HP printer, 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. This feature is automatically disabled when the printer is connected to a computer or mobile device, a network, or a fax line (if supported).  However, you may not find this setting.

 

4.  If the printer supports and has IPv6 enabled, disable IPv6 in the printer.

 

5.  Make sure printer is plugged directly into a wall outlet and not into a UPS, power strip or surge protector. This may cause the printer to intermittently drop offline and disconnect.

 

6.  Make sure your printer and router are at least 5 feet apart from each other.

 

7.  Check your printers web site for your printer to see if there is a Firmware Upgrade that affects the wireless operation. If yes, update the firmware via USB cable only.  Never wireless.

 

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

Printer offline issues can happen because the IP address of the printer keeps changing. This video explains how that can happen and what to do to fix it. For more tech tips, check out https://www.linearthoughts.co.uk . 00:00 - Introduction 00:18 - The Problem and Why it Occurs 03:47 - Solution ...
† The opinions expressed above are the personal opinions of the authors, not of HP. By using this site, you accept the <a href="https://www8.hp.com/us/en/terms-of-use.html" class="udrlinesmall">Terms of Use</a> and <a href="/t5/custom/page/page-id/hp.rulespage" class="udrlinesmall"> Rules of Participation</a>.