Wireless printer issue

[katz]

Client has (2) Dell laptops and prints wirelessly from each one. A week ago one of the laptops stopped communicating with their HP CM1312NFI printer.

This Laptop is running Win 7 Home Premium. When I check C panel/ printer properties there is an exclamation mark, and it says "need troubleshooting".

Wireless printers are not my strong point, and I don't want to change a lot of settings and interfere with the other laptop that is communicating normally with the printer.

Ideas on what I should check for?

Thanks!

 

[JustInspired]

On WiFi printers or any network printers for that matter, I prefer to assign them a static IP address or at least reserve them an address in the router etc. This helps stop them from getting 'lost' when for some reason they lose their original DHCP assigned address and get assigned a new one.
Most printer manufacturers provide a network troubleshooting utility that you can run to see what the problem is so you can check that out too. It may not be installed with the drivers so if you can't find it, check out the downloads available for the printer you are having trouble with.

 

[katz]

Hmmm...I don't see a troubleshooting utility on HP's site for this printer, unless it is part of the driver "Full Solution" package.

I was thinking of simply uninstalling/reinstalling the printer & let the laptop make the connection again. It will connect automatically on a fresh install, correct? Or am I wrong on that.

 

[katz]

Update -

I found instructions on HP's site for configuring the IP address.

Automatic configuration

On the control panel, press Setup .
Use the arrow buttons to select Network configuration , and then press OK .
Use the arrow buttons to select TCP/IP configuration , and then press OK .
Use the arrow buttons to select Automatic , and then press OK .
It may take several minutes before the automatic IP address is ready for use.

My question is, will this get the laptop to communicate with the printer again, and not interfere with the other laptop's ability to print wireless?

 

[NYJimbo]

May sound stupid, but did you cycle power on everything ? I have a wifi printer that gets lost a few times a month. The only solution is to either fully cycle power on the printer (not just put into standby) or do that and reset the router/modem. I've tried everying else to fix or figure out what causes this but it seems the printer just stops talking or the router doesnt see it.

 

[katz]

May sound stupid, but did you cycle power on everything ?

I have not, since it is only this pc that is not being able to print. The other laptop will access the printer just fine.

Still not sure what I'm going to do with this one yet.

 

[katz]

Update -

I ran all the typical virus/malware scans on PC - had over 200 naughty files.

Cleared multiple stuck print jobs from the print queue.

Updated to latest files/MSoft, etc.. Printed a Network settings page from the printer to ensure that the IP, etc. was all set correct, which it was.

Sent a test page from PC to printer & all worked out great.

Got lucky on this one - let's hope everything holds.

 

[ShinyTech]

I would still uninstall and reinstall the latest software for the printer especially since there was so much wrong with it.