[SOLVED] I can't get my Brother HL-L2390DW printer to print through wifi

[emitfudd]

I have the full install package downloaded to my work laptop. I chose the wifi instead of USB connection during setup. The printer shows offline when I try to print anything through wifi. It works with USB cable plugged in. I have run the Brother network connection repair tool and it shows everything is connected and fine. Oddly enough I tried scanning a document on the flatbed with wifi and it worked.

I previously had this up and running but got tired of having to unplug the USB receiver for my wireless mouse and plug in the printer USB cable every time I want to print something. I uninstalled all the brother software and drivers and restarted the laptop. Clean install of Brother installation. I ran a windows diagnostic and it had me switch the default printer to the one labeled "Copy 2". That didn't help.

I read somewhere a while back that you can't have a printer connected by wifi to more than one PC. No idea if that is true or not. I also have the same exact Brother software package installed on my desktop. That one was set to USB during install and not wifi.

How the heck do I get this thing printing through wifi? Should I completely uninstall everything on BOTH PC's and install it again just on the laptop? I have tried everything I know.

 

[Ralston18]

You can have multiple PC's printing to a wireless printer.

When you set up the printer did you assign the print a Static IP address that is outside of the DHCP IP address allowed to the router? And also reserve that assigned Static IP address via the printer's MAC?

Go into the printer's configuration pages to take a closer look at how the printer is configured. Printing out the configuration report will make it easier to check the current settings.

This printer?

https://support.brother.com/g/b/manuallist.aspx?c=us&lang=en&prod=hll2390dw_us&type2=8

User Guide:

https://download.brother.com/welcome/doc100768/cv_mfcl2710dw_use_qsg_c.pdf

Double check the wireless connectivity via Section 9.

 

[emitfudd]

You can have multiple PC's printing to a wireless printer.

When you set up the printer did you assign the print a Static IP address that is outside of the DHCP IP address allowed to the router? And also reserve that assigned Static IP address via the printer's MAC?

Go into the printer's configuration pages to take a closer look at how the printer is configured. Printing out the configuration report will make it easier to check the current settings.

This printer?

https://support.brother.com/g/b/manuallist.aspx?c=us&lang=en&prod=hll2390dw_us&type2=8

User Guide:

https://download.brother.com/welcome/doc100768/cv_mfcl2710dw_use_qsg_c.pdf

Double check the wireless connectivity via Section 9.

Yes, that is the right printer.

What if I were to do like I stated above and uninstall it from both PC's and then only install it on the laptop. I rarely print from the desktop, maybe once a year.

 

[Ralston18]

Actually I discourage uninstalling or otherwise making changes to some working device. In your situation the desktop/ "both PC's".

A working configuration can very well serve as a baseline from which to compare the configuration settings of non-working network devices.

I would not expect that the desktop is the root cause of the problem - barring some duplicate IP address, etc.. Much simpler to just unplug (temporarily) the desktop in order to focus on the laptop.

Take a look at the router: what devices does the router show as being connected and on the network?

Check IP addresses and MACs.

Check the router's logs (if available and enabled). Get a sense of what the router "sees".

Sketch out a simple network map of your own showing network devices, connections, IP addresses, MACs, etc.

Then work to confirm that that sketch is indeed as you expect the network to be.

 

[emitfudd]

I don't have any knowledge of messing with IP addresses. Our IT guy logged in remotely and set the IP address to static and it is working, for now.

 

[emitfudd]

This morning I tried to scan something and it is back to not working. Also the fan has been running which I have never heard in the last 2 years. A few minutes ago I tried scanning again and it worked. I think it's time to throw this one in the trash.

 

[emitfudd]

Another update. I realized the VPN was preventing the printer from connecting. VPN on, no dice, VPN off, everything works normally. The IT guy is going to remote in and change a few settings and all should be good to go.

I changed some of the settings like eco and quiet mode and now the fan doesn't run either. Glad I didn't toss it to the curb.