USB printer not showing up in airport utility

Question

Level 1

46 points

USB printer not showing up in airport utility

Hey guys,
I am trying to set up my father-in-law's new Time Machine with an HP Deskjet 5850 printer. It is a simple USB connection, however I cannot get it to work, even though I had the printer working on my AEBS in my apartment a few days ago (I gave him the printer, as I got a new one). I have tried everything, yet even with the USB connection the printer won't show up in the airport utility "printer" pane. Any suggestions?

iMac G5, Macbook, iPhone, Powerbook G4 12", Mac OS X (10.5.1), "A bad day on a Mac is still better than a good day with Windows." -Macfucius

Posted on Mar 15, 2008 11:34 PM

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Answer 1

John Strung

Level 6

13,440 points

Mar 16, 2008 6:57 AM in response to Varick

You have to re-install it using the Printer and Fax prefs pane. The driver you installed to connect it directly via USB won't work. You need to freshly install it while it is connected to the TC.

Connect it to the TC, then open the Printer and Fax prefs pane and click the + button to add the printer. It should find it as a "bonjour printer".

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Answer 2

Varick Author

Level 1

46 points

Mar 16, 2008 7:57 AM in response to John Strung

that is not the place I am having the problem. as it is l, I can't get the time capsule to see my USB printer in the airport utility pane, so it won't show on the print and fax pane. Its acting like the usb port is dead.

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Answer 3

John Strung

Level 6

13,440 points

Mar 16, 2008 9:10 AM in response to Varick

I think that is normal. Set it up in the Fax and Print prefs pane first. Make sure the printer is turned on. It won't show up in Airport Utility unless the printer was turned on when you opened the Airport Utility. (Try turning on the printer, then closing and re-opening Airport Utility)

In any case, mine prints fine regardless of whether it appears in the Airport utility. Just go ahead and set it up using Print and Fax

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Answer 4

Jvette

Level 1

65 points

Mar 16, 2008 9:26 AM in response to John Strung

The above information is correct. I couldn't get mine to work and I followed those instructions and it works great now. If you have the printer listed in Printer and Faxes delete it first and then re-install it. It may take some time for it to install so just wait for it to finish.

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Answer 5

Mar 16, 2008 9:29 AM in response to John Strung

Hey,

I've the same problem, and I have just done what you suggested, John, but I can't see on the list the printer connected to TC I only see the printer installed in another machine.

Any advice?

Thank you

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Answer 6

Mar 16, 2008 9:38 AM in response to Rampolino

I had the same problem with an epson printer. Support told me to get the very latest driver and to switch channel. The whole thing works perfectly now!

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Answer 7

John Strung

Level 6

13,440 points

Mar 16, 2008 9:40 AM in response to Rampolino

Was the printer you were trying to install turned on?

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Answer 8

Mar 16, 2008 9:48 AM in response to John Strung

I have an EPSON Stylus D88 and I have tried what you suggested and still waiting for the printer to show on the list. Does it take long, because I tried for a whole night and it didn't show?

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Answer 9

Varick Author

Level 1

46 points

Mar 16, 2008 11:34 AM in response to John Strung

I troubleshooted the printer all night...finally came to a somewhat-acceptable solution by wiring the printer via the ethernet ports on the back of the computer. If possible, those with trouble could try that method. It worked for me. Still unhappy with the functionality of the USB considering how well the AEBS worked. The AEBS also showed the printer in the airport utility window before I set it up in Print and Fax. I have no idea why Time Capsule is different, it is essentially AEBS+HDD.

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Answer 10

Mar 16, 2008 1:03 PM in response to Varick

thank you, Varick, I also thought to plug the printer trough ethernet, and your response is the confirmation to my suposition.

Anyway, more ideas are welcomed.

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Answer 11

Varick Author

Level 1

46 points

Mar 16, 2008 1:06 PM in response to Rampolino

I wonder if it is possible to use a usb-to-ethernet adapter to achieve the same thing for non-ethernet printers... what do you think?

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Answer 12

Mar 16, 2008 3:07 PM in response to Varick

I don't know, but I'm not very optimistic because when I tried to connect my MBAir by ethernet using an adapter (USB>ethernet, because the MBAir hasn't ethernet port), it didn't work, and I wasted 24€.

How did you exactly connect the printer by ethernet? I tried changing every option on the TC pane, so I don't know if I did something wrong that makes it not to work properly.

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