Brother HL-2170W - Wireless Network Offline Error

Question

Level 1

4 points

Brother HL-2170W - Wireless Network Offline Error

Hi All,

I have a Brother HL-2170W on a wireless network.

I installed the Brother software on my iMac (10.5) and my iBook (10.4).

I was not able to complete the installation procedure on either machine.

I could initially print from the iBook on my wireless network but then I couldn't.

I downloaded the leopard drivers from brother.com but I still can't print to the Brother HL-2170W on the wireless network.

When I try to print from the iBook (running Tiger), the print job shows up in the print queue but does not print. I get a "printer offline" error.

This same error show up on the iMac as well --- so the printer is on the wireless network but it won't print.

Any sage advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Mike

iMac G5 24", Mac OS X (10.5.3), 2.16 processor - 2GB RAM

Posted on Jun 21, 2008 8:53 AM

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Answer 1

Ken Marks

Level 1

121 points

Dec 1, 2008 8:01 AM in response to Bricbasher

Also, I don't use the Brother drivers. I use the Apple drivers that come with the OS. If you are up to date on the OS the drivers will be later than those provided by Brother.

In order to bring your drivers up to date, reinstall the latest Combo Update.

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Answer 2

greg sahli

Level 7

25,508 points

Jun 21, 2008 12:26 PM in response to mac shy

I don't have this printer. Can you give us more detail about which protocol you used to add/+ the printer in Print & Fax, all the info you input, etc? It sounds like you haven't completed Adding the printer, too.

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Answer 3

mac shy Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 21, 2008 1:59 PM in response to greg sahli

Hello, I used the Common Unix Printing System (CUPS) on both computers. When I get home tonight, I'll post the procedure I followed from the manual.

Thanks for your help!

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Answer 4

Jul 11, 2008 3:18 AM in response to mac shy

I am not too sure about this exact model, but I had a similar issue with a brother printer on a WEP secured network. By changing our security to the more secure WPA from the Airport and then reset the printer's network settings to default (the printer we used had a lot of menu options and helpful online pdf guides to help), we were able to run the printer's WLAN setup assistant (it scans for SSID, enter security, etc.). Afterwards, assuming we had the latest drivers installed, we added the printer (bonjour aka wireless).

If you can't switch to WPA, already have it, or don't want to switch, then just reset the printer to defaults and try again.

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Answer 5

Aug 29, 2008 11:11 AM in response to mac shy

Hi,
I have the same printer, HL2170W and it is driving me nuts. I installed it so that it shows up on my Linksys WRT150N Router, but neither of my 2 Mac laptops can see it. After install, I was able to print the test page wirelessly, but that is it. I did the same thing twice, resetting everything and go the same result.

I'm about to try buying a new router and send back the WRT150N, but maybe someone knows a fix?

The whole network is run to my telephonic cable modem, but I tried unhooking from the modem and still no dice.

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Answer 6

Aug 29, 2008 5:54 PM in response to mac shy

I solved my problem! It was also related to security. While the access point accepted the printer, it wouldn't let the computer see it. Now it will.

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Answer 7

cbtheo

Level 1

0 points

Sep 7, 2008 6:44 PM in response to Dan Albert

I seem to be having the same problem with a new iBook and the Brother HL-2170W. What security settings did you change?

Thanks a bunch!

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Answer 8

Kmox37

Level 1

0 points

Sep 10, 2008 8:26 PM in response to cbtheo

Hi there,

I'm having the same problem. What security settings need to be changed?

Thanks for your help!

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Answer 9

aRKay

Level 2

224 points

Sep 12, 2008 5:38 PM in response to mac shy

I read this posting with interest as I was thinking about buying the
Brother HL-2170W from Office Depot to work with my iMac and my
wife's Dell D-600 notebook. I wonder how easy it was going to be
to setup. From the comments it does not look like a plug and play
setup.

One question: How long does it take the Brother HL-2170W to
be ready to print from a cold start?

Good luck with the wireless.

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Answer 10

donnyhus

Level 1

4 points

Oct 13, 2008 2:48 PM in response to mac shy

I have created a ad-hoc network that connects my Mac direct to 2170W. Works fine. Its called SETUP and uses channel 11 with no code.

There after I simply installed/added the printer using CUPS.

It could not get it to work with my linksys router, but this works fine. However, each time I need to print, i'll have to switch from my normal network, to the SETUP network.

(I called it setup, because thats the printers default name as I understand it)

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Answer 11

Oct 23, 2008 12:19 PM in response to donnyhus

Ok, think I've figured it out. 🙂

1. Open your printer's config page by going to it's IP address in your browser.
2. Login by using the default user and password. (Mine was admin, access).
3. Change your wireless settings to infrastructure and type in the SSID of your wireless router.
4. Install the printer.

This worked for me, hopefully it will work for you too.

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