HP photosmart c4400 series error message: "Printer is currently off-line"

Question

HP photosmart c4400 series error message: "Printer is currently off-line"

Hello all,

I am a recent convert to mac b/c friends have told me about the simplicity and I was tired of always troubleshooting my PC + network. Unfortunately I am having a similar problem. I bought my macbook pro 15" with a timecapsule for backup/router feature, and I also purchased an HP photosmart C4480 b/c of the rebate and wireless printing that is available w/airport.

The printer works fine when I connect directly to my mac or my wife's PC w/the USB cable.

When I connect via airport/Timecapsule, the printer status window states that the "printer is ready"; however, if I attempt to print an exclamation pops up and the printer window states that "Printer is currently off-line". I have tried unplugging the timecapsule and printer as on the apple support, I've tried re-installing the software and printer. If I install the software wirelessly, then it can not find the printer; but airport utility shows the printer connected to time capsule. If I install with the USB I have no problem. I also attempted the "http://localhost:631/" fix that is described on one of the Apple support links but the instructions don't exactly correspond to my options (device "usb unknown" is not an option, also username/password is not accepted). Yet when I use this "CUPS" system it shows the printer state as "idle, accepting jobs, published"; but I get the same problem with printing a test page as described above.

I have wasted too many hours in the past 2 days searching the internet and attempting to resolve this issue on my own 😟

Is there a way to fix this so I can use the printer wirelessly as intended w/my mac and wife's PC?

If not, is there a set of printers out there that will not have an issue with this configuration?

Thank you in advance for your help.

MacBook Pro 15", Mac OS X (10.5.5)

Posted on Nov 9, 2008 8:44 AM

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Answer 1

tleveck

Level 1

8 points

Dec 2, 2008 7:38 AM in response to MacSwitch2008

I go tnothing for you but the the exact same story and frustration as a recent convert myself. I'll let you know if I find anything.

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Answer 2

jifmc

Level 1

0 points

Dec 4, 2008 6:13 AM in response to MacSwitch2008

I too having nothing to offer except that we are experiencing the same issues. Except we can't even print with the USB cable connected.

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Answer 3

Dec 15, 2008 5:58 PM in response to MacSwitch2008

Hi

I had the same problem (MacBook Pro + HP C4480 + Time Capsule) but set up the airport config on the time capsule to advertise configuration globally using Bonjour, and ticked the box for advertising the printers globally with Bonjour, and then added the printer via the Print&Fax options - found some help in this forum...

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1692232&tstart=60

This worked fine for me and I was print-happy.
(I never had any issues with the printer connected directly to the mac)

Hope this helps you get the printing sorted.

Of course then I realized that while I could print across the wifi network without any trouble, I couldn't scan. d'oh.
In the end, I've put my other printer (Epson Stylus Photo 2100) back onto the Time Capsule and this is working just fine.
For print and scan functionality on the HP C4480 over my wifi network, I dug out my Keyspan USB server (US-4A). The server connects to my Netgear wireless router via ethernet and my C4480 connects to a USB1.1 port on the USB server - this makes the printer available over wifi with both the scanning and printing options (ink levels etc. too). I am now print-and-scan-happy 🙂
(Didn't try connecting the USB server to the ethernet port on the Time Capsule 'cos my head hurts enough without looking for another headache!)

Since the USB server has a total of 4 USB ports, I have 3 other ports available for various gadgets, like my iPod. It's a shame the USB server doesn't support USB2.0, but I picked it up a few years ago before I got the time capsule.

Never really thought about the lack of scanning capabilities using the Time Capsule when I opted for the freebie C4480, so in hindsight I should probably have stumped up the extra cash for the wifi version to avoid all the faffing about, but the USB server is working fine so it'll do for now.

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Answer 4

rla_2000

Level 1

0 points

Dec 17, 2008 2:40 PM in response to MacSwitch2008

Had the same issue. Cable Modem <..> Time Capsule [USB] Hp C4400 Printer ))) MacBook running 10.5.5
-Was working for about 2 months this way and the normal Unplug/Resetting didn't work
*Rolled the Firmware on the Time Capsule Back to 7.3.1 then updated back to 7.3.2> Now working!!!!*

I hope this helps as many people as possible!

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