MacOS 14 Epson WF7840 printer, WiFi - crazy slow, frequently drops connection/"offline", and says its out of paper.

Line breaks help readability.

You've seemingly checked the printer firmware—there's a firmware update from about a year ago—and checked the drivers—there are updated drivers from November, and have presumably also reset the Mac printing system.

Printer support page: https://epson.com/Support/Printers/All-In-Ones/WorkForce-Series/Epson-WorkForce-Pro-WF-7840/s/SPT_C11CH67201?review-filter=macOS+14.x

I'd likely reset the macOS printing system, and re-connect to the printer using the AirPrint path and not the vendor drivers.

It's also possible the local Wi-Fi network is having issues. Whether that's due to coverage or interference or a failing Wi-Fi device?

To confirm, that is the signal when near the printer?

If so, the SNR on that Wi-Fi 6 network is 42, which is most excellent.

In addition to Old Toad’s suggestions, I’d get out the bigger hammer and reset the macOS printing system: Reset the printing system on your Mac to solve a problem - Apple Support

If the printer is within cabling range of the router or switch, I’d try wiring it directly and temporarily shut off Wi-Fi on the printer.

Applein2014 wrote:

I am having similar problems with a WF-7840, wifi has been dropping connections w/ 14.x.x. I boutght a new MacBook Pro in January, and upgraded to the WF-7840 as the drivers for my previous Epson WF printer did not appear to be supported on the latest MacBooks. This is very frustrating. Which one do I get rid of? (My wife's Win 11 notebook connects fine; my iPhone connects sporadically and prints occasionally. Appears more and more to be an issue on the Apple side.

Could be the printer, could be the Wi-Fi router or configuration, could be Wi-Fi interference, could be something else entirely.

See my reply above for related info. Including printer firmware checks. Wi-Fi router firmware, too.

To view the local Wi-Fi network connection, you can option-click on the Wi-Fi icon in the macOS menu bar, and post the following green-highlighted info:

Stuff highlighted in green, we’re interested in. Stuff highlighted in red, probably don’t post that.

If you want a better look at nearby Wi-Fi network activity, an app such as WiFi Explorer can be useful.

Epson WorkForce WF-7840 supports AirPrint per the specs, and that would usually be the preferred printing path. No vendor drivers for that.

Can you connect the printer to your Mac and print wired to make sure it will print OK. If it does then that points to the router and WiFi. In that case try the following in order as needed with the printer not hard wired to the Mac:

1a - go to the System/Printers & Scanners settings pane and remove the printer. Then add it back with WiFi or AirPrint. Also make sure the printer is connected to your LAN.

1b - shut the Mac, router and modern down. Boot them back up in this order: modem, router and Mac.

2a - if the above doesn't help boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.

NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following; 

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts 

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.

I am having similar problems with a WF-7840, wifi has been dropping connections w/ 14.x.x. I boutght a new MacBook Pro in January, and upgraded to the WF-7840 as the drivers for my previous Epson WF printer did not appear to be supported on the latest MacBooks. This is very frustrating. Which one do I get rid of? (My wife's Win 11 notebook connects fine; my iPhone connects sporadically and prints occasionally. Appears more and more to be an issue on the Apple side.