Cannot add an available printer on MacBook Pro 14"

Question

Cannot add an available printer on MacBook Pro 14"

I am trying to add an Epson ET-2750 printer (that was previously connected and working) to my MacBook Pro 14" (Sonoma 14.6.1). The printer shows as being available in the add printer dialogue and is available and working from my MacBook Air and my iPhone 12. It just has stopped working from my MacBook Pro 14". I have deleted the printer and reset the printer system. I have re-entered the WiFi password on the printer. I have switched off and restarted both the printer and the MacBook Pro 14". I have checked the printer is connected to the same network as the MacBook Pro. I have tested printing from another device. So the problem seems to be the MacBook Pro 14" and I cannot find any information on how this issue can be resolved. The message returned when trying to add the printer is "unable to communicate with the printer at this time". Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 14.6

Posted on Oct 19, 2024 7:32 AM

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Answer 1

Oct 19, 2024 8:21 AM in response to varjak paw

Thank you for your reply. There is no VPN or firewall set up and the anti-virus software is the same as it always has been when the printer was previously communicating with the MacBook perfectly well. In fact the same anti-virus is installed on the MacBook Air and the printer is working fine from there. So these are not the issues.

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Answer 2

Oct 19, 2024 8:28 AM in response to streetsofarklow

<< the anti-virus software is the same as it always has been >>

and what exactly is that?

To improve discovery of printers and other severs on your Home Network, you should set IPv6 to "link-local only" in network preferences. The Mac uses that to lazily send messages around looking for available services, using Bonjour Discovery protocol.

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Answer 3

Oct 19, 2024 9:00 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks. The anti-virus software on both MacBooks is Intego 10.9. The MacBook Air prints without any issue and until yesterday so did the MacBook Pro. I have not set IPv6 on either MacBook nor have I ever done so on these or any other MacBooks, and printing has always worked seamlessly. I have downloaded the Epson driver/utilities which I have never needed to do before but it has made no difference. I have tried adding the printer using the IP address but that does not work either. There is definitely something going on with the MacBook Pro 14" which is refusing to add the printer even though it can see it as it appears in the list of available devices.

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Answer 4

Oct 19, 2024 9:43 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

I have resolved it, but not sure I can explain. Both MacBooks were successfully connected to the network as was the printer and my iPhone, however the MacBook Pro could not communicate with the printer even thought the Air and iPhone could. I ended up rebooting the router which somehow fixed the issue - very confusing as the router was clearly working fine.

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Answer 5

Oct 19, 2024 9:55 AM in response to streetsofarklow

That’s fairly common with down-revision firmware, and with just buggy Wi-Fi routers.

Wi-Fi routers are complex devices.

Some vendors (of Wi-Fi routers, computers, printers, and other networked devices) are just bad.

Also commonly, but possible — and as some Fortinet gear is currently “enjoying” — with breached routers.

What to do here? Check for a Wi-Fi router firmware update, and apply the latest.

If your router is past the end of vendor support, or is Wi-Fi 4 or earlier, probably time to start budgeting for a replacement.

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Answer 6

varjak paw

Level 10

175,648 points

Oct 19, 2024 8:12 AM in response to streetsofarklow

Any VPN or firewall set up and active on your MacBook? If so, turn them off and see if that helps. An antivirus utility might also block the connection.

Regards.

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Answer 7

Oct 19, 2024 9:15 AM in response to streetsofarklow

restart is safe mode and see if it can be added from there.

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