M1 frequently can't communicate with printer

rbpeirce wrote:

This seems to be unique to the M1.

Nope. My M1 Studio Max never looses connectivity with my printers (HP LaserJet 1022, Epson WF-2860) with either USB or AirPrint.

So is this an AirPrint connection or USB wired connection? Things to try... reboot WiFi router, restart Mac in Safe Mode and test. If a wired USB connection try a different cable. If the problem goes away in Safe Mode then there’s something awry in your user account. Safe Mode disables all third party extensions and plugins, performs certain maintenance tasks and empties certain caches.

Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support

What happens if you reduce the Orbi mesh network to the core ISP-connected router and the printer connected into that, temporarily powering off all other mesh nodes?

The current ET-2800 firmware (FWCJ66TL_XE26P8) is from October 2025.

In addition to testing in a reduced mesh, I’d log into the printer’s web interface using a web browser and would both check for firmware updates in that interface, and would also look for and change the printer host name (probably) offered there.

I’ve seen both firmware updates and host name changes address similar issues, but I’d suspect an Epson firmware bug here.

rbpeirce wrote:

…Unfortunately, this method didn't give me the option to name the printer so I am stuck with the default…

The Epson ET-2800 menus or the embedded web server are probably where the printer host name is established.

Canon calls the embedded web server their “Web Config Utility”.

Might have to dig around to find it in either the front panel or the web interface, assuming it’s even available to set.

https://files.support.epson.com/docid/cpd6/cpd60271.pdf

Wi-Fi networking on this thing is hilarious. Quoting the manual: “Note: If you are using a 5 GHz wireless router, set the router to operate in dual band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) mode. If your router uses a single network name (SSID) for both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz band, give each band its own network name (SSID) instead, such as Home Network 2.4 GHz and Home Network 5 GHz. See your router documentation or contact your internet service provider for

instructions.”

Etrecheck:

Consider downloading and running this little "discovery" utility, Etrecheck. It changes NOTHING. Etrecheck was developed by a senior contributor here, and uses mostly system calls and simple tests to collect often-needed information.

it contains little tests for speeds of devices, CPU utilization, memory usage, energy usage and a digest of recent problems, in one easy to use package. it does not even need to be Installed. Because less can be learned when your Mac is running great, best time to run is when your problems are actually occurring, if possible.

if you follow the directions faithfully, its report (pre-laundered of all personally-identifiable information) can be "Shared" to the System ClipBoard, then Pasted into an ‘Additional Text’ window in a reply on the forums.

Use Etrecheck Pro for free:

http://Etrecheck.com

The amount of data you get can be daunting. If you POST your report, some Readers here are willing to look over those reports, and can provide valuable insights.

then start reply on the forums, click the "additional text" icon, and PASTE

to specify that name, don't force the system to create a printer instance, do it Manually:

System Settings > Printers & Scanners > (Add Printer, scanner, or fax)

Knowing what you know now,

have you tried this again, taking care to specify AirPrint as the driver ?

Other users do not seem to have this issue.

I was not asking about electricity cables. I thought you were talking about pulling data cables, and the reason I was fishing for the make and model is to understand whether the printer is:

• USB printer which are very typically "imaging in the Host computer" printers

• AirPrint printer

• Wi-Fi or Ethernet printers, which are typically "imaging in the Printer" (i.e., Postscript or PCL or equivalent) printers

also whether the Printer is shared by the Mac that connects it directly, or is truly a Network Printer.

rbpeirce wrote:

I didn't mention the printer because it hasn't mattered. The same problem existed when I was using a Canon MG3620 and still exists on my Epson ET-2800. Both were/are on the network…

Please describe your network. Wired or Wi-Fi? Mesh? One router, or with multiple routers? Switches?

Are the printers here running current firmware?

Is the network gear also running current firmware?

Using vendor printer drivers and vendor printing apps, or using AirPrint?

Epson Ecotank ET-2800 appears to connect wirelessly, but uses a proprietary host-based printing system.

Printer Language Epson ESC/P®-R (NOT postscript or equivalent)

For use with a Mac, its Drivers may have been part of the Mass Extinction Event at MacOS 10.15, when Apple said "no more 32-bit apps".

Its macOS support says:

Mac OS X® 10.6.8 – macOS® 10.15.x11

However, it does support AirPrint, so it can be used with an AirPrint driver.

rbpeirce wrote:

I don't care what Epson calls itself internally. When I add a printer I have the option of giving it a name. The OS knows it but I don't think the printer does. Anyhow, the method I ended up using to add the printer didn't give me a naming option so I'm stuck with the default unless there is a way to tell Tahoe to change it.

The printer host name is set on the printer, as is the case with the host name on just about everything connected to an IP network. The host name is set locally, or is defaulted.* macOS is just not going to be changing the host name of other computers.

This assumes the printer host name can even be set, and isn’t somehow fixed.

Ask Epson Support.

Or explore the menus on the Epson, because the Epson doc here is lacking.

If you’d like a way to add a local alias name for a printer, send feedback to Apple.

*This absent MDM or similar device-provisioning support available in the gear.

<< I got this working. What I did was delete the printer and then tried to print something. It listed the Epson as a possible printer and I said ok. It then "added" the printer and used it and I have been able to access it ever since.

I have no idea why this worked when adding the printer via system settings didn't. Unfortunately, this method didn't give me the option to name the printer so I am stuck with the default. I can live with that.

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I don't care what Epson calls itself internally. When I add a printer I have the option of giving it a name. The OS knows it but I don't think the printer does. Anyhow, the method I ended up using to add the printer didn't give me a naming option so I'm stuck with the default unless there is a way to tell Tahoe to change it. >>

You can ADD as many printer instances as you like, and name each one differently. Each instance you create can send print data to different printers, or all to the same printer. Each instance you create can use a Driver if you have one, or use AirPrint.

So if you prefer a printer instance with a name, just create a new instance of a Printer, use the AirPrint driver, and give it a name to your liking. You can keep the Printer instance created for you with no name, or you can delete it.

There are no conflicts in having multiple Printer instances.

rbpeirce wrote:

Many times. Letting the OS add it is the only thing that has worked. It could be my network. I have a printer in VA, VA Canon, that always seems to stay connected while PA Canon [gone] and PA Epson never did. However, both systems are on an Orbi network so I can't be sure what the difference is. Anyhow I seem to have it working and that is good enough for now.

Wi-Fi networks are notorious for issues and for interference, and mesh networks need twice the (working) Wi-Fi channels.

Usual is whatever monitoring might be built into the network (some have good tooling, others not so much), the very limited macOS monitoring, and add-on tools such as WiFi Explorer app available for macOS.

Start by telling us what make& model printer, and how it is connected to your network.

You said you unplugged it.

What sort of plug is that, and what equipment is on the other end of that cord?