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Q: Unable to connect Macbook pro to wireless printer

Hoping to find an answer to this question:

I have a 2011 Macbook Pro (13), running 10.6.8. I also have an Epson Workforce 630 wireless printer. The 2 have worked together seamlessly (wireless for printing; usb connection for scanning) until I recently upgraded to my wireless router to a Linksys AC1200. I am able to connect both the laptop and wireless to the network, but when I try to print wirelessly I get an "Unable to Communicate" notice for the printer. I rechecked printer settings, ran a network status test and all is well. Same for the Mac (they are both on the same network). (I should point out that USB connection worked fine)

After being unable to connect even after restarting both printer and laptop, I went into Settings > Printers, but the Epson was showing offline/unavailable. I then ran the Reset Printers option, deleting all the old printer pre-sets. But when I went to add a printer, nothing was showing up on the network. Well, not consistently. I did see the usual entry for Epson under Default, with Bonjour noted in the same line. But when I selected it, before the Add button became available, the Epson/Bonjour listing disappeared and did not return.

I downloaded the most current drivers from Epson and re-installed everything (using the USB as I did for the first install) and tried again wirelessly, but no luck. The Epson does not appear anywhere when I try to select wireless printers (except for the wired/USB listing).

However, because I ran the Network report from the printer, I was able to get the IP address for it. When I manually entered this information in the Add Printer window, I was able to connect and print wirelessly. But this method was absolutely not the way I had connected before (nor did it have the printer name listed, just the IP address). Even after connecting this way (using IP) the Epson still technically does not appear on the network. (FYI I checked the IP settings for both the printer and the Macbook, and they are in the same network [192.168.1.x] and the printer's Subnet Mask matched that of the Macbook too.

Although I have technically achieved a workaround, the fact that I cannot choose the printer through setup or see it on the Network is troubling and obviously not working the way it should.

One other thing: the Epson IS listed in the Shared section under Network (along with most of the other devices in the house).

Hopefully I have provided enough information and look forward to any insight anyone has.

Thanks.

 

Hardware info:

2011 Macbook Pro, 13in, 2.7 gHz, i7, 10.6.8

Linksys AC1200 router

Epson Workforce 630

Posted on Dec 15, 2014 4:00 PM

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