Cannot connect to wireless printer after changing router

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martin(1973) Author

Level 1

8 points

Cannot connect to wireless printer after changing router

I have used a printer (HP Photosmart Plus B210) wirelessly for some time, sending documents to print from both my Mac and iPad. Recently I changed router, and so reconnected my printer (wirelessly) to the new router. The iPad still works perfectly with the printer, but the Mac has stopped doing so. The Mac successfully "found" the printer when I entered the printer's IP address to connect them, but the Mac then states "Unable to verify the printer on your network. Unable to connect to '[printer's IP address]' due to an error". It still gives the option to "create" the printer, but then when I try to print I get a "Printing - the Printer is in use" message (which is incorrect), this message stays indefinitely, and nothing prints. I've tried turning off and on, and also consulting the HP printer manual. If anyone can help, I would be very grateful. Thank you in advance.

MacBook Pro

Posted on Mar 2, 2015 4:38 AM

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Answer 1

lllaass

Level 10

210,405 points

Mar 2, 2015 6:53 AM in response to martin(1973)

You did first delete the printer and they tried reinstall it, right?

Try resetting the printing system

Mac OS X: How to reset the printing system - Apple Support

Next the oher things of:

Troubleshooting printer issues in OS X - Apple Support

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Answer 2

Mar 2, 2015 9:45 AM in response to martin(1973)

When you install a new Router, sometimes you change the range of addresses your network is using, (e.g., old Router used 10.10.0.1, new Router uses 192.168.2.1). Devices that use DHCP will adapt to their new IP Addresses immediately. Manual IP Addresses left over from the old subnet may appear to be sort-of reachable through the Router, but are not fully functional.

To interoperate freely and easily, your local computers and Printers should be on the same Subnet. The simple definition is their IP Addresses should be the same in the first three octets, and only the fourth octet will vary by device. Do not assign the last IP Address in the subnet (typically ending in .255) as that is reserved as a Broadcast Address.

So you need to be certain the IP Address of the Printer is on the same subnet as the new Router. If not, you will need to change the Printer's IP Address.

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Answer 3

martin(1973) Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 2, 2015 11:03 AM in response to lllaass

Hi Illaass. Thanks very much for this. Yes, I've tried deleting and reinstalling the printer (several times), and also now tried resetting the printing system, but am still facing the same problem. Thanks very much for your suggestions though - much appreciated.

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Answer 4

martin(1973) Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 2, 2015 11:08 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Hi Grant. Thanks very much for this. Yes, it seems that the first 3 sets of figures in the printer's IP address match those of the MAC and iPad.

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Answer 5

Mar 2, 2015 2:44 PM in response to martin(1973)

Did you change your network-name, encryption method, or password? If so, the Printer needs to be told the new values "as if it were a computer" to be able to connect.

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Answer 6

martin(1973) Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 3, 2015 9:41 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Hi Grant. I did change the network name, but used this new name when reconnecting the printer, so I don't think it can be that. Thanks so much though for trying to help - I'm really grateful. Martin

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Answer 7

Mar 3, 2015 4:38 PM in response to martin(1973)

Some Printers require you to run a "discovery" & setup program when installing their printers. This is especially true of non-Postscript printers. Do you have an HP printer setup program? Does your Printer manual say you should run one?

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Answer 8

martin(1973) Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 4, 2015 1:37 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks again Grant. I'll have a dig around and try to find out whether I have an HP printer setup program. Martin

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