Setup a network printer via Ethernet on Airport Express

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Setup a network printer via Ethernet on Airport Express

I have a Brother MFC-8480DN network-ready All-in-one, which connects to a network via Ethernet. The Airport Express has, in the past worked if I temporarily connect the printer via USB, and then go into the Airport utility (under Tiger - 10.4) and click the printer sharing tab, which is missing under Yosemite. The printer works while connected via USB, but when I did that earlier, the printer would quit before completing print jobs. However, after getting it working via Ethernet, it worked just fine. Under Yosemite, the Airport utility has an "Add WPS printer" menu item under "Base Station," which is greyed out, so I cannot use that method. Has anybody else set up an Ethernet network-ready printer using Airport Express under Yosemite (as, in effect, a print server on my existing wireless network)?

Airport Express-OTHER, OS X Yosemite (10.10.3)

Posted on Apr 27, 2015 5:20 PM

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Answer 1

Apr 27, 2015 5:31 PM in response to rjbeitz

Under Yosemite, the Airport utility has an "Add WPS printer" menu item under "Base Station," which is greyed out, so I cannot use that method

Try open AirPort Utility

Click on the AirPort icon, then click Edit in the smaller window that appears......(since you want to Edit settings)

Now click on the Base Station menu and then click on Add WPS Printer

I'm confused though, since WPS adds a printer using wireless....and you indicate that you want to connect the printer using Ethernet. To do that, I would suggest that you check the printer setup guide for the procedure to set up a network printer. This is different from setting up a USB or Wireless printer.

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Answer 2

rjbeitz Author

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Apr 28, 2015 5:15 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Dear Bob,

Thank you for your prompt reply. However, I have already done that. The 'Add WPS Printer' command is still grayed out even though I go into the 'edit settings' dialog by clicking 'edit' in the popup window that appears when I click on my Airport Express.

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Answer 3

Apr 28, 2015 5:54 PM in response to rjbeitz

Sorry, but I cannot duplicate the error that you are reporting, even after a number of attempts on two different AirPort routers that I have here.

As you can see, the screenshot from my AirPort Utility clearly indicates that the WPS setting is available, and not grayed out.

Can you try a different Mac.....or use AirPort Utility on an iPhone or iPad to see if the setting appears?

To access the setting on an iPhone or iPad.....

Tap to open AirPort Utility

Tap on the AirPort router

Tap Edit

Tap Advanced

Scroll down to see the Add WPS Printer option

If that will not work for you, I am out of ideas. Perhaps another user can help.

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Answer 4

rjbeitz Author

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Apr 28, 2015 6:17 PM in response to Bob Timmons

Dear Bob,

Thanks again, unfortunately the Airport utility on the iPad does not have 'add WPS Printer under 'Advanced.' I just looked. So, I guess I'll have to keep looking. Thank you very much for the suggestions.

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Answer 5

Apr 28, 2015 6:25 PM in response to rjbeitz

Scratching my head. Here is a screenshot from my iPhone. the iPad displays the same. Can you try another Mac, or another iPhone / iPad?

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Answer 6

rjbeitz Author

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Apr 28, 2015 6:42 PM in response to Bob Timmons

weird, I don't have that command on the Airport Utility on my iPad.

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