Mac unable to ping or connect to printer

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Level 1

8 points

Mac unable to ping or connect to printer

OK. Pulling my hair out a little bit. I have multiple network devices on my network, Windows, Mac, IOs etc. All devices but my primary iMac can ping my printer. Started as issue of trying to get printer connected, but not being able to ping the printer needs to be resolved first. Printer is an Epson mfp but had the same issue with the previous printer.

The iMac can ping all other devices on the network. No issues browsing the internet or the network.

No entries in the host file that would be limiting access

Tried with firewall on and off

Tried with AV (sophos) on and off.

Checked all network settings including gateways, DNS, changing Ip's of both iMac and printer to no avail.

Cleaned out the arp cache and flushed DNS

Running El Cap 10.11.3

Wireless

Mac Books (with same OS) connect without issue, Windows laptop no issues. Everything points to an issue with the IMac but can't for the life of me figure it out. Any thoughts or ideas are appreciated.

Also tried updating drivers and firmware on the printer. Not that I can believe that would anything to do with being unable to ping a device but I was reaching for ideas.

Thanks in advance.

iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11.3), null

Posted on Feb 4, 2016 4:53 PM

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Answer 1

Feb 5, 2016 2:45 PM in response to sjzackman

I had thought that the printer may be broadcasting its own network - some do - in order to initially connect to your computer and allow you to set it to connect to your network and that it may be stuck on that but clearly not if other devices can see it. And your iMac must be on the right network if it can ping other devices. That also proves your ping method is OK. If I suddenly have a brainwave I'll get back to you but I'm afraid at present I'm stumped.

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Answer 2

Feb 5, 2016 3:22 AM in response to sjzackman

Does indeed seem odd. Probably something you've already checked but if the IP addresses are being supplied by your router using DHCP, there's no chance the printer and iMac have erroneously been given the same address? Have you tried giving the iMac a manual address to see if that helps?

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Answer 3

sjzackman Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 5, 2016 8:14 AM in response to Mick Burrell

Mick. Thank for the reply. Yes, both devices have unique addresses. Went through and configured both manually to try with the same issue. Really odd. I just can't think of anything else that would stop the connection between the two devices.

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