macOS High Sierra drops printer connection

Since upgrading to High Sierra, my iMac has recurring problems with losing the connection to my wi-fi printer. When I install the printer under Printers & Scanners system preferences, I can print to the printer at first. When I come back the next day, and printer something, it's stuck in the print queue which says it's trying to connect to the printer. This happens every time I don't use my iMac for a while. The printer is connected my wi-fi network with a good connection. Even when I can't print, I can use Safari to browse to the printer's internal setup webpages so the printer is connected to the network. I have to reset the print system in High Sierra and reinstall the printer each time. I didn't have this problem in macOS Sierra.

Here are particulars of my system:

iMac 27" mid 2011 version, 12 GB RAM
macOS High Sierra 10.13 (supplemental update installed)
HP Envy 4520
My iMac is set to never sleep
My HP printer is set to Energy Saver mode, but never auto power off. Waking my printer from Energy Saver mode doesn't connect it to the print queue.
HP printer has latest firmware
iMac printer setup is connected to HP using AirPrint.

iMac (27-inch Mid 2011), OS X Mavericks (10.9.5), 12 GB RAM, 1TB Hard Drive

Posted on Oct 13, 2017 3:42 PM

Top-ranking reply

gabrielfromsugarland

Level 1

4 points

Posted on Apr 23, 2018 6:51 PM

Just found a solution.

Macs like to use mDNS (multicast DNS) aka bonjour protocol to communicate with the printer.

On my Linksys router, the option is deactivated by default in the firewall, that means such protocols are blocked by the router.

Since I am printing through the wifi network created by the router (not wifi direct), the MAC and the printer can't see each other using that protocol. Interestingly, the MAC can still ping the IP address and access the web based interface for the printer, but no printing.

PC's are not using using bonjour protocol and are not affected by the default firewall setting.

The option that allows mDNS can be activated in the security section of the Linksys router, it is called "Filter Multicast", it needs to be ticked (not very intuitive), approve click OK et Voila !

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36 replies

Dogcow-Moof

Level 8

36,821 points

Dec 5, 2017 8:17 PM in response to mococatx

So wait, a third party product is having issues waking from sleep and it's Apple's fault somehow?

mococatx

Level 1

16 points

Dec 5, 2017 8:19 PM in response to Dogcow-Moof

Not having a problem waking from sleep for my PC when I want to print something. So, hmmmm...PC works, Mac doesn't.

Dec 30, 2017 4:11 PM in response to zibberfitchy

me too. very frustrating indeed!

cmorra

Level 1

4 points

Sep 15, 2018 3:06 PM in response to Dogcow-Moof

Bill,

when the problem occurs only after updating the OS there's a conflict. and the printer mfg and apple BOTH need to support users and find a solution.

shame, shame, shame

Calder04

Level 1

4 points

Sep 15, 2018 4:15 PM in response to cmorra

With a new IOS coming this week, perhaps it will include a fix. If not, try waking the printer by simply toggling WiFi setting off and on.

Nov 13, 2018 7:27 AM in response to mattfromhaymarket

My problems continue under Mojave, current version.

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macOS High Sierra drops printer connection