Wireless Printer Issues

Brother Wireless printer (HL- 3170CDW) is only available/useable when printing from one particular laptop. When trying to print from other laptops in the home a printing error occurs, but no error code or explanation is provided. The printer is visible as an available printer on all other laptops. I've even placed these other laptops next to the printer with the same results. Also, when trying to print from my android phone (Moto G Power) the printer is shown... but grayed out and a message “This printer isn't available right now” is reflected.

Here's what I have done so far:

Unplugged the printer for 5 minutes and plugged it back in.
Reset the network on the printer.
Re-booted all laptops and Android phone.

Nothing changes. The printer is recognized by all laptops and phone, but I can only print from one laptop.

Any suggestions? Thanks

 

You have installed the printer software on every laptop? Being able to see it on the network is not the same as being able to use it - it also needs drivers installed.

 

I would try calling you're ISP my mom had the same kinda issue.Your router / wifi could be causing problems.ISP came out and fixed what ever problems she had.I tried to fix her's my self but after 2 hours of messing around i told her to have a tech guy come out and check the router and wifi for issues.The issue was fixed the next day.

 

The printer is visible on all the systems - how can it possibly be an ISP or WIFI issue? Nonsense.

 

Not true.

You may see it on the computers like my moms was.But never printed.It would show on my my laptop and never worked either.

 

FYI newer printers are having wifi connection issue.

 

Is this P2P/Adhoc - peer to peer - the devices connect the printer, or is the printer on your local network and the devices find it there?

 

Please post a link to support this.

We have a wireless HP printer. We have zero problems printing from 4 Windows computers, 2 android tablets, an android phone and a Chromebook! The androids caused a problem but that was because of my stupidity and not the printer. I finally got some expert help and followed the directions. Once I did that, the devices could print.

I did not offer any advice because I don't know a thing about Brother printers.

 

Here is a link to show how to fix the wifi connection issue.
https://www.softwaretesttips.com/the-printer-wont-connect-to-wifi/

2022
https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000130607/resolving-printer-connection-issues

I had an year old HP office jet printer that had driver issues with the wifi.

And Some times updating your driver wont fix this issue.In fact it could make it worse.I had to continuously update a HP printer driver for in order it to work with wifi.And on top of that the HP setup is such a pain to reset it every time i had to update a driver.The Driver fix's where only a temp fix.

Even if a printer is close to the wifi router it can still have issues printing.

This is one of the reason why i gave up on printers 3 years ago.I got tried of helping people with the problems that came with a wireless setup.

And yes if you're printer is getting up in age 2 years or more they tend to force you to buy a new one.So they create bugs like this in the next driver patch.

Poldr if you're printer is still working good don't update to the next driver.It could break what you have working.I prefer to have a hard wired printer connected to my desktop even if it's usb or serial port or com port.It saves the headaches from going wireless.


Some of them older HP office jets have issues the driver updates tend to mess up the wifi setup.

 

Dah... don't I feel like a fool. Thanks. After installing drivers on all computers it works fine on all systems except the printer is still not recognized on my android phone... but I'm not concerned. Don't have much need for that function.

 

Answered here, in android
https://forums.majorgeeks.com/threads/wireless-printer-issue.324321/