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Cannot connect to a network printer.

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by andreak77

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At one point I was able to print to a printer on our network and one day it stopped. When I troubleshoot it says the printer cannot be contacted over the network. I have the correct Port Name and the IP Address. I've deleted the port, and re-configured the port but with no success. I also have always had intermittent problems connecting my pc to our network. I have a new pc now with Windows 7 but am still having the same problem (all the other pc's have XP - but we had the same problem with the intermittent connection to the network when I had XP - I was always able to print to the printer when I had XP). I am at a loss as to how to solve the connection issues we are having. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

30 replies

by jfuller05

Is it a workgroup, which is a small group of connected computers/and or printers without a central point of administration? Do you log into a domain or just locally into your computer?

by oldbaritone

http://www.sevenforums.com/network-sharing/3772-netbeui-7022-a.html

"I found the problems. It is that I always disable as many services as possible. So I thought that Windows 7 works exactly as Vista and was wrong. I needed to enable many services such as Remote Access Auto Connection Manager, Remote Access Connection Manager, Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol Service, Routing And Remote Access and maybe one or two others. Most of these are disabled in my Vista oses and things work well....obviosuly not the case with 7.

Hope I helped if anyone had this problem."

by andreak77

I had XP on my other PC - not Vista. Yesterday morning I could see our network and then after lunch - it was gone. So I went in to Windows Firewall security settings and enabled inbound and outbound rules, after that I was able to see the network as well as print. But that is not the case this morning. I could not see the network, nor could I print - I received a "printer offline" message. I cannot figure what's going on with this thing. UGH!

by andreak77

It is on the network and has it's own software. When I troubleshoot - it says the printer cannot be contacted over the network. At first when I couldn't print I updated the driver and was able to print and then the next day I went to print a file and it wouldn't.

If it were a bad cable or something when I lose the network I shouldn't be able to access the internet either right?

It is on a standard TCP/IP Port. Both the port name and IP adress are correct. It's got to be something on my pc - every other pc we have has no problem seeing the network or printing on that printer. I don't know if this is a factor or not but even when I can't see the network the other pc's can still see the access the files on my pc.

by cg it

when you search for a printer using the Windows 7 devices and printers wizard, Windows 7 will search for a printer. When found, Windows will install it and prompt for drivers.

If the printer is not found on the network, you can click the box, "the printer I want isn't listed" which will take you to another window. This window will have the option of finding it in the Active Directory, directory, host name or IP address, or share name.

If you use the IP address, the port name is filled in with the IP address. If the printer is on the network and can be contacted, Windows 7 will install the printer.

If the printer has it's own software, you install the software on your PC and the software contacts the printer automatically and creates the connection.

Installation of the printer and printer software is highly dependent on what printer it is. Some SMB printers you need to use their software to make the network connection. Some business printers like Xerox
you can add it using the printer wizard.

intermittent connection problems when no one else has them, and you don't have any other connection problems to the network typically indicates improper installation.

by ajith_haq

you say other PC's on the net are able to access resourses of your PC.Is the "client for microsoft network" protocol running properly if not so you will be able to ping to server or any pc on the net work but you would not be able to access any resources in your network .Better you review your settimgs properly and make sure all the services are running properly.
.It seems you have no problem in accessing inter net ,tell me how you are accessing internet do you have a proxy server or are connected directly through the internet ?

by andreak77

The other PC's on the network have Windows XP - which homegroups are only allowed for PC's running W7.
But here's the thing - I've always had connection issues - even on my old pc which had XP - I've never been able to resolve this issue. It wouldn't be such a big deal but most of my work is on an external drive on another pc - which coincidentally is the pc that I've always had trouble connecting too. I wish I could grasp this whole thing but it's eluding me....

by andreak77

Here's the thing, reguardless of the OS, I am still having trouble connecting to the network. I had XP and now I have a new pc that has Windows 7. The network will be there in one instance and then gone the next - without rebooting. I've tried all the recommendations but nothing has resolved this issue. There has got to be something that I'm missing here..........I've been working here for 5 years and my pc has always had the intermittent network connection - none of our other PC's have ever had trouble connecting to the network just mine. This issue has become more prominent now that I have Windows 7.
I don't know who set our network up but something went wrong with mine. If it's something simple, I'm giong to crawl under my desk and never come out. lol.
By the way - I truly do appreciate everyone's advice and input!!!

by cg it

open network and sharing center.

tell us what your active network is set as: Public/domain/Home-work.

on the left side of the network and sharing center windows you'll see change advanced sharing settings. click the link.

Tell us if Network discovery is turned on or off and printer sharing is turned on or off for each type of network connection [public/domain/home-work].

by ajith_haq

Have you checked the connectivity b/w the pc's
on your network.R U able to ping to the pc that you connected tje printer.

by cg it

is it a printer connected to another machine? or a printer that has a network card and it's own address?

and does it have it's own software?

Brother has their software, Xerox has it's own blah blah ...

by andreak77

It's has it's own network card. I've installed the latest drivers.

by andreak77

I downloaded another driver and it seems to be working. I am now able to print however I will wait until to tomorrow to see if I am still able to print. I will let everyone know how it goes. Now just need to figure out why there are times that I cannot see the network.

CG - I believe that has to be it but I am not familiar at all with how the network works or how its installed/uninstalled. We all have the same workgroup name - changed that a while ago.

Once again, I cannot express enough how much I appreciate everyone's advice and input. Thank you soooo much for all of your help!!

by andreak77

not a proxy sever.
For example - I've been able to see the network all day today. I hope it continues to work cuz it sure does suck when your in a hurry to do something and you open the windwo to find out you can't see the network.
There were time when there was only one pc that I could not see on the network - which it is the one pc that I need to access.

This stuff gives me a headache. I really wish we had an IT working here. Kind of sucks when the boss expects you to fix it yesterday - even when you tell him you have no idea how it even works. Then complains when your on this forum trying to find a solution......sigh, I love my life. lol.

You guys on here are outstanding....you really know your stuff.

by ajith_haq

Even though you have head ache with this stuff.If you have got a bit technical mind you can solve many problems around you.The thing is dont go for all solutions at a try.Do it in step by step manner.Have you checked the client for microsoft networks protocol in your PC.

by andreak77

Hello everyone,
I can see the network this morning however was not able to print. I removed the device, added a printer. My printer was listed - just as the other times with a different IP address - just as it was the other times. So for today I can print. Why does the IP address keep changing? It went from 192.168.1.116 to .114 and today it was .112.

by ajith_haq

Is there a DHCP server in your network?
If so reserve an ip address to your device in the DHCP.

by andreak77

I am not sure if we have a DHCP server - How can I check this. Also if I do, I have no idea how to reserve an IP address to my printer.

We shut our computers down every night and every morning I have to remove the printer and then add the printer otherwise I cannot print to it.

How do I reserve an IP address so I don't have to do this every single day - it's getting annoying.

Oh, I will need step by step instructions cuz I have no idea when in comes to servers and stuff.

Thanks for all your help guys!

by ajith_haq

You can find it in the LAN card properties above the TCP/IP properties.

by frantur

I would check your connections from the PC back to the switch.
1) Reseat all Cables.
2) Try swapping the CAT5 network cable.
3) Try switching ports on the switch.
4) Make sure you are running updated drivers for the NIC.
5) Install a PCI or PCIE NIC.

Hope this helps...

by cg it

you started this back on the first and it's been almost a month. Since with all the suggestions here, you still haven't gotten the problem solved, it sounds like it's time to just bring in the local IT consultant and have them fix the problem.

by andreak77

Yes it has been almost a month but I don't have the luxury of sitting at my desk trying to figure this problem out. When I have a moment to try and work on it I do.

I don't know what I'm looking for when it comes to IP addresses and networking so please forgive my ignorance. That is why I am here.

I spoke with my manager and we do not have a DHCP server.

So if you don't want to help me anymore - then don't. I see others are still willing to assist me.

by imran.salamat

i will try to fix it but for that i need your problmatic system at remote.

by ashily24dee

Hi,

You need to review the configuration page and find the networking section. The printer need to have a valid IP address, expressed as a series of four numbers, each separated by a period. If there is no IP address listed, or if the status shows ???disconnected???, there may be something wrong with the network card or the cable. You need to remove and reset the network cable in the printer. Also, remove and reset the end of the cable that goes into the wall jack. If the printer still does not work, replace the cable with a new one.

http://printers.iyogi.com/problems/network-printer-connection-problems.html

Hope this helps you.

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