In the past month or so, I've run into two cases where the wireless radio on wireless printers failed. Both printers indicate the wireless radio is on, but neither see the access point. In both cases nothing had changed in the computer room setup. No new hardware. The printers just stopped working.

 

I know the wireless network in both cases was working because other wireless devices were able to access the Internet when I was there.

 

One printer was an HP; the other was a Canon.

 

Anyone else seeing this phenomenon?

Just for clarification, these are two printers on the same wireless network?

 

I have seen something similar with DHCP IP assignments where, after a partial power outage in the facility, various other network devices snatched the IP addresses previously used by the printers. This was resolved by assigning static IP addresses for the printers with addresses up higher in the range.

 

How did you get them to print again? Did they just suddenly connect? Or did you have to power cycle the printers, or the network?

They were not on the same network. They weren't even in the same town. Two separate users.

 

Yes, assigning static IP addresses is the way to go.

 

Because the printers didn't even see the wireless network and they didn't have Ethernet adapters, I was unable to connect to the network. Ended up using the USB connection in both cases.

Well, not being on the same network means seeing two do this could just be a coincidence. Losing wireless connection can be due to many different reasons - including interference for any number of sources. Often it is very difficult to track down.

 

Frankly, I don't USB. The forums are swamped with all sorts of USB connectivity issues. And if using USB tethered to a computer, that makes sharing the printer even more of a hassle. But if it works and client is happen, then that's good.