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Forum Discussion
Printer behind ORBI not found
Dear friends,
I have a standard configuration, with a WiFi modem from my Telco provider in the basement, and an (RBR50) ORBI access point (set-up as Router) in my kitchen. Both have a different SSID. All works well, but my Epson app can't find my printer, even if I give it its IP address. I read somewhere that the app sends an "mDNS/Bonjour" message to the printer(s) on the home-network, but that the ORBI might block this message ? How can I fix this ?
Thanks for your help & advise !
20 Replies
Make sure the printer and the printers app on the mobile device are connected on the same network. Either on the ISP router or Orib router system.
If your ISP Modem already has a built in router and wifi. This would be a double NAT (two router) condition which isn't recommended. https://kb.netgear.com/30186/What-is-Double-NAT
https://kb.netgear.com/30187/How-to-fix-issues-with-Double-NAT
Couple of options,
1. Configure the modem for transparent bridge or modem only mode. Then use the Orbi router in router mode. You'll need to contact the ISP for help and information in regards to the modem being bridged correctly.
2. If you can't bridge the modem, disable ALL wifi radios on the modem, configure the modems DMZ/ExposedHost or IP Pass-Through for the IP address the Orbi router gets from the modem. Then you can use the Orbi router in Router mode.
3. Or disable all wifi radios on the modem and connect the Orbi router to the modem, configure AP mode on the Orbi router.
https://community.netgear.com/kb/en-orbi-knowledge-sharing/static-ip-address-configuration-for-ap-mode/2456256
https://kb.netgear.com/31218/How-do-I-configure-my-Orbi-router-to-act-as-an-access-point and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7LOcJ8GdDo&app=desktopTry option #2 first...
Be sure to contact the printer Mfr for additional help and support for there product.
Thank you for this detailed advise !
I have a 3 floor house (with thick reinforced concrete between the floors), and need WiFi on all three floors. So I need the Wifi from my Telco modem on the ground floor, the Wifi from my Orbi on the second floor, and the Wifi from an Orbi Satellite on the 3rd floor. So I need the WiFi radios on all the equipement (my Telco modem, my ORBI and my ORBI Satellites). I understand that the NAT condition is probably the source of my problem, so what's the best solution ? Keep my Telco modem as (only) router and reconfigure the ORBI as an Access Point ?
Appreciate your advise & help. Thanks !
All works well, but my Epson app can't find my printer, even if I give it its IP address.
What model printer? Have you tried both iPrint and Smart Panel?
It's been a while since I used the RBR50 (currently I am using an Orbi 870), but I did (and still) have two epson printers on my network.
- Epson iPrint discovers both printers
- Epson Smart Panel doesn't find either.
As FURRYe38 says, you need make sure both devices are connected to the same network. Also, guest won't work for this, as the wifi devices on guest are isolated by the router.
Thank you Stephen !
Model = Epson ET-2600. My phone is on the ORBI SSID and so is my ET-2600 Printer. And that doesn't work.
Note that I have a second printer, in the basement, an Epson ET-2700. This one is on the modem's SSID. When my phone is on the ORBI SSID, I can't print on that one either, but when I switch the Wifi on my mobile to the SSID of my modem, I can print on the ET-2700...
So strange that on the ORBI SSID things don't work. Maybe due to the NAT condition (see answer above) ?
You only are printing from a phone? No PCs?
an Epson ET-2700. This one is on the modem's SSID.
One of my printers is the ET-2760.
It needs to be on the Orbi's SSID (as you found).
That is because partly due to NAT, but mainly because the method used by the Epson app for finding the printer local only, so cannot get through the Orbi router.
Model = Epson ET-2600. My phone is on the ORBI SSID and so is my ET-2600 Printer. And that doesn't work.
This worked with the same app before you installed the Orbi?
Is the app finding the printer?
If not, have you tried the manual IP method in the Epson iPrint app?
