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Forum Discussion
OrbiisaPOS
Apr 08, 2018Tutor
Why the hell is connecting a printer to an Orbi such a frustrating ordeal?
I've got an RBR 50 with one satellite. The router is connected to my Comcast modem. I recently bought an Epson ET-3750 printer/scanner/copier. I was initially able to get it set up and it worked g...
FURRYe38
Apr 08, 2018Guru - Experienced User
THis doesn't involve any FW editing as you cant do this anyways. More like what is the Mfr and model # of the ISP modem? Seems to be a built in router here maybe?
Which router did you have the printer set up too? The Modem or the Orbi router?
Wired or wireless connection with the printer?
Try resetting the printer and setting it up from scratch? Make sure your connecting it to the Orbi system and not the ISP Modem.
- OrbiisaPOSApr 09, 2018Tutor
The ISP modem does have a built in router but I've disabled the wireless broadcast. I ended up starting from scratch and reinstalling the printer. It's a wireless printer. It just took way longer than it should because it randomly wouldn't recognize the correct network and then suddenly it would. And now if the power ever blinks off I'll be in the same boat again because it won't reconnect on its own.
Maybe "editing firmware" isn't the correct terminology, but this is what I was referring to: https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Epson-ET-3600-printer-has-issue-with-Orbi-RBK50-single-SSID/td-p/1321524
My point remains, though, that it's ridiculous that Netgear doesn't acknowledge this issue and has done nothing to address it.
- tsigApr 09, 2018Luminary
When I switched to the Orbi I used the same SSID and password as my old router. Everything switched over to the Orbi no problem, except the printer. My doorbell, Roomba and stereo receiver are all 2.4 ghz only and they picked right up on the Orbi. My HP printer would not. I had to do a new setup using a USB cable connected to my PC.
- FURRYe38Apr 09, 2018Guru - Experienced User
Separating SSIDs isn't the intended design of Smart Connect, wireless MESH and Orbi systems. Not officially supported either. Thus is not a issue that NG would need to fix.
One suggestion you can do with the printer. set up either a IP addresss reservation ON the router or set a Static IP address ON the printer outside of the routers default IP address pool. This will ensure the printer gets the same IP address if something happens.
OrbiisaPOS wrote:The ISP modem does have a built in router but I've disabled the wireless broadcast. I ended up starting from scratch and reinstalling the printer. It's a wireless printer. It just took way longer than it should because it randomly wouldn't recognize the correct network and then suddenly it would. And now if the power ever blinks off I'll be in the same boat again because it won't reconnect on its own.
Maybe "editing firmware" isn't the correct terminology, but this is what I was referring to: https://community.netgear.com/t5/Orbi/Epson-ET-3600-printer-has-issue-with-Orbi-RBK50-single-SSID/td-p/1321524
My point remains, though, that it's ridiculous that Netgear doesn't acknowledge this issue and has done nothing to address it.
- OrbiisaPOSApr 09, 2018Tutor
I understand that it's not the intended design, but if it's being marketed as an easy-to-use solution for whole-house wifi coverage then I think there should be some accommodation to enable easier, consistent wireless printer connectivity.
Thank you for the suggestion for creating a static IP/address reservation. I'll give that a shot and keep my fingers crossed that it'll help the next time I face this situation. I appreciate the help.