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Forum Discussion
Orbi and wireless printing
I have my base orbi that gets the internet and passes it through to a switch. I then have my satellite upstairs. All my wired computers can print to the printer but my wireless cannot. Do I need to c...
It would be helpful to know how the printer and various devices are connected.
i.e. the devices that can (and cannot) print are attached to which unit?
The default connection method for Orbi satellites to communicate with the router is over WiFi.
Customers who are fortunate to have Ethernet wiring can connect the satellite over cable and achieve faster performance, but this is entirely optional.
All other devices are connect by Cate5e from the switch (including the printer). I have the Orbi RK50 I believe. I can connect the satelite through a ethernet port that connects to the switch.
jinghram wrote:
All other devices are connect by Cate5e from the switch (including the printer). I have the Orbi RK50 I believe. I can connect the satelite through a ethernet port that connects to the switch.
There are two separate topics:
- Printing from devices connected by WiFi, and
- Connecting the satellite to the router by cable.
Printing. Because the satellite has been mentioned, let's assume that the devices which cannot print are connected by WiFi to the satellite. Aside from printing, the devices perform correctly. (Access the internet, read email, etc. etc.) The issue is not how the satellite is connected to the router. The key is what kind of WiFi device is not printing. (Laptop? Smartphone?) Some devices require additional software to access a network printer. (Some printers offer a feature, sometimes called "WiFi printing" where the printer itself becomes a WiFi access point so that people can print directly from a smartphone without any network at all.) What devices cannot print?
Satellite Connection. Yes, many users choose to connect satellites to the router using Ethernet cable, often using Ethernet switches. The system automatically detects when a wired connection is available and will change the connection from WiFi to wired within a few minutes. (Alas, not "instantly".) The recommended practice is to temporarily relocate the satellite to the same room as the router, power it up, and after it is running connect it directly to the router with a short Ethernet cable. When the backhaul status changes from "WiFi" to "Wired", you know it works. Then put the satellite back in the desired location and do the same thing to change over to the Ethernet cable installed in the house. If it does not switch from WiFi to Wired, then there is something wrong with the house wiring, patch cables, that Ethernet switch, etc. etc.