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Forum Discussion
enazarko
Jul 23, 2022Aspirant
Orbi RBSE960 and Epson wifi printer - printer can't be found
I'm on my third upgrade on Orbi mesh systems, and have had Epson printers connected via wifi to every one of them using the common SSID. My current Epson printer, an ET-3750, worked just fine on my previous Orbi mesh. Since upgrading to the RBSE960, however, when I go to print the printer's never findable from our computers or tablets. "Printer is offline." On the printer's status, it shows connected. On the attached devices list, I can see it there. But none of the computers or tablets can seem to find it.
We have to turn off the printer, turn it back on... and then it's discoverable for a few minutes, but after probably 15 minutes or so, no longer can be found.
On guidance from Epson (in online notes), we tried moving it from the general main network SSID to an isolated 2.4ghz IoT SSID. That didn't help. Goes offline in about 15 minutes or so after a restart, just as it did when connected to the main SSID. Looking at the connected device list, it's still showing there. I've tried giving the printer a reserved IP address, didn't help.
We have a Dell wifi printer that doesn't have any issues, and it's not even connected to the IoT network, just the regular one.
Any solutions? It's pretty weird that I've not had a problem for years, over three other Orbi mesh systems, but when I set up the RBSE960, suddenly it won't work.
4 Replies
Probably need to run thru the setup of the printer using it's software as the IP address on each PC for the printer has changed.
Contact the mfr for help and support regarding there printer product.
- enazarkoAspirant
We've uninstalled the printer on every computer and tablet, rebooted to clear out the mystery caches that all OS keep, then reinstalled the printer. No joy. I can see the IP addresses on the computers, which match the reserved IP for that printer... and yet, the printer isn't visible to the computers, even though you can see it in the "attached devices" table.
Epson's position on this is that it's the Orbi RBSE960, because the same printer worked fine on the RBS50 for a couple of years. I'm afraid I'm with them on this for that very reason. Something in the RBSE960 is different than what was in the RBS50 that's causing the printer to not work.
Epson says that the ET-3750 supports WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n. It does not support 802.11ax.
The original RBR50 that the printers worked on for several years also did not support 802.11ax.
Perhaps the solution is to uncheck the AX feature using the web administration Advanced Tab, Advanced Settings, Wireless Settings.?
It should not matter which WiFi SSID it is using (primary or IoT) because IoT devices are reachable from the primary WiFi network.
If the printer remains on the IoT SSID, then the AX feature can be left enabled on the primary 5G WiFi channel.