Tuesday, 2 Jul 2024
Technology

Troubleshooting Printer Connectivity Issues

Is your printer constantly disconnecting from your network? Frustrating, isn’t it? But worry not, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll walk you through some troubleshooting steps to help you resolve the issue and keep your printer connected to your network reliably.

Updating Printer Drivers and Firmware

The first step in troubleshooting printer connectivity issues is to ensure your printer drivers and firmware are up to date. Outdated drivers or firmware can cause compatibility issues and lead to frequent disconnections.

To update your printer drivers, head over to the Brother website and download the latest drivers for your specific printer model. Install them on your computer and check if it resolves the problem.

Similarly, visit the Brother website and check if there are any firmware updates available for your printer. Download and install the latest firmware to ensure your printer is running on the latest software version.

Configuring Printer Network Settings

If updating drivers and firmware didn’t resolve the issue, we can try adjusting some network settings on your printer.

  1. Go to Settings > Printers and Faxes > Options and Supplies > Show printer webpage > Network > Protocol on your computer.

  2. Deselect the option for “AirPrint” and save the settings. Although this might not directly solve the problem, leaving it deselected might help in the long run.

  3. Next, go to Show computer webpage and navigate to Network. Click on the IPv6 (wireless) button and enable IPv6. This setting aims to prevent your printer from disconnecting when it goes into sleep mode.

  4. Ensure that the CUPS (Common UNIX Printing System) interface is enabled on your Mac. By default, CUPS might be disabled, so it’s essential to check its status.

Tham Khảo Thêm:  12 Ways To Express Love using Mathematical Codes

To verify if CUPS is enabled on your printer:

  • Type http://localhost:631/printers in your web browser’s address bar.
  • If you see a message saying “Web Interface is Disabled,” it means CUPS is not enabled on your Mac.

To enable CUPS:

  • Click the magnifying glass icon on the top right of your Mac to open Spotlight Search.
  • Type “terminal” in the search box to launch the Terminal app.
  • In the Terminal window, enter the command cupsctl WebInterface=yes and press Enter.

Now go back to the http://localhost:631/printers site and check if your printer appears. If it does, congratulations! You have successfully activated CUPS.

Staying Connected to Your Printer

Following the above steps should help you stay connected to your printer without frequent disconnections. It is worth noting that although the printer may not show up on your router’s client list, it should remain responsive to your print commands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does my printer keep disconnecting from my network?

A: Printer connectivity issues can occur due to outdated drivers or firmware, incompatible network settings, or even environmental factors like a lightning strike.

Q: How can I update my printer drivers and firmware?

A: To update your printer drivers, visit the manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers for your specific printer model. For firmware updates, check the manufacturer’s website for available updates and follow their instructions for installation.

Q: What is CUPS, and why is it important?

A: CUPS stands for Common UNIX Printing System. It is a printing system used by macOS and Linux operating systems. Enabling CUPS ensures proper communication between your Mac and the printer, improving connectivity and printing performance.

Tham Khảo Thêm:  How to Turn Off an iPhone When the Screen Is Broken

Q: How can I enable CUPS on my Mac?

A: To enable CUPS on your Mac, open the Terminal app, type cupsctl WebInterface=yes, and press Enter. This command activates the CUPS web interface, allowing you to manage printers and settings.

Conclusion

We understand that dealing with printer connectivity issues can be frustrating and time-consuming. By following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article, you should be able to resolve the problem and enjoy uninterrupted printing from your Brother printer. Remember, updating drivers, configuring network settings, and enabling CUPS can make a significant difference in staying connected to your printer. Happy printing!

Note: For more information and helpful resources on technology, visit Eireview.