imageCLASS LBP632Cdw Trouble staying connected to 7 other devices

[bigjsturm]

Finding printer day to day is a moving target

I have a Canon Color ImageClass LBP632Cdw that drives me crazy.  On my wifi network I have at any given time, 2 laptops, 2 Macbooks, 1 Chromebook, 1 iPhone and 1 Android phone.  At most, 2 computers (whatever type are going at once), and the phones are always on the network when we're home.  The printer setting for IP is dynamic so it can change the IP at times.  For my laptop which is usually next to the printer (but only connected via WiFi), I can almost always connect and print at any time.  Every other device in the house, goes through periods of being unable to connect with messages of "Printer not Available".  Is the solution just to set a static IP on the printer and stop letting the printer change it's IP?  Or, is there some other issue that prevents us from being able to connect consistently?

Of note, the printer is frequently hibernating, so no lights on, etc.  But, when we need to print....when it works, it fires up and we can print.  It's the other times that drive me mad and there seems to be no rhyme or reason.  Today my phone may connect/print, tomorrow not.  Most other computers currently cannot connect to the printer except my laptop.

[shadowsports]

Greetings ,

The behavior you describe is why using DHCP for persistent devices (like a printer) is not recommended.  Your printer becomes a "moving target".

Start here:  Power cycle the printer using the power button.  With the printer "awake",  log in to your router's admin portal and review the list of attached devices.  You should see the printer listed with the iP the router has assigned.

Now reserve or assign that IP to the device.  Depending on the model of your router, you'll find this ability under address reservation, static IP or the LAN menu heading (usually).

Now power cycle the printer, using its power button.  Once the printer restarts, open a web browser and enter the IP address you've assigned, then press enter.  The printers web server should display.  

With the printer now using a static IP, I would suggest installing it as a TCP/IP device on your Macs and Windows PC's.  This will ensure reliable and consistent connectivity, regardless if the printer is turned off, goes to sleep or is not used for an extended period of time.

If you need instructions for this, just ask 🙂

[SignifDigits]

^^^ This is the solution.    Friends don't let friends install printers without a static IP 🙂  Same goes for network attached storage (NAS).