i-SENSYS MF734Cdw requires reinstallation before each print job

[Grupet]

I'm having so many issues with this printer. Every time I have to print, I'll have to go to my print settings and remove the printer settings and then install them again. I have no idea why, but that just how it is.

Now I can't even install the printer anymore. The printer shows up in my printer & scanners setting (Mac) and if I click Add it comes up with an error. See attached photos.

[shadowsports]

Greetings Grupet,

I believe I can provide a solution for you.  

How is the printer connected, and to what?  USB, ethernet or wireless?

[Grupet]

It’s wireless. 

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

Perfect.  Log into the admin portal of your router and assign a static IP for your printer.  Restart your printer and re-check the list of attached devices.  Confirm it's using the IP you assigned.  

Now return to the printers and scanners applet on your Mac.  Highlight the printer if installed and use the minus button to remove it.  

With the printer now removed, click the globe which is just to the right of the printer icon in your first image.  Enter the IP address of the printer you assigned previously.  The same IP will populate below where the printers name is.  Change (EDIT) that and give your printer a friendly name.  Example 

i-SENSYS MF734Cdw

Select the Canon driver which you should have already installed.  It's selectable from the drop down.

In case you never installed the driver you can find it here:

https://www.canon-europe.com/support/consumer/products/printers/i-sensys/mf-series/i-sensys-mf734cdw...

Why this is important. Devices which are persistent on your network benefit from a static IP address.  This ensures reliable and consistent connectivity to a static destination that never changes.  This only has to be done once 😉

[Grupet]

I'm so sorry for the late reply. But I used another printer instead, since this Canon printer never worked.
I do not have access to the other printer anymore, so now I'nm stuck with the Canon printer again, and SURPRISE!!! It's not working again, 
I read your comments but I do not have access to the admin portal for my router. I'm not very tech savvy, so I wouldn't even know how to do so, even if I had access.
I just don't get why I have so many issues with this printer. I spent more time trying to get it to print than I do making the things I need to print. I'm soooooo done with this.
Isn't it suppose to easy plug n play?

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

I understand.  😉  Like a pilot you want to press a button a fly the plane.  You're good with checklists, but if the engines don't start....  now what.

Here's what is likely happening.  Your printer is only as smart as the network and computer its connected to.  Computers are often creatures of habit.  If something worked once, it will try and use that again.  Networked devices can be a little more complex.  A routers job is to manage the devices connected to it and facilitate communication.  Since some devices come and go, the IP address that the router assigned to a device initially can change.  This is why a printer can work when installed, then show as offline or unavailable after a period of inactivity or being turned off for an extended period.  When it comes back online, the router assigns a new IP, but unfortunately it might be different that was provided when the device was connected and installed initially.  Sometimes power cycling the printer helps, the connection is refreshed and the connection is restored.  Other times the printer gets a new IP and the information the computer (had) and used successfully no longer works.

This is why its often valuable to assign persistent devices (like printers) a static IP.  Take a look at your router.  It may have a sticker on the bottom or side with information about how to access or configure.  You can also visit your ISP's website, they might have info also.  This can be extremely helpful and could possibly eliminate your ongoing issues.  Best of all, it only has to be done once.  

[DerrickL]

Connect a printer cable to it, and run setup again and the disconnect should not happen again. Wifi printer connection is notoriously unreliable and trouble prone, wifi goes down and so does the printer.  Canon printers unlike most other manufacturer's  printers, USB and wifi will not both work at the same time so they are more susceptible to being completely disconnected when connected by wifi. 

[shadowsports]

A USB connection is certainly an option.  Good of you to mention it.  I'm not sure about the printer's proximity to the user's system.  Nor the accessibility needs.

Wi-Fi is extremely reliable and offers a higher degree of flexibility.  You are not limited by the proximity to a device.  I use it on all but a few devices in a large 2 story home.  While ethernet is most reliable for networking, not being subject to overhead or obstructions, Wi-Fi remains a very reliable solution.  Our Wi-Fi never "goes out" even when there's a power failure because of UPS.  I have my cable modem protected the same way so even when the power goes out we continue to have internet/Wi-Fi 99.9% of the time.  

Grupet,

USB connections are great for single computer applications and individual use, but this connection method is more limited since any sharing requires that the host system be powered and awake in order for other systems / devices to print.  

We'd like for you to enjoy the greatest flexibility with your printer (a very capable model).

Please let us know how you'd like to proceed and we can provide assistance with that connection method.