printer not found when connecting to second computer gx4020

[burpy]

installed and connected GX4020 printer to computerA (win11) over home wifi network.  Then connected to computerB, also win11. But then compA could not print. checked a couple of forums and messed with bitdefender firewall on compA. Finally got compA connected. But then compB does not connect. 

I see that canon manual suggests using only 2.4gHz wifi. Is that right? Regardless, home wifi network has primary access point [with DNS] and second (cascaded) access point [no DNS]. Both have same SSID. Both have 5gHz and 2.4gHz bands with frequencies which have been checked against overlap. This setup allows devices to roam within range. It supports 2 HP printers both of which are accessible from compA and compB. Currently, canon GX4020 printer landed on 5gHz band automagiclly

any ideas why compB does not connect?

are firewalls an issue? 

does a static IP address for the printer help?

/burpy

[shadowsports]

Let me do a quick bit of research on the GX4020 and I'll reply shortly 😉

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

Interesting topic.  Let's jump in.  

The GX4020 is dual band, so it doesn't matter which wireless band you connect it to, and any device connecting to the same network regardless of interface (wired, wireless) can utilize the printer.

Considerations:

Mesh systems or extenders when used in conjunction with ISP issued hardware.  I'm mentioning this for the benefit of others (may or may not apply in your situation).  

The mistake that many people make is introducing a mesh system or extenders without proper configuration.  Only one device can perform DHCP on a network.  If DHCP is left enabled on the ISP device and also on the mesh system, double NAT conflicts will arise, including the possibility of two LAN segments existing.  Example 10.0.0.x on the ISP hardware and 192.168.x.x on the mesh system or vice versa.  It's often believed that using the same SSID name s and passwords will allow seamless roaming, instead however, devices will go on and offline depending on the host they connect to and IP they are assigned.  

Optional but recommended.  Assigning a static IP to persistent devices such as a printer is best practice since it ensures reliable connectivity.  Further, installing a printer as a TCP/IP device regardless of OS (MAC or Windows) further enhances reliable connectivity.  Using a static "destination" is extremely reliable since it removes reliance on DNS, bonjour and hostname resolution.  While all of these things can and should work, they don't depending on the quality and age of the network hardware.  

If a printer exists on a network with a static IP, installing it on multiple endpoints should not make it go on or offline on a device it worked on previously.  

3rd party antivirus or those that offer a software firewall can absolutely interfere with network communication.  However, once exceptions are made, if a device goes offline it's likely because it's IP address has changed or hostname resolution is broken due to improper network configuration, DHCP lease or poorly implemented firmware on the network hardware.  

Hopefully some of this information will be helpful to you or useful for others in the future.  Happy to try and answer other questions if they surface in your environment.  

[burpy]

meant to use DHCP (not DNS) when describing cascaded wifi network.  

good to know that GX4020 has dual band wifi

[shadowsports]

You can use DHCP for the cascaded networks as long as a single device is handing out addresses and the LAN segment is pulling from the same pool. 

I do recommend using a static IP for the printer and installing it as a TCP/IP device on your endpoints

Also, yes your printer is dual band.  🙂

[DerrickL]

Direct wire it to your Lan/router using the ethernet connection on the printer. Any device wireless or wired should see the printer. 

[burpy]

Thanks for suggestion to use wired ethernet, but that's not practical at current printer location. I found this  link https://support.usa.canon.com/kb/s/article/ART181623 which suggests that user should de-feature the network to accommodate poor wifi support. 

attempting static IP printer address next. 

[Stephen]

If you must use 5Ghz, you must have a full signal, or it will not connect and maintain a reliable connection.

 

[burpy]

5gHz band shows 55% signal strength and is OK so far.

tried static IP for GX4020 printer, but still having second laptop connection which disconnects first connection. 

While setting static IP, I noticed that computerA had IP of 192.168.x.x , while computerB had 172.27.x.x. Not sure why compB landed in the 172.27.x.x area, but when I pushed it back to 192.168.x.x, things started working. 

Note that my two older HP backup printers were connected to compA and compB during the entire GX4020 setup. 

So, it looks like CanonPrint does not like or check 172.27.x.x properly. Also, when compB was on 172.27.x.x , GX4020 was also there. Similarly, compA (on 192.168.x.x) setup the GX4020 on 192.168.x.x. 

Or it could have been the SSID: the 172* IP was tied to the Guest SSID which a suffix appended to it. 

[Stephen · Accepted solution]

On every device, simply visit this link: http://ij.start.canon/gx4020 

It will walk you through installing the Canon software. If the software is already on the computer, it will uninstall it and then install this new version.

Once the software is installed, it should see the printer from all of your computers.

All of your devices must be on the same network or they will not be able to see the printer. If a device is on a VLAN (virtual network/split - like your guest network 172.27.x.x), then the device will not be able to see the printer. The printer doesn't know the other network is even there - it can only see the things you allow it to within your network (192.168.x.x). 

If you get stuck, support is available via your Canon Account at canon.us/account