Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Wireless printer causing laptop to lose wireless connection

by Sep 25, 2016 7:57PM PDT

I recently installed an HP Officejet 6700 premium on my wireless network. I have a Toshiba laptop running Windows 10, which is also connected wirelessly. Ever since the printer install the laptop loses it's internet connection if the printer is powered. It does not lose it's connection as long as I am actively using the internet. However if I walk away long enough or if I close the laptop it drops its connection. Sometimes I can just bring up the list of wireless networks available and hit connect (even though its configured to connect automatically) and it reconnects. Usually however I have to run the internet connection troubleshooting/diagnostics tool from the control panel, which then resets the wireless network adapter and the problem is corrected. Nothing else on the wireless network loses connection (phones, tablets, other laptops). The printer itself does not lose its connection either. Components connected to the router by Ethernet are fine too. The only cure I have found is to physically unplug the printer from the wall. So when I want to print I have to plug the printer in, print, then unplug the printer. Or I have to run the diagnostic tool every time I want to get on the internet. Very inconvenient to say the least. I am using a ZyXEL C1000Z Router which I purchased from my isp a few years ago. I have been doing a some research and haven't been able to locate an example of this exact problem. However I have found lots of suggestions to put printers on a fixed IP address to cure the printer itself from dropping off the network or to correct the problem of devices not being able to find the printer (I have not experienced either problem). Currently everything is using DHCP. Not sure if IP assignment is part of the problem or not. I have been watching the IP addresses of the laptop and printer and neither has changed in the days since I started checking, so I am not sure how this would be causing the problem. If going to a fixed IP address for the printer is the proper course of action wouldn't a DHCP reservation accomplish the same thing? some of the info I found is a number of years old so I am not even sure how relevant it is. I would really like to know what could be causing this, as it just makes no sense to me. And I would REALLY like to know how to solve this issue.

Please HELP! Thanks.

Discussion is locked

3 Posts
- Collapse + Expand Details
- Collapse -
Answer
If it's that close to dropping just by walking around
by Forum moderator Sep 26, 2016 7:40AM PDT

I'd move my router closer. It would take many feet since (science!) the power is exponentially gaining or losing over distance.

I have yet to find a fixed IP to solve this.

I do see powerline bridges to help at times. I like this model but am not there to design your network.

- Collapse -
Tested-Not dropping from walking around-Help!
by CEDean69 Sep 26, 2016 4:22PM PDT

Let me clarify. My laptop isn't dropping it's connection from walking around. In fact 90% of the time it never moves from my desk. It sits there within 3 feet of the printer, which also never moves. When I said It loses it connection when I walk away, I meant when I walked away FROM the computer, and stopped using it, not walked away with it. The laptop is 18 ft from the router, the printer 21 ft. The laptop works completely fine if I unplug the printer, never losing it's connection (ever). If the printer is plugged in the laptop drops its wireless connection when it goes to sleep or when I close it. I did test if it was a signal strength issue by taking the laptop within 2 feet of the router and closing it. It dropped its connection to the wireless network and I had to run the diagnostic tool which resets the wireless network adapter in order to re-establish my connection to the network. Something about the printer being on the network is causing the laptop to drop off the network when it is inactive. I just can't figure out what it is or how to fix it. I haven't actually tried a DHCP reservation or a fixed IP for the printer because I wasn't sure if this could even be causing the problem. I know just enough about networking to be a danger to myself so any help would be greatly appreciated.

- Collapse -
I thought you did the walking.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Sep 26, 2016 4:53PM PDT

WiFi if tenuous like that needs to drop the distance or a change in some setup.

If your printer can get wired, do that too.

Again, I have yet to find assigning IPs to matter.

Back to Networking & Wireless forum

CNET Forums

Operating Systems
Software
Electronics & Gadgets
Hardware
Tablets & Mobile Devices
General Help
Brand Forums
Roadshow Autos
Off Topic

Other Forums

Forum Info