Attempting to connect to a printer and failing miserably.

[NZXTInerTia]

So I have a 2014 MacBook Air that I'm using as my work machine (I work for a computer repair company). We've got an HP LaserJet Pro M201DW that we have connected to a Dell PC via USB, the Dell PC is connected to the network via wifi. My MacBook Air and the Dell PC (containing the printer via USB) are connected to the same wireless network. The other PCs in the office and the ChromeBooks we use (I opted to use my MacBook) can all print fine. Looking at the Printer Setup utility in System Preferences, the two Brother Label Makers that are on the same network (Via the Dell/USB) are visible, but the HP Printer is not. I've looked for some sort of IP Address for the printer through Windows and physically printed on the Printer to no avail.

Wondering if anyone has ran into this issue before, and if anyone has any idea on how I should resolve it. It would be nice to print from my MacBook, as I'm typically printing 20ish invoices a day.

Thanks!

 

[BrianBaughn]

How to do this seems to change with every OS version change on either side.

Untested by me is this procedure from Microsoft support.

I didn’t pore over the procedure but it’s a lot more complicated than it used to be. Additionally, don’t be surprised if it doesn’t even work.

 

[NZXTInerTia]

How to do this seems to change with every OS version change on either side.

Untested by me is this procedure from Microsoft support.

I didn’t pore over the procedure but it’s a lot more complicated than it used to be. Additionally, don’t be surprised if it doesn’t even work.

Yah I'll have to see if that works.

Anyone else feel free to chime in if you've got any ideas.

 

[IHelpId10t5]

You need to disconnect the printer from the PC and instead join the printer directly to the network using either Ethernet (preferably) or WiFi. Using a fully network-ready printer through printer sharing through a Windows PC is a very odd way to set this up. Remove the Windows PC from the equation and everything will work better.

 

[NZXTInerTia]

You need to disconnect the printer from the PC and instead join the printer directly to the network using either Ethernet (preferably) or WiFi. Using a fully network-ready printer through printer sharing through a Windows PC is a very odd way to set this up. Remove the Windows PC from the equation and everything will work better.

Luckily this specific printer is only used by three people in my specific part of the building, so I'll run it by my boss and probably set it up that way.

 

[NZXTInerTia]

Just ran a 100' or so cat6 cable to our switch. I would have preferred to keep it as it was, but oh well. Hardline ftw.

 

[IHelpId10t5]

Wired Ethernet will always be rock solid and far better than Wireless would ever be. The time spent running cable with be worth it in reliability over time.