Accessing network printer wireless

[Katy]

I am having issues printing on a Canon computer that is wireless connected to my ASUS router. The only way it prints is if I am on the same WiFi band. For example, the printer is on WFI 2G, but the computer all Macs are on WiFi 5G. I don't want to enable smart connect. I have also try to put the printer on its on IP address and add this to the LAN so the IP address doesn't change but the printer still doesn't work. Any ideas. Thanks for your help.

 

[bennor]

What firmware are you running?
What router are you using? (A RT-AX88U Pro that you mentioned in your other thread?)
How is your wireless configured on the router?
Do you have Guest Network Pro profiles configured, and is the printer or wireless computer connected to those Guest Network Pro profiles?

Generally if you connect your printer and wireless clients to the main LAN wireless network (not Guest Network Pro profile Wireless networks) the wireless devices should be able to access the printer. If you are using Guest Network Pro profiles then you may need to reconfigure your settings or to which networks the wireless clients connect to.

 

[Katy]

I am running merlin 3006.102.5. I don't have guest network on at all. I enable manual assign the ip address for the printer in the DCHP settings. I am using RT-AX88U pro. The printer works if my laptop or mini Mac is on the same wifi band 2G, but not if my computer is on Wifi 5G, and printer is on Wifi 2G.

 

[bennor]

I am running merlin 3006.102.5. I don't have guest network on at all. I enable manual assign the ip address for the printer in the DCHP settings. I am using RT-AX88U pro. The printer works if my laptop or mini Mac is on the same wifi band 2G, but not if my computer is on Wifi 5G, and printer is on Wifi 2G.

Do you have Set AP Isolated enabled on the router's Wireless > Professional page? If so disable that setting and apply the changes and reboot the router. Then test if clients can access the printer.

 

[Katy]

The setting for both bands is set to no.

 

[Tech9]

Is it the printer only with this connectivity issue or it's present with all clients on different bands?

 

[Katy]

I can't print from any computer unless I am in the same wifi band.

 

[Tech9]

Can you access any other device connected to 2.4GHz band from computers connected to 5GHz band?

 

[bennor]

@Katy, do you have any addon scripts or any additional modifications added to the Asus-Merlin firmware?
Are you using, or do yo have enabled, VPN for the wireless clients (either printer or other WiFi clients)?
Can the 5 GHz WiFi clients, which cannot access the printer, access any other devices on the 2.4 GHz WiFi network or on the main LAN?

Have you considered updating to 3006.102.6?

 

[Katy]

I thought I had the latest firmware, but will update ASAP. I have VPN enabled but only for one device (fire stick). Yes I have a ring camera that is on 2GHZ and my phone which is on 5GHZ can access it.

 

[bennor]

I have VPN enabled but only for one device (fire stick).

May want to review your VPN Director settings (if any) to see if they may be playing a part with why main LAN WiFi 5 GHz clients cannot access main LAN WiFi 2.4 GHz clients.

Yes I have a ring camera that is on 2GHZ and my phone which is on 5GHZ can access it.

Often IoT devices like WiFi cameras are accessed through the Internet, not across direct through the local network. One way to test is to put a computer or some other device that will respond to "ping" on the 2.4 GHz WiFi and see if a second computer (or device) from the 5 GHz WiFi can "ping" the 2.4 GHz WiFi device. There are mobile app(s) one can install on a cellphone to "ping" another device on the local network.

 

[Tech9]

Yes I have a ring camera that is on 2GHZ and my phone which is on 5GHZ can access it.

Any other device to test with? Ring camera access may be going through Internet. There was a long going similar issue with slightly different model router, about the same hardware, running the same base firmware. Unfortunately, intermittent and with no definitive solution.

2.4ghz and 5ghz clients cant communicate with each other

Hi all, Apologies if this was addressed in another thread, I've been trying the forum search and didn't really find anything applicable. I have an Asus RT-AX86U Pro running 3004.388.4. I've configured 2 SSIDs a 5ghz one with SSID names formatted like this: WIFI_5G and WIFI. Both SSIDs use the...

www.snbforums.com

 

[bluzfanmr1]

Have you checked if there is a firmware update in the printer settings? I doubt it would be that but it may help. Also, do you maybe have it in "Access Point" mode? If so, that may be the issue.

 

[Tech9]

Also, do you maybe have it in "Access Point" mode? If so, that may be the issue.

It's in Router Mode. What's the issue in AP Mode? All wired and wireless interfaces are bridged.

 

[bluzfanmr1]

It's in Router Mode. What's the issue in AP Mode? All wired and wireless interfaces are bridged.

I'm talking about the printer being in Access Point mode. Canon printers offer that mode where you connect directly to the printer and not over your local network.

 

[degrub]

The HP printers also had direct connect via wireless over 2.4 GHz.
Had to turn it off to avoid interference on the building's 2.4 GHz APs

 

[Tech9]

I do have one Cannon printer and @bluzfanmr1 reminded me about the confusing name they give to this feature. Other manufacturers call it Wi-Fi Direct, Wireless Direct, etc. that makes more sense.

 

[bennor]

The HP printers also had direct connect via wireless over 2.4 GHz.

Yes, its called "WiFi Direct" on HP printers. Did the same, turned it off on a HP OfficeJet AIO ink jet printer.

For @Katy, many of us use wireless printers that are connected to the main LAN's 2.4 GHz WiFi on AX series routers running the 3006.102.x firmware without issue. Other LAN clients (both wired and wireless 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) can access the printer on the main LAN 2.4 GHz WiFi. It typically helps to access the router's LAN > DHCP Server page and manually assign a IP reservation for the printer's MAC address. Typically where people have issues is due to either misconfigured WiFi settings (like enabling AP Isolated for some reason) or putting the printer or WiFi clients onto a Guest Network Pro profile. Guest Network Pro presents its own set of issues. Depending on how one initially configures Guest Network Pro, they may prevent Guest Network Pro clients from accessing both the main LAN and main LAN WiFi clients.

On the Cannon printer, check and review it's settings. Some printers will have an IP address filtering feature, which if enabled, may restrict and block other network clients from printing.

As always a second to last resort is to reset the printer and reconnect it to WiFi. And the last resort is to perform a hard factory reset on the router followed by a manual configuration (do not re-import a saved router CFG file). Do a basic manual configuration just enough to establish the WiFi the connect the printer and wireless clients to that WiFi and retest if there are connection issues.

Not sure it was answered previously when asked, but are you running any Asus-Merlin addon programs/scripts? Or have you made any modifications to the router using SSH commands?

 

[Tech9]

As additional variable in the equation - based on previous conversations @Katy perhaps have a node RT-AX88U as well. There is no information where the clients with communication issues are connected.