Topic: Printer “unreachable” on Chromebook? @ AskWoody

Printer “unreachable” on Chromebook?

Posted on pkoryn Comment on the AskWoody Lounge
Home › Forums › AskWoody support › Non-Windows operating systems › Chromebooks and ChromeOS › Printer “unreachable” on Chromebook?
- This topic has 8 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 4 weeks, 1 day ago by anonymous.
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- - October 18, 2020 at 5:35 am #2305121
    
    pkoryn
    AskWoody Plus
    
    I’ve been printing fine for years with my HP Chromebook to an HP printer. Just did the latest Chrome update and now all of a sudden I get a message that my “printer is unreachable”. Did the update 2 days ago and just tried to print something and keep getting this message. Maybe the timing is a coincidence, but I feel like it could be the latest Chrome update causing the problem. The printer works fine if I try to print to it from my Iphone. I saw somewhere about cloudprint not being compatible after the first of next year but I don’t think that is the problem now? Anyone else having this problem? Any sugestions?
    
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  - October 18, 2020 at 7:42 am #2305132
    
    Paul T
    AskWoody MVP
    
    Can you connect to the printer via its web interface? I assume it has wifi or ethernet.
    
    Are you using cloud print or direct? I’d go direct – you will have to soon.
    
    cheers, Paul
    
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    - October 18, 2020 at 8:23 am #2305138
      
      pkoryn
      AskWoody Plus
      
      I have been using the web interface to connect. This morning it says it’s “unreachable”. In looking at the IP address on the Chromebook under Settings for the printer – it appears to be using the MAC Hardware address instead of the IP address. Maybe I should edit this to be the IP address – which is what I’m assuming that it wants? I wonder if this is what got changed somehow with the latest Chrome OS update? By the way – I’m now on version 86.0.4240.77.
      
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    - October 18, 2020 at 8:27 am #2305139
      
      pkoryn
      AskWoody Plus
      
      Paul – when you say “direct” – what exactly do you mean? I just re-read what you wrote and now I’m not sure. I’ve printed out the HP Network Configuration Page and there are 2 different sections. One is 802.11 Wireless and the other is Wi-Fi Direct. If I were to change the IP address – which one should I use. There are 2 different addresses – one under the 802.11 section and one under the Wi-Fi direct section. Boy – am I ever confused now!
      
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  - October 18, 2020 at 9:12 am #2305147
    
    pkoryn
    AskWoody Plus
    
    Well, I guess I fixed the problem. I deleted the printer as it was shown, and added it like it was a new printer. I input the correct IP address (not the one that it had been showing) and now it prints fine. I am assuming the the OS update somehow changed the IP address? Anyway – it is working for now.
    
    1 user thanked author for this post.
    
    Myst
    
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  - October 19, 2020 at 2:57 am #2305350
    
    Paul T
    AskWoody MVP
    
    The IP change was made by your router. Did you change it / reset it?
    
    cheers, Paul
    
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    - October 19, 2020 at 4:53 am #2305362
      
      pkoryn
      AskWoody Plus
      
      No – I did not reset the router. When I printed out my HP printers Network Configuration page I noticed that the number for the IP address shown was not what was listed when I looked at my printer information on my Chromebook under Settings. The IP address the Chromebook was showing was actually the Hardware Address (MAC) listed on the printers Configuration Page. I can’t imagine how it would have been changed from the IP address to the MAC address!
      
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  - October 20, 2020 at 2:38 am #2305632
    
    Paul T
    AskWoody MVP
    
    Not having a Chromebook I can’t check how printers are setup.
    Anyone with a CB who can tell us?
    
    cheers, Paul
    
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  - October 22, 2020 at 6:11 am #2306210
    
    anonymous
    Guest
    
    This is 2020, not 1990 – it is absolute incompetence on behalf of google and the printer companies that they can’t auto-handshake, detect and fix the problem without human intervention! The companies are so greedy taking money in, but don’t seem to spend any of it making our lives easier.
    
    I have 2 kids with chromebooks – 1 continues to print just fine, while the other says “printer unreachable” and “can’t connect to printer.” I’ve uninstalled and installed the printer.
    
    I have no idea how to manually check the IP address of a printer (and I shouldn’t have to, but I’m trying to learn since the companies don’t care to get it right). Frustration!
    
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    - December 27, 2020 at 12:31 pm #2323057
      
      anonymous
      Guest
      
      Couldn’t agree more! This is ridiculous. I’m a computer programmer and I find this so frustrating.
      
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  - November 27, 2020 at 10:13 am #2315248
    
    anonymous
    Guest
    
    Ok I am having this issue as well. I removed the printer but how do I “Manually” add the printer? I have typed MFP M426fdw a hundred times but the add button wont engage so I can choose it. What do I do?
    
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  - November 27, 2020 at 10:54 am #2315259
    
    Paul T
    AskWoody MVP
    
    That name will probably not be the one the printer uses.
    
    Log onto your router and look for DHCP clients / leases. You should see your machine, the printer and any other devices you have on your network.
    You can either add the printer name or IP address.
    
    cheers, Paul
    
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