I have two wireless printers that frequently show as offline even though the Wi-Fi works normally for my other devices. Sometimes a print job sits in the queue for hours and suddenly prints overnight, so I can't rely on them. I'm expecting documents by email that need to be printed, signed, scanned, and returned promptly. Both printers are about eight years old, and one is an HP OfficeJet Pro 6970. I use a MacBook Air, and I'm wondering whether the printers are simply too old, whether I should troubleshoot the network, or whether buying a wired printer would be more dependable.
4 Answers
A wired printer is generally more predictable, but only if the printer supports Ethernet. The OfficeJet Pro 6970 is wireless-focused, so replacing it isn’t necessarily the first step. If you need maximum reliability, a basic laser printer with a scanner and an Ethernet connection would avoid most of the wireless dropouts. Eight years is old enough that compatibility with newer routers could also be contributing.
Before replacing them, check whether the printers are entering a deep sleep or energy-saving mode that disables or drops Wi-Fi. There may be a setting in the printer’s control panel or Mac software to reduce sleep behavior. Also make sure the printers have a strong signal, especially since Wi-Fi extenders can sometimes make printer connections unreliable.
The network setup may be the real issue. Newer routers and mesh systems sometimes combine the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, while older printers work better when connected specifically to 2.4 GHz. Extenders and mesh nodes can also cause devices to roam between access points. Try moving a printer closer to the main router, connecting it to a dedicated 2.4 GHz network if available, and checking whether the printer has a stable IP address.
You may not need to print and scan every document just to add a signature. You can sign a blank sheet, scan the signature, save it as an image, and insert it into documents using a PDF editor on your Mac. That won’t solve the printer problem, but it could make urgent forms easier to return while you troubleshoot the connection.
That’s a helpful workaround. The printers haven’t been easy to wake up, so avoiding a print job when possible would definitely reduce the stress.