Issues with wifi printer/scanner

Terry

Hi there!

I just switched to Fizz (previously with Vidéotron) and since I switched my printer (Brother DCP-L2550) doesn’t work properly. Everything works fine when connected through USB. But through wifi it can only print but it doesn’t scan anymore.

i tried a few recommendations from other threads (disabling band steering, WPS, installing the printer drivers again, resetting the modem) but nothing works. It seems there is no communication between my computer and the scanner function.

Any clue on how to resolve this?

Idefizz

You probably do not need to by another router if your printer is partially visible on the network.

A firewall could block a port. I would exclude an IP-block as devices usually use only one and, as @StefanM stated, if one service works but not the other on that same device then it's not an IP issue.

I'm not too familiar with Fizz's router interface but it could be worth a look. That is if it's the only change in your environment. because there may be other firewalls depending on your network environment. Your computer, if that changed as well, could have some as well. That could dive into a lot of technical pit with mumbo-jumbos.

Before that, I'd reinstall the printer as if it was new device. So uninstall any trace of it in your computer, do a factory reset is applicable on your printer and try reinstalling it. Should be a bit faster than doing a factory reset of the modem-wifi.

Other clues:

• Antivirus sometimes work in mysterious ways. Disabling it for a test should be quick.
• On Windows you can reboot in safe mode with network capacities. Worth a try for yet another test.

Whizz

Hi @Terry ,

It's weird that you can print but you can't scan🙃did you try using the troubleshooting steps within the Brother software you downloaded? If you just downloaded the drivers, I would also recommend you download the full software which should include troubleshooting steps to help out.

Lastly, have you tried downloading their scan app? more info here: https://www.brother.ca/en/p/DCPL2550DW

I Hope this helps,

Jay

Terry

Hi @Whizz

Thanks for your reply. I uninstalled and re-installed the full Brother software a few times and tried using their scan app. Same result: works fine when plugged on USB but only the printer works on wireless. I also followed their troubleshooting steps. It's really weird.

I'm using a Macbook Pro. Nothing has changed except for the Fizz modem/routeur. I didn't update anything on my computer or on the printer before/while changing to Fizz. So it probably comes from the routeur. And the fact that it works fine when plugged on USB means the problem comes from the wireless communication between the router and printer. From what I've read on other forums, it could be a question of static versus auto address for the printer but I'm not familiar with how to fix that.

For now I plugged it to my computer in my basement office, but my girlfriend is not going to be happy about that for too long as she usually also uses it on the first floor 😅

Idefizz

Hi @Terry

I would find it very unlikely that address assignation (static vs auto IP) to be the cause of your issues. Distance and/or strength maybe.

When you were with Videotron, did you use your own router? If so, can you try it again by using Fizz's modem only as a modem aka bridge? It fixed a lot of issues for many clients for different reasons too long to detail here.

Bridge details at https://fizz.ca/en/faq/how-can-i-use-my-own-wi-fi-router-fizz

StefanM

I largely agree with @Idefizz . I don’t think the IP Address has anything to do with it.

Further, the fact that you can print but not scan indicates to me it has something to do with either the printer itself or a setting on your computer. You can print, so the connection is there.

As mentioned if you used your on modem, try to reconnect that one and use the fizz modem in bridge mode.

Terry

Thanks for your input guys @Idefizz @StefanM

I returned the router to Videotron so I can't try it. I guess it would work because it has worked for 2 years.

Knowing that I can print, could it be something with security/firewall that would prevent communication from the scanner to the computer? It seems that the communication from computer to printer works, but not the other way around.

It would be a pain if I need to buy another router to fix this. I was so happy to have the router and modem in the same device.

StefanM

Try to access the printer setting on your computer. Not the software of the printer itself but the settings on your Mac. On your MacBook Settings - Printer and Scanners. Here you can manually check the options for all your printers that have been connected to your Mac. It would also be worth to maybe delete and re-add it from that interface.