The printer connects, prints a few jobs, then drops off the network until you restart it, or it disconnects at random times of day. A link that comes and goes is different from one that never works: the settings are right, but something keeps breaking the connection. The usual suspects are weak signal, interference, a crowded channel, band switching, address conflicts and firmware bugs. This guide helps you measure the signal and remove each cause in turn.
What you might be seeing
- The printer goes offline several times a day and returns after a restart
- The Wi-Fi light switches between steady and blinking
- Large jobs fail partway through
- The printer's network report shows low signal strength
Common causes
- Weak signal
- Distance, walls and metal furniture weaken the signal until small dips cause disconnects.
- Interference
- Microwaves, cordless phones and baby monitors share the 2.4 GHz band.
- Crowded channel
- Neighboring networks on overlapping channels compete for airtime.
- Band switching
- Routers that steer dual-band devices between bands can strand a printer briefly.
- Firmware bugs
- Older printer or router firmware may contain wireless bugs fixed in later releases.
How to fix it, step by step
Work through these in order and test a print after each one. Most people are done within the first few steps.
Check the signal the printer receives
Print a network configuration or wireless test report from the printer's menu and find the signal strength, shown as bars, a percentage or a value in dBm. Around -50 dBm is excellent, while anything weaker than about -70 dBm is marginal for a printer. Some reports also list nearby networks and their channels, which helps when choosing a channel later.
Move the printer or router
Raise the printer off the floor and out of cabinets, and keep it a meter or two away from microwaves, cordless phone bases and large metal objects such as filing cabinets or refrigerators. If you can, move the router to a central, raised spot. Even a short move can turn a weak signal into a solid one, so print another report after each change to compare.
Pick a clear 2.4 GHz channel
In the router's wireless settings, find the 2.4 GHz channel. If it's on automatic and the printer drops often, set it manually to 1, 6 or 11, the three that don't overlap, choosing the one with the fewest neighbors on your printer's report. Set the 2.4 GHz channel width to 20 MHz, which holds up better in busy areas. Restart the printer afterward.
Update the printer's firmware
Look for a firmware or software update option in the printer's setup or maintenance menu, or use the manufacturer's app or official website. Wireless stability fixes are among the most common reasons for printer updates. Leave the printer on until it restarts by itself, then check that its network settings survived, since a few updates reset them.
Update the router's firmware
Sign in to the router's settings page or app and check for a firmware update. Router updates often improve how long devices stay connected, especially low-power devices like printers. Turn on automatic updates if the router offers them. After the router restarts, give the printer a few minutes to rejoin before testing.
Give the printer a stable band
If your printer is dual-band and the router uses one name for all bands, band steering may push it back and forth, causing brief dropouts. Look in the router's settings for an option to split the bands into separate names. If you do, put the printer on the 2.4 GHz name, which reaches farther, and reconnect your other devices to whichever name suits them.
Rule out an address conflict
If the printer drops at random despite a strong signal, another device may be using the same IP address. Compare the printer's address with the router's list of connected devices; two entries with one address confirm a conflict. Reserve the printer's address in the router's DHCP settings, and remove any manual addresses on other devices that fall inside the router's automatic range.
How to keep it from happening again
- Keep the printer within good range of a router, node or access point
- Keep printers away from microwaves and cordless phone bases
- Turn on automatic router firmware updates
- Reserve the printer's IP address
Common questions
Why does my printer drop Wi-Fi when the microwave is on?
Microwave ovens work in the same 2.4 GHz range as most printer Wi-Fi and leak a little energy while running. A printer with a weak signal nearby can lose its connection until the oven stops. Moving the printer or router away from the kitchen, or switching to a clearer channel, usually ends it.
Will a Wi-Fi extender fix the dropouts?
It can help if the printer is simply too far from the router, but basic extenders bring complications such as a second network name and lower speed. A mesh node or wired access point near the printer usually works better, and an Ethernet cable to the router beats both where it's practical.
How do I know if the router or the printer is at fault?
Watch whether other devices near the printer lose Wi-Fi at the same moments. If they do, the router, interference or location is to blame. If only the printer drops while a phone beside it stays connected, focus on the printer's firmware, band and address. A test next to the router separates distance problems from device faults.
This guide is general information written for common home and office printers. Menus and button names vary between models, so check your printer’s manual where a step differs. Printer Problems Solved is independent and not affiliated with any printer manufacturer. See our disclaimer.