rrotthier
2013-03-15

Given the topology of my home I have 2 wireless Access Points that are using the same SSID on a different channel. All my devices have no problems with this (including Mac's, PC's, Android and IOS phones and tablets). Much to my surprise the HP Photosmart 6520 cannot handle this. I just bought this new printer and it could not connect to the network. Once I switched off one of the access points the setup worked OK. 

 

Once the setup completed I brought up the second access point again. Same problem after restart of the printer. Once I shut off the access point the printer connected again to the network.

 

Since I need wireless in every corner of my home, unless I can find a solution to this problem I will have to throw out the printer and buy a new (non HP) one.

 

 

VisionAiry
2013-04-01

I have seen this problem [having to turn off access points to get the printer to connect] before where the user had to switch between routers and could not use both [duel bands] without getting an error message.  What they discovered is that the router needed a firmware update.  I was thoroughly impressed with the knowledge they had regarding a different printer but it may shed some light to what you are experiencing.  If you do not want to contact the company directly in regards to updating the router's firmware for you, what is the name and model number of your router and I will see if I can send you instructions on how to do that.

 

In the meantime, here is a link to the post regarding 49 Service Error where they explain a lot of what you are going through and how they fixed it and let me know if updating the firmware for the router fixed this for you.

rrotthier
2013-04-01

Thanks for the reply.

 

Unfortunately both routers (Linksys E4200 and Netgear 3700) are at the most recent firmware version.

Also the problem is not with the dual band (2.4 GHz and 5 Ghz) but within the 2.4 Ghz band. When I switch off one of the 2.4 Ghz radios everything works fine. When both are on, but on a different channel the printer stops working.

VisionAiry
2013-04-05

I understand now.  This is very advanced networking so how comfortable are you in the routers?  Have you tried setting one router to Channel 11 and the other model to Channel 2?  I know the printers prefer Channel 11 but I have known people who can also set it to Channel 2 for maximum performance they say.  Perhaps the two bands are competing for the same channel.  I am curious to know what channel you have the two different routers set to. 

 

I will continue to research this to see if others have experienced the same thing and I will post any beneficial information.  Thank you for your patience. 

rrotthier
2013-04-09

The channels used are 11 and 6.

VisionAiry
2013-04-09

Very good then. 6 is the best channel for printing and 11 is what the scanner and web services use.  That will work just fine like that.  I know your setup will work with this printer but here is how I recommend setting it up.  Both routers are trying to connect to the printer using DHCP, so set a static IP using the printer's embedded web server (I will explain in more detail below) for one router and let the other use DHCP (automatic IP).  Since this printer does not have an ethernet port in the back, you may actually benefit from running a really long cat5 ethernet cord from router to router.  

 

 

How to set a static IP in a Photosmart and changing the DNS to work with your setup:

1.     To properly set a static IP, type in the IP address of your wireless printer into a web browser of a network-connected computer while the printer is on, connected to the router you want it to be set with the static IP, and in good condition.  

2.     If a picture of your printer shows up, you are officially in the embedded web server (EWS).  

3.     For Photosmart printers, select the "Network" tab. 

4.     Next you will see on the left hand side an option for "Networking" and under that will be "Network Address (IP)."

5.     After all the boxes appear on the right, select the circle next to "manual."

6.     To eliminate risk of user error, I select the box that says "Suggest a Manual IP."  This will change the printer's IP address so it's okay to change the top row back to your original numbers.  That way you aren't left wondering if you plugged in the rest of the numbers correctly.

7.     For the preferred DNS server I would type out a single 8 in each box (8.8.8.8) 

8.     For the alternate DNS server type in 8.8.4.4 and click apply to process your request. 

9.     I always turn the printer off and back on again after I complete this step to ensure the IP address changes have been set indefinitely. 

 

I hope this helps to keep your routers from competing with each other.  Let me know if this works for you. I will post a picture below for continued guidance.  Let me know if you have any questions. 

 

 

VisionAiry
2013-04-09

Here is an example of a printer with a static IP.  Notice the tabs on the left to help guide you to the place where you will adjust these settings.