Computer Cannot Communicate with Printer... but sometimes it can?

My computer does not seem to be communicating properly with my printer. It worked fine for a long time, and nothing has changed with the set-up recently. Computer and printer are connected via wireless internet. Sometimes restarting the computer or turning the printer off and back on will do the trick, but sometimes not, and I certainly can't count on doing that every time I need to print. Sometimes I get the error message and cancel the print, other times it won't seem to print, but will print hours later. Please help with this issue! Thanks!

Thank you for taking the time to respond - I appreciate it! I will try these recommendations and see if that solves the issue.

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Hi can anyone help me. I have a apple macbook laptop OSX 10.5.8 . When i push print, it shows my printer but says cannot communicate with printer. (epson stylus nx125). Do I need new drivers? Please help . regards Cindy

Hi can anyone help me. I have a apple macbook laptop OSX 10.5.8 . When i push print, it shows my printer but says cannot communicate with printer. (epson stylus nx125). Do I need new drivers? Please help . regards Cindy

Welcome to Apple Support Communities. We're users here and do not speak for "Apple Inc."
Some basic printer troubleshooting steps before worrying about a printer driver:
1. Have you tried turning the printer off and back on?
2A. Is the printer attached with a cable?
     If yes, have you tried unplugging and re-plugging both ends of the printer cable?
     If that does not help, can you test the printer with another cable?
2B. If your printer is not connected to the computer with a cable, have you tried restarting your printer (assuming wireless connection)?
     Have you tried restarting your wireless router?
3. Have you tried restarting your MacBook? (Be sure to save your work first.)
4. Does the printer have ink? (Doesn't usually generate a 'communications error' though)
5. Have you updated OS X or the program you're trying to print from recently?

Computer cannot communicate with 8600 plus

My Officejet 8600 Plus has been working fine on a wireless network for about a year but after restarting the computer yesterday morning, I keep getting the message "...cannot communicate with the printer". I've tried all suggestions listed below to no avail. I can access the printer's ews page from the computer and I receive my apps over the internet nightly. I've Ran the network test from the printer and everything passes. The network configuration page shows the printer to be connected and ready with the correct ip address. I ran the HP print and scan doctor and it shows everything is working. I also ran the Windows troubleshooter and it showed no problems with "the printer is ready". I've disconnected the router, printer and restarted Windows. I removed the printer via the "devices and printers" window as well as the HP software. I reinstalled the software, connected the printer and ran the wireless setup. I updated the ip address on windows. All to no avail. Any help would be appreciated.
Running Windows 7 Home Premium
router is Belkin N
This question was solved.
View Solution.

Rats - sounds frustrating - and you have done your homework, too!
OK... Ideas:
There is a new firmware update for the printer
HP Officejet Pro 8600 Plus e-All-in-One Printer - N911g Drivers & Downloads
Try a static IP address on the router side
If you have a Notebook, try this Hard Driver Reset on the Notebook side:
Notebooks- Hard Driver Reset to Resolve Hardware and Software Issues- Sealed Non-Removable Battery
OR
Notebooks - Hard Driver Reset to Resolve Hardware and Software Issues - Removable Battery
If you are NOT using Sharing, try turning OFF IPV6
Good Luck!
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HP Officejet Pro 8100 unable to communicate with printer, but still prints

Hello,
I have an Officejet Pro 8100 connected to a Windows XP SP3 computer via USB.
When installing I downloaded the latest drivers off the HP webiste and followed the instructions for installing the printer and connecting via USB. While installing I only installed the basic print driver.
The printer appeared to install correctly.
When printing (test page, or from other programs such as Word or Excell), the printer will actually print the requested document, however, an error box will pop up saying "Unable to communicate with printer". The only option on the error box is the cancel the current print job.
Before cancelling the print job, even though the printer actually printed the document, I can still see the document in the print queue until I click the "Cancel" button on the error box.
I have deleted the printer, uninstalled and reinstalled twice, but the issue persists.
Any ideas?

Hi aconway,
I hate to hear you are having issues. This could be caused by a port issue, bad USB cable/hub/switch connection, or possibly a spooler or driver issue. Click Here to run the print and scan doctor (select OS, then click the + sign beside utility diagnostic tools, click the download button next to print and scan doctor). If you would like to learn more about your product, Click Here.
Suggestions:
1. Run the print and scan doctor to identify any port issues
2. Connect unit directly to PC with new USB cable that meets specifications(no longer than 4-6ft).
3. Remove any hubs or switches if being used.
Hope this helps!
Also, remember a click on the Kudos star to the left is a quick "Thanks" for a helpful post.
Please select the "Accept as Solution" button on the post that best answers your question.
I appreciate your input !
Thank You,
I work for HP.

Computer cannot communicate with Blackberry

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   Currently, when I attach the Blackberry to the computer via USB cable, the computer seems to recognize the Blackberry, at least in terms of emiting a sound that would normally signal a new connection. However, that seems to be about it. I can't seem to make other connections -- other than that, in Windows Explorer, I can see what appears to be a connection to the Blackberry. There's Drive C and then the Blackberry (as what apears to be a separate drive, like any USB-connected device).
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Creating a pdf after upgrading to mavericks/cannot communicate with printer.

i recently upgraded to mavericks. i have office 2011 installed. when i am trying to create a pdf in word, i get an error message that says word could not communicate with the printer. however, if i print something it works. this does not happen with any other program. this did not happen before upgrading to mavericks. help? thanks!

Hello waveaflag
The printer drivers may need to be updated since your update to OS X Mavericks. Check out the article below for general troubleshooting for issues with printer issues. You may just need to remove and add the printer back using System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
Troubleshooting printer issues in OS X
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3147
Regards,
-Norm G.

Computer cannot connect with printer cant open spool message

iMac is unable to connect with printer (HP PhotosmartC7200 series) Error message says can't open spool. Reinstalled the software' this corrected the problem for 1 printing job then back to same error message. Is ther a solution ?

Good. So the problem does not involve printer's drivers.
Have you followed the troubleshooting guide printing over a network.
http://www.lexmark.com/publications/pdfs/2007/2008-fall/v7631989_en.pdf
Is the Wi-Fi on the printer enabled?

My computer cannot access the Internet, but my iPad can...

My computer cannot access the Internet; it keeps saying "a connection timeout occurred," but my iPad is connecting fine. I'm running OSX 10.8.2

Back up all data.
Launch the Keychain Access application in any of the following ways:
☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Keychain Access in the icon grid.
Enter the name of your wireless network in the search box. You should have one or more "AirPort network password" items with that name. Make a note of the name and password, then delete all the items. Quit Keychain Access. Turn Wi-Fi off and then back on. Reconnect to the network.

Unable to Communicate with Printer message, but still prints

I installed a new ENVY 4500 printer on my Windows XP system. and it there are two problems:
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2. I have a Seagate GoFlex USB backup drive attached. However, when the printer is connected, the Seagate drive disappears. It happily coexisted with my former HP C4100 printer for years, but the new one seems to cause problems.

I solved the problem. I purchased a new USB cable for the printer. I deleted the printer, uninstalled the print drivers, and completely reinstalled the printer. At first the installation did not work, but I discovered the USB cable was not completely inserted into the printer. Initially it felt like it was, but I gave it an extra push and it clicked into place. At that point the installation completed successfully. Now the printer and the Seagate drive work properly.

Unable to Communicate with Printer - Photosmart 6520

A few days ago this issue popped up out of no where. I've been using the printer for a few months now with out an issue, but all of a sudden all of our computers can no longer print. When ever I try an error pops up that the computer cannot communicate with the printer, and to try to update the IP address with the IP address tool.
So far what I've tried without any success:
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- Restarting the router.
- Restarting the computers.
- Reconnecting the printer to the network (Rerunning the network setup.).
- Changing the IP address manually.
- Disabled the router firewall and computer firewall.
- Changed the wireless security on my router to WPA2 from WEP (Needed to do this anyway.).
- Uninstalling, then reinstalling drivers and software.
- HP Print and Scan Doctor (Sorry, left this one off. Doesn't detect any devices.)
The Photosmart 6520 says it is connected to the network and the printed wireless test page says the same thing, but none of the computer can print to it, or detect it.
So far I'm stuck there, as I can't locate the printer to finish reinstalling the drivers.
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- Acer laptop running Windows 7 Home
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Looks like you have done a lot of what needs to be done. Nice work!
Just want to clarify a few things.
Can you connect the printer to the router using a network cable?
Does the printer work fine if connected directly to the router via netowork cable?
If that works fine, please note the IP address and disconnect network cable.
Wireless:
From the 6520 , configure wireless connection
What is the printer's IP address when you have it assigned automatically and not manually?
If both IP addresses assigned are from same subnet (ex:192.168.x.x)
-can you ping the printer through the command prompt (in accessories) from a PC on the same network?
'Ping (address) xxx.xxx.x.x'
You should get back 3 lines showing the mil sec response if successful.
Sorry if I am asking you to do something you have already done.
I work for HP

HP Officejet 7500 E910 Network. When asked to print "Unable to Communicate with Printer"

My printer has been functioning well for some time. When my some installed a new wireless modum I would often receive the error message "Unable to Communicate with Printer" but it would blink a few times, then connect and print. As of three days ago I receive that message when trying to print from both of my laptops. I am wireless and have checked the wireless signal and it is strong, The wirless connect symbol is lit on the printer. I ran a wireless Network Test Report on the printer and the results indicated no problems.
The printer woks if I use it manually to print or scan. Neither printing nor scanning work when command is sent from my computer. The Wireless Network Test Report printed fine. Interesting though the Wireless Network test Report had the following date: Jan-00-00 00:00AM.

Hello @Dalead,
Welcome to the HP Forums!
I understand you're receiving a message stating "Unable to communicate" when printing a document using the Officejet 7500 E910. I will do my best to assist you! I would recommend following this entire HP document on Printer Does Not Maintain Wireless Connection.
Try assigning a static IP address and let me know if this resolves your issue or not. I will be looking forward to hearing from you. Have a great night!
I worked on behalf of HP.

HP Lasterjet P1102W; This computer cannot communicatie with printer

Hello fellow HP users,
Ive been trying to get my wireless printer connected to my wireless internet for ages.
The same error occurs every time at the end of the installation:
The printer can communicate with the router with the confirmed settings. Although the computer cant communicatie with the printer.
Does anyone know how to solve this?
Kind regards,
Arjen
Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bits
HP Lasterjet P1102W
Linksys E1200

Hello-
Check out this link to see if can help.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c03436078&tmp_task=solveCategory&cc=us&dlc=en&la...
Are you running any type of firewall on the PC ??
If so turn if off and try to print.
Also, remember a click on the Kudos star to the left is a quick "Thanks" for a helpful post.
Please select the "Accept as Solution" button on the post that best answers your question.
I appreciate your input !
Thank You,
Donald

MG3250 Printer throws up error message - Scangear cannot communicate with scanner for these reasons

Hi
I have an MG 3250 printer running off an HP Pavilion Laptop using Windows 8.1. Every time I try to scan I get an error message that 'cannot communicate with scanner for these reasons...........etc'. The only way I can get the printer / scanner to work is by going through the Control Panel / Hardware & Printers route. This seems terribly slow and time consuming. What is wrong and what needs to be done to correct the problem?
Thanks

I have the exact same problem as you with my new Canon LiDE 120. The errors I get are: 2, 156, 182, 55 and sometimes 77 when using it on my Windows 8.1 (64 Bit) desktop PC. I have tried installing and uninstalling the drivers multiple times, used different ports and still nothing. It does however work properly on a Windows 7 device.
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Avast Premier
Malwarebytes
ASUS z87 Pro
Intel 4770k
ASUS GTX 670 (4GB)
8GB 1600MHz Kingston RAM
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Installed all software & driver from CD
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My photosmart 5510 says online but won't print-message says unable to communicate with printer

My printer says it's connected wirelessly, my computer says the printer is connected, all tests say it's connected wirelessly but when I go to print it says
Unable to communicate with printer - printer unavailable or not connected.... might need to update IP address
The only way to reconnect it is to turn off router and then back on again, but I have to do this every time I leave the printer for more than a few minutes.
Any help gratefully received before the thing goes through the window!

It sounds like the printer may be having a difficult time communicating on the network since rebooting the router seems to help.
What brand and model is the router?
Do you know if your network uses WEP or WPA security?
What operating system does the computer use? This will be good to know if any steps need to be performed from the computer.
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MP460 Canon printer and scanner : Cannot communicate with scanner.

Impossible to scan with a MP460 Canon printer/scanner. Always same message : Cannot communicate with scanner. Cable may be disconnected or scanner may be turned off. Check status. Scanner driver will be closed. 155.0.0.
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Thanks

Hi Pahu
Many thanks for your quick and relevant answer.
Are your sure I have to look in the software section of the profiler ?? I don't find anything about scanner or printer in this section. I see the MP Navigator, which is the soft I use for scanning.
In the hardware section, I only see an entry for the printer and the driver is the 5.8.3 version.
Although the driver I installed yesterday stands in a file named 'mp460osxsd12131ej7.dmg' (thus for me should be the 12.13.1 version)
Oops I see now that my post is not in the correct forum, since my MacBook is in 10.5.8, not in 10.6
Thanks for your help !!
Message was edited by: jipe0404

Computer Cannot Communicate with Printer... but sometimes it can?

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