When a printer repeatedly throws a network connection error—either during setup or intermittently while printing—the breakdown is typically caused by a 2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz band mismatch, a router security protocol conflict (WPA3), or a dynamic IP lease expiring on your router.
Follow these steps in order from the quickest fix to permanent network stabilization.
Temporary routing table glitches or IP collisions are the most frequent triggers for recurring network errors.
Turn off the printer and unplug its power cord from the wall outlet.
Unplug your Wi-Fi router from power.
Wait 60 seconds.
Plug the router back in and wait until all internet/Wi-Fi lights stabilize.
Plug the printer back in and power it on.
Verification: Print a Network Configuration Page from your printer's Setup > Reports menu. If it prints cleanly and shows a valid local IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.x), the hardware link is restored.
Most home and small-office printers only support 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and WPA2-PSK (AES) encryption. Modern routers that combine 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz under one name (Band Steering) or enforce WPA3 frequently kick printers off the network.
1.Log Into Your Router Settings:
2 min.
Open a browser on a computer or phone connected to your Wi-Fi, enter your router's IP address (192.168.1.1, 192.168.0.1, or 10.0.0.1), and log in using the admin credentials printed on the router label.
Verification: Your router's wireless settings dashboard loads on screen.
2.Separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Network Names:
2 min.
Turn off Band Steering or Smart Connect under Wireless Settings, and give your 2.4 GHz band a distinct name (for example, HomeWiFi_2.4G).
Verification: Two separate Wi-Fi network names appear in your phone or laptop's Wi-Fi scan list.
3.Set Security Mode to WPA2-PSK (AES):
1 min.
Ensure the 2.4 GHz network security mode is set to WPA2-PSK (AES) rather than WPA3-only, then click Save or Apply.
Verification: Your router saves the changes and restarts its wireless radio.
4.Reconnect the Printer to the 2.4 GHz SSID:
2 min.
Run the Wireless Setup Wizard on your printer (or your brand's companion app) and connect directly to HomeWiFi_2.4G.
Verification: The printer's wireless light turns solid blue or green without displaying connection warnings.
If your printer works for a day or two and then throws a network error again, your router's DHCP server is reassigning its IP address, leaving your computer pointing to an old address.
Find your printer's current IP address on its Network Configuration Page (e.g., 192.168.1.125).
Type that IP address into a web browser on your computer to open the printer's Embedded Web Server (EWS).
Navigate to Network (or Networking) > Wireless (802.11) > IPv4 Configuration.
Switch IP assignment from Automatic / DHCP to Manual / Static IP, keep the current IP, subnet mask (255.255.255.0), and default gateway (192.168.1.1), and click Apply.
Verification: Restart your printer; it reconnects immediately using the exact same IP address every time.
On Windows 10 and 11, automatic setup defaults to a WSD (Web Services for Devices) port, which frequently loses track of the printer after sleep mode or router reboots.
Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
Right-click your printer, select Printer properties, and click the Ports tab.
Click Add Port... > Standard TCP/IP Port > New Port....
Enter your printer's static IP address (192.168.1.125), complete the wizard, ensure the checkbox is next to the new IP port, and click Apply.
Verification: Click Print Test Page on the General tab; the page prints immediately with zero connection errors.