How to Configure Wireless Printer to Static IP Address?

We got a new printer in the office last week and somebody else set it up because I wasn’t around. It must have worked perfectly because there were no complaints then. Yet today, a couple of colleagues approached me and grumbled that the printer kept on disappearing from the network. With the complaints piling up, I proceeded to check the problem and managed to resolve the issue too.

This problem usually transpires whenever a device isn’t manually added to the router. You have to give said device a fixed address so that it stays in the same spot. In order to do so, you need to reserve the IP address of the printer in the router so it doesn’t reset every time the router or the printer is turned off. Do note that for this to work, the wireless printer should already be installed and detected in the network. If your printer is not yet connected to your wireless printer, do check the guide below.

Phase #1: Locate and take note of the IP Address

1. Print a Network Configuration page and Wireless Network Test report from the control panel of your printer.
2. Write down the IP address of your printer and the gateway.
3. Compare your printer’s IP address to the gateway IP address. Both addresses should have a similar format.

Example:
Similar Format
Gateway IP address 192.168.1.1
Printer IP address 192.168.1.5.
Different Format
Gateway IP address:169.254.254.254
Printer IP address:169.254.254.1

Note: If your wireless printer has an IP address similar to 169.254.XXX.XXX or 0.0.0.0, then it is not connected to the network. Follow the instructions below (link to how to configure wireless printer) for a quick and easy guide on how to connect your printer to a wireless network.

Phase #2: Configure Wireless Printer to Static IP Address

1. Type the printer’s IP address into your Internet browser’s address bar, and press Return. A web page appears, displaying the printer’s internal settings.
2. Click on the Networking tab, then the Wireless tab and then the IPv4 tab. Do note that the menu path may be slightly different, depending on the model of your printer.
3. On the page that appears, do the following:
   1. Set a Manual IP. Use the address that you took note of in Phase #1
   2. For the subnet address, use 255.255.255.0, unless you know that it is different, in which case you should use that number.
   3. Use gateway IP you found in Phase #1 for both the gateway address and the first DNS.
   4. Leave the second DNS field blank and click apply.
4. Print another Network Configuration page to verify that your printer’s IP address is what you assigned.
5. Turn off both the wireless router and printer.
6. Restart the router.
7. After the router fully boots, restart your wireless printer.

Now, you won’t need to add your printer every time you need to work with it. For more laser printer troubleshooting techniques visit the Printer Encyclopedia at resources.lasertekservices.com. Don’t forget to like and share this printer setup guide if you find it helpful.