Network printer “offline” (but it isn’t)

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I’m having a problem with Windows 8.1 (with and without “Update”) in which it seems to regularly lose contact with my Brother HL-5250DN network printer, giving me a “printer offline” message when I try to print. If I remove it and install it again, it temporarily cures the problem, but it install a “Brother HL-5250DN (n)” printer, where ‘n’ is a copy number. If I try to remove the copy number, it says the old printer is still there, although it does not appear in the “Devices and Priners” list, but doess appear in the printer selection dialog when I print. I can foreseen eventually having dozens of “copies” of this printer, so if anyone has any suggestions, I’m open. Brother says that the correct driver is built into Windows. Thanks!

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Try calling Brother. I’ve had very good success with their support. HTH :cheers:

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
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In the meantime, if you delete the non-functioning printer before you try to re-install it, you won’t have multiple copy numbers.
You can also look into your connection type. If it’s using an IP address, the printer address could be changing – but most brother printers are connected by a UNC name.
But I’ve never seen this problem before on a networked printer. I only recall this problem with USB connected printers.

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” if you delete the non-functioning printer before you try to re-install it, you won’t have multiple copy numbers.”

That is what is odd (and one reason I’m posting here): The original (non-numbered) printer won’t disappear from my printer selection list, even though it no longer appears under “Devices and Printers.” The other reason is that the printer works perfectly when any other PC on my network accesses it. But I have not contacted Brother directly, so I’ll try that.

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Same problem, OKI C5300n, Rebooting is the only thing I have found so FAR that Works… Never Tried Re-ADD printer, reboot is faster than all resetting that would be required.
usually when pc is running and I turn On the Printer (I wait until it’s ready before trying anything,) Bottom line It’s Not Brother… Printer Has Fixed IP Address..(As should ANY Printer).

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