E
LIMINATE
SOURCES
OF
INTERFERENCE
Common household items can potentially disrupt wireless network communications. Cordless phones (but not
cellular phones), microwave ovens, baby monitors, almost any kitchen appliance, wireless surveillance equipment,
nearby wireless networks, and any appliance containing a motor can disrupt wireless network communications.
Try turning on any potential sources of interference and see if it causes the problem. If it does, separate your wireless
network from the device.
C
HANGE
THE
CHANNEL
THE
WIRELESS
ROUTER
USES
You can sometimes eliminate interference from unknown sources by changing the channel your wireless router
uses to broadcast. There are three distinct channels on a router. Check the documentation that came with your
router to determine which three apply. Other channels are offered as options, but these overlap. If the router is
configured to use the default settings, change the channel setting to use a different distinct channel. Refer to the
manual that came with your wireless router if you are not sure how to change the channel.
C
ONFIGURE
THE
WIRELESS
ROUTER
WITH
A
UNIQUE
SSID
Many wireless networks use the SSID that the router was originally configured by the manufacturer to use. Using
the default SSID can cause problems when more than one network is operating in the same area with the same
SSID. The printer or computer may attempt to attach to the wrong network, although it will appear to be trying to
connect to the correct network.
To avoid this type of interference, change the SSID on your wireless router from the default. Refer to the manual
that came with your router if you are not sure how to change the SSID.
Note:
You must change the SSID on all of the other devices that access your wireless network if you change the
SSID on the router.
A
SSIGN
STATIC
IP
ADDRESSES
TO
ALL
DEVICES
IN
THE
NETWORK
Most wireless networks use a DHCP server (dynamic host configuration protocol) built in to the wireless router to
assign IP addresses to clients on the wireless network. DHCP addresses are assigned when they are needed, as
when a new device is added to the wireless network or when it is powered on. Wireless devices must send a request
to the router, and receive an IP address in response so they can function on the network. Because the router
performs many other tasks besides assigning addresses, it sometimes does not respond quickly enough with an
address. The requesting device sometimes gives up before it receives an address.
Try assigning static IP addresses to the devices in your network to resolve this issue. Static IP addresses cut down
on the work your wireless router has to do. Refer to the manual that came with your router and your operating
system documentation if you are not sure how to assign static IP addresses.
To assign a static IP address to the printer, do the following:
1
Complete the wireless setup, allowing the printer to receive a DHCP address from a DHCP server on the network.
2
Print a network setup page to see what IP address is currently assigned to the printer.
3
Open a Web browser and then type the printer IP address in the address field. Press
Enter
.
The printer Web page loads.
4
Click the
Configuration
link.
5
Click the
TCP/IP
link.
6
Click the
Set Static IP Address
link.
Troubleshooting
102
