Printer Randomly Going Offline...

[mrs.chappie]

I have a Samsung CLP 320 Series printer connected wirelessly to my Asus X54C laptop computer.

Ever since I got the new laptop (a few weeks ago) I've been intermittently having problems printing. I see a "printer offline" status, but can't find anything to select to put it back online.

It seems to be happening randomly. Anyone any suggestions on how to rectify this, please?

I am using Windows 7 (don't know if this is relevant).

Thanks all.

[pinkyboyid]

Going "offline" can sometimes be caused by SNMP communication between the printer and your computer.

May be worth a try: Go into the printers folder, right click on the printer and choose 'printer properties' (middle of the list in WIN 7).
Click on the ports tab, then click on the port that has the checkbox ticked.
Click on configure port.
Down at the bottom, uncheck the box that says SNMP status enabled (assuming that this option is available).

See if that resolves your offline issue.

[mrs.chappie]

Many thanks for that, Pinky. The configure port button is greyed out, I'm not able to click on it. :o(

Was worth a try though, thanks.

[pinkyboyid]

If printer ports are greyed out, it may require Administrator privileges to access.

This you can try by Selecting the Windows Start Icon, then 'All Programs>Accessories. Right click on CMD.EXE and select 'Run as Adminstrator' which will open up a Command prompt Window.

In the Command prompt window type Printmanagement.msc and press enter. This will invoke a 'Print Management' window. Click the item 'All Printers' which will list all printers defined on your system. Double Click your Samsung CLP-320 printer and the Printer Properties window will open up where you should now be able Select Ports that are hopefully not 'greyed out'.
Might also be worth making sure that the printer is also switched on.

[mrs.chappie]

Thanks very much, will have a go at that shortly.

[mrs.chappie]

I open Accessories but there is no CMD.EXE shown. :o(

[pinkyboyid]

Ok, To find CMD.EXE, instead click the Windows Start icon and in the 'search programs and files' window bar enter CMD.EXE and you should see the CMD.EXE program appear at the top the returned list. Right Click on the CMD.EXE and select 'Run as Administrator'. Then continue with the previous instructions.

[mrs.chappie]

Thanks Pinky. Still can't find CMD.EXE but CMD did come up and when I click on it I get the following in a black box -

C:\users\carole>_

There are no options to select anything. :o(

[pinkyboyid]

The black box window that displayed is the Command prompt window. When it displays you just need to type into that window form the keyboard the following text characters

Printmanagement.msc

and then press the enter key. Then continue from previous instructions

[mrs.chappie]

Still no luck, I'm afraid. There is a blinking cursor in the box but it won't let me type anything.

Thanks very much for all your efforts - much appreciated.

[pinkyboyid]

Ok.

Instead click the Windows Start icon and in the 'search programs and files' window bar enter
Printmanagement.msc
and you should see the Printmanagement program name appear at the top the returned list. Right Click on the Printmanagement.msc and select 'Run as Administrator'.

This will invoke a 'Print Management' window. Click the item 'All Printers' which will list all printers defined on your system. Double Click your Samsung CLP-320 printer and the Printer Properties window will open up where you should now be able Select Ports that are hopefully not 'greyed out'.
(Might also be worth making sure that the printer is also switched on.)

Click on the ports tab, then click on the port that has the checkbox ticked.
Click on configure port.
Down at the bottom, uncheck the box that says SNMP status enabled (assuming that this option is available).

[mrs.chappie]

Thanks. Just tried that and I got the message: 'No items matched your search'.

I wonder if I have some software missing. :o(

[pinkyboyid]

Oops! I guess you are using Windows 7 Home Premium version. If so Microsoft has decided for some strange reason that the Home Premium version does NOT come with the Printmanagement.msc program!

The only other suggestion, if you want to give it a try, is to update your Samsung printer driver to the latest version (if not already at latest version) to see if that will cure the problem. You can download and run it from

http://www.samsung.com/uk/support/model/CLP-320/SEE-downloads#

On the web page you will see the option 'Driver' in the left hand columns. Select that option to display a list of available Printer driver versions and select the one at the top of the list (V2.03.09.00:41) for download.

Running the downloaded program presents the option to install the driver.

[mrs.chappie]

Thanks very much Pinky, I do appreciate all your efforts, you have been very kind.

You are correct, I am using the Home Premium version. Sorry, I should have mentioned this. I'm very limited in my knowledge of computing.

I'm gonna have to have a think about downloading the latest driver as I am using a set of compatible inks and the seller (from eBay) put a note in with them, telling me never to agree to printer updates, as Samsung don't want you to use compatibles, they want you to buy the expensive stuff, and there could be something in the updates which prevents the use of compatibles. Do you have any thoughts on this?

Actually, I had to replace one of the compatible toner cartridges as it was leaking yellow toner into the printer, and leaving a yellow streak down every sheet of paper, but that's another story. So perhaps compatibles are a false economy. The eBay seller did replace the faulty cartidge FOC though.

[pinkyboyid]

Thats an interesting thought about the Driver updates versus compatible cartridges. I am not able to comment too much but there maybe something possibly in this, all though I have not come across this before. A thought springs to mind of how did the ebay seller know that the cartridges sold to you would work with your current printer driver!

As you mentioned that your Computer knowledge is limited it may be worth 'roping' in some expertise from elsewhere, possibly someone you know that could help with printer driver updates.

From my experience installing printer driver updates is not that much of an issue if you also have to hand the original printer drivers. In that instance if there are any issues with an update it can always be undone and the drivers rolled back to their original state.

[mrs.chappie]

Thanks Pinky. The strange thing is, sometimes it connects with no problem. :o/

[neildockar]

I also had the same problem with a 325W, and unticking the SNMP status solved it first time.

Many thanks

Neil