[Technology] The abomination that is WPS.

[boik]

Hi all. I'll set myself up for proper embarrassment by opening with the fact that I worked in IT all my life (Mainframes and Unix servers).

I've inherited an Epson XP-225 which is nice and works perfectly over USB. I need to put it on the network for all to share. There is no ethernet port, so it's wireless only. There is no control panel, so that just leaves WPS. As I understand it, it should be as simple as pressing WPS on my router, then WPS on my printer and the magic should happen.

It always times out. I have printed out the network configuration from the printer, and it shows the previous SSID, which obviously doesn't match mine. Is WPS meant to work around this, or is it a stumbling block? I run Linux, but have fired up a Win11 virtual machine, and although the printer is recognised over USB, the driver doesn't seem to have any option to change network settings.

I realise that WPS is the future and I'm just a dinosaur, but WTF am I doing wrong? Any of you young uns able to help?

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Have you tried turning it off and on again?

 

[boik]

Have you tried turning it off and on again?

Nearly worn my finger out!

 

[BNthree]

You can use an Epson app (on your phone) to configure the wifi

 

[boik]

You can use an Epson app (on your phone) to configure the wifi

Erm, but how will the app find the printer when it's not on the network. I can configure it via a webpage once it's on the network. It's getting it connected thats the problem.

 

[boik]

Erm, but how will the app find the printer when it's not on the network. I can configure it via a webpage once it's on the network. It's getting it connected thats the problem.

Ah, maybe bluetooth. Ill give it a try. thanks.

 

[upthealbion1970]

Can it play at left back?

 

[Zeberdi]

Erm, but how will the app find the printer when it's not on the network. I can configure it via a webpage once it's on the network. It's getting it connected thats the problem.

It probably won’t help you because I have no idea of your set up or your printer model but I had a similar problem trying to connect an Epsom to the network years ago - if I remember rightly, I found an option in the settings to add hardware then select printer. In the printer menu that allowed me to add a printer, because it couldn’t find it, I selected an advanced option to search in the add printer menu on the web for my specific model, once found and selected, I could then add it to the network.

 

[Joey Jo Jo Jr. Shabadoo]

You might need to factory reset the printer. There is probably a small button at the back of the printer (possibly recessed so you might need a pin).

Power the printer off, press and hold the reset button and power on, keep reset button depressed until a warning prints out. Continue to hold the reset button for at least 5 seconds then release it and a new network configuration page should print showing a default IP address. Try network setup again.

 

[boik]

Ah, maybe bluetooth. Ill give it a try. thanks.

Nope. Downloaded Epson iPrint app, but it looks for the printer over wifi.

 

[PeterOut]

See P19-21 of this doc - https://download.epson-europe.com/pub/download/6301/epson630199eu.pdf - especially P21
Further details are on P121 of the same doc

 

[boik]

You might need to factory reset the printer. There is probably a small button at the back of the printer (possibly recessed so you might need a pin).

Power the printer off, press and hold the reset button and power on, keep reset button depressed until a warning prints out. Continue to hold the reset button for at least 5 seconds then release it and a new network configuration page should print showing a default IP address. Try network setup again.

No buttons like that anywhere and no mention of reset in the manual.

 

[BNthree]

Erm, but how will the app find the printer when it's not on the network. I can configure it via a webpage once it's on the network. It's getting it connected thats the problem.

Loads of devices get their WiFi configured configured by apps without being connected: in my house I can think of Alexa, Sonos, and the thermostat that all get their WiFi set up through a phone app. Usually you have to press a button on the device that briefly turns it into a router, the phone connects and then sends the config.

 

[boik]

See P19-21 of this doc - https://download.epson-europe.com/pub/download/6301/epson630199eu.pdf - especially P21
Further details are on P121 of the same doc

Don't want to seem ungrateful, but p21 is blank and 19 and 20 are about paper loading. It also only seems to go up to p107.

 

[Since1982]

Printers are the most unreliable, unpredictable and self centered component in any home setup.

 

[BNthree]

‎Epson Smart Panel

‎Visit the website below to find products which are supported by this app. When using a printer or scanner that’s not listed on the website, please use instead Epson iPrint for printers or Document Scan for scanners. Epson Smart Panel will not be able to find or connect to your product unless it’s…

apps.apple.com

 

[Joey Jo Jo Jr. Shabadoo]

Printers are the most unreliable, unpredictable and self centered component in any home setup.

They are the same in the work place too. Printers are the bane of any IT Support teams life. Best thing I did was get rid of individual printers in offices and change to a centralised print system with support from the vendor.

 

[boik]

Loads of devices get their WiFi configured configured by apps without being connected: in my house I can think of Alexa, Sonos, and the thermostat that all get their WiFi set up through a phone app. Usually you have to press a button on the device that briefly turns it into a router, the phone connects and then sends the config.

Actually that's tru. My camera sets up an access point. If thats how it works it seems poorly documented. Can't find any mention of it anywhere so far.

 

[super-seagulls]

Sometimes with printers you have to split the WiFi to 4k and 2.5k because it only runs in one of them and needs the WiFi to be split.
It could just be HP printers though.
Being from an IT background id hope you know how to do that, if not you have to access your WiFi settings through your ip address.

It could of course not be that issue at all.

 

[boik]

‎Epson Smart Panel

‎Visit the website below to find products which are supported by this app. When using a printer or scanner that’s not listed on the website, please use instead Epson iPrint for printers or Document Scan for scanners. Epson Smart Panel will not be able to find or connect to your product unless it’s…

apps.apple.com

Ooh, looks interesting. Thank you.