JetDirect Network Cards Not Working? Make Sure The Network Recognizes The Printer

Tips for Troubleshooting Jetdirect cards on networks with HP laser printers

JetDirect Network Cards Not Working?Make Sure The Network Recognizes The Printer

Imagine this scenario; you go to your customer’s HP laser printer to replace the network card because it failed. You install the new card, plug it in to the network and the lights on the network card appear to be functioning properly. But the card will not print. Surprisingly, this happens to a lot of HP printer technicians and creates a lot of unnecessary warranty returns.

So you may be asking why the printer doesn’t print from the network card? There could be many reasons as to why this happens. The majority of them are due to the card being set up incorrectly.

Setting up a laser printer network card is fairly easy to do once you have the addresses

needed. Unfortunately since networks are dependent on how the IT person sets them up, we cannot go into detail on what IP addresses, Subnet Mask, and gateways to use. We will only cover the TCP/IP portion of networking since it is the most common.

What do all the numbers and abbreviations mean? Think of a network address as a house address. The IP address is the house number, the Subnet Mask is the street, and the gateway is the city. You can have multiple houses on a street and many streets in the city but you cannot have duplicate house addresses on the same street.

This causes problems, similar to a network. If you have duplicate IP addresses on the same Subnet Mask and gateway, it will cause mass confusion from the host server or the router. You can have two IP addresses that are the same, only if they are on a different Subnet Mask or gateway. You can have multiple Subnet Masks on the same gateway. This allows you to connect more computers to a network by sub networking. Think of it as adding another street to the city.

The Subnet Mask allows you to add more computers to the same gateway. You can also have different gateways. The gateway is the connection that the Subnet Mask and IP addresses use to connect to the outside world.

The gateway NETWORK is the bridge from the LAN (Local Area Network) to the WAN (Wide Area Network). The gateway can be a computer, a router or a modem. The device used acts as a traffic coordinator to help the packets of data get from point A to point B in the most efficient way possible.

Networks communicate with each other in the form of packets. Packets are kind of like mail. They have a destination address, a return address, and the information inside it. Once the data leaves one address, it travels across the network to its destination address and delivers the information to the correct address.

How do I know what IP address to use for the HP laser printer?

Well, with the old network card still in the machine you can print a configuration page (on HP printers) or a Network status page (on Lexmark printers). If the card is still functioning properly and plugged into the network, the printer will print all this information on these pages.

If the network card is not functioning properly or doesn’t print the information, then you will have to go through the computer to get it. To do this, go to the printer driver and right click the properties icon. Once there, click on the ports and it will tell you what the IP address of that printer is.

The hard part of this is that you still need to know the gateway and Subnet Mask. In many cases you can assume that the gateway and Subnet Mask are the same between the computer with the correct printer driver and the printer.

If the HP laser printer does not function after you set up the IP address, Subnet Mask, and gateway, you should get the addresses from the IT professional at the worksite to make sure the numbers you entered were correct.

You can try to ping the HP laser printer from a DOS prompt. If you do not know how to do this, goto the DOS prompt and type in “ping xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx” where the x’s are the IP address numbers. If it comes back with “request timed out”, the printer is not being seen on the network. The easiest thing you can do is print out a configuration page or a network status page. This will tell you if the printer is connected to the network.

In some cases, a bad network cable can cause problems. Also, make sure that the network cable is fully plugged into the jack. You should hear a click. A bad network cable can cause many problems, from loss of connectivity, intermittent connectivity, or no connectivity.

You may be asking what BOOTP (Bootstrap Protocol), DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), and RARP (Reverse Address Resolution Protocol) on the network information page have to do with my network. BOOTP is an earlier version of DHCP. BOOTP automatically assigns an IP address from a list of IP addresses on the server.

DHCP is an advanced version of BOOTP. DHCP assigns an address from a central location, and this address can be configured to expire after a certain period of time. This allows the server to free up the users IP address when they disconnect from the network.

RARP requires a server to be manually configured with a list of IP addresses and MAC (Media Access Control) addresses.

The MAC address is the hardware serial number for the card, similar to the license plate on a car. These numbers are written into each card at the manufacturer, and are unique. RARP looks at the MAC address of the device and compares it to what the server has on file to get an IP address. If the MAC address is not manually configured to an address on the central server, it will not function on the network.

RARP is now obsolete due to more user-friendly DHCP.

So going back to the question of why the HP laser printer won’t print, ask yourself these questions to help identify the problem:

• Have you checked the IP address, Subnet Mask and the gateway to ensure they are properly set up?

• Are the link and activity lights on the network card on? Remember that some cards do not have lights.

Does the printer say it is connected to the network on the network status or configuration page?

• Do you have the right network card in the machine?

• Do you have DHCP enabled when the printer should have a manually set IP address?

With this in mind, you should be able to configure the printer to the network.

Some of the newer network cards have more advanced options, like remote management from a web browser with the use of software and Web Accessory DIMMs. There are some software packages that allow you to operate the control panel from your desktop.

With more advanced and user-friendly printers coming out as technology progresses, service technicians are going to be getting more calls due to printer connectivity issues. Wireless networking is also making its breakthrough in printing.

Network printers are very popular, quick, and affordable to run. It’s no wonder that many companies and households are networking their printers. Although many end users have no idea how the technology works, or even that it is there, it makes life much easier when it is fully functioning.

HP LaserJet – JetDirect Compatibility

• 1284B - JetDirect cards with parallel port

• ew2500 - External wireless print server

• 695nw - Internal Wireless JetDirect Card

• 640n - Internal JetDirect Wireless With USB and Network Port

• 635n - Internal JetDirect With Network Port J7961G

Printer Model JetDirect Solution

• HP LaserJet Enterprise series ew2500

• HP LaserJet Enterprise 500 MFP M525 ew2500

• HP LaserJet Enterprise flow MFP M525c ew2500

• HP LaserJet Enterprise 500 Color Printer M551 ew2500

• HP LaserJet Enterprise 500 Color MFP M575 ew2500

• HP LaserJet Enterprise color flow MFP M575c ew2500

• HP LaserJet Enterprise 600 Printer M601 ew2500

• HP LaserJet Enterprise 600 Printer M602 ew2500

• HP LaserJet Enterprise 600 Printer M603 ew2500

• HP LaserJet Enterprise MFP M630 ew2500

• HP Color LaserJet Enterprise M651 Printer ew2500

• HP Color LaserJet Enterprise M680 Multifunction Printer ew2500

• HP LaserJet Enterprise 700 M712 ew2500

• HP LaserJet Enterprise 700 MFP M725 ew2500

• HP Color LaserJet Enterprise M750 Printer ew2500

• HP LaserJet Enterprise 700 Color MFP M775 ew2500

• HP LaserJet Enterprise M806 Printer ew2500

• HP LaserJet Enterprise flow M830 Multifunction Printer ew2500

• HP Color LaserJet Enterprise M855 ew2500

• HP Color LaserJet Enterprise flow MFP M880 ew2500

• HP Color LaserJet Enterprise CM4540 MFP ew2500 695nw 640n 635n

• HP LaserJet Enterprise M4555 MFP ew2500 695nw 640n 635n

• HP Color LaserJet Enterprise CP5525 Printer ew2500 695nw 640n 635n

• HP LaserJet Pro 300 M351 Printer ew2500

• HP LaserJet Pro 400 M401 Printer ew2500

• HP LaserJet Pro 400 M451 Printer ew2500

• HP Color LaserJet CM1015/CM1017 MFP ew2500

• HP Color LaserJet CP1025 ew2500

• HP LaserJet 1160 ew2500

• HP Color LaserJet CM1312 MFP ew2500

• HP LaserJet 1320 Printer ew2500

• HP Color LaserJet CP1510/CP1514/CP1515/CP1518 ew2500

• HP Color LaserJet CP1525 Printer ew2500

• HP LaserJet P2010/P2014 Printer ew2500

• HP LaserJet P2015 Printer ew2500

• HP Color LaserJet CP2025 Printer ew2500

• HP LaserJet P2035 Printer ew2500

• HP LaserJet P2055 Printer ew2500

• HP LaserJet 2200 Printer 635n 620n

• HP LaserJet 2300 Printer 635n 620n

• HP LaserJet 2400/2410/2420/2430 Printer 695nw 640n 635n 620n

• HP Color LaserJet 2500 635n 620n

• HP Color LaserJet 2600n ew2500

• HP Color LaserJet 2605 ew2500

• HP Color LaserJet 2700 ew2500

• HP Color LaserJet 3000 Printer ew2500 695nw 640n 635n 620n 1284B

• HP Color LaserJet P3005 Printer ew2500 695nw 640n 635n 620n 1284B

• HP LaserJet Enterprise P3015 Printer ew2500 695nw 640n 635n 620n 1284B

• HP LaserJet M3027 Multifunction Printer ew2500 695nw 640n 635n 620n 1284B

• HP LaserJet M3035 Multifunction Printer ew2500 695nw 640n 635n 620n 1284B

• HP Color LaserJet CP3505 Printer ew2500 695nw 640n 635n 620n 1284B

• HP Color LaserJet CP3520/CP3525 Printer ew2500 695nw 640n 635n 620n 1284B

• HP Color LaserJet CM3530 MFP ew2500 695nw 640n 635n 620n 1284B

• HP Color LaserJet 3600 Printer ew2500

• HP Color LaserJet 3700 Printer 635n 620n

• HP Color LaserJet 3800 Printer ew2500 695nw 640n 635n 620n 1284B

• HP LaserJet 4000 Printer 635n 620n

• HP Color LaserJet CP4005 Printer ew2500

• HP LaserJet P4014 Printer ew2500 695nw 640n 635n 620n 1284B

• HP LaserJet P4015 Printer ew2500 695nw 640n 635n 620n 1284B

• HP Color LaserJet Enterprise CP4025 Printer ew2500 695nw 640n 635n 620n 1284B

• HP LaserJet 4050 Printer 635n 620n

• HP LaserJet 4100 Printer 635n 620n

• HP LaserJet 4100 Multifunction Printer 635n 620n

• HP LaserJet 4200 Printer 635n 620n

• HP LaserJet 4240 Printer ew2500 695nw 640n 635n 620

• HP LaserJet 4250 Printer ew2500 695nw 640n 635n 620

• HP LaserJet 4300 Printer 635n 620n

• HP LaserJet 4345 Multifunction Printer 695nw 640n 635n 620n

• HP LaserJet M4345 Multifunction Printer ew2500 695nw 640n 635n 620n 1284B

• HP LaserJet 4350 Printer ew2500 695nw 640n 635n 620n

• HP LaserJet P4510/P4515 Printer w2500 695nw 640n 635n 620n 1284B

• HP Color LaserJet Enterprise CP4525 Printer w2500 695nw 640n 635n 620n 1284B

• HP LaserJet 4600/4610 Printer 635n 620n

• HP LaserJet 4650 Printer 635n 620n

• HP LaserJet 4700 Printer ew2500 695nw 640n 635n 620n

• HP Color LaserJet 4730 Multifunction Printer ew2500 695nw 640n 635n 620n 1284B

• HP Color LaserJet CM4730 MFP ew2500 695nw 640n 635n 1284B

• HP LaserJet 5000 Printer 635n 620n

• HP LaserJet M5025 Multifunction Printer ew2500 695nw 640n 635n 620n 1284B

• HP LaserJet M5035 Multifunction Printer ew2500 695nw 640n 635n 620n 1284B

• HP LaserJet 5100 Printer 635n 620n

• HP LaserJet 5200 Printer ew2500 695nw 640n 635n 620n

• HP LaserJet CP5225 Professional Printer ew2500

• HP Color LaserJet 5500 Printer 635n 620n

• HP Color LaserJet 5550 Printer ew2500 695nw 640n 635n 620n

• HP Color LaserJet CP6015 Printer ew2500 695nw 640n 635n 620n 1284B

• HP Color LaserJet CM6030/CM6040 MFP ew2500 695nw 640n 635n 620n 1284B

• HP LaserJet 8000 Printer 635n 620n

• HP CM8000/CM8050/CM8060 Color MFP 695nw 640n 635n 1284B

• HP LaserJet 8100 Printer 635n 620n

• HP LaserJet 8150 Printer 635n

• HP Color LaserJet 8500 Printer 635n 620n

• HP Color LaserJet 8550 Printer 635n 620n

• HP LaserJet 8550 Multifunction Printer 635n 620n

• HP LaserJet 9000 Printer 635n 620n

• HP LaserJet 9000 Multifunction Printer 635n 620n

• HP LaserJet 9040 Printer 695nw 640n 635n 620n

• HP LaserJet 9050 Printer 695nw 640n 635n 620n

• HP LaserJet 9040/9050 MFP 695nw 640n 635n 620n

• HP LaserJet M9040/M9050 MFP ew2500 695nw 640n 635n 620n 1284B

• HP Color LaserJet 9500 Printer 635n 620n

• HP Color LaserJet 9500 Multifunction Printer 620n

• HP Color LaserJet 2800 All-in-One (2820/2840) ew2500

• HP LaserJet 3050 All-in-One ew2500

• HP LaserJet 3052 All-in-One ew2500

• HP LaserJet 3055 All-in-One ew2500

• HP LaserJet 3380 All-in-One ew2500

• HP LaserJet 3390 All-in-One ew2500

• HP LaserJet 3392 All-in-One ew2500

Which HP JetDirect Network card do I need?

JetDirect cards are identified by: 

• Network transmission speed (slower 10BaseT vs. faster 10/100BaseT).

• Internal or External

• Wired and Wireless

Transmission speed is generally not a critical factor for JetDirect cards; card speed is usually only important for those rare users who print a large quantity of memory-intensive documents.

There are many models of JetDirect cards; sometimes the models are simple revisions of each other with no obvious differences/improvements.   The newest model EIO JetDirect cards (J7934A/G 620n card and J7961A/G 635) have improved Web-based interfaces where you can access the printer settings remotely.  (For example, you can log in remotely to check the toner and supplies status, reset printer settings, etc.) They are also the leading technology for next-generation networks. Share supported peripherals on a gigabit or Fast Ethernet network with the IPv6 or IPv4 protocol. They rely on one of the most robust network security technologies available: IPsec.

Other Helpful Laser Printer Technical Support Resources

• Paper Jam Solutions For Laserjet Printers

• Printer Service And Parts Glossary

• Printer Service Error Codes

• Developing a Critical HP Printer Parts Stocking Strategy

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