Solved: Brother MFC-J450DW Printer won't play nicely [Solved]

[kd4e]

What graphical tool is that? XFCE and KDE both have their own 'configure printers' tools in Settings. Have you tried that?

That's from the ASUS router. I can't assign an IP to the printer if the router won't let me.

[kd4e]

This printer only offers USB and Wifi - no wired LAN.

No device in the house will connect to it.

Can anyone recommend a plays-nicely-with-MX Linux replacement?

Code: Select all

https://support.brother.com/g/b/spec.aspx?c=us&lang=en&prod=mfcj450dw_us

[m_pav]

There is no reason why your MFC-J450DW would not connect to your Routers WiFi, you only need to set it up using the printer settings from its controls, select your WiFi and provide your password. Entering the password is cumbersome using the minimalist controls, but perfectly do-able.

You're already familiar on how to access your Router, and your Printer should be accessible in the same way, so you could potentially try to login to your printers WebUI using its existing IP Address, however, the https routed through USB will most likely be the break-point.

If you can get in, you may find something like the pic below from mine, where I can connect it to a WiFi network by assessing it through an existing network connection. Of course, this will only yield satisfactory results if you're using LAN to connect to WLAN, which is not possible in your instance, though Brother do provide this function through USB for some models, with their Brother Admin tool for Windows/Apple.

Screenshot_2024-01-11_11-15-08.png

As to pinning, Asus routers have provision for this.
Choose 'LAN' in the menu followed by 'DHCP server'. Scroll to 'Manually assigned IP around the DHCP list' and click on the arrow next to 'MAC address'. Find the appliance you want to assign the address to. Use the automatic address or choose your own address. Click 'Add' followed by 'Apply'.

[kd4e]

I have several security cameras pinned in the router - I'm familiar with the process.

The router doesn't recognize this particular printer as a device with an IP.

I'll poke around for a menu similar your screenshot. If that works maybe I can get an IP to pin.

Thanks!

[m_pav]

You're right in saying "The router doesn't recognize this particular printer as a device with an IP" That's because the printer connected by USB is operating outside of the Transport & networking layers of the TCP/IP model. The routers mini-server is presenting it to the networking layers, but there is no direct connection, therefore, no control.

A new printer will not give you the satisfaction you're looking for if you keep using the USB Cable connection to your Router, you will end up with exactly what you already have. You might need to get a box of migraine pills with this route.

To make it available to all network connected devices, it must have a direct connection to the bottom 3 layers of the TCP/IP model.

TCPIP.jpg

Let's put this simply. Disconnect the USB Cable and connect the printer to your the WiFi, insert it directly into the Networking layers and you'll start to see the results. You'll have to delete all existing instances of the printer first. Follow my recipe in post #7 and you'll obtain trouble free connections, aside from external influences.

[kd4e]

Update: Unplugged the USB cable. Deleted all references to the printer in the Print app. Our son found the reset instructions for the printer (it thought it was 2015), and then it showed up on the router. Set the IP to manual. Ran a test print and ... hooray!

Thanks for all the help!