Resolving intermittent wireless communications issues

You may notice that your printer works for a short time and then stops working, although apparently nothing has changed on your wireless network.

Many different issues can interrupt network communications, and sometimes more than one problem exists at the same time. These are possible solutions. Try one or more of the following:

DISCONNECT FROM ALL VPNS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO USE THE WIRELESS NETWORK

Most Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) allow computers to communicate with only the VPN and no other network at the same time. Disconnect from the VPN before installing the driver on the computer or before running the wireless setup on the computer.

To check if the computer is currently connected to a VPN, open your VPN Client software and check your VPN connections. If you do not have a VPN Client software installed, check the connections manually using the Windows VPN Client.

If you would like to have the ability to connect to your local network and to a VPN at the same time, the system support person for the VPN must enable split tunneling. Be aware that some organizations will not allow split tunneling due to security or technical concerns.

TURN OFF THE WIRELESS ACCESS POINT (WIRELESS ROUTER) AND TURN IT BACK ON AGAIN ELIMINATE NETWORK CONGESTION

If a wireless network is too busy, the computer and printer may have difficulty communicating with each other. Some causes of wireless network congestion can include:

Transferring large files across the network

Networked games

Peer-to-peer file swapping applications

Streaming video

Too many computers on the wireless network at once

ELIMINATE 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.

CHANGE 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.

Troubleshooting

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Lexmark 10E, 101 manual Resolving intermittent wireless communications issues, 115, Eliminate Sources of Interference