Home Network Print Problem - Need help - Works fine on 2 of 3 computer

rfdes · 01 Aug 2020

Hi -
Hopefully someone has some ideas as to why I am having the issue that I am experiencing.

Here is a rundown of the three computers -
1) Personal Desktop - Win 10 - MS Defender - Workgroup:WORKGROUP
2) Personal Laptop- Lenovo - Win 10- MS Defender - Workgroup:WORKGROUP
3) Work Laptop -Dell - Win 10 - Symantec Endpoint - Domain:GALEN

Personal Linux Print server (Netgear ReadyNAS) - Workgroup:MSHome

The Print server is set for sharing and all three computers have Discovery/File sharing enabled.
Computers 1 & 2 work flawlessly recognizing and using the shared network printer on my local network.

However...
Computer 3 struggles to 'see' the network printer. Sometimes it works, but 99% of the time computer 3 never finds the print server. I disabled the Symantec Virus tool but this did not fix the problem. I am wondering whether the fact that computer 3 is on a domain is causing my problem. I thought that setting the printer and computers for 'sharing' would mean that the domain/workgroup is a non-issue. Is this correct?

Does anyone have some tips for solving my printer access problem?

Thanks -
Jim

Berton · 01 Aug 2020

It's been since the late '90s that I used a Print Server and it was a Win95 computer on a Network. My personal setup is 2 HP printers connected to my Router by Ethernet cable and any computer Wired or Wireless/Wi-Fi I install the software on can access them. My wife uses the OfficeJet frequently/daily printing recipes from the other room, for bulk printing I most use the LaserJet, generally cheaper than ink.

play2mefish · 01 Aug 2020

rfdes said:

Hi -
1) Personal Desktop - Win 10 - MS Defender - Workgroup:WORKGROUP
2) Personal Laptop- Lenovo - Win 10- MS Defender - Workgroup:WORKGROUP
3) Work Laptop -Dell - Win 10 - Symantec Endpoint - Domain:GALEN
Personal Linux Print server (Netgear ReadyNAS) - Workgroup:MSHome
The Print server is set for sharing and all three computers have Discovery/File sharing enabled.
Does anyone have some tips for solving my printer access problem?
Jim

I believe the issue lies with your printserver. I would change the printserver to be in the same workgroup and not mshome as it is now. Also, the third pc is part of a domain and not the workgroup. So, if you don't need the domain at home, then remove it from the domain and put it in the workgroup. Then I believe your printing woes would be gone.