Ping the Printer

Ping the Printer From a Microsoft Windows OS

A ping test is a test used to check network connectivity. The IP address of the printer is required to perform this test. If necessary, print a Network Setup Page to obtain the IP address. See the Related Content for additional information.

1. From the computer, click on the [Start] button, and then click on [Run]. The Run window will be displayed.

2. In the Open field, type: cmd and then click on [OK]. A DOS Prompt window will be displayed.
   
   NOTE:  For Windows 98 / Me OS, type: command in the Open field.
   
   

3. From the DOS prompt, type: ping xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx where the "x" characters represent the IP address of the printer, and then press [Enter] on the keyboard. Make sure to include a space between the word "ping" and the IP address. (For example, "ping 192.188.1.100".) The computer will make four attempts to ping the printer. One of the following responses will be received:
   

   • "Request timed out"
     This response indicates the ping command was sent over the network, but no device (such as a computer or printer) on the network received or replied to the command. Contact your System Administrator to resolve the problem.

   • "Destination host unreachable"
     This response indicates that the computer sending the ping command is unable to communicate with the machine network segment. Contact your System Administrator to resolve the problem.

   • "Bad Command or Filename"
     This response indicates that either the command was mistyped or the computer is not configured to use the TCP/IP protocol. Contact your System Administrator to resolve the problem.

   • "Reply from xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx: bytes=32…"
     This response indicates that the computer received replies from a network device with that assigned IP address. This typically indicates a good connection to the printer. However, if there are replies to the ping request but other network communication problems with the printer still exist (such as print jobs remain in the print queue) it is possible that a duplicate IP address exists.
     
     To test for a duplicate IP address, disconnect the Ethernet cable from the printer and ping again. There should not be any replies. Instead, four responses of "Request timed out" should be received. If there is a reply, another device on the network (for example, another computer or printer) is configured with the same IP address. Contact your System Administrator to resolve the TCP/IP addressing conflict.

Ping the Printer From an Apple Macintosh With OS X (10.x)

Macintosh OS X contains a Network Utility application that can be used to troubleshoot TCP/IP network communication problems. The Ping utility is included in the Network Utility application and can be used to perform a ping test.

NOTE: Older Macintosh OS versions (prior to OS 10) require a third-party utility for pinging.

From the Mac:

1. Double-click on the [Hard Drive] icon.

2. Double-click on the [Applications] folder.

3. Double-click on the [Utilities] folder.

4. Double-click on the [Network Utility] icon to open the Network Utility application.

5. Click on the [Ping] tab.

6. Enter the IP address of the printer in the Please enter the network address to ping field.

7. Click on the [Send only] radio button.

8. Type: 4 in the field provided.

9. Click on the [Ping] button. One of the following responses will be received:

   • "4 packets transmitted, 4 packets received, 0% packet loss"
     This response indicates that the Mac received replies from a network device (such as a computer or printer) with that assigned IP address. This typically indicates a good connection to the printer. However, if there are replies to the ping request, but other network communication problems with the printer still exist (such as print jobs remain in the print queue), it is possible that a duplicate IP address exists.
     
     To test for a duplicate IP address, disconnect the Ethernet cable from the printer and ping again. There should not be any replies. Instead, four responses of 'Request timed out' should be received. If there is a reply, another device on the network (for example, another computer or printer) is configured with the same IP address. Contact your System Administrator to resolve the TCP/IP addressing conflict.
     
     

   • "Unknown host" or "4 packets transmitted, 0 packets received, 100% packet loss"
     This response indicates the ping command was sent over the network, but no device on the network received or replied to the command. Contact your System Administrator to resolve the problem.
     
     NOTE: Any percentage of packet loss indicates a communication problem. For example, if the ping request returns only a 20% packet loss, a communication problem still exists. Contact your System Administrator to resolve the problem.