Communication impossible, Lexmark X4650
Bart
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TEXTE ROC -
TEXTE ROC -
Hello,
I installed a Lexmark X4650 printer on a computer with Windows Vista and I can't print!
I connected the printer with the provided USB cable (not via Wi-Fi)
The message is always the same: "Communication failed: the printer cannot communicate with the computer."
After testing a series of suggestions:
- unplugging/replugging the power cord of the printer,
- unplugging/replugging the USB cable,
- checking the firewall settings (actually, the firewall is turned off)
Still the same message...
any ideas?
Thanks
I installed a Lexmark X4650 printer on a computer with Windows Vista and I can't print!
I connected the printer with the provided USB cable (not via Wi-Fi)
The message is always the same: "Communication failed: the printer cannot communicate with the computer."
After testing a series of suggestions:
- unplugging/replugging the power cord of the printer,
- unplugging/replugging the USB cable,
- checking the firewall settings (actually, the firewall is turned off)
Still the same message...
any ideas?
Thanks
Configuration: Windows Vista
14 réponses
Hello
we need to see if it's not a driver issue,
was it installed on an XP before?
--
Who loves instruction! finds the knowledge that comes from reflection!
we need to see if it's not a driver issue,
was it installed on an XP before?
--
Who loves instruction! finds the knowledge that comes from reflection!
Up!
I have exactly the same problem and so far I haven't found any answers online.
I have reinstalled and uninstalled the printer several times, followed all the advice from the Lexmark online troubleshooting center, but still this cursed window keeps popping up saying "communication impossible." Furthermore, the scanner works and it is possible to print a test page from the printer itself.
Maybe it's the USB cable's fault, but that seems unlikely...
Thank you for responding; you would be helping two people at once.
Have a good day.
I have exactly the same problem and so far I haven't found any answers online.
I have reinstalled and uninstalled the printer several times, followed all the advice from the Lexmark online troubleshooting center, but still this cursed window keeps popping up saying "communication impossible." Furthermore, the scanner works and it is possible to print a test page from the printer itself.
Maybe it's the USB cable's fault, but that seems unlikely...
Thank you for responding; you would be helping two people at once.
Have a good day.
Hello,
I just acquired the Lexmark X4650 printer and I'm having a hard time installing it under Vista via the Freebox router.
Everything goes smoothly while following the documentation until the moment I’m prompted to print a test page and then... the same message as above: communication impossible. Here are my leads to resolve this issue:
1) After activating the router function on Free, I was advised to manually enter the MAC and IP addresses of the PC and the printer in the DHCP Reservations of the management interface linked to the Free router.
2) To find out if the Windows Vista firewall I'm using is blocking outgoing traffic, I was advised to temporarily disable it: unplug the phone line connected to the Freebox to disable the modem and not risk an intrusion. The Freebox is then only available in router mode, which is enough to test the communication between the PC and the printer; then disable the firewall in Vista)
3) Apparently, the infrastructure network mode should work and is preferred over the ad-hoc mode, which is more restrictive as it is machine-to-machine. Moreover, it seems that it’s better to define your network in "Private" mode --> Excerpt from the web: If you set a network as "Private," you will easily find your computer on the network since it will appear among the computers in the workgroup. If you choose the "Public" option, things get a bit complicated: you will only be able to find your computer by specifying its name or IP address --> the link is as follows: http://www.presence-pc.com/tests/Reseau-Windows-Vista-XP-22737/2/
4) I emailed Lexmark support but I don't expect to get any rapid responses. Indeed, product registration happens at the end of the installation (I was able to install the printer via USB on a desktop running Windows XP, which makes me doubt Vista mainly) and support is quicker if you are registered....
I will keep you updated and if you have any other suggestions, feel free to let me know!
I just acquired the Lexmark X4650 printer and I'm having a hard time installing it under Vista via the Freebox router.
Everything goes smoothly while following the documentation until the moment I’m prompted to print a test page and then... the same message as above: communication impossible. Here are my leads to resolve this issue:
1) After activating the router function on Free, I was advised to manually enter the MAC and IP addresses of the PC and the printer in the DHCP Reservations of the management interface linked to the Free router.
2) To find out if the Windows Vista firewall I'm using is blocking outgoing traffic, I was advised to temporarily disable it: unplug the phone line connected to the Freebox to disable the modem and not risk an intrusion. The Freebox is then only available in router mode, which is enough to test the communication between the PC and the printer; then disable the firewall in Vista)
3) Apparently, the infrastructure network mode should work and is preferred over the ad-hoc mode, which is more restrictive as it is machine-to-machine. Moreover, it seems that it’s better to define your network in "Private" mode --> Excerpt from the web: If you set a network as "Private," you will easily find your computer on the network since it will appear among the computers in the workgroup. If you choose the "Public" option, things get a bit complicated: you will only be able to find your computer by specifying its name or IP address --> the link is as follows: http://www.presence-pc.com/tests/Reseau-Windows-Vista-XP-22737/2/
4) I emailed Lexmark support but I don't expect to get any rapid responses. Indeed, product registration happens at the end of the installation (I was able to install the printer via USB on a desktop running Windows XP, which makes me doubt Vista mainly) and support is quicker if you are registered....
I will keep you updated and if you have any other suggestions, feel free to let me know!
So... 1st good news: I succeeded!!!!
My salvation came from another computer where I have Windows XP installed and connected via Ethernet to my Freebox network. On this computer:
1) Follow the installation CD to install the printer via USB, connecting the USB plug only when the installation process prompts for it.
2) Properly disconnect the USB cable (via the icon in the taskbar) and restart the installation process from the CD but by following the Wifi process. No issues encountered. The process automatically recognizes my Freebox network and just asks me to enter the access key for this network.
3) This information allows me to configure the printer directly, so when I check the network info directly on the printer, I immediately recognize my network instead of the default configuration.
--> The printer light finally turns green!!!!
NB: my firewall on this computer was ZoneAlarm and I had to accept all alert messages by default.
When I switch back to my computer with Vista installed and connected via Wifi to my personal network:
1) Open Windows Explorer and go to Network/Printers. Uninstall all existing printers except Microsoft XPS Document Writer, then restart the computer.
2) Return to Windows Explorer and go to Network/Printers. Click on "Add a printer." During the installation process, it now recognizes the printer. I agree to share it by only entering the name of the printer suggested by default (I leave the other two fields "location" and "I don't remember the other" empty). The printer addition completes. And I can finally print...
Regarding my Free settings:
1) I go to my account interface. I configure the router by going to Configure my router. The box for enabling this service is checked. DHCP box is enabled. DHCP start: 192.168.0.10. DHCP end: 192.168.0.50. In Permanent DHCP Leases, I enter on the first line the correspondence between my IP address and the MAC address of my laptop (see ipconfig / all in cmd.exe to obtain this information). I click on add to enter the correspondence between the IP address of my printer, which I force to 192.168.0.20, and its MAC address provided on the network configuration page (which can be printed by navigating through the printer's menu). I click send and then unplug and re-plug the ADSL box from the electrical outlet to take my changes into account.
What I tried with Vista yielded no results:
1) Bidirectional configuration in the port window was enabled
2) Firewall configuration --> don't expect to find anything at this level (I tried disabling the firewall and the same failure was observed)
3) Installation only from Vista --> does not work even if you try downloading the latest driver available on the Lexmark site.
4) Manual configuration of my IP addresses --> has never yielded anything. It is necessary to choose an automatic configuration once DHCP is activated in the Free interface. It is indeed the principle of DHCP to automatically provide an IP address to the PC and the printer. So, if manual configuration is done, there is a conflict and it does not work. Forcing the IP and MAC address in the Free interface allows forcing the DHCP configuration. It’s a security measure but it’s more restrictive because if you have multiple machines, you have to configure them each time.
5) Rebooting the PC and unplugging and re-plugging the USB cable or power plug of the printer yields nothing -> don't look for anything on that side. When it works, it works directly without having to do all that!
6) Lexmark support is non-existent: no response to my email that is almost a week old. Lamentable.... Moreover, the support number only answers from Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 6 PM. Really practical when you work all week!!!
7) When the printer is correctly installed, you don't see it in the network mapping of the network and sharing center. So there's no need to get worked up about the network and sharing center because everything should happen from Windows Explorer. However, you still need to ensure in this network and sharing center that your connection to the network is in private mode (see customize button to change the mode if necessary) and that printer sharing is enabled.
8) If the installation from the CD works correctly, the process should not stall just after connecting the USB port. Otherwise, it's a bad sign right away.
9) Don't look for a problem with Avast because I had Avast on my XP computer and on my Vista computer
I still can't explain today why I experienced such a blockage with Vista. I pass the baton to the next ones. However, I still have some lines of thought that I may explore one day... and in particular whether the initial settings I did with Vista are the source of all my problems:
1) I had disabled User Account Control in "Other security settings" of the Windows security center --> maybe the installation CD requires this control to be active for everything to go smoothly?
2) I had disabled the Aero interface of Vista for performance reasons, but honestly, I don't see the connection with a printer problem...
Alright... good luck to all... in any case, one thing is certain: Wifi with Vista... it's not easy!!!
My salvation came from another computer where I have Windows XP installed and connected via Ethernet to my Freebox network. On this computer:
1) Follow the installation CD to install the printer via USB, connecting the USB plug only when the installation process prompts for it.
2) Properly disconnect the USB cable (via the icon in the taskbar) and restart the installation process from the CD but by following the Wifi process. No issues encountered. The process automatically recognizes my Freebox network and just asks me to enter the access key for this network.
3) This information allows me to configure the printer directly, so when I check the network info directly on the printer, I immediately recognize my network instead of the default configuration.
--> The printer light finally turns green!!!!
NB: my firewall on this computer was ZoneAlarm and I had to accept all alert messages by default.
When I switch back to my computer with Vista installed and connected via Wifi to my personal network:
1) Open Windows Explorer and go to Network/Printers. Uninstall all existing printers except Microsoft XPS Document Writer, then restart the computer.
2) Return to Windows Explorer and go to Network/Printers. Click on "Add a printer." During the installation process, it now recognizes the printer. I agree to share it by only entering the name of the printer suggested by default (I leave the other two fields "location" and "I don't remember the other" empty). The printer addition completes. And I can finally print...
Regarding my Free settings:
1) I go to my account interface. I configure the router by going to Configure my router. The box for enabling this service is checked. DHCP box is enabled. DHCP start: 192.168.0.10. DHCP end: 192.168.0.50. In Permanent DHCP Leases, I enter on the first line the correspondence between my IP address and the MAC address of my laptop (see ipconfig / all in cmd.exe to obtain this information). I click on add to enter the correspondence between the IP address of my printer, which I force to 192.168.0.20, and its MAC address provided on the network configuration page (which can be printed by navigating through the printer's menu). I click send and then unplug and re-plug the ADSL box from the electrical outlet to take my changes into account.
What I tried with Vista yielded no results:
1) Bidirectional configuration in the port window was enabled
2) Firewall configuration --> don't expect to find anything at this level (I tried disabling the firewall and the same failure was observed)
3) Installation only from Vista --> does not work even if you try downloading the latest driver available on the Lexmark site.
4) Manual configuration of my IP addresses --> has never yielded anything. It is necessary to choose an automatic configuration once DHCP is activated in the Free interface. It is indeed the principle of DHCP to automatically provide an IP address to the PC and the printer. So, if manual configuration is done, there is a conflict and it does not work. Forcing the IP and MAC address in the Free interface allows forcing the DHCP configuration. It’s a security measure but it’s more restrictive because if you have multiple machines, you have to configure them each time.
5) Rebooting the PC and unplugging and re-plugging the USB cable or power plug of the printer yields nothing -> don't look for anything on that side. When it works, it works directly without having to do all that!
6) Lexmark support is non-existent: no response to my email that is almost a week old. Lamentable.... Moreover, the support number only answers from Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 6 PM. Really practical when you work all week!!!
7) When the printer is correctly installed, you don't see it in the network mapping of the network and sharing center. So there's no need to get worked up about the network and sharing center because everything should happen from Windows Explorer. However, you still need to ensure in this network and sharing center that your connection to the network is in private mode (see customize button to change the mode if necessary) and that printer sharing is enabled.
8) If the installation from the CD works correctly, the process should not stall just after connecting the USB port. Otherwise, it's a bad sign right away.
9) Don't look for a problem with Avast because I had Avast on my XP computer and on my Vista computer
I still can't explain today why I experienced such a blockage with Vista. I pass the baton to the next ones. However, I still have some lines of thought that I may explore one day... and in particular whether the initial settings I did with Vista are the source of all my problems:
1) I had disabled User Account Control in "Other security settings" of the Windows security center --> maybe the installation CD requires this control to be active for everything to go smoothly?
2) I had disabled the Aero interface of Vista for performance reasons, but honestly, I don't see the connection with a printer problem...
Alright... good luck to all... in any case, one thing is certain: Wifi with Vista... it's not easy!!!
I have enriched one of the key points of the installation under Vista because I had to redo the operation recently:
2) Go back to Windows Explorer and navigate to Network/Printers. Click on "Add a printer." Choose wireless printing instead of local. During the installation process, it now recognizes the printer. Select it and click "Next." Vista automatically finds the printer drivers. You arrive at a menu offering to share the printer. I agree to share it by only entering the printer name proposed by default (I leave the other two fields "location" and "comment" empty). The printer addition is completed. And I can finally print a test page. Click "Finish" and everything went well.
2) Go back to Windows Explorer and navigate to Network/Printers. Click on "Add a printer." Choose wireless printing instead of local. During the installation process, it now recognizes the printer. Select it and click "Next." Vista automatically finds the printer drivers. You arrive at a menu offering to share the printer. I agree to share it by only entering the printer name proposed by default (I leave the other two fields "location" and "comment" empty). The printer addition is completed. And I can finally print a test page. Click "Finish" and everything went well.
Hello,
I have almost the same problem! I am on a Mac, I was able to install my printer without any issues and it is even connected to my wifi network (internet club), but when I try to use it wirelessly from my Mac, I cannot because my computer cannot find it. I have reinstalled the software but the problem continues; when I search for printers on the network, there are no results!
Can you give me a tip?
Thank you.
I have almost the same problem! I am on a Mac, I was able to install my printer without any issues and it is even connected to my wifi network (internet club), but when I try to use it wirelessly from my Mac, I cannot because my computer cannot find it. I have reinstalled the software but the problem continues; when I search for printers on the network, there are no results!
Can you give me a tip?
Thank you.
Yes, it is compatible with my system (mac OS X) because it prints when using the USB cable, but I can't use it in Wi-Fi mode even though it is connected to my Wi-Fi network.
So, a question? Is your printer Wi-Fi or not!
--
Who loves education! Find the knowledge that comes from reflection!
--
Who loves education! Find the knowledge that comes from reflection!
Yes, it is Wi-Fi, the Lexmark X4650. During the installation, I was able to connect it to my Wi-Fi network, but I don't know why I can't use it in Wi-Fi mode even though it is properly connected.
Hello everyone,
The fact that so many people are having issues with this printer will at least have the benefit of creating a forum that might lead to a solution for future buyers.
As for me, I'm on XP and I'm able to print thanks to the USB cable (like everyone else, I believe).
The difference with you, if I understand correctly, is that the printer flashes orange, which means, according to the manual, that it can't connect to the network of my live box. This information is confirmed when I read on the screen: "signal strength: unacceptable." The live box and the printer are in the same room. Isn't that strange?
Spirou: "3) This information allows you to configure the printer directly, which means that when I look at the network information directly on the printer, I immediately recognize my network instead of the default settings."
I'm at the same point as you, but how do you configure the printer? From the PC or in a menu on the printer that I might have missed? In any case, please explain the steps as if you were talking to a 5-year-old. I think I've understood that the IP addresses and gateways should be identical, but my knowledge in this area is so limited that I'm surprised I'm even talking about an IP address since I don't even know what it's for (well, a vague idea since I asked my friend Google).
Simply getting to a steady orange light would satisfy me at first and at least give me the impression of making progress (the box and the printer are about 2 meters apart).
Thank you in advance for your valuable information in this quest.
Have a good evening
The fact that so many people are having issues with this printer will at least have the benefit of creating a forum that might lead to a solution for future buyers.
As for me, I'm on XP and I'm able to print thanks to the USB cable (like everyone else, I believe).
The difference with you, if I understand correctly, is that the printer flashes orange, which means, according to the manual, that it can't connect to the network of my live box. This information is confirmed when I read on the screen: "signal strength: unacceptable." The live box and the printer are in the same room. Isn't that strange?
Spirou: "3) This information allows you to configure the printer directly, which means that when I look at the network information directly on the printer, I immediately recognize my network instead of the default settings."
I'm at the same point as you, but how do you configure the printer? From the PC or in a menu on the printer that I might have missed? In any case, please explain the steps as if you were talking to a 5-year-old. I think I've understood that the IP addresses and gateways should be identical, but my knowledge in this area is so limited that I'm surprised I'm even talking about an IP address since I don't even know what it's for (well, a vague idea since I asked my friend Google).
Simply getting to a steady orange light would satisfy me at first and at least give me the impression of making progress (the box and the printer are about 2 meters apart).
Thank you in advance for your valuable information in this quest.
Have a good evening
here is more information about the wireless connection
scroll down the page to French!
http://publications.lexmark.com/publications/pdfs/2007/4650/13L0834.pdf
--
Who loves instruction! finds knowledge that comes from reflection!
scroll down the page to French!
http://publications.lexmark.com/publications/pdfs/2007/4650/13L0834.pdf
--
Who loves instruction! finds knowledge that comes from reflection!
Hello Charles 49,
Based on all the tests I’ve conducted to finally get it right, I believe I can affirm that the printer setup is done not via the printer’s menu but through the PC (having connected the printer via USB during installation). It’s the process of installation phases via the provided CD that configures the printer. At the end of the installation, you can even see the network name in the printer menus. This network name and its WEP key would have been entered by the user during the installation process. I never had the chance to do this under Vista, whereas under XP, the installation process took me to a window that allowed me to enter this information. This therefore configured the printer. It was then able to connect to the Wifi network. After that, I was able to find it under Vista by following the procedure I described.
I can't say much more, as I’m not really an expert in IP addresses etc... (I just have colleagues who have shed some light on it!!!)
My only fear: that I might have to reinstall the printer under Vista someday while my XP machine would have died! I sincerely believe there’s a Lexmark installation driver problem for Vista. The one that was on the Lexmark website at the time of my install didn’t work any better, by the way.
PS: I received a reply from Lexmark by email following my help request... they just told me to call the hotline! Yay!!!
Good luck with the rest!
Based on all the tests I’ve conducted to finally get it right, I believe I can affirm that the printer setup is done not via the printer’s menu but through the PC (having connected the printer via USB during installation). It’s the process of installation phases via the provided CD that configures the printer. At the end of the installation, you can even see the network name in the printer menus. This network name and its WEP key would have been entered by the user during the installation process. I never had the chance to do this under Vista, whereas under XP, the installation process took me to a window that allowed me to enter this information. This therefore configured the printer. It was then able to connect to the Wifi network. After that, I was able to find it under Vista by following the procedure I described.
I can't say much more, as I’m not really an expert in IP addresses etc... (I just have colleagues who have shed some light on it!!!)
My only fear: that I might have to reinstall the printer under Vista someday while my XP machine would have died! I sincerely believe there’s a Lexmark installation driver problem for Vista. The one that was on the Lexmark website at the time of my install didn’t work any better, by the way.
PS: I received a reply from Lexmark by email following my help request... they just told me to call the hotline! Yay!!!
Good luck with the rest!
Hello everyone,
I really have no excuse for not reporting my (great) victory over the machine sooner. Indeed, following the advice of a local technician who took the honesty route by not charging me since he suggested the idea over the phone, I disabled then re-enabled the Wi-Fi mode on my live box to allow the signal to come in. I won’t hide my satisfaction at that moment... and I regretted my recurring inability to think of such simple solutions. Hoping to have provided a lead to those who might still be stuck.
Best regards
I really have no excuse for not reporting my (great) victory over the machine sooner. Indeed, following the advice of a local technician who took the honesty route by not charging me since he suggested the idea over the phone, I disabled then re-enabled the Wi-Fi mode on my live box to allow the signal to come in. I won’t hide my satisfaction at that moment... and I regretted my recurring inability to think of such simple solutions. Hoping to have provided a lead to those who might still be stuck.
Best regards
no problem under XP with this printer, but under Vista because I have two PCs, one with XP and the other with Vista, but I don't know how to print with Vista.
Hello everyone
My problem is not that my PC (Acer: Aspire Z5101 running Windows 7 64-bit) cannot connect to the printer via Wi-Fi, but when I try to print a document, whether it's in Open Office, PDF, or other formats... at the moment I click to print, the computer freezes (it doesn't respond) but not entirely, only the page I'm trying to print
Does anyone have an idea???
My problem is not that my PC (Acer: Aspire Z5101 running Windows 7 64-bit) cannot connect to the printer via Wi-Fi, but when I try to print a document, whether it's in Open Office, PDF, or other formats... at the moment I click to print, the computer freezes (it doesn't respond) but not entirely, only the page I'm trying to print
Does anyone have an idea???
It's always a mess with Lexmark, especially with the customer service people who know nothing and send you anywhere or hang up or leave the phone aside, so you pay a lot and can't leave your feedback on whether you were satisfied with the call or not. They're clever, but their trick will be found out quickly!!!