Windows Server 2012R2 Print sever -"Offline - Printing" Issue

[bumpcity76]

Hopefully, this is the correct forum for this issue. Anyway, I'm running a Windows Server 2012R2 print server, fully updated. I've got a mix of MFC's, mostly Savin MP5002's, and MPC4503's, but a few oddballs, as well. All of the copiers are on the latest firmware update and installed using the latest manufacturer model-specific PCL6 drivers (no universal print drivers). Most of our users print PDF's, almost exclusively. Occasional, a user will attempt to print a PDF, but it will show up in the queue as 'Offline Printing' and the copier lists as 'Offline' in Windows Print Management, on the print server. Other users are able to submit print jobs to that copier, but they just stack in the queue. I normally have to delete the job, in the queue, and restart the print spooler service. This corrects the issue, and the queue clears out. The user is able to successfully print the PDF that originally was listed as 'Offline - Printing', once I've bounced the print spooler service. It happens to several of the copiers, and it's not model specific. I have a Muratec MFX-35x0 that gives me trouble, too. I don't see any relevant errors in the event viewer and our copier service provider has no clue. Any idea what keeps causing this to happen?

Thanks,
Kris

[emujo]

Re: Windows Server 2012R2 Print sever -"Offline - Printing" Issue

Nothing specific to your model family, but most newer printers use SNMP to communicate back to the server the status of the printer. 2012 is probably using SMNP v3. You could be blocking comms though a firewall or antivirus software, or if your SNMP settings are anything but the default values in the MFPs you could be losing the info there. Either way, if you are getting an offline message I would look here 1st. If you install the drivers locally on a workstation do you get the same symptoms?? Emujo

[bumpcity76]

Re: Windows Server 2012R2 Print sever -"Offline - Printing" Issue

Well, I've got 20 printer\copiers, about 165 users, and the problem is infrequent and unpredictable. So, I'm not sure it would be easy to test, with certainty, by installing drivers locally. I'll check the SNMP settings. I think I disabled SNMP, per the service tech's request. Let me verify.

edit: Well, for the copiers set up with 'Standard TCP\IP Ports', I have unchecked "SNMP Status Enabled". Some of the copiers are using 'SC2 TCP/IP Port' and I don't see that particular option.

[slimslob]

Re: Windows Server 2012R2 Print sever -"Offline - Printing" Issue

In the printer properties - port settings, click configure port. If the SNMP Status Enabled box is checked, uncheck it, both at the Server and at the workstation. If a SNMP status request is sent and the computer does not get a response back within a fixed time frame, it is then assumed that the printer is off line. Unchecking the box disables random SNMP status checks.

[bumpcity76]

Re: Windows Server 2012R2 Print sever -"Offline - Printing" Issue

For those printers using 'Standard TCP/IP Ports', SNMP Enabled is unchecked. However, I don't see any SNMP options for the SC2 TCP/IP ports. Are there any SNMP configuration options for that port type? I can't find much information on SC2 ports. If you're familiar, care to enlighten?

[ruben]

Re: Windows Server 2012R2 Print sever -"Offline - Printing" Issue

When you add the printer, make sure that the Device Type is set to TCP/IP Device and not Auto Detect. It can cause some weird issues, sometimes even setting the device to WSD.

[bronco31]

Re: Windows Server 2012R2 Print sever -"Offline - Printing" Issue

When you add the printer, make sure that the Device Type is set to TCP/IP Device and not Auto Detect. It can cause some weird issues, sometimes even setting the device to WSD.

this i didnt know...(i never do use AutoDetect)

Also.. is this issue because when we use the print drivers "setup.exe" to load it .. that it then installs SNMP stuff.. like a Kyocera Print Monitor little applet running in the background?

shd we always/best practice to use the Windows/Browse for the .inf file way of installing printers?

[bumpcity76]

Re: Windows Server 2012R2 Print sever -"Offline - Printing" Issue

I always add a port, then browse for the drvier/ini to install that copier/printer. I'm still confused as to the difference between SC2 and Standard TCP/IP ports. It's looking like only the copiers on SC2 ports are having the issues, but I can' say for certain. I'll have to continue to monitor an note which are whic, when I run into the issue.

[rthonpm]

Re: Windows Server 2012R2 Print sever -"Offline - Printing" Issue

this i didnt know...(i never do use AutoDetect)

Also.. is this issue because when we use the print drivers "setup.exe" to load it .. that it then installs SNMP stuff.. like a Kyocera Print Monitor little applet running in the background?

shd we always/best practice to use the Windows/Browse for the .inf file way of installing printers?

For any drivers with a .exe, try unbundling the file with 7Zip. HP is notorious for the amount of bloatware in their drivers and using this method I can pull out just the print driver and just go on with my day. Did any of the machines on SC2 ports replace Sharp devices? Those seem to be the only devices I've ever encountered using that kind of port.

Overall, your best bet is going to be to blow away those ports from the server and re-create them either as pure TCP/IP or LPR ports and re-create the print queues using those.

[bumpcity76]

Re: Windows Server 2012R2 Print sever -"Offline - Printing" Issue

Still, I don't think problem I'm having is related to driver installation method. It may be an SNMP issue, maybe standard vs SC2 ports. Anyone have more insight on the differences between standard and SC2 ports?
SC2.jpg
Here's the start of the add printer dialog on Server 2012r2. In the past, I would select standard TCP/IP port, but the default option is the bottom option. You can choose between local port and SC2 TCP/IP. It's almost like you're 'steered' to that option. Regardless, what's the difference between SC2 and standard? From what I see, there is no obvious SNMP options like there are with the standard port (such as unchecking SNMP Enabled under port settings). I'm wondering if my problem isn't an SNMP issue, related to SC2 ports.

[emujo]

Re: Windows Server 2012R2 Print sever -"Offline - Printing" Issue

Some of those ports are added by software..Equitrac adds an "EQ" port, PSES adds its own port. But, in my experience, standard TCP/IP port has always been a choice along with the other ports. I'm sticking with SNMP, as this is the protocol that gives the printer its ONLINE/OFFLINE Status... This protocol uses UDP port 161, have you looked to see if you are blocking it? Emujo

[faxman28]

Re: Windows Server 2012R2 Print sever -"Offline - Printing" Issue

Still, I don't think problem I'm having is related to driver installation method. It may be an SNMP issue, maybe standard vs SC2 ports. Anyone have more insight on the differences between standard and SC2 ports?
[ATTACH=CONFIG]29816[/ATTACH]
Here's the start of the add printer dialog on Server 2012r2. In the past, I would select standard TCP/IP port, but the default option is the bottom option. You can choose between local port and SC2 TCP/IP. It's almost like you're 'steered' to that option. Regardless, what's the difference between SC2 and standard? From what I see, there is no obvious SNMP options like there are with the standard port (such as unchecking SNMP Enabled under port settings). I'm wondering if my problem isn't an SNMP issue, related to SC2 ports.

I have only seen SC2 port for Sharp MFP/Printer , SC2 is a proprietary Sharp TCP printer port, snmp is turned off in the Sharp copiers web page. But usually I just delete the port and add a standard tcp/ip port or reload the print driver using standard port.

[ZOOTECH]

Re: Windows Server 2012R2 Print sever -"Offline - Printing" Issue

I have only seen SC2 port for Sharp MFP/Printer , SC2 is a proprietary Sharp TCP printer port, snmp is turned off in the Sharp copiers web page. But usually I just delete the port and add a standard tcp/ip port or reload the print driver using standard port.

Same here; along with disabling WSD.

[slimslob]

Re: Windows Server 2012R2 Print sever -"Offline - Printing" Issue

this i didnt know...(i never do use AutoDetect)

Also.. is this issue because when we use the print drivers "setup.exe" to load it .. that it then installs SNMP stuff.. like a Kyocera Print Monitor little applet running in the background?

shd we always/best practice to use the Windows/Browse for the .inf file way of installing printers?

I like to download to the latest driver from Ricoh. Do not however download the PCL driver for universal print as it can tend to be slow.

[bumpcity76]

Re: Windows Server 2012R2 Print sever -"Offline - Printing" Issue

Well, I created a new standard port for one of my more troublesome copiers, and deleted the sc2 port. Luckily, swapping ports doesn't break the share. We'll see how that goes.

None of our copiers are using universal print drivers, I used the latest manufacturer\model specific PCL 6 drivers.