Google WiFi (3 access points): how to disconnect/reconnect one specific device

[RunnerGirl]

I have a Google WiFi mesh network with 3 access points (installed in 2018).  My new Epson printer (purchased the end of December 2021) has been giving me tons of issues with remaining connected such that Epson sent me a replacement printer.  I finally gave up on connecting the printer wirelessly and have the printer connected to one of the two bridge access points (LAN port) with a Cat6 ethernet cable.  Overall, it has been working much better.  However, the IP address keeps changing, and I don't find out until I can't print.

I found a great tip for setting a static IP address, which I understand completely - the tip is really good with a step-by-step procedure: 

https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/6274660?hl=en

DHCP IP reservation or Set a Static IP address for a device

The only problem I am having is how to do what the NOTE at the bottom of the tip states:

Note: You may need to disconnect this device from your Wi-Fi network and reconnect it before it is assigned the reserved IP.

I have been unable to find a specific help article for this.  

1. Do I restart the network?
2. Do I find and follow a tip for disconnecting the device?
3. If it is #2, then what do I need to do to reconnect?

It would be nice if this note had a link to a help article on how to do this.  

Any and all help is appreciated -- I want to ensure I know how to do all the steps prior to actually doing this.  And I certainly hope this solves my problem.  I have given up with Epson as a wireless printer (I have run all the tests, and the connectivity is "excellent" but I also noticed the Epson results show "more than one router on the same network," so I suspect it can't handle the 3 access points as "one mesh network").  But that is another story for another day.....

Hoping a static IP address + the ethernet cable link resolves the intermittent connectivity issues and Epson SW "filter failure" issues when trying to print.

Thank you!

[EdwardT]

Hi RunnerGirl,

Thanks for sharing. Please observe your printer's connection and let us know if it disconnects again and we'd be glad to help.

Thanks,

Edward

[RunnerGirl]

Hi Edward,

When we were connected with WiFi for the printer, it disconnected constantly with a "302626 system error" (of course, not documented ANYWHERE in Epson-land nor can/will any Epson rep tell me what it means and what causes it)  - I was rebooting, re-installing the Epson SW, etc., on a daily basis pretty much.

Things have settled down since I connected the printer with a Cat6 cable to one of three Google WiFi Access Points (got the printer "Filter Failure" only 3 times so far in about 4-5 weeks).  But I noticed that the IP address changes, so then I need to update the scanner SW and other things.

That is why I want to try reserving an IP address for the printer.  That tip is great (I haven't tried it yet).

What I cannot find is what are the steps to "disconnect and then reconnect" the printer that the NOTE in the tip says I might need to do.  Is it as simple as just restarting my network?  Or powering off/on the printer?  I liked to know exactly, step-by-step, what to do when I work on my network.

I have been approaching my printer issues from the Epson perspective and not my network itself.  Epson support wants me to try WiFi again with just the main router access point, and then if that works, add the other 2 in.  I suspect the Epson printer can't handle a mesh network - when I run the connectivity test on the printer, it states the signal strength is "excellent" but that "The same SSID may be set on several wireless routers."  

Using the Cat6 cable connection, I am no longer getting the persistent Epson "system error" message that the printer was getting every single day.  

I keep debating if it's worth the aggravation and time to go through the PD that Epson wants since the printer works much better cabled.  

In the meantime, if you or someone can point me to the correct steps for disconnecting and reconnecting a device once I do the static IP address for the printer, that would be great.

Thanks, RunnerGirl

[EdwardT]

Hi RunnerGirl, 

Thanks for the reply. It shouldn't be a problem whether the printer changes the IP address as long as it's added correctly on your computer. I would suggest trying to reserve an IP address on your printer and let us know if the issue would reoccur.

Thanks,

Edward

[EdwardT]

Hi RunnerGirl, 

It's me again. I wanted to check back in to see if you have other questions and concerns. Feel free to let me know if you do. 

Thanks,

Edward

[RunnerGirl]

Greetings EdwardT,

I appreciate the follow-up.

Today, I set a a static IP address for my Epson printer. I then restarted my network.

I have kept the printer cabled to an access point.

I will post how things are going.  I am still debating on trying WiFi now that the IP address is static to see if I no longer get the Epson "system error" and if the printer behaves better relative to that and connectivity.

Thank you so much.  Regards, RunnerGirl

[EdwardT]

Hi RunnerGirl,

Thanks for the response. Please keep us posted with how your printer behaves once you've decided to connect it to Wifi.

Thanks,

Edward

[EdwardT]

Hi RunnerGirl,

It's me again. I wanted to check back in to see if you have other questions and concerns. Feel free to let me know if you do. 

Thanks,

Edward

[RunnerGirl]

Thanks for checking in!  I have been buried with lots of things going on and haven't had a chance to change the printer to WiFi yet with just one access point to see if anything happens (i.e., the Epson system error) or if it will occur only with more than one access point.  I am definitely going to post here once I have results.  Plus the printer has been working with the ethernet cable and the static IP address -- hate to ruin a good thing!  You know how that is!!!  

Thanks much.  Will keep you posted.

[EdwardT]

Hi RunnerGirl,

Thanks for the update. Glad to hear that it's still working fine with the ethernet. I'll keep this thread open until you've tested it. Don't hesitate to reach out to us if you have other questions and we'd be glad to assist.

Thanks,

Edward

[RunnerGirl]

Hello again,

I hope you don't mind keeping this thread open for a while.  At this time, I am so buried with so many things that it will be some time before I can try the WiFi configuration.  The printer is working so well with the static IP address + cable connection, so since we need the printer and have so much going on over the next several months, I want to leave it this way.

I promise I will do the problem determination steps as soon as I can get to it - on my pile of things to do!

I appreciate your help and understanding, RunnerGirl

[EdwardT]

Hi RunnerGirl,

Thanks for letting us know. No worries, I'll keep this thread open until you get the chance to try the steps. Just reach out to us if you have questions.

Thanks,

Edward

[Jeff]

Hey, RunnerGirl.

I'm following back up to see if you were able to try out those steps and to see if you got this worked out. If you're still needing help, let me know.

Thanks,

- Jeff

[RunnerGirl]

Hi Jeff,

Not yet - truly, we have been beyond chaotically busy!!!  Realistically, I won't be able to try this until the September timeframe - I want to be honest and not leave anyone hanging.

Thank you so much for the follow-up.  I do want to do this, but again, I just can't get to it now.

RunnerGirl