Nest doesn't connect to printer

[Dsloss1]

Similar issue to Krax, my Nest Wifi is connected to a modem/router combo. The Nest Wifi name is distinct from the Wifi network from the modem/router. I have a printer USB-connected to a desktop computer ethernet-connected to the modem/router. The Nest does not see the desktop computer nor the printer attached. I can still print from my laptop by changing my network to the original from the modem/router. I've checked the sharing on the new Nest network  and made sure it was a private network for printer sharing. The printer shows Shared. It is an old HP Officejet K80 and does not have Wifi capability, only USB. Will turning off the Wifi from the original modem/router have any effect? Is there another work-around or am I stuck until I get a new Wifi-capable printer?

[olavrb]

Nest Wifi primary point acts as a NAT router by default. Which means you now have double NAT. And that the printer is on a different subnet than devices connected to Nest Wifi.

If you only have one Nest Wifi, not using mesh/ multiple points, you could put the Nest Wifi in bridge mode.

• https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/6240987?hl=en

Else your modem should be in bridge mode, its' Wi-Fi turned off, Nest Wifi as your only NAT router, and all devices connected behind it.

[Dsloss1]

ISP and router/modem no longer support bridge mode. Would an easy work-around be to add a wireless card to the desktop computer and just connect to the Nest network? Then both the desktop and printer will be seen by Nest. 

[olavrb]

I don't think that would work very well.

The Nest wifi puck can also be bridged, as stated in the guide I sent you. That way it won't add an additional subnet behind additional NAT, and devices connected to it should be able to see the printer.

[Dsloss1]

But I have 3 Nest pucks as a mesh, which is the main reason I bought the system. I'll see if I have a plain modem to replace the router/modem combo, and if it's compatible with the Nest. I saw it had to be wpa2 or wpa3 capable.

[Jeff]

Hey, Dsloss1.

I just wanted to hop in real quick to see if you decided on a direction with this. Did you have another modem to test? If so, did it work out for you? Let me know if there's anything else I can do to help out on this one.

Thanks.

[Dsloss1]

I did not have another modem to test the theory. Decided to just change to the original network when I want to print until I get a new printer with Wifi capability. Been thinking about a laser all-in-one for awhile, now the push is on! If you have other ideas, I'm willing to try them.

[Jeff]

Hey, Dsloss1.

Thanks for letting me know what you're doing in the meantime. Just curious if you wanted to keep this going to continue to look at it over time, or if you wanted to go ahead and mark this as resolved for now. Let me know what you think.

Thanks.

[Dsloss1]

Might as well mark it as resolved as it can be. 

[Jeff]

Thanks, Dsloss1.

If you have anything else to add or need anything more, please feel free to open up a new discussion and we'll be happy to help.

Thanks.