Google Cloud Print -- getting offline printers back online (for Chromebook, or other devices)

Quick Fix: scroll to Solution below.

What it is:  Google Cloud Print is a great way to share your printers with someone else; all you need is the Chrome browser.

A friend needs to print something?
They could send you the file, you could save it, open it and hope it looks the same, doesn't contain any malware, you have the same program and version, and then print it.  Or they could install the necessary drivers, software, and then come over and configure a new printer.
Or, you can just share the printer with them (like you do any google doc),
and it will appear in their list of printers available to them (at least from Chrome).
No additional software to install,
no special configuration,
just select that printer in the list of available printers.

Visiting an office or campus, and don't have access to the network printers, don't have the drivers available, etc. ?
Having someone share their printer via google cloud print is an easy way for you to print something there and not bother them every time.  If you don't have a printer, or want to pay for some high-quality output, you can also print directly to a Fedex/kinkos office (and probably other commercial print services) ("Print to Fedex Office" is already available when you print from Chrome).

You don't even have to be on the same network, so you can print on the printer at work while you're at home or on the road, or vice versa.  Some newer printers come "Cloud print enabled", other (older dumb, or directly attached) printers will need to have a Chrome browser running on a computer that can print to that printer (and is shared with you).  An old or cheap computer could be set up to run chrome and be the office "print server", saving everyone one else from having to all install the

Sharing printers via google cloud print may be the only way to print from a Chromebook or Android (direct printing, not by emailing files or photos), because the printer may not support this device or have "drivers" available (stupid manufacturers should use common open protocols, not proprietary device-specific controls).

Symptom:

Occasionally, the printer goes offline.  After months of working fine, it stopped, and said "Printer offline for 10 days", even though it was on, and I had printed to it (minutes before) from the computer where I had shared it.  "Cloud Printers"
showed it as offline, but refreshing did not change the status.

One thing that would probably work is removing, and then adding the printer again to Google Cloud Print (and then probably having to share it again with everyone).  I was starting down this route, and the first step to adding a printer is to go to Chrome settings, find Google Cloud Print (fastest way is to just type "print" into the Search settings box), and then click the Manage button.

Solution:

Just viewing the devices listed in Google Cloud Print brought the printer back online.
In fact I heard the printer wake up and it commenced to printing the queued document.
Here's a shortcut to that section in your settings:
  -- you'll need to copy and paste it manually (browser security reasons),
or search in settings for "printers".

Now, go the the "Cloud Printers" link above, or if you have the tab open already click refresh, and now it should be online.


If you are using Windows and want to print from other programs, there is "Cloud Printer" software (available from Google).

Why does the printer go offline?  I don't know.
Did this work for you?
Let me know.

Update 2016-02-21: This has been reported as a bug at the link below. To vote for it to get fixed, please go to the link and click the star icon near the upper left corner of the webpage. You need to be signed into your Google account to vote. 
https://bugs.chromium.org/p/chromium/issues/detail?id=588462 

Configuring Brother HL-2170W with wireless and WPA2

Configuring  with wireless and WPA2

The Brother HL-2170W is a nice affordable black and white laser printer, and because it is wireless, you can put it anywhere in your house that is convenient (after you have the wireless configured).  Here's how:

First, your printer need to be connected via ethernet to your network  (into your router is probably simplest, but you can also do it directly to your computer if you have a DHCP server running).

Find the IP of the printer and enter it into your browser; this will be up the web configuration interface.
Click "Network Configuration", and enter 'admin' for username, 'access' for the password.

All the above info should be in the manual (if you have it, I don't),
or see the helpful instructions here:  http://www.brother-usa.com/faqs/static/ale_17465.pdf

The following steps are wireless specific:

1. Enter the value for SSID.
   It's easier to click the 'Browse' button and find your network
   (unless you know that SSID broadcast is turned off.)
2. For Authentication Method, select  WPA2-PSK
3. For Encryption Mode, choose AES  (not TKIP, which is the default)
   This was the important setting for me
4. Enter your wireless "password in the Passphrase box.
5. Click Submit button.

It should quickly reply with a "settings have been entered" page, and after a few seconds will update with a message telling you to disconnect the ethernet.  Hopefully you will be connected now.  After another 30 seconds or so it will print a network status page; if it was successful, there will be a line listed near the bottom with "Wireless link status".