Posted on by Mac User

Workaround: Xerox B230V A4 Laser Mono Printer Wi-Fi Connectivity Drops on iMac

Some users have reported intermittent Wi-Fi connectivity issues when using the Xerox B230V A4 Laser Mono Printer with Apple iMac (macOS) systems. The printer may appear offline, stop responding to print jobs, or require frequent reconnection after sleep or network idle periods.

This article outlines reliable workarounds to stabilize printing while Xerox or Apple driver updates are pending.

Symptoms

  • Printer frequently shows “Offline” on macOS
  • Print jobs remain stuck in the queue
  • Printer disconnects after iMac sleep or wake
  • Requires printer or Wi-Fi restart to resume printing

Root Cause (Likely Factors)

While not always caused by a single issue, the problem is commonly linked to:

  • macOS power-saving network behavior
  • Bonjour / AirPrint instability on certain Wi-Fi routers
  • Printer switching IP addresses via DHCP
  • Wi-Fi sleep or roaming behavior on 2.4 GHz networks

Workarounds

1. Assign a Static IP Address to the Printer (Recommended)

Dynamic IP changes are a major cause of dropped connections.

Steps:

  1. Log into your router’s admin interface
  2. Locate the Xerox B230V in the DHCP or connected devices list
  3. Assign a reserved/static IP address
  4. Restart the printer

Then on macOS:

  • Remove the existing printer
  • Re-add it using System Settings → Printers & Scanners → Add Printer
  • Choose IP instead of AirPrint
  • Protocol: IPP
  • Address: Static IP of the printer
  • Use: Generic PCL Printer or Xerox driver if installed

✅ This significantly improves reliability.

2. Avoid AirPrint; Use IP Printing Instead

AirPrint can be unstable on some networks.

Why this helps:
Direct IP printing bypasses Bonjour discovery, which is often where the connection drops.

3. Disable macOS Wi-Fi Power Saving

macOS may deprioritize network connections during idle periods.

Steps:

  1. Open System Settings → Battery
  2. Disable:
    • “Put hard disks to sleep when possible”
    • “Wake for network access” (toggle OFF, then ON if already enabled)
  3. Restart the iMac

4. Keep the Printer Awake

If the printer enters deep sleep, it may not reconnect properly.

On the printer control panel or web interface:

  • Increase sleep timeout
  • Disable “Deep Sleep” if available

5. Use 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi (Not 5 GHz)

The Xerox B230V is more stable on 2.4 GHz networks.

If your router combines bands:

  • Temporarily separate SSIDs (e.g., MyWiFi_2G and MyWiFi_5G)
  • Connect the printer to 2.4 GHz only

6. USB Connection as a Temporary Fallback

If Wi-Fi remains unstable:

  • Connect the printer via USB
  • macOS will maintain a stable connection
  • This can be used while troubleshooting or awaiting firmware updates

Additional Notes

  • Ensure the printer firmware is up to date via the Xerox support site
  • Avoid VPN connections while printing
  • Restarting the router can temporarily resolve the issue but is not a permanent fix

Conclusion

The most effective workaround is assigning a static IP address and using IP-based printing instead of AirPrint. This resolves the majority of Wi-Fi drop issues between the Xerox B230V and iMac systems.

If the issue persists after applying all steps, consider contacting Xerox Support with macOS version details and router model information.