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BackUnable; Cannot; Communicate; Scan; Print; Communication failure; Smart Solutions access; Cannot download; Scanning failed; Unable to download applications; Widget download failure; AVG blocks processes; Network communication; Firewall; Norton; McAfee; CA Security; Trend Micro; Anti-virus;
Firewall Preventing Communication or 'Communication Failure' Error when Trying to Scan, Print, or Perform a Smart Solution Function |
Document ID:FA698 |
| Properties |
Problem
Solution
Overview
IMPORTANT! This article may be useful if:
- You have lost complete network communication with the printer despite a green Wi-Fi indicator light, or
- Certain printer functions that require network access have ceased to work, or
- You did not configure your firewall software application to ALLOW or GRANT 'Full Access' during the original printer software installation, or
- You did not properly identify and configure ALL Lexmark process (.exe) exceptions to allow full network communication, or
- You purchased a firewall application after the purchase and installation of the printer and have not yet configured the exceptions or accessibility rules.
NOTE: Click here if you just replaced or reset a router, printer or other network component.
Before you begin
It is important to understand that more than one firewall running concurrently is the main source of network communication failure with the printer or All-In-One.
Check the following before proceeding:
- Is your operating system firewall turned ON? Click here for more information.
- Is your wireless router's firewall turned ON? See your router documentation.
- Does your computer have a built in BIOS firewall? NOTE: Rare cases.
- Are you running an anti-virus application suite that includes a firewall application?
- Did you install any free software that includes spyware protection and anti-virus protection?
HINT: Turn OFF any additional firewall applications, and focus your attention on your primary firewall application. This is critical when trying to isolate network communication problems. Consult your computer manufacturer for any pre-installed applications.
Relevant All-In-One Printers
Applies to the following printer series:
- All S300 and S400 Series All-In-Ones
- All S500 Series All-In-Ones
- All S600 Series All-In-Ones
- All Pro200 Series All-In-Ones
- All Pro700 series All-In-Ones
- All Pro800 Series All-In-Ones
- All Pro900 Series All-In-Ones
- Previous generations of All-In-Ones (Any older All-In-One printer not listed above)
TCP and UDP Ports List
| TCP Ports | Direction |
| TCP 21 | Inbound/Outbound |
| TCP 80 | Inbound/Outbound |
| TCP 443 | Inbound/Outbound |
| TCP 9100 | Inbound/Outbound |
| TCP 9100 | Inbound/Outbound |
| UDP Ports | |
| UDP 5353 | Inbound/Outbound |
| UDP 9580 | Inbound/Outbound |
| UDP 9100 | Inbound/Outbound |
| UDP, **Product specific port range 39000-39058 | Inbound/Outbound |
Process Directory Locations
Some firewall applications actually block the process by blocking the directory where the process executable (.exe) file resides.
The table below may help if you have one these types of firewall applications.
|
Process Directory Locations Important! The Primary Directories in Bold below are most often blocked by firewall applications. Source files in other locations are not typically involved in firewall communication issues. |
|||||
| Process/Application | 32-bit OS location | 64-bit OS location | |||
| Primary Directory | Primary Directory | ||||
|
Instgui.exe Description: The installation CD custom installer communicates over the local network, but not over the Internet. |
c:\Program
Files\<series name>\Install\x86
|
c:\Program Files\<series
name>\Install\x64
|
|||
|
<prefix>coms.exe Description: This process handles low-level communication between the PC and the device over USB and networked connections. |
c:\windows\system32 |
c:\windows\system32, and c:\windows\SysWOW64 |
|||
|
<prefix>wbgw.exe Description: This process communicates with the Internet. This is the only Lexmark SW component that communicates with the Internet. |
c:\Program Files\<series name>, and c:\window\System32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3 |
c:\Program Files\<series name>, and c:\window\System32\spool\drivers\x64\3 |
|||
|
<prefix>wpss.exe Description: The Wireless Setup utility allows easy configuration of the printer's wireless settings from the PC and communicates over the local network. |
c:\Program Files\<series
name>\Wireless
|
c:\Program Files (x86)\<series
name>\Wireless
|
|||
- <lxea>: S300 series and S400 series
- <lxeb>: Pro200 series and S500 series
- <lxec>: Pro800 series and Pro900 series
- <lxed>: S600 series
- <lxee>: Pro700 series
IMPORTANT! Do not remove the file(s) found in the %programfiles%\lexmark xxxx series\drivers\i386 directory.
This would include any printer not listed above or previous generations of All-In-One printers:
| Process/Application | Function | 32-bit OS location | 64-bit OS location |
| lx??coms.exe | communications module | system32 dir | system32 dir |
| lx??pswx.exe | pswx | C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3 | C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\drivers\x64\3 |
| lx??jswx.exe | job status window | C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3 | C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\drivers\x64\3 |
| lx??wbgy.exe | web gateway | C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3 | C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\drivers\x64\3 |
| lx??lscn.exe | lean scan | C:\Program Files\Lexmark XXXX Series\lx??lscn.exe | C:\Program Files (x86)\Lexmark XXXX Series\lx??lscn.exe |
| lx??mon.exe | device monitor for button presses | C:\Program Files\Lexmark XXXX Series\lx??mon.exe | C:\Program Files (x86)\Lexmark XXXX Series\lx??mon.exe |
| lx??amon.exe | additional device monitor on some products | C:\Program Files\Lexmark XXXX Series\lx??amon.exe | C:\Program Files (x86)\Lexmark XXXX Series\lx??amon.exe |
| lx??app4r.exe | productivity studio | C:\Program Files\Lexmark XXXX Series\lx??app4r.exe | C:\Program Files (x86)\Lexmark XXXX Series\lx??app4r.exe |
Comprehensive Process/Ports List
The table below may help you identify a firewall condition if:
- You have identified a specific function that is failing, and
- Your firewall application requires specific process, port, and direction information to create (grant) firewall exceptions.
- You need to verify these processes and ports are granted 'Full/Always Allow' access in your firewall application.
| Process | Port | Direction | Function(s) |
| WebGW | TCP 21/80/443 | Inbound/Outbound |
Lexmark applications: Lexmark Home, Lexmark Service Center, Update manager and Lexmark Connect. |
| COMS |
TCP 9100 UDP Ports: 9100, 9580, 5353, 39000-39058 |
Inbound/Outbound |
Lexmark applications: Any application that communicates over the local network. |
| Install | UDP 5353 | Inbound/Outbound | Network printer discovery |
| WPSS | UDP 5353 | Inbound/Outbound |
Network printer discovery Lexmark applications: Wireless Setup Utility, Apple's Wireless Setup Assistant, Bonjour |
Other Communication Questions and Answers
- What network ports and affiliated processes are associated with Smart Solutions?
A: The only network activity associated with Smart Solutions is via the standard HID port or via a web browser.
The web browser process utilizes Port (80) to access the Internet. In this particular case, therefore, a firewall will not detect Lexmark software.
- Do scan, card reader and Smart Solutions alerts all access or utilize the same port?
A: Yes, alerts associated with these functions are network port specific and unique per AIO printer model.
These human interface devices (HIDs) alerts utilize UDP Port 9100 (host) and a product-specific UDP port (device) in the 39000-39058 range.
All events that produce a HID alert for a given product – whether scan, card reader, or Smart Solution widgets – will utilize the same ports.
In other words, there are no specific ports for Scan versus card reader activity.
Related Article
Processes Blocked by Firewall Applications Prevent Scanning Functions (For newer printer models)
Still Need Help?
If you require additional assistance, please contact Lexmark Technical Support. NOTE: When calling for phone support, you will need your model/machine type and serial number (SN).
For improved technical support, all callers should be near the computer and the printer in case the technician on the phone asks you to perform a task involving one of the devices.