When you set to ASK, is for further actions. But, if avast is somehow blocking those specific programs and avast is not asking about it, then it would mean that avast is already deciding by itself to block it, or it already has some "don't ask me again, as the user somehow already set this specific action from this specific program to be blocked, every single time).
In other words, either "automatically" or by some other previous order, avast is ALREADY blocking (according to your reports) the specific action from the specific program.
That's why I say that, somehow, there is a need to "reset" this specific settings (behaviour shield, autosandbox, or whatever you think is part of the problem here). Then avast, still with ASK, should start again asking the user to decide "everything" again. So avast should ask you again for permission for this specific action that is being blocked.
Since 1 of the printers is on some IP port, the easiest way for now to narrow down the problem is to concentrate the efforts on the printer that is currently directly connected to the computer. Once the source of the problem is solved, you con continue with the other (IP connected) printer.