Wireless Printer Installation Troubleshooting

Wireless Printer Installation Troubleshooting

Step one: Print a test page

If you have problems setting up your printer, the first thing to do is print a Network Configuration page and Wireless Network Test report (if the printer has a wireless network connection) from the printer control panel. Consult your manual for instructions.

This information will allow you to troubleshoot the installation. Also, have your wireless router's network name (SSIDService Set Identifier. A user specified name that identifies a particular 802.11x wireless network.SSID) and, if your wireless network uses either WEPWired Equivalent Privacy. This encryption standard was the original encryption standard for wireless communication. WEP was designed to provide the same level of security as a wired network, but has since been compromised and is now relatively easy for hackers to break by finding the key.WEP or WPAWi-Fi Protected Access is considered a much more secure encryption method than WEP. However, some early network products only support WEP, which is why some users still use it. WPA2 is the latest version of WPA.WPA security, the wireless password.

Step two: Determine if your printer is connected to your wireless router

Refer to the Network Configuration page or Wireless Network Test report and check the following:

• Does the Wireless Network Test report indicate trouble? Follow the recommendations on the report to resolve them.

• Do the reports indicate that the printer is connected to your wireless router, and not to a neighbor's? The network name the printer is connected to will be shown on the both the Network Configuration page and Wireless Network Test report.

• Compare the printer's IP addressAn IP address is a series of numbers by which computers, printers and other devices on a network are known. An IP address is usually issued by the local wireless router (network) from its DHCP service. A device is given an IP address that is similar to the wireless router's IP address. For example, if the wireless router's IP address is 192.168.1.1, a printer may be given an IP address of 192.168.1.5. IP address to the Gateway IP addressThis is the IP address of your wireless router.gateway IP address. They should have a similar format (for example, the gateway IP address might be 192.168.0.1 and the printer IP address 192.168.0.5). If the printer has an IP address similar to 169.254.XXX.XXX or 0.0.0.0, it probably is not connected to your wireless network.

• If you're using a wireless connection, see if the wireless indicator lamp is illuminated. Also, the Wireless Network Test report will indicate if the printer's wireless radio is off. Can you turn on the wireless radio from the control panel of the printer (if the radio is off)? Are there any error messages on the printer or unexpected blinking lights. Consult your manual to determine what to expect.

• On some printers, the Network Configuration page will list all wireless networks detected in your area. Is your network listed among those found? Does it have good signal strength?

• Are there several networks on your same channel or using channels close to your channel? You should use a channel at least 5 channels away from the closest used channel. Consider changing your wireless router's channel. We recommend 1 or 11.

  • If your printer is connected to your wireless router, continue to the next step.

  • If your printer is not connected to your wireless router, follow these steps:

    • Look for firmware updates for your specific printer on HP's web site: Get Software and Drivers

    • If your Internet Service Provider (ISP) owns your router, unplug the Internet cable that runs between the router and the wall.

      1. Cycle power to your printer: turn the printer off using the on/off button. Remove the power cord from the back of the printer, wait 30 seconds and then reconnect the cord. Consult your manual for specifics.

      2. Restart the Wireless routerA wireless router is networking hardware that allows both wired and wireless devices to connect to a network. When connected to a wireless router, devices such as computers, printers, and other Wi-Fi enabled electronics can share one Internet connection AND connect to each other. Connections can be made to the wireless router through a wireless connection or a wired connection using an Ethernet cable.wireless router by removing the power cord to the router, waiting 30 seconds, then reconnecting the power cord.

      3. Restart your computer.

      4. Connect the printer to the router.

      5. Give your printer a static IP address. For instructions on assigning a static IP address, see the DISCOVER MORE section on this page, and go to HP's Wireless Printing Center.

Step three: If your printer is connected to your wireless router, but you cannot print (and/or scan)

1. Download and run HP's Network Diagnostic Utility. See the TROUBLSHOOTING TOOLS section on this page for a link to the utility.

2. Make sure your operating system is current. (In Windows, use Windows Update. For Mac OS, use Software Update.)

3. Make sure that your computer is free from viruses, malware, etc.

4. Make sure your computer is not connected through a VPNVirtual Private Network - A secure network that is layered on top of an existing network. The private nature of a VPN means that the data traveling over the VPN is not generally visible to the other computers or printers on the existing network. An example of this is a computer that is connected on a home network as well as over a VPN connection will not have access to other devices connected on the home network such as a wireless printer.VPN (Virtual Private Network). You cannot access devices on your wireless network while connected to a VPN.

5. Disable your operating system's FirewallAny software program or hardware device designed to prevent computers on a network from communicating directly with external computers by filtering the information coming through the Internet connection into your private network or computer. A Firewall keeps hackers out and personal data in by acting as a barrier through which all information passing between the network or computer and external systems must pass.firewall and your security system's firewall and re-test.
   If this fixes the problem, open ports in the firewall. See the firewall manufacturer for more information.

6. Download and install the latest software for your specific printer and operating system from Get Software and Drivers.
   It is important that you download the software specific to your HP printer model. The software shipped on your CD may have been updated since it was created. If you are reinstalling or uninstalling, use the HP Uninstall software to remove previous software installations or partial installations first.

7. Look for software updates for your specific software while you are the Software and Driver web site.