WiFi Printer Problems

Fabler2 · Aug 18, 2023

Try3 said:
I'm hoping to avoid having any new printer for quite some time.
I bought my excellent HP LaserJet M477fdw printer five years ago when it was on offer for only £250 and discounts like that just don't seem to exist any more.

But I have finally bought a decent Windows 11 test laptop [Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 16inch] that I am gradually setting up as a very low priority so, when I eventually reach the printer setup, I could try the Smart app.
If all it needs is an HP Account for just the setup procedure then that's just an annoyance rather than an encumbrance.
I'll let you know how I get on but please don't hold your breath. My target completion date is the 13th of October 2025.

All the best,
Denis

You don't have to create an HP account to use the smart app.

MisterEd · Aug 18, 2023

Stan Denman said:
Yes connecting the printer to the router has been the whole problem. I have an orbi mesh RBR10 which does not have support for WPS. I have nothing but trouble with it since day 1: internet drops, speeds can be terrible such that my RingCentral call quality is affected. They claim to support WPS. how? Look at this page - a two-sentence help article. Which unit do I press synch on? the main router? or the satellite? or both? ("OK honey I am pressing my synch button - you do the same"). Anyway pressing the synch button did not work. I have ordered an Amazon Eero 6 mesh system and will throw the orbi in the trash where it belongs!View attachment 68247

It appears that Sync on your router is actually initiating WPS mode. The first thing you need to do is start WPS mode on the HP printer. Once that has started you hit the Sync button on the router to start the WPS mode. You might have to hold the Sync button down for a few seconds before it starts the WPS process. Also, there should be blinking light on the router when WPS mode has started, The process should complete automatically within a minute or two.

Fabler2 · Aug 18, 2023

WPS is the first thing I disable in the router. Might be overkill but makes me feel better.

Wi-FI Protected Setup (WPS) is Insecure: Here's Why You Should Disable It

WPA2 with a strong password is secure as long as you disable WPS.

www.howtogeek.com

MisterEd · Aug 18, 2023

Fabler2 said:
WPS is the first thing I disable in the router. Might be overkill but makes me feel better.

Wi-FI Protected Setup (WPS) is Insecure: Here's Why You Should Disable It

WPA2 with a strong password is secure as long as you disable WPS.

www.howtogeek.com

I saw that article when it first came out. I think it is an overkill and a disservice to the average user who needs things like WPS to simplify WiFi setup.

Sure WPS is not needed. The alternative is to go back to the good old days where network setup was done by entering the configuration data manually. I had to do that for a couple decades and have no desire to go back to that.

A lot of routers use WPS. Many don't even give you the option of turning it off. If it does that is for techical people who know how to setup WiFi manually.

The OPs router is designed to use Sync aka WPS. If he were allowed to turn off Sync it would severely limit the router's usability since he would no longer be able to add satellites to his mesh network. Of course it might be possible to do things manually but why would anyone want to it that way?

Fabler2 · Aug 18, 2023

MisterEd said:
I saw that article when it first came out. I think it is an overkill and a disservice to the average user who needs things like WPS to simplify WiFi setup.

Sure WPS is not needed. The alternative is to go back to the good old days where network setup was done by entering the configuration data manually. I had to do that for a couple decades and have no desire to go back to that.

A lot of routers use WPS. Many don't even give you the option of turning it off. If it does that is for techical people who know how to setup WiFi manually.

The OPs router is designed to use Sync aka WPS. If he were allowed to turn off Sync it would severely limit the router's usability since he would no longer be able to add satellites to his mesh network. Of course it might be possible to do things manually but why would anyone want to it that way?

Good points.

Scannerman · Aug 18, 2023

Winuser said:
I skipped over most post so this might have been mentioned. Most of the times I tried installing an HP printer I had to connect it to my computer using the USB port to connect it to the computer. My opinion from trying to use HP Smart in the past. It should be named HP Stupid. I know others like it but I don't and doubt I ever will.

I refuse to put it on my work station. So far the generic driver Windows provides has worked for me but it might have something to do with it being networked via the wife's PC. Also, I don't use WiFi at my home base at all. Everything here is hard wired including the Ethernet. I had a great time wiring up all three floors!

Stan Denman · Aug 19, 2023

The fiasco continues. Installed Eero wifi . Still can not find printer. On Eero dashboard, I click "connect a wifi device" (wouldn't that make sense) where I have options of "Share a QR code" and "Share wifi details". Going down the former gives me a QR Code and invites me "To join DenmanWiFi, scan this QR code with the camera on your Android or IOS device" - well WTFI am on the eero app on my cell phone. How exactly do I accomplish that? So lets see, lets go down the "Share wifi details" path. There I get a pop up asking me to select an app the "complete action using" Again, WTF?

I call Eero. They say you have to talk to HP. This is a disaster!

Scannerman · Aug 19, 2023

You have to talk to HP. They want you to do this. HP wants you to do this. This is a thing you must do. Well, maybe not.

Have you considered connecting to your printer to your PC via Ethernet cable? Just a thought. Perhaps your printer won't allow for it. I've seen some of these things refuse to connect via WiFi until they are first connected via Ethernet cable. I've seen situations where once this is done and the PC "sees" the printer the WiFi can be set up after ward. Your struggle is only one of the plethora of reasons I avoid WiFi at all costs unless I am travelling and have no other option. But that's me.

I'm curious what HP has to say about it.

Winuser · Aug 19, 2023

Are you trying to connect the printer to the Wi-Fi network or trying to connect the computer to the printer? If you're trying to connect to your Wi-Fi network you have to do it from the printer.

Stan Denman · Aug 19, 2023

I cannot accomplish either.

Scannerman · Aug 19, 2023

Winuser said:
Are you trying to connect the printer to the Wi-Fi network or trying to connect the computer to the printer? If you're trying to connect to your Wi-Fi network you have to do it from the printer.

Where would the interface on the printer for that be located?
I know our printer has a little touch screen on it where you can configure those sorts of things but I can't find one on this M203dw.

https://www.hp.com/us-en/shop/pdp/hp-laserjet-pro-m203dw-printer

Winuser · Aug 19, 2023

Scannerman said:
Where would the interface on the printer for that be located?
I know our printer has a little touch screen on it where you can configure those sorts of things but I can't find one on this M203dw.

https://www.hp.com/us-en/shop/pdp/hp-laserjet-pro-m203dw-printer

I don't own a HP M203dw or even know what it looks like so I have no Idea. I haven't owned a printer that didn't have screen to access the menu in years.

Winuser · Aug 19, 2023

Stan, See if this can help. http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c05176850.pdf

Edit: Page 58 might help.

Winuser · Aug 19, 2023

Scannerman said:
Where would the interface on the printer for that be located?

Skimming quickly through the manual it looks like it's done in a browser.

Scannerman · Aug 19, 2023

Winuser said:
Skimming quickly through the manual it looks like it's done in a browser.

Thanks. Perhaps this will help our friend get back up and running again. :wink:

MisterEd · Aug 19, 2023

Everything you need to know is in the manual on page 2 and 4.

Page 2: The control panel #8 is on the top of the printer.

2023-08-19 21_51_38-HP LaserJet Pro M118-M119, M203-M205, HP LaserJet Ultra M206 User Guide - ...jpg

Page 4: Press and hold the Wireless button #1 to to configure WPS

2023-08-19 21_48_41-HP LaserJet Pro M118-M119, M203-M205, HP LaserJet Ultra M206 User Guide - ...jpg

Stan Denman · Aug 19, 2023

The WPS is blinking on and off constantly. But that gets me nowhere. I am done.

Scannerman · Aug 20, 2023

Stan Denman said:
The WPS is blinking on and off constantly. But that gets me nowhere. I am done.

Just curious, but did you ever talk to HP and walk through it with them? Their support is usually quite good.

Fabler2 · Aug 20, 2023

Scannerman said:
Just curious, but did you ever talk to HP and walk through it with them? Their support is usually quite good.

I agree. Might be broken from new.

MisterEd · Aug 20, 2023

Stan Denman said:
The WPS is blinking on and off constantly. But that gets me nowhere. I am done.

That is normal when you are not connected to the router. Like I said you have to press the button on the printer to start WPS. You then go to the router to start Sync (WPS) on it. The rest will be automatic with the printer connecting to the router. After this is done the WiFi light will no longer blink.