New router can’t re-connect HP OfficeJet to wireless network

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[IreneLinda]

Hi Loungers,

Help! Our router died and the provided installed a new one with a new network name and password. I have spent all day on HP and Google trying to find out how to get it connected so I can print.

I tried downloading the printer software/drivers (HP OfficeJet 6500 E709n) again, but can’t get it to connect without a USB cable, which I don’t have (and which I didn’t need when I first connected the printer to the network on the old router).

Having tried everything suggested to me (123.hp.com, a mobile app, re-downloading software…), I am totally out of ideas (not to mention patience!).

Can someone here please help. HP help just keeps sending me around and around in circles.

My fingers are crossed.

Thanks for any help you can offer,

Linda

• This topic was modified 4 years, 8 months ago by IreneLinda.

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The problem needs to be defined better.

Is the printer failing to connect to the network, or are you unable to print to the networked printer?

If you print a status report directly from the printer’s control panel, does it show the wireless network is enabled and connected? If you log into the router’s admin menu, can you see the printer listed under “Connected devices”? If you can, the printer is connecting to your network and the problem is likely in your computer. Note the IP address. If you don’t see in the report or the router’s admin menus a connected printer, then the problem is with the printer or your wireless network.

If you see the device in your router, and the printer says it is connected, you should be able to enter the printer’s IP address in your browser’s address bar and log into the printer’s “embedded web server” (EWS). This is how I use the scanner from my computer – I never install HP’s extremely bloated software, only the basic drivers.

If the printer is connected, but you still don’t see it with your computer, then it is likely Windows is looking for the printer using the wrong IP address. You may need to delete the printer from Windows, then add a new printer manually using the printer’s assigned IP address. This is easy with W10, a bit more involved with W7 because you have to make sure the port in Windows 7 uses the same IP address as the printer.

Note I always use a “Reserved” IP address for my networked printer. That is, I tell the printer to always ask for the same IP address from the router – for example, 192. 168.1.50. The “50” assures there will never be a conflict with other devices on my network because 50 is way above the number of devices (computers, smart phones, smart TVs, and other smart devices) I will ever have connected. By reserving a high number IP address, you don’t have to worry about a computer snagging the printer’s address – after a power outage, for example.

Its all clear as mud, huh?

You might check the Wireless Setup Wizard, also available through the printer’s control panel. See page 137 of your manual. If you don’t have your manual, you can download a .pdf copy from here.

Bill (AFE7Ret)
Freedom isn't free!

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I encountered a similar problem with a wireless network HP Office Jet Printer. Seems that the printer requires that the computer use only 2.4G and not 5G, or both with the same “name”. If your new router uses the same SSID for both, the printer will not work, I had to assign a different name for the 5G frequency band and then boot the computer with the 2.4G frequency selected. If I am not using the printer, I can use the 5G network capability for the computer. HP support admitted that the printer can not co-exist with the 2.4G/5G combination with a single SSID.

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Hi anonymous and Bill,

Thank you both for your helpful suggestions. And, Bill, your instructions were very clear. I’m going to work through Bill’s suggestions to pinpoint the exact issue. This new router does have that double 2.4/5 setup so I’m suspecting this is the issue. A minor rant … typical Comcast to do a half-baked job! Fix one thing and mess up another, leaving it for their customer to fix. Sigh. Thank goodness for this Lounge!!

Will post back once I’ve worked through Bill’s instructions.

Thanks again for your support and insights.

Linda

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[EP]

be sure that your HP OfficeJet 6500 printer is connected to a 192.x.x.x IP address and not a “private” IP address with something like 169.254.x.x, IreneLinda.

Use the Wireless Setup Wizard as Bill said but also print a configuration page from there to determine what IP address the HP printer is connected to.

• This reply was modified 4 years, 8 months ago by EP.

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Will do. Thanks.

Linda

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Well, it has been quite the week! Decided to start with Bill’s suggestion to check the Wireless Setup Wizard and follow the manual’s instructions. I mistakenly clicked OK at the wrong network name and that messed up the wireless connection to my computer. To make a long story a little shorter, 4 pointless conversations with Comcast later, finally figured out the issue, got the correct info plugged into the Wireless Setup Wizard and, miracle of miracles, the printer connected, the computer connected and all is finally well.

So the good news is that it wasn’t any huge problem, just a case of a configuration error which complicated everything. The Wizard ended up working just fine, once it was fed the correct information.

Thank you for all your help. I’m so glad I tried Bill’s suggestion first since it finally got things working, albeit with several hitches along the way!

Linda

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Great! Glad you got it sorted out and thanks for coming back and posting your followup!

Bill (AFE7Ret)
Freedom isn't free!

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Me, too … and you’re welcome.

Linda, now wirelessly connected

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