Rapid Wireless Installation of HP Printers on Apple Airport Extreme 802.11n Routers [ Edited ]

[Wi-Fi-Guy]

All of HP's newest wireless printers have WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) in them.  This allows a very simple method to connect your wireless HP printer to your Apple Airport Extreme Wi-Fi network.

It's very simple:  Start the WPS Pushbutton method (under the printer's wireless menu), then do the following:

1. open the Apple Airport Utility
2. select your wireless router
3. select Manual Setup
4. select Add Wireless Clients ... from the Base Station menu
5. Select First Attempt then press Continue.

You have to start the Apple Add Wireless Client process within two minutes of starting the printer's WPS pushbutton method.  Actually, order doesn't matter; you can start the Add Wireless Clients process on the the Apple router first then start the printer's WPS pushbutton method.

If you have Snow Leopard, then all that is left to do is to install the SW.  Open the Print & Fax applet under System Preferences and press the [+] button.  Highlight your printer and press Add.

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Note -- while these instructions are specific to the Apple Airport Extreme, Apple Airport Express or the Apple Time Capsule wireless-routers, there are many other brands of wireless-routers that have WPS.

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[ecalhoon]

I tried your WPS set up for my HP C4700 and it did not work for me. When I open airport utility, i get a message saying that it cannot  locate my motorola wireless device. I know it is working as I am on the internet at this time!

The printer works as far as printing a HP config pg and a wireless test report. The printer failed at Network Name Found (failed) that. Shows wireless as on...

I uninstalled that software...

any help appreciated

[Wi-Fi-Guy]

The instructions above were specific to the Apple Airport models of wireless-routers.  I'm not sure if the Motorola wireless-routers have WPS.

To get the printer on the network, you'll need to know the SSID (wireless network name) and the security key (WEP or WPA-PSK).  You'll also need a USB cable to temporarily connect the printer to your Mac when instructed to by the installation SW.

It's best to download the latest SW for your Mac from www.hp.com.

[adamtano]

I looked FOREVER trying to find this.  Thank you so much!  A very clear and concise answer - Awesome!

[pvmantim]

I have tried the method described by yourself (and by HP) on numerous occasions and still cannot get my HP Photosmart Plus to connect to my Airport Extreme.  When I use the 2-minute WPS Push button on the printer, my airport never finds it.

I have also tried the manual set-up on-line without any success.  I've had this printer for 4 months now, and have exhausted every option I can find to be able to print wirelessly.  For now, I'm still stuck having to to by my desk and plug in the USB.

If you have any other suggestions, I would really appreciate them.

Thanks!

Tim

[Wi-Fi-Guy]

Try changing the 2.4 GHz channel to 11 (if it's not there already).

Try starting the "Add Wireless Client ..." / "First attempt" on the airport extreme first then start the WPS pushbutton method on the printer.

[Geletor]

Hi there,

thanks for the awesome explanation.

The printer is now connected to my TimeCapsule (according to printed wireless configuration) and of course my MBP too. Nevertheless I'm not able to print anything due to missing connection ...

I also tried to connect via USB and it worked fine. With my previous Linksys router it also worked without problems.

Any ideas what could be the problem?

Thanks,

Jürgen

[PrintDoc]

What version of OS X?  From where did you get the software for your printer?

In the mean time, you could try to reset the printing system:

- Sys Prefs, Print & Fax
- Right (control) click in the rectangle listing your printers and select Reset Printing System.
WARNING - this will delete ALL of your printers!
- Select the plus sign to re-add it. Look for the printer, select it and wait until the "Add" button becomes available. Click it.

[Geletor]

Hello,

I'm using OS 10.6.4 - I first tried it with the software from the installation CD and then with a downloaded software from the HP website. Currently I'm using the downloaded software.

I reseted the Printing System and then I chose the printer again (I could choose the printer with type "Bonjour").

When I then try to print something the printer dialog pops up and there's nothing happening except the message "Connecting to printer ...".

Thanks,

Jürgen

[PrintDoc]

OK, having the software from the CD is your problem and you must uninstall it in a special way.

First, install the software from the CD (in order to be able to remove it with the special option).  Now, uninstall the software using the 'scrubber' option:

Go to Applications/Hewlett Packard/ click on HP Uninstaller
Click on Continue
Highlight your device on the left pane
Hold the Ctrl, Opt and Cmd keys and click on Uninstall
There will be a pop up that asks if you are sure you want to uninstall ALL hp software. (At this point, if you continue, any HP printers you have installed will need to be reinstalled)
Click Continue and let it finish

Restart your Mac

Now, run a Software Update.

Next, remove and re-install the printer in System Preferences, Print & Fax.

You do not need the software now since Snow Leopard has both print & scan drivers built-in. Scan from Preview or Image Capture apps. Scanning from the front panel of the printer does not yet work.