MAC address and P1102W

[Isewake]

This is my first post here.  I just bought a new P1102w printer.  I set it up to use the USB.  Now I want to use it wireless but I use a MAC filter through my router.  I think I found the MAC address for the printer.  It was under hardware address and had 12 characters.  I entered that into my router.  Now how do I swtch from USB to wireless?  I tried reading the manual but couldn't find it.  I did disconnect the USB cord and press the wireless button but nothing happened.  I tried printing a page but nothing printed.   Any help would be appreciated.  Thanks

[PrintDoc · Accepted solution]

First, MAC filtering is not an effective security measure and it makes your network a pain to manage.  Read more about it here.

First, unplug the USB cable from your printer and PC.  If you use Windows: Start > All Programs > Hewlett-Packard > [you printer model] > Add a Device.  When it asks, choose a Network device and follow the instructions.

If that does not work, get the latest software for your printer from the "Support & Drivers" link at the top of this page.

[Isewake]

I'll try that tonight.  Thanks

[SanDiegoJames]

Unfortunately, HP chose not to actually print the MAC address on either the device or the box. If the issue is that you are using MAC filtering and need to know the MAC address to put that in the filter list, then this post provides a workaround.

Use these instructions at your own risk.

1. In your router admin page, turn on logging. Clear your DHCP log.

2. Disable MAC filtering.

3. Turn on your printer and press the wireless button.

4. Review your DHCP Client log for a RECEIVE request. This is the MAC address you seek.

5. BE VERY CAREFUL to enable MAC filtering BUT BE SURE TO PERMIT ADDRESSES (the default is usually to prevent address, which will lock your own computer out of your network. If that happens, you'll need to use the traditional RJ45 cable to get back to your admin screen!)

6. Using the usual procedure, add your network printer. If Windows doesn't find the printer, you can (not suggested) use the IP address, but be aware that your DHCP will eventually assign a new IP address unless they are statically assigned. I don't entirely understand why Windows sometimes finds network printers and other times it doesn't. 

By all means, feel free to ask HP to follow the industry and provide the MAC address on all of its wireless products. I'm not sure why they don't do this already.

I hope this helps.