Would a usb wireless adapter work?

[mrsdriver5]

I have a wireless c309a all-in-one printer that worked great until my 5th scan last night and suddenly the scanner can't be found. I finally did an uninstall/reinstall—several times, but get the message the bluetooth radio is not working. I know I have wireless connection with my PC (I'm using it now). I'm now trying to get it installed with USB, but hate having the cord draped across everything.

My question, assuming the bluetooth radio in the printer is toast, would a USB bluetooth adapter work in the printer since the printer is wireless?  It would be a lot cheaper than a new printer.

I hope you can make sense out of my question.  Thanks for any help~

[Bob_Headrick]

There are actually two different wireless protocols supported by the c309a - Bluetooth and 802.11b/g.  The latter is the normal wireless used for connecting your computer to the router and thus the internet.  It can also be used to connect your printer and will likely be the best choice.  If the Bluetooth adapter in the printer is not working then try the following:  install the c309 using the USB cable (as you may have already done).  Next click on Start, All Programs, HP, Photosmart c309a Series, USB to Wireless and then follow the prompts.

[mrsdriver5]

Thanks for your quick reply.

I've tried changing the USB to wireless, and just tried it again.  It checks everything, then says, "The wireless radio is not functioning. Contact HP support."  I know the printer is out of warranty, so figure there's no use going that route.

When I try doing the network set-up on the printer, using setup>network>wireless setup wizard>it goes to the "now searching for wireless routers" screen and never quits. My computer (through the router) and cell phone (bluetooth) can find a wireless connection, but this printer can't.  That's why I was wondering if a wireless adapter could be plugged into the printer's usb.

I could print this morning, but did an uninstall/reinstall to try to get the scanner to work again.  I have to do this periodically for no apparent reason, but normally it all works OK.  This time I lost the wireless printing capablility also.  Guess I should have gone without a scanner, but I use it alot.

Now everthing works, but with that pesky USB cord attached, plus other computers on the network can't access the printer now.

[Bob_Headrick]

I assume the error messages you saw were from the computer.  Let's try from the printer end:  on the printer's front panel click cancel a couple times to get to the home menu.  Now click setup.  Use the scroll arrows to scroll down to Network and click OK.  Now scroll down to Wireless Network Test and press OK.  A page will print with various network information.  Check this page for any reported errors and indicate here what is reported, especially in the second portion just below the "Troubleshooting - This report provides...".

Do you have a neighbor close by with a wireless router?  It is not uncommon to have multiple networks available and the printer may be connecting to the "wrong" network.

[Bob_Headrick]

Hmm...  I just ran across a long thread o this issue.  You might try disabling the radio and re-enabling it as described here.

[mrsdriver5]

I read the long thread you mentioned and found the info. for changing the networking card. I almost ordered one, but it bugged me that I also have bluetooth. Once I got a message that the bluetooth wasn't working, but other times it has said the wireless wasn't working.  I did everything I could find to do...unplugged, reset, turned off/on the networking, set to factory default and still nothing.  The test report is the same as it has been:  wireless networking FAIL, most things "not run", Other networks detected NO, Wireless Networks detected 0, downlink count 55. It shows the SSID and MAC, but "not applicable" for config source and communication mode.

Finally, I removed the printer from the computer, unplugged the USB and went to Add Printer, then chose the bluetooth option.  The printer works, but the scanner still isn't detected without the USB plugged in.  I guess I'll go with the bluetooth printing and leave the USB connected to the back of the printer to plug in to the computer when I need to scan.  Annoying, but at least I guess it will work.

I may pick up a cheap USB wireless adapter and plug it in just to see if it helps.

Thanks for your efforts!

[jeminkeny]

I too faced the same problem. Hope my problem will also get rectify. Thanks for sharing.