I changed my wifi routers password and need to change the password in my 2545 printer

[CaroleCR]

This printer worked fine until it became necessary to change the password in my wifi router.  I did NOT make any other changes, only the password.  I changed both the passwords in my laptops and they were recognized by the router.  I need simple instructions on how to change the wifi password in my printer so it can connect to my wifi router.

This printer does not have a display screen except the tiny one about half the size of a postage stamp that shows the number of copies you are printing.

I think in my efforts I have screwed the pooch making the resolution to this more difficult.  In a last ditch effort, after spending more than 18 hours on this problem, I decided to do something drastic.  I could see the printer in the Control Panel under Printers and Scanners on my laptop but it was offline.  I thought I could delete the printer and add it back in as a new printer.  I tried that and that didn't work and now I can't see the 2545 anymore.  Sigh, around and around it goes.  And when I tried adding the printer nothing came up, not even options to choose from.  I guess that makes sense, since I can't get the printer connected to the wifi network and don't have any other printers.

I did download and run the software from HP, DJ2540_188.exe.  That was supposed to step you through the setup process but no matter what options I choose, it just goes in a continuous loop.  If I choose wireless setup, it says to temporarily connect a cable directly from the laptop to the printer which I do.  Then the only option it gives me is to check the box saying the printer is already connected to the network.  That is what I'm trying to do, connect the printer to the network, so the only thing I can do is go back and select wireless setup again and there is the loop.

Before I continue making matters worse, can anyone help me?

[greenturtle]

Hi

Thanks for using the HP Support Community.

Can you try this:

* *Note that if there are other printers installed, these will need to be reinstalled after this.

Step 1. Uninstall the HP Software from your PC.

Please follow the steps provided to uninstall the printer software in the link: Uninstalling the Printer Software (Windows)
https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/c02259020

Also, please follow the steps provided below to completely remove the printer software from printer properties.
Steps to remove printer driver files from Print Server Properties:

Step 2. Open the Print Server Properties dialog window by doing one of the following:
• Click the Start menu and in the search field type 'printui /s /t2' (without the quotes), and then press Enter or click it in the search list.
• Press WINDOWS-R on the keyboard to bring up the Run window, type in 'printui /s /t2' (without the quotes), and then press Enter or click OK.
• From the Start menu or the Start screen:
• Open Devices and Printers.
• Select any printer and then click "Print server properties" at the top of the window.
• Click on the Drivers tab.

Step 3. Backup your registry before making any registry changes, the following resource will show you how:
https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/c03485724

Step 4. Update the registry using the Reg file below
Note: this will change some printer related policies for your PC):
https://www.dropbox.com/s/avbv56zdgwv7600/kernel.reg?dl=1

Step 5. Right click the Start menu and select Run.
Type Services.msc and press OK.
Locate and stop the Print Spooler service

Step 6. Browse to c:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers.
Rename W32X86 to W32x86.old
Rename x64 to x64.old
Note: if any of these folders fail to rename reboot your PC and then Continue following the steps starting from Step 5.

Step 7. Restart PC.

Step 8. Finally, reinstall the HP Software using USB cable

Step 9. Convert USB to wireless using the software.

These resources shows an example on how to install USB first then convert to WIreless using the software.

HP Ink Tank Wireless 415|419|418|310| 315|318 : Download,install software & connect USB Part 1

HP Ink Tank Wireless 415 | 419 | 418 | 410 : Convert from USB to wireless connectivity Part 2

Hope that helps!

[CaroleCR]

I am replying to my own question because after about two more hours of struggling, I finally got it to work and it was much simpler than I expected.  I'm not all that techie and changing anything in the registry file stresses me out, even when I do a backup of it before I change it.  I even back it up when I just go in and look at it because there's no Undo button if I do something accidentally.  🙂  I wrote this documentation up and saved it on my laptop for next time.

To get the HP Printer to Connect to Network After Changing Router SSID or Password

When you change the SSID (Router Name) or the Password on the Router, to get the printer to recognize the newly named network again, you have to treat it like it’s a completely new router.  You have to run the initial setup program and follow the instructions on the computer screen. 

I had real problems and solved them by resetting the printer settings to factory default.  This is for my printer that does NOT have a display screen.  You reset the settings by holding down the Wireless button and the Cancel (big X) button at the same time.  Hold them down to at least 5 (five) seconds.

After resetting these settings to their default values, I didn’t have to use a temporary USB cable between the printer and laptop.  Everything happened magically.  

After you execute the program below, the computer screen will say to connect a cable from the printer to the computer.  Do NOT connect this cable until the computer tells you to.  The cable has a USB connector on one end and a funny hump shaped connector on the other end.  Have the cable handy, you may or may not need it.  When I first set up my printer right out of the box, I needed the cable.  This time I did not.

I don't know why I didn't need the cable because everything I read said I would need it but it never asked for it and I didn't hook it up.  Things that make you say, hmmmm.

Execute this program      DJ2540_188.exe

I found the program at this URL:

http://ftp.hp.com/pub/softlib/software12/COL48442/al-117577-4/DJ2540_188.exe  

Good luck.  I hope I saved someone some time.

[greenturtle]

Hi @CaroleCR,

Glad to hear that your issue is resolved and all is working well now.

Have a nice day!