Help!!! Can't connect HP 2540 to home wireless network.

[Eric91764]

So, I'm trying to connect my new wireless printer to my home network.  Yay!!  I'm moving into the 21st century!   Not so fast, Buster!

Here's the run down:

I ran the install CD, connected with a USB when told to, found my SSID, entered my password, it did it's thing and then said I had the wrong password.  Maybe. Ok.  Tried it again with the same results.    Logged into the router (Technicolor Gateway), checked the password.  Nope, it did't change.  Tried it again, and this time, I hit the troubleshooting button when it told me I had the wrong password.

I follwed the guide that it d/l'd after submitting the error report.  Ran the wireless network test from the buttons on the printer and it said "The WPA security passphrase configured on your HP printer does not match your wireless router setting."  I assure you, dear printer, I do not.

Hopped back on the router settings page when prompted by the troubleshooting guide and made sure that MAC filtering was set to "allow-all" which, the router manual assures me, will allow all devices to connect.  Made sure that the 2GHz was alive and kickin' and that DHCP was enabled in the IPv4&6 tabs.  I even reset the router like the troubleshooting guide said.  Ran the test report again, not connected.  That's when the troubleshooting guide gives up and directed me here.

But then I noticed in the printer manual that there was a WPS function available!  WPS!  That's gotta be it!   Pushed the wireless button on the printer for about 5 seconds to put it in WPS mode, hit the button on the router.....no good.  I noticed that on the top of one of the many wireless network test reports that there was a WPS pin that was good for 5 minutes.  Got a fresh one from a new wireless network test report, went into the router WPS client PIN connection page, entered it....no good.  I even tried it again with the page open and ready to go, just in case I took longer than 5 minutes.  Still no good.

So then I figured I'd at least give the the "WiFiDirect" printing option a try.  I printed out the "Use the Printer Wirelessly without a Router" page by pressing the wireless direct button for about 5 seconds, found the printer in the WiFI networks, and entered the 8-digit passcode when it asked for the WPA key.  I can't remember if it said it was the wrong key or what, but now it just says can't connect to network. 

All of the test reports diagnostic results show the wireless on and working.  The Connectivity was not run, the SSID was found with no other networks matching my network name, with 12 other networks found.  The settings portion was not run, and the security (bolded and italicized  as in the report) FAILED  (also as in the report) since, I assume, it thinks I have the wrong password.  Which, once again, I assure you I do not.

So my question is basically this:  Now what?

[sabretooth04]

Make and model of router?

In the router temporarily disable all security.  Now try to connect your printer to your unsecured SSID.  Are you successful?  If yes, go back and add WPA2-AES with your password and try again.  Status now?

[Eric91764]

Thanks for the quick response Dean!

Ok, some progress this morning.   I'm now able to connect to the wireless direct EWS from the laptop now.  I can do it from the phone too (which I didn't try last night.)

I'm using a Technicolor TC8715D dual band router supplied by TWC. I turned off the security on the 2GHz side and was able to connect with no problems.  I installed the printer on the computer using the AiO Printer remote app that was installed with the software CD. and successfully printed a test page.  Now the only problem is an unsecured 2G network.

What's next?

[sabretooth04]

... Are you successful?  If yes, go back and add WPA2-AES with your password and try again.  Status now?

[Eric91764]

Thanks for hanging in there with me Dean.

I changed back to WPA/WPA2 and tried to connect.  No luck.  Then I tried changing the SSID and password.  This time on the install, it didn't connect gave but an "unknow error" as the culprit.

After that I broke out my Verizon Jetpack, just to check.  Sure as sh--  she connected no problem and finished the process.  So, by process of elimination, the problem seems to be somewhere in the router settings, right?  The Jetpack is  broadcasting on 2GHz, in global mode (I think that has to with LTE, 3G etc.) in 802.11.b/g/n with AP isolation off.  When I was going through the troubleshooting guide, it said "Make sure that wireless isolation mode (sometimes called WLAN Partitioning) is disabled. (Not all routers have this feature)"  This is the only setting on the TC8715D I couldn't find.

Any further thoughts?

[sabretooth04 · Accepted solution]

Well, I've said it hundreds of times... Gateway devices are terrible for wireless performance and connectivity.   My suggestion is for you to put that gateway device in full bridge mode and buy a high quality router that you have full control over and connect.   I've all but given up troubleshooting gateway devices.

[Eric91764]

Yeah. I'm thinking it's time to call TWC and see if I can get some new hardware. Thanks for all your help and advice. Much appreciated.

[sabretooth04]

I don't know about TWC, but buy your own hardware and save the rental fee. Buy your own modem and separate router.