My Photosmart C4780 can't find my network

[Tom173]

My printer doesn't find my 5G network, it finds finds my slower connection but won't connect to it.

It works when connected with the USB cable.

[atharva_gp]

@Tom173,

Thanks for reaching out to the HP Support community!

The HP Photosmart C4780 All-in-One Printer is compatible only with the 2.4GHz network and it's not compatible with the 5G network.

You can still connect the printer to the slower speed network(2.4G).

Let's try these steps to convert the USB connected printer wireless.

Step 1: Power Reset

• Make sure this printer is plugged into a direct wall, not a surge protector.
• Turn the printer on.
• Wait until the printer is idle and silent before you continue.
• With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer.
• Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet. Wait at least 60 seconds
• Plug the power cord back into the wall outlet.
• Reconnect the power cord to the rear of the printer.
• Turn on the printer, if it does not automatically turn on.

Step 2: Launch the HP Utility. Open Finder, click Go in the top menu bar, click Applications, double-click the HP folder, and then double-click HP Utility.

Step 3: From the All Settings tab, click Wireless Setup to launch the utility.

             

             Follow the on-screen instructions, verify the WiFi name & password and complete the wireless Set Up.

             If you see a solid blue light on the printer, it indicates the printer is connected to a WiFi network.

             You may disconnect the USB if you prefer the WiFi connection.

Step 4: Click the Apple menu, click System Preferences, and then click Print & Scan or Printers & Scanners.

Step 5: Check if your printer name displays in the Printers list.

•           If your printer is listed, remove and re-add the printer to confirm it is set up correctly. Click the printer name, click the minus sign to delete the printer, click the plus sign, click Add Printer or Scanner, click the printer name and then continue to the next step.
•              If your printer is not listed, click the plus sign, click Add Printer or Scanner, click the name of your printer, and then continue to the next step.
•             If your printer is not listed in the Add Printer or Scanner window, make sure the printer is connected to the same wireless network as your Mac. Try to add the printer again, and then continue to the next step.

Step 6: Click the Use or Print Using menu, and then select AirPrint or Secure Airprint name to complete the setup.

                   

Once the printer is added, try to print.

Let me know if this helps.

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping.

[Tom173]

WFirst, thank you for responding!

I am aware of the 2.4 network being the only one the printer will connect to, and the printer shows that network in the list of discovered networks. But it won't connect when i try the "push button" on the printer and modem. When i have it connected with the USB it will print. The "wifi" light is a steady blue.

The wireless setup is not in my utility box. When i try the steps you sent without a cable connected, the utility or the MAC printer/scanner setup does not find the printer. The wireless worked in the past using an older iMac. Thx again

[atharva_gp]

@Tom173,

The printer is unable to find the network as per the report that you have posted.

Let's try these steps:

Step 1: Restore network defaults

• Press the Top Button to go to Scan Option
• Press the Top button to go to Wireless Menu.

            

• Select Restore Network Defaults

Step 2: Restart the Router & Printer.

• Turn off the wireless router, wait for 60 seconds, turn it back on.
• Turn off the printer, wait for 60 seconds, turn it back on.

Step 3: Remove old entries of the printer from your MAC

Click the Apple menu, click System Preferences, and then click Print & Scan or Printers & Scanners.

                  

Click the printer name, click the minus sign to delete the printer. If multiple entries are available for the same printer, delete them.

Step 4: Connect the printer to WiFi

Method 1:

• On the printer control panel, press the button next to Scan, and then press the button next to Wireless Menu.
• Press the button next to WPS, and then press the button next to Push Button.
• Within two minutes, press the WPS button(for 3-5 seconds) on your wireless router.
• Wait up to two minutes while the printer automatically establishes a network connection with the wireless network. (Wireless light should turn solid if connected to the network).

Method 2:

• Click the Apple menu, and then click System Preferences.

       

• Click Printers & Scanners or Print & Scan.

• Click the plus sign, click Add Printer or Scanner, click the name of your printer.

• Open Finder click Applications, double-click the HP folder and then double-click HP Utility.

• From the All Settings tab, click Wireless Setup to launch the utility.

• Follow onscreen instructions and complete the wireless set up.

• click the minus sign to delete the printer.

• click the plus sign, click Add Printer or Scanner, click the printer name and then add the printer using AirPrint or Secure AirPrint.

Try these steps and let me know what happens.

Cheers!

[Tom173]

I have done this several times and the screen on the printer flashes wifi error

You mentioned that my printer is not finding my network yet in one of tthe attachments i sent you it does find my 2.4 network, it is the 2nd one highlighted.

and should i have the USB connected for any of this?

[atharva_gp]

@Tom173,

From the report that you have posted, it says "Network Name(SSID) Found FAIL". It means the printer is unable to identify the Wifi network correctly.

There are 2 ways to connect this printer to the network.

1. WPS method from the printer front panel
2. Converting the USB connection between the printer and MAC to wireless from HP Utility.

Since you have tried the above steps and still facing the issue, let us try these additional steps:

• If you have a common name or SSID for both 2.4G & 5G networks, please differentiate/rename them and try to connect the printer again.
• Make sure the channel setting on the router for the 2.4G network are set to either 1,6 or 11.
• Try Updating the router's firmware. Follow the manual provided by the router manufacturer and update the router firmware.
• Restoring the printer to the factory settings.
  • Factory reset settings of a printer differ from one printer model to another.
  • I will send you a private message that would have the steps to reset your printer to the factory settings.
  • (Note: Resetting the printer to the factory settings would erase all configurations like your Wireless settings, Fax settings, and other preferences.You have to re-do the set up again once you perform the factory reset.)

Let me know if this helps.

Cheers!

[Tom173]

Again thank you for your help and patience, should i disconnect the USB cable and leave it disconnected when i do the factory reset? And after i do the reset is another "support" menu going to appear on my printer? Is that what your other letter refers to?

[Tom173]

How do i keep the "OK" button up? It doesn't highlight unless i get in one of the functions, then it won't let me press it more then once

[Tom173]

Sorry about the direction of the photo

[Tom173]

Hello, None of that has worked but i ran a connectivity status report and it said an incorrect SSID was entered and it could be changed. How can i do that?