Change Tango WiFi connection

[radiodave2]

I travel with my Tango printer. At home, it's easy to connect to my home network. On the road, I can connect my laptop and the Tango to my wireless hotspot OK. I want to connect my laptop to some guest WiFi network, and connect to the Tango via WiFi Direct while keeping my laptop on some guest WiFi network. I've followed the instructions without any luck. Currently, I'm a Denny's using their WiFi (which requires a special set of steps to sign in, which I guess the Tango can't navigate). When I look at my available WiFi connections, there is no "DIRECT-F5-HP Tango." Instead, I see"HP-Setup<F5_Tango." What is that??

Other times I do see "DIRECT-F5-HP Tango" but still can't connect--I forget just what happens.

Any suggestions? I'd like a fool-proof set-by-step guide to do this.

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @radiodave2,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

Thank you for posting your query. I will be glad to help you.

HP printers, including the HP Tango, do not support connection to public or guest Wi-Fi networks that require additional sign-in steps through a browser (called a "captive portal"). These types of networks are not compatible with HP printer connectivity because the printer cannot complete the required authentication.

Steps to try and fix:

1. Enable Wi-Fi Direct on the Tango:
   • Press and hold the Wi-Fi and Power buttons together for 3 seconds until the Information light starts blinking.
   • Wait 1–2 minutes.
   • You should see a new Wi-Fi network called something like: DIRECT-F5-HP Tango.
      
2. Connect your laptop to the printer’s Wi-Fi Direct:
   • On your laptop, go to Wi-Fi settings and connect to the DIRECT-F5-HP Tango network.
   • Enter the default Wi-Fi Direct password: usually 12345678 (unless you’ve changed it).
      
3. Add the printer:
   • Go to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Printers & Scanners on Windows 11.
   • Click Add a printer or scanner.
   • Select your HP Tango from the list and follow the prompts.
      
4. Print!
   • You’re now directly connected to the printer. You can print even without an internet connection.

⚠️ Keep in mind: While connected to the printer via Wi-Fi Direct, your laptop won’t be connected to the internet. You’ll need to switch back to the public Wi-Fi to go online.

Option 2: Use a Mobile Hotspot (Recommended for Internet Access While Printing)

If you want both internet and printing simultaneously, you have to use Mobile Data, not any Wi-Fi :

1. Turn on your mobile hotspot on your phone.
2. Connect both your laptop and the HP Tango to the hotspot (you may need to set up the printer again using the HP Smart app while on the hotspot).
3. Add the printer to your laptop via HP Smart or Windows settings.
4. Print as normal—your printer and laptop are on the same network, and you’ll still have internet access.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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VikramTheGreat

HP Support