Connecting 2 HP Pavilion computers to one HP OfficeJet Pro 8710 printer

[Texas-Gal_517]

I currently have one computer = HP Pavilion Desktop 570 - p056 - using Windows 10 - connected via USB cable to HP OfficeJet Pro 8710.  Bought an additional computer HP Pavilion  uses Windows 11.   Need to connect to same printer - HP OfficeJet Pro 8710.  There is an open Ethernet port on the back of the printer.  The USB port is being used by the HP Pavilion with Windows 10.  Can I hard wire the 2nd HP Pavilion computer to the printer using the Ethernet port?  If so, does my printer need different drives or software?   If I have to use WiFi, is there a problem using USB cable for first computer and using Wifi - ethernet cable connected to Router for second computer?  

[Nal_NR]

Hi @Texas-Gal_517,

Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

I'd be happy to help you! 

You can connect both of your computers (the HP Pavilion Desktop running Windows 10 and the new HP Pavilion running Windows 11) to the HP OfficeJet Pro 8710 using a combination of USB, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi connections without any issues. Here's how you can set it up:

Option 1: USB and Ethernet

• Computer 1 (Windows 10): Keep this computer connected to the printer via the USB cable as it currently is.
• Computer 2 (Windows 11): Connect this computer to the printer using an Ethernet cable. The Ethernet port on the printer connects to your network via a router or switch.

Steps to Set Up Ethernet Connection:

Connect the Printer to the Network:

• Plug the Ethernet cable into the printer's Ethernet port and connect the other end to your router or network switch.
• The printer should automatically obtain an IP address from your router.

Install Printer on Windows 11:

• On the Windows 11 computer, go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners.
• Click on Add a printer or scanner.
• Windows should detect the HP OfficeJet Pro 8710 on the network. Select it and follow the prompts to install the necessary drivers.
• If Windows does not automatically detect the printer, click on The printer that I want isn't listed and choose Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or hostname. Enter the printer's IP address (you can find this on the printer’s display under network settings).

Install or Update Drivers:

• Windows should automatically download and install the correct drivers, but you can also manually download the latest drivers from the HP support website.

Option 2: USB and Wi-Fi

• Computer 1 (Windows 10): Continue using the USB cable as your connection method.
• Computer 2 (Windows 11): Connect this computer to the printer via Wi-Fi.

Please find the remaining steps in the next post.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

[Nal_NR · Accepted solution]

Hi @Texas-Gal_517,

Please find the next steps below

Steps to Set Up Wi-Fi Connection:

Connect the Printer to Wi-Fi:

• On the printer’s control panel, navigate to Network or Wireless Settings and follow the instructions to connect to your Wi-Fi network.
• Make sure the printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network that the Windows 11 computer is using.

Install Printer on Windows 11:

• Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners on the Windows 11 computer.
• Click on Add a printer or scanner.
• The printer should appear in the list as an available device. Select it and follow the installation prompts.

Option 3: Ethernet Only for Both Computers

If your network setup allows it, you could also connect the printer via Ethernet to your router, and then both computers can print to it over the network without needing USB or Wi-Fi.

Important Notes:

• Drivers and Software: Windows 10 and Windows 11 should automatically manage the necessary drivers when you connect the printer via Ethernet or Wi-Fi. However, you can always download the latest drivers from the HP support website.
• Mixed Connections: It’s perfectly fine to have one computer connected via USB and another via Ethernet or Wi-Fi. The printer can handle multiple types of connections simultaneously.

Conclusion:

You can choose whichever setup best suits your needs, whether it's mixing USB with Ethernet or USB with Wi-Fi. There’s no need for different drivers, but ensure both computers have the latest printer drivers installed for optimal performance. If you encounter any issues, feel free to reach out for further assistance!

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes

[Texas-Gal_517]

To: 

Elohi_NR

20,135677849

HP Support Agent  - Thanks for the Reply.  I can't try it right now, but will later today.  You provided (3 Options) at least one Option that was going to try if I didn't hear back from anyone, but more comforting to see someone else describing it.  I'll be back if I have more questions - Thanks Again - Texas-Gal_517 

[Nal_NR]

Hi @Texas-Gal_517,

You are most welcome! I appreciate it. Keep us posted if anything. Take care. 

[Texas-Gal_517]

Elohi_NR - 8-27-2024 - FYI, I posted another question to the Community today about my printer.  I should have come back to this conversation, but not sure where or what I'm doing.  Several day ago, I got my new HP Pavilion connected to my HP OfficeJet Pro 8710 (WiFi).  Everything was great, except I couldn't hear my speakers.  I had downloaded new Windows software/drivers but not HP software/drivers.  So I did that - and then it recognized my speakers, great.  But I lost the connection to my printer - said Driver Unavailable.  I connected with HP Assistant, I think, and got their phone number.  Long story short, they said my printer was too old and they couldn't "service" me about the problem and then tried to sell me an agreement to provide a new printer and ink for a monthly price.  I finally ended the conversation - hard to understand English and an Indian accent unless they speak very slowly - it's just hard for me.  I told them I just needed the driver.  I think what happened, when I downloaded new software, it deleted old software/drivers that were created before a certain date (they did this without notifying me).  So I went to the HP Community and posted a question.  Well, several past conversations regarding the same thing came up.  Now the replies were overwhelming and I just tried a small portion of one of the answers.  I'm so confused - I will try and write myself some notes before I forget.  Basically, I went to my HP printer page and downloaded the Full Software for the printer.  I didn't even know that was still available - part of the HP Community answer.  I still had to enter the IP address (the first time I tried, I didn't include the full pathway, or something, but I finally got it to work and my HP Pavilion found the 8710 printer.  Now I have to decide, even if I have a year, if I want the extended Warranty Agreement.  I just have to know whom I talking to - via online.  Maybe I won't have another problem.  I haven't on my first HP Pavilion.  But such a waste of time, and I've written the s/n and IP numbers too many times on too many different pieces of paper.  The HP Assistant people made it sound like I had to buy their monthly service or go buy another printer.  Shame on them.  Not sure why I'm venting to you, but you say you are an HP Support Agent.  I don't know who these other HP people are - the ones with the accents - but I don't trust them.  I'm going to write myself a few notes (I won't remember what to do if I have the same problems i the future - I'm getting older - but It's good for me to know I can figure it out or find someone - but I still can't remember why I walked into the kitchen.  I will post on the general site that I got it resolved.  Connie Lackey 

[Texas-Gal_517]

Spoke too soon.  It printed the Test Page, but now not printing from Internet page and probably not Word, which is another question, but for Microsoft.  I'm sure it's me - not doing something right, 

[Texas-Gal_517]

I do have a questions for you.  You gave me three options to use one printer for two computers.  My older Pavilion is connected to the HP OfficeJet Pro 8710 (all in one) printer via USB cable.  Will keep it that way.  My newer Pavilion was originally connected to the router with an Ethernet cable and connected to the same Network as the older Pavilion.  The printer was connected to the same network (I thought) via Wifi.  The Ethernet port in the printer is not being used.  I got a message from a Troubleshooter Wizard that my printer and newer Pavilion were not on the same network.  But, somehow, I created a wireless connection from my new Pavilion to the network from the Router, even though I had an Ethernet connection.  Don't ask me how, but a wireless Network was created for the printer and the newer Pavilion and now I can print using the 8710 printer.  I swear it printed before from the newer Pavilion connected via the Ethernet to the router, but after I downloaded the new HP software, the printer driver was Unavailable on the Printer and I couldn't Print.   I finally downloaded the Full software for the HP 8710 Printer (I later had to go back and Install it???).  I thought a Ethernet wired connection to the Router would be a better (faster) connection.  Is there some way to keep that and keep the printer as a wireless connection  or does my new Pavilion also need to be a wireless connection to the Router in order for my new Pavilion and the Printer to be on the same Network - that what it looks like it took to work?    Any thoughts?  My WiFi TVS are on a Mesh/pod connection through the house - not on the same network as the computers/printer.  CONFUSED?  So am I.  If I just need my newer Pavilion to connect wirelessly to the Router in order to be on the same network or connection like the printer, does that mean I can disconnect the Ethernet cable?  Or is it suppose to work with the Ethernet cable with the newer Pavilion and the wireless connection with the Printer (which still has the USB cable connected to the older Pavilion.  Just trying to understand.  Connie Lackey 

[Repairatrooper]

Connie,

Your printer does not support both wifi and wired ethernet at the same time. If you have the wireless settings entered and you unplug the wired ethernet cord and you may find that the wireless starts working.

[Texas-Gal_517]

Thanks - I couldn't find my original posting on 8-27-24  to cancel or revise.  I don't know how, but some troubleshooting wizard found the printer's wireless connection to the network and made my computer internet connection wireless - automatically upset Network between my computer and the printer's computer.  I thought an 
Ethernet connection from my computer would be better than a wireless connection.  But I don't remember seeing that my new HP Pavilion won't support Ethernet and Wireless connection at the same time.  They don't make Manuals and instructions like they use to.  I finally got it working and will keep the wireless connection because I want to print from my computer and from the Internet, therefore, the wireless connection to my printer (to avoid switching back and forth when I want to print).  Learned through lots of trial and error.  I'm glad to have the HP Community for help.  I'm going to disconnect my Ethernet cable to my Router - so I don't have a choice - I have Senior Moments - will probably forget in the future why I had a wired connection and a wireless connection, thus, one choice.  Thanks - Connie