HP Smart app keeps freezing when trying to set up Envy 6032e printer

[HelenK1234]

I bought a new laptop and connected my old printer to it without a problem. Worked okay for a couple of weeks but then refused to scan using the HP smart app. Thought it was time I upgraded that as it was pretty old so bought a new HP Envy 6032e printer.  I had set up a new printer for my dad last week and it was easy but 12 hours on I am up in the middle of the night trying to get my new printer set up. 

I switched it on, opened the HP smart app, found the printer and clicked to set up. A message said it was sending network information please wait. So I waited and waited and waited but nothing happened. I rang support. I use a network extender to get a decent signal and I was told that that was the problem. He also told me that the problem was because I was connected to 5Ghz and my printer didn't support 5Ghz. I wasn't impressed. The support assistant told me he would go away and research it to find out how to connect  and that was it - no other help.

I kept trying to resolve the problem myself. The printer specification said that it DOES support duel band. I moved the printer and laptop nearer to the router and connected the laptop directly to the router wifi (not using the network extender). I uninstalled HP Smart and all printer drivers, rebooted and tried to set up the printer again. The same thing happened i.e. the app froze at the sending network information point. I got no message telling me to press the i button when it flashed which I should get but I did this. Eventually I gave up waiting and exited from the app but it appeared that the printer had actually connected. So I clicked to continue set up and it came to the bit to activate HP+. Again the app froze so after an hour so I wasn't able to continue set up. I exited out and when I tried to complete the set up I got a message saying that the printer wasn't switched on even though it was. 

I uninstalled everything again and started again but now it just hangs at the point where it says sending network information. The annoying thing is it appears to be a problem with the HP Smart app and not either my old or new printer so I probably didn't need to buy a new printer after all. 

If anyone out there has any suggestions I would be grateful. Thanks.