My HP Color Laser Jet Pro 3201dw does not appear on my network.

[SimplyLisaLisa]

We printed on this printer for two solid months and all of a sudden it stopped appearing on the network. It is connected because it will still update firmware, but will not appear on my network. I'm operating Win10 on the laptop, Win11 on the desktop and whatever the latest platform for Samsung mobile and none of them see this printer. I actually returned the first printer because I thought it was a defective printer and because your robots say the WPS PIN is on the documentation that comes with the new printer. Well I just received the new printer and guess what? No WPS PIN on the documentation that comes with the new printer. I've spent close to 24 hours this week and I'm just about done. Can anyone out there help me figure this mess out?

[BeemerBiker]

• WPS Button: Some routers have a physical WPS button that you can press to quickly connect devices without needing to enter the Wi-Fi password.
• WPS PIN Method: If the device or router doesn't have a WPS button or you prefer to use a PIN, you can manually enter the WPS PIN to connect the device to the Wi-Fi network.

You put the printer into WiFi mode and you have 2 minutes to to go and push the button on the modem.

If the modem does not have a button to press then you need the PIN.  I looked at all the manuals here and did not see WPS mentioned but I did see the note

NOTE: If prompted to enter a PIN, open the cartridge access door and enter the PIN displayed on the
product label. 

Click here for network setup using HP Smart but in a different language

You may need to reset the printer: video here


network connect (wps and hp smart) video for 3xxx series video here

For WiFi direct setup see page 23 click here.
This is useful if there is no modem or you do not want to give someone access to your modem but you want to let them print something.


Full feature software 3xxx Aug 5, 2024


Printer Reference 3201dw

Let me know if you have a flex system (WiFi boosters or repeaters) as the setup is much more complicated.

[SimplyLisaLisa]

Thank you for your quick response. I have a unique situation where my laptop runs Win10 an my PC, sadly, operates with Win11. This printer does not have WiFi mode. It does not have touch display. It allows me to sign into my network with server and password. I finally figured out how to print an 'info' page from the printer which provided me the IP address for the printer. The laptop on Win10 allowed me to install the printer using IP address and it's working fine. The PC running Win11, however, will not. 😞 I did find what HP refers to as the WPS PIN number (located inside the front cover where the cartridge is found. That worked for the Win10, but not Win11. I am nearly certain this pertains to the recent MS Cumulative Windows Update  that Win11 will not let me shelf. I also use Xfinity whose modem/router is not the [user] friendliest - nor is their recent move to AI for customer care. If I press the button on their modem/router in an effort to connect the Win11 PC to the printer I will risk the Win10 connection to the printer. I don't think this is something that button on the modem will help because I tried that on the printer I returned and it did not work.

My best advice to anyone reading - if you have the option to remain in Win10 - DO IT!  Every time there is a cumulative update for Win11 they will not allow you to not run it and I always have a piece of hardware/software that is not compatible.

Thanks again.

LisaLisa

[BeemerBiker]

That pin is used to connect the printer to the router.  It has nothing to do with connecting the computer to the printer.

If the printer is connected to the router you should be able to access it from any PC on the network the only problem might be if you have a flex system with multiple WiFi boosters

You mentioned that the printer does not have wifi mode.  I don't know what you mean by that I assume you've got the printer connected to the router using Wi-fi

If a window 11 update comes in it could possibly replace the current driver with an old version but the printer could still be found by the win 11 system it would just have an old driver

if printer is online to modem then the win11 pc can look for it

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/add-a-printer-or-scanner-in-windows-14d9a442-0bcb-e11c-7...