Unable to Connect HP LaserJet Pro M148fdw to Network or Finish Driver Installation from 1 device

[jupiterviolet]

Operating System: Windows 10 Pro (version 21H1) 64-bit operating system

HP Device: HP LaserJet Pro M148fdw

Router: AmpliFi Instant Router (version 3.6.0)

Driver-Product Installation Software: version 44.5.2694 for Windows 10 (64-bit)

          I have been trying to fix an issue with my printer for a few weeks with not much luck. I kept having the common issue where my computer states that the printer is offline (although printer was online and ready) when trying to print for the first time during a single day and was very annoyed with this issue. I was only able to get the printer to print by either restarting the printer daily or by printing a test page.

          I moved from a wireless connection with my printer to a wired connection through a switch through my router to see if this would fix the above issue. This lead to a new issue of random symbols printing overnight and requests trying to gain access through port 9100. I worked on making my network connection more secure through the printer and all was good for a little bit.

          My computer started stating that the printer was offline when trying to print again with all the same issues as before (although the random printing stopped) except none of my previous fixes worked (restarting printer, restarting computer, disconnecting and reconnecting the ethernet, restarting my router, removing firewall and all security, etc.). Frustrated once again, I decided to uninstall everything that was related to my printer (and HP) off my computer and wanted to start fresh.

          When trying to reinstall the installation module stated that it could not find my printer even though the printer stated ready. I installed the HP Print and Scan Doctor per HP's recommendation. HP Doctor stated everything was fine and to print a test page, but nothing printed. I continued the process and it sent a test page internally which did print. HP Doctor stated it could not fix the issue and to uninstall the driver installation software and download again. I did this and still couldn't install.

          HP recommended that I download the Troubleshoot HP Installation Failure - Network to help fix the issue. I followed the steps and it had no answer and recommended that I try to find solutions elsewhere.

          I was able to test installing the Driver-Product Installation Software on another computer I have connect to the network through the same network switch and it installed with no issues and was able to print a test page, so now I'm even more confused on where the issue lies. The other computer's operating system is Windows 10 Education (version 21H1) 64-but operating system.

         I have:

• Restarted my computer
• Restarted the printer
• Restarted the router
• Changed the ethernet connection from the printer to the switch
• Reset the network settings for the printer
• Uninstalled and reinstalled the HP Driver-Product Installation Software
• Installed and ran HP Print and Scan Doctor (everything passed)
• Installed and ran Troubleshoot HP Installation Failure - Network
  • Solution 1: Determine if your printer is on the network (printer is on the network, so I skipped ahead per step 4)
  • Solution 5: Temporarily disable or configure the firewall or antivirus software on your computer (still unable to connect when disabled)
  • For Further Assistance - Visit HP support online (here I am)

         I will say that I have not completely reset my printer, but think this is going to be my next step even though it doesn't explain why I can connect from another computer.

[Jay_G24]

Hi @jupiterviolet,

I'd like to help!

To assist better -

1. What is the status of the wireless light on the printer, steady or blinking?
2.  I would like to know, is your router set to work on 2.4 GHz network or 5 GHz network band?

Print a Network Summary page from the printer control panel and share the results.

1. Load plain paper in the main input tray.

2. On the printer control panel, press the Setup button .

3. Press the right arrow  to scroll to Reports, and then press OK.

4. Press the right arrow  to scroll to Network Summary, and then press OK.

 Keep me posted. 

And, Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

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

[jupiterviolet · Accepted solution]

1. The status of the wireless light is off since I am not using wireless. I am using a direct connection through an ethernet cable.

2. Router is set to switch between 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz (band steering). It directs to 5 GHz unless signal weakens. I don't know if this matters since I am directly connected with an ethernet cable.

I don't have the Network Summary page from when this issue was present, but I did not see any issues with the data on the summary page.

I had to delete every bit of HP software from my PC. I had to delete from Add/Remove Programs, delete from Printers & Scanners, delete from Device Manager, and search and delete any HP related files from my C Drive. Once I did this, I restarted my computer, and reinstalled the HP software and ran the HP Easy Start software. This took some time, but I was able to get my printer to start working again. It did stop working a week later and I repeated all of the above again. I have been running fine now for about 3 weeks. I do believe that HP pushed out an update between my first and second time deleting all of HP's software from my computer.

Fingers crossed that I don't start having issues again since there are so many steps to make it work and the lack of HP support for direct connected (network) printers. Not all of us like the use Wi-Fi connections.  🙂