Unable to connect PhotoSmart 6520 using Wireless Router Wizard and Correct Password

[sillyme00]

HP Photo Smart 6520 will not connect to a detected wireless router using the printers Wireless Router Wizard setup feature.  The printer sees the network.  Yes the router password is correct.  No I cannot see if the router sees the printer.  I do not see a selection on the T-Mobile wireless router menu to make changes to the ghtz speed.

Wireless printing worked previously from iPhone, dos machines (WIN11) and IOS machines (MACBOOK AIR 11 Mac OS 11.7.11 and MACBOOK AIR  OS Tahoe  Version 26.5.1) .

No, I have not tried the hardwire connection from printer to Dos machine.  Why have wireless printing if you need a wired connection? Besides new MACBOOK AIR no longer has old style USB port.

Blue tooth recognition ineffective. 

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @sillyme00 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

I understand you’re unable to connect your HP PhotoSmart 6520 printer to Wi‑Fi even though the network is detected and the password is correct. Since this model only supports 2.4 GHz networks, ensuring the router is broadcasting on that band is essential. Let’s go through a structured set of steps to restore the wireless connection.

Restore Wireless Setup Mode

This prepares the printer to accept new network credentials.

On the printer control panel → Setup → Network → Wireless Setup Wizard

If the printer was previously connected, reset the network settings: Setup → Network → Restore Network Defaults

After reset, re‑enter Wireless Setup Wizard to search for available networks

Select Correct SSID

Ensure the printer connects to the 2.4 GHz band.

From the list of networks, choose your router’s 2.4 GHz SSID

Avoid selecting any extender or guest network

If unsure, temporarily rename the 2.4 GHz SSID in router settings to distinguish it

Enter Password Carefully

Passwords are case‑sensitive and must match exactly.

Type the Wi‑Fi password using the printer’s keypad

Double‑check capitalization and special characters

Confirm entry before proceeding

Verify Connection on Printer

The printer should display a confirmation once connected.

Look for a wireless icon on the printer screen

Print a Network Configuration Page from Setup → Reports to confirm IP address

Add Printer via HP App

Most Reliable Method

The HP App ensures drivers and services are installed correctly.

On your Windows or macOS device, install/update the HP App

Open the app → Add Printer → follow prompts to detect the PhotoSmart 6520

Confirm printing and scanning functions work after setup

By following these steps, the printer should reconnect to your wireless router. If the router does not show a 2.4 GHz option, please check with your ISP to confirm that band is enabled. Once connected, the HP App will automatically handle drivers and allow wireless printing again.

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[sillyme00]

Why hasn't anyone suggested wirelessly connecting to the printer without a router.  Better yet why didn't I read page 4 of the set up pamphlet?  

True you have to select the printer network from your device and switch back to the world wide network after each printing process but it sure beats the all the complicated suggestions made by the experts.  Autobots included.

The wireless network test results are less obvious to me:

Wireless - Wireless ON pass; Wireless WORKING pass

Connectivity - Connected NOT RUN; Disconnected count total 3606

Network - Network Name (SSID) Found PASS; Other networks detected matching your network name (SSIS) Yes; Wireless networks Detected - 18

Settings - Printer settings consistent with Wireless Router Settings PASS; No Filtering FAIL; Channel Not Run; Security - PASS

I have yet been able locate instructions to split the wireless router into  one 2.4GHZ network and one  5GHZ  network using the T-Mobile app.   Here is the info from the wireless router:

T-Mobile 5G Gateway TMO-G4AR 5G.

In my defense and in hindsight OR blindspot.  All this trouble began after I simultaneously switched from a modem router to a wireless router and switched my internet provider.  But why would that make a difference?

For HAWKS_EYE - Does this reply satisfy the community response request?

[Hawks_Eye]

Thank you for sharing such a detailed follow‑up. I appreciate the effort you’ve put in and the clarity of your observations—it helps narrow down the real cause.

You’re absolutely right: the HP PhotoSmart 6520 supports only 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi, and the T‑Mobile 5G Gateway (TMO‑G4AR) merges 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz into a single SSID by default. That’s why the printer struggles to negotiate a stable connection even though other devices connect fine. Switching providers and hardware at the same time is exactly what triggered this difference.

Direct wireless printing without a router (Wi‑Fi Direct): 

Yes, the printer supports this. As you discovered, you can connect your device directly to the printer’s own wireless signal. The trade‑off is that you must manually switch networks each time, which is less convenient but does bypass the router entirely. It’s a valid workaround when router compatibility is the bottleneck.

Router configuration: The long‑term fix is still to split the SSIDs or disable band steering so the printer can lock onto the 2.4 GHz band. Unfortunately, the T‑Mobile app doesn’t expose this option directly. You’ll need to log into the gateway’s web interface (usually via http://192.168.12.1 in a browser) to check for advanced Wi‑Fi settings. 

Look specifically for “Network Mode” or “Band Steering” options—if available, create a dedicated 2.4 GHz SSID.

USB‑C connection: HP does not manufacture a native USB‑C cable for this printer model. However, you can use a standard USB‑A to USB‑B printer cable with a USB‑C adapter for newer laptops. That keeps wired printing viable if wireless remains inconsistent.

Your test results: The “Wireless ON/WORKING pass” confirms the printer’s radio is fine. The repeated disconnects and “No Filtering FAIL” point back to router compatibility rather than a hardware fault in the printer.

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye