cannot connect to hp photosmart plus b209a

[kmccanna]

I have downloaded & installed the most recent drivers. However, I cannot connect to the printer.

In system preferences, I am unable to find the printer to connect to it.

HP Utility is not finding the computer.

In the "wireless" menu on the printer's touchscreen, I only get "No connection found." message. I have reset settings to default - same message.

I have connected to the printer via USB, however, this also does not allow the computer / printer to find each other ...

At a total loss.

[Kumar0307]

Hi @kmccanna

Welcome to the HP Support Community. I understand you are not able to connect the printer to the wireless network. I'd be happy to assist you.

Let's try the below steps to see if that helps - 

  

1.) Remove All Barriers: Certain building materials can get in the way of weaker signals like Bluetooth. Metal, bulletproof glass, concrete, and plaster are particularly bad, and marble, plaster and brick aren’t great easy. So if you’re really struggling with interference, your first step should be to move your Bluetooth devices away from these materials. That means no brick walls between you and your devices, and definitely no metal desks! 

  

2.) Change Router Channel: If you have an Apple router and you’re constantly getting interference with your WiFi, try rebooting it. Upon restart, the station will search for a new channel. Specifically, a different channel than the one your Bluetooth devices is using to communicate. If you don’t have an Apple router, you may need to instead go into your router settings and try changing the channel manually. Experiment with different channels to see which one works best. 

  

3.) Move Closer to Your Router: If you often find that you’re getting interference when talking on a wireless headset while on a WiFi call (you’ll know because you’ll hear static), try moving closer to your router. This will give you a more robust WiFi connection, so the Bluetooth frequency can’t overpower it. 

  

4.) Get Away From Microwaves and Fluorescent Lighting: Both emit frequencies of 2.4GHz, and moving away from them will distance you from the source. 

• Make sure the printer and the MAC are connected to the same wireless network.
• This printer supports only 2.4GHz network. So, the MAC should be on the 2.4GHz network.
• If you have a Dual-band router and both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks share the same name/SSID, the printer will not be able to connect to the network. In this case, contact your Internet service provider to assign different names to both the networks.
• Also, check with your Internet service provider if your router is able to forward 'Bonjour packets'.

Restart the wireless router, the printer, and the MAC and check.

If you are using a USB cable, make sure the cable is directly connected between the MAC and the printer.

The use of a USB hub is not recommended. Also, make sure the cable is connected to a USB 2.0 port on your MAC.

Do you have an Anti-virus/firewall installed on the MAC?

• Check if the printer is getting recognized by your MAC:

1. From the Apple menu, choose About This Mac.
2. Click System Report.

Under the Hardware heading on the left side of the System Information window, click USB.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

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!

Have a great day! 

[kmccanna]

Thanks @kumar0307, for your reply.

How do I get the printer to search for available wireless networks? It has never connected to my network before. I have a tri-band mesh system (configured for 2x 5.xghz and 1x 2.4ghz frequencies) but am unsure how to get the printer to search for the networks? How do I get the printer to connect to the router? 

Or, aside from WiFi connectivity, shouldn't the drivers / HP Utility be able to "see" the printer once it's turned on and connected to the Mac via USB??

[Kumar0307]

@kmccanna

• On the printer, go to Setup > Network > Restore network defaults > Yes
• Look for a WPS button on the router, do not press it yet.
• Go back to Network > Wifi protected setup > Push button
• Now, press and hold the WPS button for 3seconds.
• The blue wireless light on the printer will become steady once it is connected to the network.
• For more info on how to connect the printer to the network, refer to this document.

If the printer is connected using a USB cable, the drivers should be able to detect the printer.

Check for any software updates on MAC

Click here to know how.

Connect the devices using a cable and install the printer.

Refer to this document to know how.

Let me know how this goes.