officejet 9730e stuck on preparing during setup

[gkr2025]

printer wont setup

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @gkr2025,.

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for reaching out!

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.

I understand your HP OfficeJet 9730e is stuck on “Preparing” during setup and will not complete the installation. Let’s go through a few steps to troubleshoot this.

Power cycle the printer

Turn off the printer and unplug it from power for 30 seconds.

Plug it back in and turn it on.
This clears temporary errors that can block setup.

Check network connection

Make sure the printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer or mobile device.

If using Ethernet, ensure the cable is securely connected.

Restart your router

Unplug the router for 30 seconds and plug it back in.

Wait until the network stabilizes, then try setup again.
Network issues can prevent the printer from finishing preparation.

Use HP Smart app

Open HP Smart on your computer or phone.

Remove any previous printer entries and select Add Printer to start fresh.
HP Smart handles driver installation and network setup automatically.

Temporarily disable firewall/antivirus

Some firewall or security software can block printer setup.

Disable them temporarily during installation, then re-enable after setup is complete.

Reset network settings on the printer

On the printer control panel, go to Settings > Wireless > Network Setup > Restore Network Defaults.

Then run setup again using HP Smart.

Try USB setup (if Wi-Fi fails)

Connect the printer to your computer using a USB cable.

Complete the initial setup via HP Smart or the full feature driver, then switch to Wi-Fi if desired.

Update HP software and drivers

Download the latest full-feature driver for the OfficeJet 9730e from HP’s support site.

Run the installation and follow prompts carefully.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

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Best regards,