"HP Smart" and "Easy Start" can't find my new printer, not even through USB

[hepayofuasho]

So.
I had no idea an Internet connection was needed to make this printer work. The box does mention the need for a connection, but not that without it you just can't print.

Anyway, I installed the printer through LAN (without HP Smart) and it worked great for a few days. Until, and this is preposterous, I exhausted the number of prints I could make before the printer locked up.
Apparently, this is due to me not properly setting up the printer through the HP Easy Start app.

In my country, this kind of people pay fines.

So, I tried my best to find a way to make my new printer work again, but to no avail.

I can access the web interface through both LAN and WiFi, I can log in as the administrator and make all kind of changes to the settings.
What I CAN'T do is printing.

After over a month I've given up. I just don't have the time to fight this war, hence I've installed HP Smart and gave it a go.
HP Smart can't find the printer. The same printer I can perfectly reach through LAN.

Ok, let's ditch HP Smart and thoroughly follow what the printer tells me to do: download and run Easy Start.

But Easy Start can't find the printer either!

I've tried through LAN, WiFi and even USB. Nothing works, it's like the printer itself rejects any and all kinds of "handshakes".

How can I install my printer?

PS: I've tried contacting the support, but support requires a serial number. But guess what, HP's site can't find my S/N, like my printer doesn't even exist!!

[BeemerBiker · Accepted solution]

This shows how to find the product ID on HP systems including printer

Find product and serial numbers for HP PCs, printers, and accessories | HP® Support

Possibly the printer is stuck in lan / wifi / usb mode.  Once reset it stays in setup for 2 hours as I recall

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTCJ9fvKRz8&ab_channel=CoronaTechnical

Possibly HP Smart or that setup is not on the same band (2.4 or 5ghz) as the printer. Can you get a network report as explained on page 45?

Click here for network setup in your language

This video shows how to connect using a smart phone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toDgzihR_DE&ab_channel=TechFixer


alternate method to get on network (HP Official way you probably read already)
https://support.hp.com/us-en/printer-setup/hp-laserjet-pro-200-color-mfp-m276/5097648

The new toners may be the problem, do you  have your original toners? 

[hepayofuasho]

Ok, resetting it (although not as per your video, given it's a completely different model) did it!

Easy Start finally detected the printer and the setup went on.

Gods know why, the printer still wasn't printing, apparently because it STILL hadn't finished its setup.

So I made a guess and installed HP Smart, which presented me with a big "Finish Setup" button.

Now, though, what about this?!

Does this mean that I can't print if my Internet connection is down?!

[BeemerBiker]

I am glad you got it working.  

There is an NVRAM reset that I did not list as bad things can occasionally happen.

Some deep factory resets ask for the original toners to be put in which hardly anyone has anymore.