Can't connect my printer to the wifi

[VanessaJoy24]

I have tried everything to connect my printer to the wifi (smart tank plus 551). I have looked at information available in HP community conversations and tried trouble shooting through the virtual assistant - how do I get personalized help from an actual person?

[Sneha_01]

Hi @VanessaJoy24,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

It sounds really frustrating when all the troubleshooting steps you've tried so far haven’t resolved the Wi-Fi connection issue with your HP Smart Tank Plus 551 printer.

Restart Your Devices:

• Begin by restarting your printer, computer, and router. This can clear out any temporary connectivity issues.
• Turn off the printer and unplug it for about a minute before plugging it back in. Do the same with your router.

Ensure Printer is in Wireless Setup Mode:

• For printers like the HP Smart Tank Plus 551, ensure it's in wireless setup mode, which makes it discoverable to your network. Check your printer manual for how to enable this mode—usually, it involves pressing a wireless button or navigating through the printer’s touchscreen menu.

Check the Printer's Connection to the Wi-Fi Network:

• Use the printer’s control panel to check or reconnect to the Wi-Fi network. Navigate through the network settings and select your home network. You may need to re-enter your Wi-Fi password.

Place Printer Closer to the Router:

• Ensure there are no obstacles between your printer and the router and that the printer is not too far from the router. Obstacles and distance can weaken the signal.

Update Printer Firmware:

• Outdated firmware can cause connectivity issues. Check if there's an update available for your printer's firmware through the printer’s control panel or the HP website.

Use the HP Smart App:

• Download and install the HP Smart app on your computer or mobile device. This app can help connect your printer to Wi-Fi and troubleshoot connection issues.
• Open the app and follow the setup instructions to connect the printer to your network.

Check Your Router’s Settings:

• Make sure your router is set to use a frequency band compatible with your printer (most modern printers are compatible with 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks). Check the router settings and adjust if necessary.
• Ensure that MAC address filtering is not enabled on your router, or if it is, that your printer’s MAC address is allowed.

Disable VPN:

• If you are using a VPN on your computer or network, try disabling it. VPNs can cause issues with local network devices such as printers.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

Rachel571

HP Support