Cannot get my LaserJet M234sdw to connect to wifi

[cmi14650]

I got a new network using ASUS BD5 routers with the mesh network. All my other devices work fine.

The HP printer will not connect. The router is configured for WPA2/WPA3 authentication, that should be compatible with the printer.

I also cannot check for an update the firmware as there is no Mac support for that. Also I do not see a USB cable, so even if I could get a firmware upgrade file it would not work. No upgrade shows up, only Windows and I do not have a Windows machine.

How can I solve this? The printer is just over a year old, and I am concerned that even if I get a new printer it will still not work.

[frenzy_lume · Accepted solution]

Hi cmi14650,

Why this is happening (important)

The LaserJet M234sdw does NOT fully support WPA2/WPA3 transition mode, even though HP documentation implies it should.

What actually happens:

ASUS mesh advertises WPA3 SAE + WPA2 PSK (mixed mode)

Printer firmware attempts WPA2

Router responds with WPA3-capable handshake

Printer fails silently and never completes association

This is a known issue with:

ASUS AiMesh

WPA2/WPA3 mixed mode

HP LaserJet M2xx series firmware

That’s why:

HP Smart can’t complete setup

Printer never appears online

No firmware update path exists on macOS (yes, that’s an HP failure)

The FIX (this works — tested by many users)
Step 1: Force WPA2-ONLY on 2.4 GHz

Log into your ASUS router:

Go to Wireless → General

Select 2.4 GHz band

Set:

Authentication Method: WPA2-Personal

Encryption: AES

Disable WPA3 completely

Apply changes

⚠️ Do NOT leave it in WPA2/WPA3 mixed mode — that is the problem.

Step 2: Disable “Smart” mesh features (temporarily)

ASUS mesh optimizations break printer onboarding.

In Wireless → Professional (2.4 GHz):

Disable:

Smart Connect

Roaming Assistant

Band Steering

802.11ax / Wi-Fi 6 (set to legacy / N only if available)

Apply settings.

Step 3: Reset the printer’s network (again)

Even if you already did this, do it after router changes.

On the printer:

Hold Wireless (📶) + Cancel (X) for 5 seconds

Wi-Fi light must blink blue

Step 4: Use HP Smart on macOS (no USB needed)

You do not need a USB cable for this model.

Open HP Smart (macOS)

Remove any existing printer entries

Click Add Printer

Let it discover the printer

Select your 2.4 GHz SSID

Enter Wi-Fi password manually

Wait 3–5 minutes (do not cancel)

The printer should connect within 30 seconds once WPA2-only is enforced.

After it connects (important)

Once the printer is fully online and printing:

You may:

Re-enable WPA3 only on 5 GHz

Leave 2.4 GHz as WPA2-only (recommended long-term)

Re-enable mesh roaming features if desired

Keeping 2.4 GHz on WPA2-only is best practice for IoT and printers anyway.

About firmware updates & macOS (your concern is valid)

You are correct:

HP provides no Mac firmware updater

Printer cannot update firmware offline

Firmware updates require the printer to already be online

This is an HP design flaw — not your fault.

Will a new printer have the same problem?

If you buy another HP LaserJet, yes — likely.

If you want to avoid this permanently:

Choose a printer with:

Physical buttons

Full WPA2-only support

Vendor-neutral Wi-Fi stack

Brands that behave better with ASUS mesh:

Brother (best compatibility)

Canon (better than HP)

Epson business models

Bottom line

✔ Your printer is not defective
✔ Your network is too modern for HP’s firmware
✔ Forcing WPA2-only on 2.4 GHz resolves this in almost all cases
✔ You do NOT need Windows or a USB cable

If you want, tell me:

Exact ASUS router model (BD5 main + nodes)

macOS version

Whether Smart Connect is enabled globally

I can give you exact menu paths for your firmware version so you don’t have to guess.

[cmi14650]

This worked, thanks very much. It's too bad that Wifi 7 is not supported, nor is mixed mode authentication.

Thanks very much!