HP 7602 Smart Tank printer WiFi connection problems

[HUGHSON]

I have had WiFi connection problems since I bought this printer 9 months ago. I have contacted HP several times and spent countless hours trying to resolve the problem. More often than not, when the printer restarts, it fails to connect to my network. HP always says it is a network problem, but I know that is not true. An IT tech helped me research the problem. We found that this particular printer, which I bought from the HP store through Amazon, had apparently been used previously by the University of Ioannina in Greece. HP has a working relationship with the IT department.  The printer firmware is not the typical firmware HP uses. It is highly unusual and potentially risky for a consumer HP 7602 printer to show firmware from a university. This likely indicates either a severe misinterpretation of a network setting, a spoofed update, or that the printer was previously used in that university's network and retained configuration settings. It causes the printer to create a new BSSID each time it restarts. A Wi-Fi printer should connect to the modem or router. Since my network has a mesh system with two repeaters, the printer connects randomly to any of the units. The router needs to provide the same IP address on every connection. This rarely happens with random connects. The firmware in my printer is SAYAPPPP1N003.2450A.00 associated with IP 195.251.194.197, not the typical IP for the 7602 of 192.168.24.4. This firmware version (referenced as 2450A) has been associated with HP Smart Tank 7600/790 series printers, with some users discussing it in the context of troubleshooting Error 8AF30001, which indicates a severe firmware corruption, printhead issue, or system board failure, often triggered by a failed update. HP refuses to acknowledge that my printer has a problem, insisting it is my network. Oddly, the morning that I last called HP, the printer successfully connected and was printing as it should. During the call, the HP tech insisted that I restart the printer and the connection was lost. After two hours of various troubleshooting, the tech gave up and agreed to replace my printer. To add insult to injury, HP's replacement policy requires me to send my printer to them before they will send the replacement. So, I will have to buy another printer. It won't be an HP.

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @HUGHSON,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

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

We truly understand how frustrating this experience has been, especially after multiple troubleshooting attempts and the time you’ve already invested. We’re really sorry for the inconvenience caused. We would like to clarify a few important points and help you with the next best steps.

Regarding the firmware and IP concern

• The firmware version you mentioned (2450A series) is a valid HP firmware branch used across Smart Tank 7600 and 7900 series printers. 
• The IP address, like 195.251.x.x, is not assigned by the printer firmware itself. That type of IP typically comes from the network the device was previously connected to or from external routing and does not remain hardcoded in the printer. 
• When your printer connects to your home network, it should always receive a local IP (such as 192.168.x.x) from your router. 

Please follow these exact steps:

Step 1: Restore network settings

1. Turn the printer ON 
2. Press and hold the Wireless and Cancel buttons together for 5 seconds 
3. Wait for the blue light to start blinking 

Step 2: Set up again using HP Smart

1. Open HP Smart 
2. Click Add Printer 
3. Follow the setup and connect to your WiFi 

During this step:

• Keep the printer very close to the main router 
• Avoid using the mesh extenders during setup 

Step 3: Lock the printer to a stable connection

This is very important in your case:

• Log in to your router settings 
• Assign a reserved IP address to the printer using its MAC address 
• If your router allows, bind the printer to a specific node or disable fast roaming temporarily 

Step 4: Use 2.4 GHz only

• Temporarily disable the 5 GHz band 
• Connect the printer only to 2.4 GHz 
• This improves stability significantly for printers 

Step 5: Firmware update via USB (if needed)

If wireless updates are failing:

• Connect the printer to your computer using a USB 
• Run firmware update from the HP support site 
• Restart the printer after the update

I hope this helps.

Take care and have an amazing day!