HP Smart Tank 7605 Losing WiFi Connectivity Every Other Day

[HeikoH]

Hi everybody,

about three weeks ago, I installed the new HP Smart Tank 7605 at my office here in Germany. I had some trouble connecting it with my German "FritzBox 7530" (standard model in Germany): The printer obviously did not understand the setting "WPA3+WPA2" of my router. Only after changing the router setting to WPA2, I finally managed to connect it.

The printer worked well for exactly one week, then he lost the WiFi connection after some hours of inactivity and signaled it by flashing orange. The only way to re-establish the WiFi connection was by turning the printer off and on again. My router did not have any problems, and the WiFi connections of all the other devices connected with the router worked well. The only connection that failed was the 7605 connection.

Since then, the printer lost the WiFi connection again another four times while all other WiFi connections did not have problems. The printer is the central printing device in my office, so it is very important that we can print from all the devices in the network when needed.

I am an IT professional myself and I already tried the following steps to solve the problem:

- Check firmware (latest version SAYAPPPP1N002.2144E.00 installed).

- Reset WiFi connection and rebuild it via WPS.

- Reset the printer to factory settings and reinstall it.

I have no idea what else I can do. The "FritzBox" router is extremely reliable, and I have never had any problems with network connections. Before I bought the 7605, I had been using an OfficeJet 9020e for more than a year, without any problem. This is the first time that I face WiFi problems.

I would really appreciate a solution, for example an updated firmware where the problem is addressed.

Thank you very much!

[Dragon-Fur]

@HeikoH 

The printer supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies, though likely not at the same time.

Review

 User Guide

Page 13

NOTE: The printer supports connections using 2.4GHz and 5GHz.

I don't find a Specification document for this model - similar models show similar information that reflects what is available in the user manual.

True:  In so much that I am aware, the printer does not support WPA3.

Connect the printer to your network using an SSID network named connection to the band / frequency you intend the printer to use. 

In general, printers like to be connected to the network using their IP address.

If you have not done so,

If your router supports it,

• Set the router to broadcast on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz.
• Assign a separate SSID network name to each frequency / band.
• Connect the printer, possibly using its IP address, to the SSID network you want it to use.

Example - Dual Band Network - Considerations

SSID_Dual_Band_Example_12

What else?

Pattern Behavior - Losing connection

The printer is losing connection "every other day": 

Check the router logs - pattern behavior might be logged as errors or periodic changes to the network environment.

What else?

Not much, and likely nothing you have not already tried...

• Make sure the router firmware is updated - this is important regardless of router brand.
• Less likely, make sure the printer software is installed and functional - full driver software is usually stable but a corrupted file or library can cause connection issues.  Software installation information is provided later in this message.
• In addition to connecting to the SSID named network using the IP address, consider changing the connection type (on the computer(s) to TCP/IP.

References / Resources

 Wireless printing center

Wireless Printing Center – Static IP Address

AND

Wireless Printing Center > Common Questions > Wireless Connection Issues

Some of the more common remedies grouped here:

Wireless Printing Center > Common Questions > Printer no longer works on network

Installation - Optional / Extras

Method – Add printer using TCP/IP

Please try adding the printer using the printer’s IP address

Find the IP Address of the printer on the Printer Control / Display Panel (touch Wireless button)

Control Panel > icon view Devices and Printers

Click in the top ribbon, Add a Printer

Wait till the menu starts…
Select / Click The printer that I want isn’t listed
Select / Click Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or hostname

Select / Click Next
Device Type > Select in Drop-Down Menu:  TCP/IP Device

Hostname or IP Address > Enter the IP Address of the printer

(Skip Port Name)

Select / Click Next

Continue and answer prompts

Method - Create TCP IP port

TCP/IP can resolve odd connection, scanning, and installation problems.

Create / Switch to a TCP/IP Port to facilitate communication and prevent ‘offline’ issues

How-to “Create TCP Port” Contributed by  greenturtle:

Find the printer's IPv4 address

Print a Configuration Page

OR

Tap on the wireless icon on the Front panel of your Printer to get the IP address

Control Panel, from Devices and Printers

Right-Click the printer and Left-Click Printer Properties

Tab Ports

Click Add Port

Select Standard TCP/IP Port

Select New Port and follow the instructions

Type in the correct IP address for the printer

How-to “Create TCP Port” Video Contributed by  greenturtle
Create & Use TCP IP port

Note that you can ALWAYS revert back to the original port that the HP software installed by selecting the HP port within the Ports tab (in Printer Properties)

=================================================================

Video Help - Set printer to network defaults > Load Full Feature Software

HP Smart Tank 500|651|655 printer: Download & Install Software & connect using Auto Wireless Connect

Installation – Full Feature Software

• If using USB, disconnect the USB cable between the printer and the computer before starting the installation.  Connect the cable when instructed to do so (toward the end of the installation procedure).

Printer Software - Easy Start Software wrapper

• Home Page - HP Easy Start
• Open Category Software and Drivers
• Topic: Software-Utility
• Download and save the current version of the Easy Start Software to install your print software
• Install / Run the Easy Start software - opt for the "Full Driver" when asked which software to install

Basic Instructions - Install the Full Feature Software / Full Driver printer software

Preparation

• If using VPN, shut it off to install software

• Not working?  If the printer software is still / already installed, Uninstall the printer software  from Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features > Restart the computer and log in – Reference Uninstall HP printer software and drivers

Reminder:  Windows > Uninstall HP printer software, check / remove the printer from your Devices list.

• Reminder:  If using USB cable between printer and computer, disconnect the cable before installing software.  Later... Connect the cable when instructed (near the end of the installation procedure).

Installation

• Download and Save the Full Feature Software installation package or the Easy Start Software
• Open File Explorer
• Navigate to the folder in which you saved the installation file  (likely Downloads)
• Right-Click on the installation package and “Run as Administrator”
• If using Easy Start > When asked, opt for "Full Driver" (exact wording might vary).
• If using Easy Start > Skip any extra software / offers you do not want (wording varies).
• After the software is installed, Restart the computer and log in

NOTES

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Preparation > Check / enable the printer as the “Default Printer”

Settings > Devices > Printers and scanners

UNCHECK (clear box) Let Windows manage my default printer

Select (Left-Click) your printer from the list of printers > Manage > Set as Default

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

HP Printer Support Home Page - References and Resources – Learn about your Printer  - Solve Problems

 “Things that are your printer”

When the website support page opens, Select (as available) a Category > Topic > Subtopic

NOTE:  Content depends on device type and Operating System

Categories:  Alerts, Access to the Print and Scan Doctor (Windows), Warranty Check, HP Drivers / Software / Firmware Updates, How-to Videos, Bulletins/Notices, Lots of How-to Documents, Troubleshooting, Manuals > User Guides, Product Information (Specifications), more

Open

HP Smart Tank 7605 All-in-One 

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[HeikoH]

@Dragon-Fur

Hi Dragon-Fur,

and thank you so much for all the helpful information and your time. I really appreciate it!

I actually found a fact sheet for the 7605 saying that it understands WPA3 as well. Unfortunately, I cannot see if it is an official document from HP - but at least it looks pretty official. Anyway: When I changed my router settings back to WPA2, connecting the printer worked.

My router broadcasts on both frequencies 2.4 and 5 GHz, and I use different SSID names for each band and fixed channels. I never changed this "standard" setting, and it has been working very well for years, and also with different HP printers. For the connecting process, I used WPS: It is the recommended process for the German "FritzBox" routers and very reliable. I never encountered any problems with WiFi connections to and from the "FritzBox" - the 7605 is the first device that sometimes refuses to cooperate.

I also checked the router log frequently. When the printer loses the WiFi connection, the router notes "Printer has terminated the connection" (translated from German). At the time when the printer lost the connection, no other events where logged. The printer always was in hibernation / sleep modus when the problem occurred.

Fortunately, there are no other WiFi networks around my office location that could be responsible for connection problems: When I scan for other networks, just a handful are shown, but they are all much too remote and too weak to enable a connection.

The IPv4 address of the printer is always the same (192.168.78.26).

I installed the HP printer software (full package) on some of the office devices (without problems or error messages). On some devices, I had to enter the IPv4 address to get the printer connected. Other devices auto-detected the new printer and are working with the Windows standard printing driver.

I have no idea where the problem comes from. The last "main" printer we used was the HP OfficeJet Pro 9020, and it was perfectly reliable all the 15 months we had been using it - with exactly the same settings of the router.

At the moment, I guess there is a tiny flaw somewhere in the firmware of the printer because - with your help - I could not identify any other "outside" cause for the problem.

I'll watch it for another two weeks or so and then think about what to do next.

Thank you again for your support!

[Dragon-Fur]

@HeikoH 

You are welcome.

It almost sounds like the printer connection is being interrupted - of course, the trick is to find the source; so far, no joy.

If your router does support hopping,

If you have not tried it,

Switch off the hopping mechanism.

Interesting about WPA3.

According to the limited information I can find for this model, the printer connection support is fairly robust:

Connectivity

Ports	1 USB Host; Hi-Speed USB 2.0; Wi-Fi; Bluetooth LE; Ethernet; Fax
Wireless capability	Yes, 2.4/5G dual band Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth low energy

You could try switching on Wi-Fi Direct.

Normally (in my experience), having Wi-Fi Direct switched ON when you are already using Ethernet or Wireless is not useful and might even interfere.   I do keep running across documentation that says otherwise.  In the case of this printer, the Wi-Fi Direct method is discussed in the Mobile Printing section of the User Guide (see page 30).  A complete (if more general) explanation about Wi-Fi Direct is available at the Wireless printing center.  At the least, the option might be worth checking.

Sure - could be firmware.  Unless the description page includes a decent explanation of the update content, we do not even know why firmware is updated.  I suspect the firmware is OK - but I do not have any evidence for that presumption.  At least in this case (version 001.2144E), the Fixes section includes "something" about what was fixed / updated.

Fix and Enhancements:

• Copy job enhancement.

• Security improvement.

• Embedded Web Services improvement.

Reference HP Smart Tank 790/7600 series Printer Firmware Update 

What else?

??

Check the security software on the device(s) where the printer is used (on your Windows computer, for example).  This is really not likely the source of the problem but takes only a few minutes to check.  It is unlikely the security software would be able to yank the printer off the network - the check is just an "Easter egg" (something to hunt).

Make sure the router is also running on its latest firmware - even robust routers need their updates and sometimes it makes a difference...

I have perhaps missed something - it happens.

If I run across something that seems promising, I'll post back.

Another Expert might have an idea, too.

Thinking on it...

Thank you for participating in the HP Community.

Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.

Click Helpful = Yes to say Thanks!

Question / Concern Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"

[HeikoH]

@Dragon-Fur

Hi Dragon-Fur,

and thank you again for all the time you invested. It feels good that I am not alone with the network issue!

In the settings of the HP webserver I found that the printer can indeed handle WPA3. I found it under "Wireless (802.11)". In English, the menu option probably is "More", and there I can set WiFi encryption to WPA2, WPA3 or "both". I did not change the setting, though. For about two days now, the WiFi connection did not break again, so it is probably recommended not to change any settings... I will give it a couple more days.

WiFi Direct is turned on.

I found one interesting point when I checked the router log again: When the printer "cancelled" the WiFi connection the last time, no other device was connected with my WiFi network at the same time. I don't know if this is relevant but I thought that this is special.

I will not give up, and there will certainly be a solution :-).

It was a great pleasure to hear from you! Stay healthy!

Heiko