I can’t connect my printer to the WiFi without the usb

[Mae221]

I have a laserjet MFP M29w model and I’m having trouble connecting my printer to the WiFi to be able to print it says Wi-Fi Direct disabled 

[Samrit26]

Hello,

Understood. I’ll walk you through this cleanly and correctly, because the LaserJet MFP M29w is very particular about how Wi-Fi is enabled.
The message “Wi-Fi Direct disabled” is a symptom, not the root problem.

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First: how the M29w actually works (important context)

The M29w has NO display and no menu system.
All wireless functions (Wi-Fi Direct, normal Wi-Fi) are controlled by:

• Button combinations on the printer or

• HP Smart during setup

If Wi-Fi Direct is disabled, it usually means:

• The printer is not in wireless setup mode

• OR wireless was turned off/reset

• OR setup was never completed successfully

This is fixable.

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Step 1 – Full wireless reset (mandatory)

We need to put the printer back into factory wireless setup mode.

On the printer:

1. Power ON

2. Press and hold Cancel (X) + Wireless (📶) buttons

3. Hold for 5 seconds

4. Release

What this does:

• Clears all Wi-Fi settings

• Re-enables Wi-Fi hardware

• Allows Wi-Fi Direct to be turned back on later

⚠️ Do not skip this step.

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Step 2 – Confirm printer is in setup mode

After the reset:

• The blue wireless light should blink

  • Blinking = ready for setup

  • Solid blue = already connected

  • Off = Wi-Fi disabled (problem)

If it is not blinking, repeat Step 1.

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Step 3 – Install / open HP Smart (only supported method)

On your phone or computer:

1. Connect your device to your home Wi-Fi

   • 2.4 GHz preferred (very important)

2. Open HP Smart

   • If already installed, remove the printer first

3. Click Add Printer or Set up a new printer

4. Follow prompts and select your home Wi-Fi

5. Enter Wi-Fi password carefully

6. Wait until HP Smart confirms setup complete

⚠️ Do NOT manually connect to the printer Wi-Fi unless HP Smart asks you to.

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Step 4 – Enable Wi-Fi Direct (after setup)

Once the printer is on your home Wi-Fi:

• Open HP Smart

• Printer Settings → Networking

• Turn Wi-Fi Direct ON

At this point:

• You can print normally over Wi-Fi

• Wi-Fi Direct becomes optional (for guests / offline use)

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Common reasons setup fails on M29w

Check these carefully:

• ❌ Using 5 GHz-only Wi-Fi (printer requires 2.4 GHz)

• ❌ VPN enabled on phone/computer

• ❌ Corporate or mesh Wi-Fi with isolation

• ❌ Printer too far from router during setup

• ❌ Trying to set up without HP Smart

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What NOT to do

• ❌ There is no web interface

• ❌ There is no manual Wi-Fi menu

• ❌ USB cable alone does not configure Wi-Fi on this model

• ❌ Reinstalling drivers without resetting Wi-Fi won’t help

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If Wi-Fi Direct still says “disabled” after setup

Then one of two things is true:

1. Wireless module is faulty
   → Requires depot repair or replacement

2. Firmware is corrupted
   → HP Smart firmware recovery attempt needed

The M29w wireless module is not user-repairable.