M251nw Printer Won't Stay Connected to WiFi

[RobInSLC]

I have had a M251nw printer for about seven years now. It's been pretty good so far, but today have encountered a problem.

After not being able to print a document wirelessly, I found that my printer was not connected to my WiFi. This seemed strange, as I was able to print each day during the week. So, I went to the settings, found my WiFi listed and entered the passcode. It still wouldn't connect. I went to the settings again and looked at the passcode it had stored, and it was a previous passcode that I haven't used in over a year. So I changed the passcode again, and it still wouldn't connect. And the settings are still showing my old passcode. I tried this several times, the screen says that it is saving my new passcode, but it keeps reverting to my old one.

My printer has been working just fine in the last year or so after I had gotten a new router and changed my passcode to something different. But suddenly it won't work and is keeping my very old passcode.

I have also tried the WPS option, but that didn't work either. It just said that the connection was unsuccessful.

Here's something else that is weird. I opened the cover, closed it, and the printer re-initialized. Then it printed out the document that I had tried to print earlier. I checked the settings, and it said it was connected. Yay! So, I tried to print my first document. It didn't work. I checked the settings at it says that it is not connected again.

I am so confused.

I thought maybe I could try a hard reset, but I can't figure out how to do that.

[ShlomiL]

Hi,

Using the arrow navigate the menu and select Network Settings, then select Restore Network Defaults and confirm any prompt.

Now restart the printer and try re configuring the wireless connection from the computer , by using WPS or bv following the HP Smart app to reconfigure the wireless connection for the printer:

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/ish_1780623-1698506-16

Please let me know if that helps,

Shlomi

[RobInSLC]

No luck. But it's really strange.

I did the restoring of the network defaults. I tried the WPS again, but it still wouldn't connect. I then tried it by selecting the name of my network and entering the password, but it wouldn't connect this way either. I verified on my IP's app that I am using the correct password just in case, and it was. I tried it again, and it wouldn't connect again.

I downloaded the HP app and tried that. It told me to go into my WiFi Settings and find "HP [something]." (I don't remember what it was now.) I checked the settings, but this wasn't any of the available options to select.

Then I came back to my computer to let you know of the results. I went to the HP app to check on the wording on something, and I noticed that my printer was showing up. I selected it. I went to the printer, and it said that it was connected. Yay! Then I tried to print my document, and I got an error. I went back to the printer, and it says that it is not connected again.

It seems my printer is temperamental. Do you have any other suggestions I might try? 

Update: I just restarted my router and tried to log in to my WiFi again on the printer, but it didn't work. It keeps telling me that my passphrase is not correct, and it won't connect. It is the correct passphrase for my WiFi--unless it is referring to another passphrase.

[ShlomiL]

Hi,

What router do you have? It is possible to happen due to a not supported security setting sich as WPA3 encryption which might not be supported by the printer.

[RobInSLC]

I don't suspect it is the router, because I have been using it for the past year with no issues. But just in case that could be the issue, it is an Xfinity XB6-T Wireless Gateway. 

[ShlomiL]

Using the arrows, navigate to the Reports menu and there select to print a Configuration Report.

Within the Printer Information section locate and clarify the Firmware Datecode of your printer.

Also, select Self-Diagnostics from the setup menu and then Run Wireless Test.

What exact error or attention appears on the top of the report?

Keep in mind that an auto update for the router may make changes to cause a such, this may happen over time following without any action taken on purpose, so we need to figure what may change.

[RobInSLC]

Thank you for your reply.

Yesterday I ran the Wireless Test Report. It didn't show an error per se, but everything passed in the summary portion until it got to the Security line where it read "Fail." 

Something strange happened last evening. I left the printer figuring I had done everything I could do at that point. About four hours later I got an alert on my phone saying that a new device had connected to my internet. I checked the printer, and it said it was connected. I checked it again this morning, and it was still connected.

To test it out, I attempted to print a PDF from Adobe Acrobat from my laptop, but it didn't work. It didn't even show up in the print queue. I then downloaded the HP Printer app onto my laptop. It showed the printer as being online, and it allowed me to print the PDF from there. It indicated it could only print PDFs and said I would need to use the other apps to print directly from them. I printed a test sheet directly from Microsoft Word, and it worked too.

I then ran the reports you recommended. The Firmware Datecode is 20121026. The Wireless Test Report had "pass" in every part of the summary.

Then I tried to print a PDF from Adobe Acrobat to see if maybe it would work now. It didn't, and when I checked the printer, it appeared to have reset itself somehow and was reinitializing. I allowed it to complete, and now it says that it is not connected and the HP app says that the printer is offline.

I selected my SSID on the printer and reentered my passphrase, and it again is saying that my passphrase is invalid. (I definitely entered the correct passphrase.)

I re-ran the Wireless Test, and now the Security line again says "Fail."

This is so frustrating. I can't figure out why it won't stay connected.

[ShlomiL]

You’re much welcome @RobInSLC,

Let’s update the printer firmware and check if that helps:

Temporarily connect the printer with a USB cable to the PC, then follow below firmware update utility:

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softlib/software13/COL44532/lj-108129-8/M251_color_Series_FW_Update-20150212....

Now restart the printer and check if you may see any difference.

Please let me know how it goes.

[RobInSLC]

Last evening--before I did the firmware update-- I checked the printer again, and the display said that it was connected to my WiFi. I thought I would test it, and I was able to print a PDF from Adobe, so it seemed like it was fixed. However, this morning when I actually needed to print something, I checked the printer again, and it said it was not connected.

So, I did the firmware update as suggested. It installed successfully, but the printer still refuses to connect to my WiFi. It keeps telling me that my passphrase is not correct. I tried via WPS again as well, but it said that the network connection failed.

I just won't stay connected to my WiFi for some reason.

Edit: Just a note. My router is literally less than 10 feet from the printer in the same room and there is nothing obstructing them. This is where I have had my router and printer since I originally purchased the printer.