My HP printer does not work with my new AT&T air modem

[N52R]

I have a new modem AT&T made me connect to AT&T air. This modem does not recognize my HP printer. I’ve tried numerous fixes, AT&T tells me I have to contact HP yet I cannot find a way to get a hold of a human to help talk me through the process or to let me know whether or not it’s even possible to connect my printer. I keep getting a message from my phone and from my computer that it cannot find an air printer.

[BeemerBiker]

Make sure you have at least 3 steady bars on your new air modem. If you have 1 or fewer (like I had) then the printer may connect but will never get on the internet.

If you have an e-series HP printer then it needs internet access to "phone home".

It will need internet access at least once to be registered with HP, but you can always reject the subscription service and not need to be online.

I suspect there is a problem with the 2.4 and 5ghz bands having the same SSID.  Log into the Air Modem or have AT&T change one of the bands to have a different name.  HP and other OEM printers can have problems if both Wi-Fi bands have the same name.  

If your Air Modem system has booster and repeaters then you must assign a fixed or reserved IP address.   With multiple booster , repeaters and even the modem itself, the printer can be assigned random IP addresses depending on which device it connects to.  Your PC will then have the wrong or old IP address as a result.  You won't have to do this if you use Wi-Fi direct.

It is possible to print directly to the printer using Wi-Fi direct.  This bypasses the router and avoids not knowing the most recent assigned IP address.

Please provide the exact model name of the printer for better assistance as I may be able to find videos to show how to connect or fix the problem.