No connection to HP Color Laser MFP 178nwg

[ErikDubai]

The printer used to work fine and had no network or wifi issues. I was able to connect via USB using the HP Smart app and print via wifi connection. One day, I selected the option "Restore Wifi" in the printer menu by accident. Since then, I have been unable to connect to the printer via USB or wifi:

- When I connect via USB, I am able to print. My Mac still recognizes the printer.

- However, HP Smart is unable to find the printer, both on the Mac via USB and on the phone so I am unable to change any of the setting.

- Connecting to wifi via WPS in the printer menu does not work: It shows "Connecting..." for a minute but then fails.

- There is no "Wifi Settings" option in the wifi menu on the printer (contrary to what many YouTube videos show) so I cannot search for wifi networks in the vicinity in order to connect via the printer menu.

I am flabbergasted that the option to restore all wifi settings and screw up the entire printer connectivity does not require a second confirmation.

What can I do to reconnect to wifi? I was thinking I might have to do a reset to factory settings but HP doesn't provide that option.

[Nal_NR]

Hi @ErikDubai,

Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

I'd like to help!

This document is for HP printers that support both wireless and USB connections.

NOTE:

For Chromebooks, go to HP printer setup (Chromebook) for steps to connect the printer.

Remove the USB printer from the computer

Disconnect the USB printer from the computer, and then remove it from HP Smart if necessary.

Turn off the printer, and then turn off the computer.

Disconnect the USB cable from the printer and the computer.

Turn on printer and the computer.

Close any device setup prompts that display on the computer.

If you previously used HP Smart to set up the USB printer, remove the printer from the app.

On the app home screen, right-click the printer name and then select Forget This Printer.

Install the HP Smart app

Get the HP Smart app for Android, Apple iOS or iPadOS, Windows, and macOS.

Download the HP Smart app from 123.hp.com (Android, Apple iOS), HP Smart - Microsoft Store (Windows, in English), or HP Smart - Mac App Store (macOS, in English).

NOTE:

Having trouble downloading the app? Go to Unable to download and install the HP Smart printer app for more information.

If you are setting up HP Smart for the first time, you must create or sign in to an HP account to access all printer functions.

Set up your printer using the HP Smart app

Add your printer to HP Smart and follow the guided setup to connect to your computer or mobile device.

NOTE:For HP+ printers, there might be additional guided steps required to complete printer setup, such as HP+ choice selection and HP account creation.

If you are setting up the printer on a Wi-Fi network, prepare the printer for setup.

Place the printer and the computer or mobile device near the Wi-Fi router.

Turn on Wi-Fi on your computer or mobile device and connect to your network. If the computer is connected to the network with an Ethernet cable, temporarily disconnect the cable and use the Wi-Fi connection during the setup.

Enable Bluetooth on the computer or mobile device so that HP Smart can detect the printer during the setup.

For Windows computers, turn on Windows Update to make sure Windows is always up to date.

After installing HP Smart for iOS and Android, enable the mobile device location service and allow the app to use your location to detect the printer and offer solutions during setup.

Multiple printers within range of your device might display during setup. Make sure to select the correct printer. Do not select a printer with DIRECT in its name, as it is only for Wi-Fi Direct connections.

Open HP Smart.

If this is the first time you are opening HP Smart, the app attempts to detect and set up the printer.

If this is not the first time you are opening HP Smart, click Add Printer or the plus sign to find the printer.

On the connection type screen, select Wi-Fi, USB, or Network. The options displayed vary depending on your computer or mobile device. Follow the steps to complete the setup.

If you are using a Wi-Fi connection and your printer is not found, continue to the next step.

Restore Wi-Fi setup mode.

Most printers with a touchscreen display or menu: Open the Wireless or Setup menu, select Network setup or Settings and then select Restore Network Settings.

Printers without a touchscreen display or menu: Go to Restore Wi-Fi setup mode on your HP printer to restore default settings by pressing the buttons on your printer.

Within two hours, close then re-open HP Smart, and then add the printer again.

Follow the guided setup screens to complete the printer setup.

Update the software if not done already. : Click here

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.
Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[ErikDubai]

Thank you for the reply, but it seems like all of these steps are the standard steps to connect the printer, which is pretty clear to me. The problem is: none of this works.

Also, some of the described steps might be outdated in terms of the software: For example, I am unable to remove the printer from the HP Smart app like you suggested as the printer is saved in my HP account. All I can do by right-clicking on it is hide it. To remove it from the app, I would have to remove the printer from my HP account entirely. While it does show my printer, it is listed as offline despite the USB connection (and despite the fact that I can print through any Mac application).

The HP Smart app is unable to find the printer, neither on my Mac nor on my iPhone. On my phone, I reinstalled HP Smart and did not log in to my HP account in order to keep it clean. It is searching for printers in the vicinity, but is unable to find any. Location services and Bluetooth are activated.

I am shocked that I practically broke the wifi connectivity of the printer simply by pushing Restore Wifi by accident. And of course the printer just came out of warranty.

[Nal_NR]

Hi @ErikDubai,

We are sorry that the issue is not resolved when the above troubleshooting steps were performed.

This might require one on one interaction to fix the issue

I've sent you a private message with further instructions. In order to access your private messages, click the private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Support Community profile, next to your profile Name or simply click on this link.

If the information I've provided was helpful, give us some reinforcement by clicking the Accepted Solution button, that'll help us and others see that we've got the answers!