Router password changed - nightmare with HP 2700e resetting - no connection

[Melbro2]

All I did was update the router / mesh password. Its been a trial that's not yet completed to reinstate the printer. We have 2 and both are offline, unable to contact router or vice-versa.

Every suggestion/remedy comes around full circle to where I started. Router and printer have been off so many times the family are getting really fed up with the disconnections.

Buy an Epson did someone say?

Help please? All I want is to overwrite the password to it. No possibility as the router is supposed to shakes hands automatically. When they don't What Next please?

🤞🤞

Mel

[Samrit26]

Hello,

Mel — take a breath 🙂. What you’re seeing is expected behavior after a router / mesh password change, and HP printers are notorious for getting stuck in a dead Wi-Fi state afterward. You’re not missing a magic setting — the printer simply cannot overwrite the old password by itself.

I’ll explain why this happens, then give you one clean method that actually works, without looping back on itself.

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Why this keeps going in circles (important)

When you change the router or mesh password:

• The printer keeps the old Wi-Fi credentials

• It repeatedly tries to reconnect

• The router rejects it

• HP Smart / drivers keep saying “offline”

• Auto-handshake never occurs

➡️ There is no automatic overwrite
➡️ The printer must be forced into Wi-Fi setup mode

Until that happens, nothing will work — no amount of rebooting routers or printers.

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The ONLY thing that works: force Wi-Fi reset on the printer

This wipes the old password from the printer’s memory.

⚠️ This must be done on each printer, one at a time.

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Step 1 – Reset the printer’s wireless memory (critical)

The exact button combo depends on the model, but one of these WILL apply.

Most HP home/office printers (DeskJet / OfficeJet / Envy / Smart Tank)

1. Power ON

2. Press and hold:

   • Cancel (X) + Wireless (📶) together

3. Hold for 5 seconds

4. Release

👉 The blue Wi-Fi light should now blink
Blinking = ready for new Wi-Fi

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Printers with touchscreen

1. Settings

2. Network / Wireless

3. Restore Network Defaults

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Step 2 – Stop the printer from hijacking your Wi-Fi

This part trips people up.

• Do NOT manually connect to the printer’s DIRECT-HP Wi-Fi

• Stay connected to your normal home Wi-Fi on your phone/computer

The printer Wi-Fi is temporary and only for setup.

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Step 3 – Use HP Smart ONE TIME (the correct way)

I don’t love HP Smart either, but for password changes it’s unavoidable.

1. Open HP Smart

2. If the printer is listed → Remove it

3. Click Add Printer / Set up new printer

4. When prompted:

   • Select your new Wi-Fi name

   • Enter the new password

5. Wait until HP Smart says Connected

Do not stop early even if it pauses for a minute.

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Step 4 – Disable Wi-Fi Direct (prevents this happening again)

Once printing works:

• HP Smart → Printer Settings → Networking

• Turn Wi-Fi Direct OFF

This stops the printer fighting your mesh system later.

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Mesh Wi-Fi gotcha (very important)

Mesh systems (Eero, Google, Orbi, Deco, etc.) cause extra pain.

Make sure:

• 2.4 GHz is enabled

• Device isolation is OFF

• Setup is done close to one mesh node

• No VPN is active on your phone/computer

HP printers do not like 5 GHz-only steering.

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Why rebooting everything didn’t help

Reboots don’t clear:

• Stored Wi-Fi credentials

• Failed cloud states

• Cached network profiles

Only a wireless reset does.

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If BOTH printers refuse after this

Then one of these is true:

1. Router is blocking IoT devices

2. Mesh firmware bug

3. Printer firmware is stuck (rare)

At that point:
➡️ Temporary fix = USB printing
➡️ Long-term fix = router setting change or replacement printer

And yes — Epson handles Wi-Fi changes much better.

[Melbro2]

Hi,

I've copied your reply into my OneNote should this ever happen again. We are fixed and running, but your reply is the best, utterly precise method.  Oddly, it was the mesh that suggested a password change so although I say 'should it ever happen', I've not had this long enough to know when or if it will request a similar action.

Your reply must have come from years of experience, thank you for sharing.

Mel