Trying to attach an HP3051A to my network without a WPS switch on router

[JB2312]

I am trying to get my printer on my network again.  I did have a router with a WPS button and it was easy to add it.  Now my new ISP's router does not have that button and I can't add the printer to my network.  Any suggestions?

I tried the HP Smart App from my phone and that was a fail because as soon as I changed the WiFi on the phone to the "HP Setup..." network it goes back to the screen and can't find the printer or it asks for the Network password, but never allows me to type it in.

Help!!  This screen won't let me select a product from my list even though I keep trying to add it and it says it is already on my Dashboard.  It is an HP 3050A All-in-one printer - J611h.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

[Garp_senchau]

@JB2312,  Welcome to HP Support Community,

Thank you for posting your query; I’m here to help by guiding you through steps to resolve this issue

Refer printer's User manual for printer specific steps.

1. Reset the Printer’s Network Settings 

• Turn off your printer.
• Press and hold the Wi-Fi button on the printer.
• While holding the Wi-Fi button, turn the printer back on.
• Keep holding the Wi-Fi button until the light blinks quickly, indicating that the network settings have been reset.

This clears any old Wi-Fi credentials, allowing you to reconfigure the printer for the new network.

2. Reconfigure Printer Wi-Fi Setup

• Press the Wi-Fi button on the printer again (it should blink rapidly if it’s not already connected).
• Use the printer’s control panel to reconnect it to your new Wi-Fi.

Alternatively, you can use the HP Smart app or the printer's web-based setup page (accessed via the printer's IP address) to connect the printer to Wi-Fi.

3. Check Your Router’s Compatibility

• Ensure that the Wi-Fi network is using the 2.4 GHz frequency, as the LaserJet P1102W may not be compatible with 5 GHz networks.
• If your new router is dual band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), make sure the printer is connecting to the correct band.

You may also refer these guides: 

• Restore Wi-Fi setup
• HP Printer Wi-Fi setup
• HP printer setup (Mac built-in driver)
• Wireless Test report
• Troubleshoot a Wi-Fi connection

I hope these steps help resolve the issue

Please feel free to reply here if you have any questions or if you need further clarification on any of the steps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

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Regards,

[JB2312]

I appreciate your reply and trying to help me.

Step 1 worked fine, as far as I can tell.  It was also done, I believe, when I chose the Restore Network Defaults option.

Step 2 I cannot do.  There is no way to connect to Wi-Fi.  There is no option to select a Wi-Fi network.  There is only the option for WPS (not available on my router) and the option for a PIN, but don't know where I would enter that to use that option.  I have tried the HP Smart app and it doesn't find the printer as such, but does suggest to connect to a Wi-Fi network named "HP Setup-...".  That does show up as a Wi-Fi option on the phone and I connect to that, but then the HP Smart app wants me to enter a Wi-Fi password (for which network I don't know), but I am not able to type when that comes up and there is a circle going around and around, but nothing ever connects.  I feel that some things are starting to work, but it can't complete.

Step 3 - I did find out somewhere that it should be 2.4 GHz, so I have set my router to 2.4 GHz while I am setting this up.  Not sure why you mentioned a LaserJet P1102W.

I will take a look at some of the other documents you mentioned.

Thanks.  Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

David

[JB2312]

The other question I have is when I go to the HP Smart app on the computer it says I have the old version of the printer, but it says it is offline.  How do I remove that instance of the printer and just try to set up the printer as a new printer?  It does show 5 printers when I search for printers on the HP Smart app.  One for my printer that is offline, another entry for my printer, two HP p-BA41, and an HP p-BA41-PRO.  I only have one printer!  The BA41 is the end of the name for my router?!?!?

[Garp_senchau]

Hey @JB2312,

Thank you for your response

I can understand your frustration—getting everything set up can definitely be tricky, especially when there are multiple factors at play like app glitches, router settings, and network connectivity issues. Let's break this down:

No Wi-Fi Network Option for Printer:

It sounds like the HP 3050A is stuck in a sort of limbo where it's not presenting you with the option to manually connect to Wi-Fi. The fact that it only shows WPS and PIN options (and no normal Wi-Fi selection) is strange since this model usually provides the manual connection option as well.

You might try this sequence, just to force the printer into setup mode again:

Turn off the printer.

Press and hold the Wi-Fi button while turning the printer back on.

Keep holding it for at least 15-20 seconds until the light blinks rapidly.

Let go and wait a few moments.

See if the printer shows an option to select a Wi-Fi network now.

HP Smart App Issues on Phone:

It sounds like the app is running into an issue when trying to communicate with the printer. This could be due to how the printer is responding to your phone when connected to the "HP Setup" Wi-Fi network.

When you connect your phone to the "HP Setup-..." network, the app should allow you to select your home Wi-Fi network and input the password. If it’s not allowing you to type.

Try closing the app completely and restarting it.

Clear the app’s cache if possible from the phone’s settings.

Try using a different phone if you have one available, or even use a laptop/desktop to install the HP Smart app to complete the process.

i-Fi, you can re-try the HP Smart app.

The "HP p-BA41" Entries in HP Smart App:

These entries are likely related to your router's settings (since it's showing up as the router’s name). Sometimes, routers create network aliases like these that can confuse apps, which is why you’re seeing duplicates.

To avoid this, you can:

Delete all other entries from the app, as you’re only dealing with one printer. You can remove them in the Manage Printers section.

Ensure that your printer is only listed once in the HP Smart app, and try adding it after ensuring it's properly connected to Wi-Fi.

Reference:

HP printer setup (HP Smart app) | HP® Support

HP printer setup (Wi-Fi network) | HP® Support

I hope this helps.

Please feel free to reply here if you have any questions or if you need further clarification on any of the steps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

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Regards,

[JB2312]

Thanks again for trying to help me.  I do appreciate it.

 - I have never seen that printer have a "normal" selection of Wi-Fi networks to be able to attach to.  I don't know which option I would see that on.  I have only ever seen the option to use a PIN or WPS.  I have tried the "Full" reset by holding down the Wi-Fi button, but that hasn't seemed to make a difference.

 - I have mostly given up on connecting through the Phone HP Smart app.  It does seem to have connection issues, so I have gone to the laptop.

 - In the HP Smart app I don't see any option to "Manage Printers".  Therefore I don't see any way to delete any of the printers--the weird ones with BA41 on them or the current one that is sticking around with the old IP address attached to it which just says "Offline" and the old IP address.

David