Unable to connect to printer

[Attrney]

Unable to connect to my printer hp Deskjet 4100 series. It says connecting but nothing happens

[Sneha_01]

Hi @Attrney,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

If you're having trouble connecting your HP DeskJet 4100 series printer to your computer or network, and it remains stuck on "connecting," follow these steps to troubleshoot and resolve the issue:

1. Verify Printer and Network Status:

Check Printer Power:

• Ensure the printer is turned on and displaying no error messages.

Check Printer Status:

• Verify that the printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer or mobile device.

Check Network Connection:

• Ensure that your Wi-Fi network is functioning correctly and that other devices can connect to it.

2. Reset the Printer's Network Settings:

Access Printer Menu:

• On the printer’s control panel, navigate to the network settings or wireless settings menu.

Reset Network Settings:

• Look for an option to reset or restore network settings to default. This will clear the current network configuration.

Reconnect to Wi-Fi:

• After resetting, reconnect the printer to your Wi-Fi network by following the setup instructions provided in the printer’s manual or using the control panel.

3. Reinstall or Update Printer Software:

Uninstall Existing Software:

• Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers (or Printers & Scanners in Windows 10/11) and remove any existing entries for the HP DeskJet 4100 series.

Download Latest Software:

• Visit the HP Support website and download the latest software and drivers for your HP DeskJet 4100 series printer.

Install Printer Software:

• Run the downloaded software and follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall the printer.

4. Use the HP Smart App for Setup:

Download HP Smart App:

• Download the HP Smart app from the HP Smart website or your device’s app store.

Set Up Printer:

• Open the HP Smart app and follow the instructions to set up your printer. The app can help with network configuration and troubleshooting.

5. Check Printer and Computer Network Configuration:

Ensure Same Network:

• Make sure your printer and computer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Check IP Address:

• Check the printer’s IP address by printing a network configuration page from the printer’s menu. Ensure that the IP address is in the same range as your computer’s network.

Ping Printer IP:

• Open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Mac) and ping the printer’s IP address to verify network connectivity.

6. Disable VPN or Firewall (if applicable):

Temporarily Disable VPN:

• If you are using a VPN, temporarily disable it to see if it’s causing the connectivity issue.

Check Firewall Settings:

• Ensure that your computer’s firewall or antivirus software is not blocking the printer. You may need to add an exception for the printer software.

7. Perform Printer Troubleshooting:

Run HP Print and Scan Doctor:

• Download and run the HP Print and Scan Doctor tool. This tool can help diagnose and fix common printing issues.

Check for Firmware Updates:

• Visit the HP Support website and check if there are any firmware updates available for your printer. Install any updates as needed.

8. Perform a Printer Factory Reset (if necessary):

Access Printer Settings:

• Go to the printer’s settings menu.

Perform Factory Reset:

• Look for an option to perform a factory reset. This will restore the printer to its default settings and may resolve connectivity issues.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

Rachel571

HP Support