Wi-Fi Direct Stopped Working

[IPreferBrother]

Greetings,

Recently I tried using my HP OfficeJet Pro 7740, which is something I seldom do. I tried connecting to it using Wi-Fi Direct (which is the only way I have EVER used the thing) and using the same/only computer I have EVER use with it (Win7 x64 Pro). (The computer is used for little else.) No joy was had; I was unable to connect my computer to the all-in-one via Wi-Fi Direct. Perhaps someone can suggest something?

More details:

Per the LCD display on the printer, my computer was unable to connect to it at all: the display on the printer continuously reported zero (0) Wi-Fi Direct connections. This was confirmed by a message that appeared on my computer, which was as follows:

“"Windows was unable to connect to DIRECT-42-HP OfficeJet Pro 7740”

Time passes ...

There seemed to have been a problem with my computer’s “Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface” driver. What could have happened to it, or why it did, I know not. It was reporting an error code of ten (10) in “Device Manager.” After following (some of) the advice at WinTips (see “Teredo Tunneling device cannot start – Code 10”), I set the Registry key “DisabledComponents” at
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\TCPIP6\Parameters
to zero (0) and restarted my computer. All seemed peachy-keen with the Teredo driver. Regrettably, however, my computer was still not able to communicate with the all-in-one successfully.

Whereas the printer would previously report no Wi-Fi Direct connections to it at all, an attempt to connect to it with the computer now causes the printer to report one Wi-Fi Direct connection (my computer) for a short while before it goes back to reporting zero connections again. Similarly, my computer reports a network connection failure again.

Additional Info:

When I installed the printer driver ever so long ago, I installed a special version I think was intended for corporate use. I also have never updated the driver nor have I ever installed any other HP “Apps” anywhere, nor have I ever let the printer surf the Internet. I have no trust at all in the entity that now bears the names of the long dead Misters Hewlett and Packard, and I would like to minimize the amount of HP software I install.

If you have made it this far, I admire your determination! Thanks!

[haythamkha · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Since the printer briefly shows one Wi-Fi Direct connection and then disconnects, I would first check whether the Wi-Fi Direct link itself is stable before focusing on the printer driver.

Please try these steps:

1. On the printer screen, make sure Wi-Fi Direct is turned ON and check the Wi-Fi Direct name/password.
2. Print the Network Configuration Page / Wireless Test Report to confirm the correct Wi-Fi Direct details.
3. On the Windows 7 PC, forget/remove the old DIRECT-xx-HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 connection, restart the PC, then connect again using the password shown by the printer.
4. After connecting, open this address in a browser:
   http://10.10.4.120

If the page opens, the Wi-Fi Direct connection is working and the issue is likely with the old printer driver/queue. In that case, remove the old printer from Devices and Printers and reinstall the basic HP driver only.

HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 drivers:
https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-officejet-pro-7740-wide-format-all-in-one-printe...

HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 User Guide:
https://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c05216524.pdf

Also, temporarily disable any third-party firewall/security software just for testing, as it may block the Wi-Fi Direct connection.

If it still drops, reset the printer network settings and set up Wi-Fi Direct again from scratch.

[IPreferBrother]

Dear Haytham,

Thank you very much for your quick and detailed reply!

I  apologize for my delay in replying, but, though there is no rest for the wicked, it doesn't mean that we don't need some. sometimes.  😉

I have created a printable version of your instructions -- printable on my beloved Brother printer, which, over the decades, has almost never given me trouble! -- and I'll have a go at your suggestions. I will certainly report my results, but it won't be immediately.

Thanks again, and I'll be in touch "soon."

Cordially,

[Insert nom de plumbe here]

[haythamkha]

Thank you very much for your kind reply.

No worries at all about the delay — please take your time. I completely understand, and I hope you get some well-deserved rest.

I’m glad the instructions were clear enough to print, even if your Brother printer is making HP look bad in this case. 🙂

Please try the steps whenever it is convenient for you, and feel free to report back with the results when you can. If the Wi-Fi Direct page opens at http://10.10.4.120, that will help confirm whether the connection itself is stable before moving deeper into the driver side.

I’ll be happy to continue troubleshooting based on what you find.

Cordially,
Haytham Alqolaq

[IPreferBrother]

Hello again, and thanks for the kind words!

Step #3 seems to have done the job! (In fairness, I should probably add that I did something close to steps #1 and #2 before posting. 😉 I scanned a document, and I printed a document: I'm not sure I could ask for anything more! 😉

I might add that step #4 didn't go well. I'm not sure if it was because my browser (FireFox 115.37 ESR x64) was changing http://10.10.4.120 to https://10.10.4.120 or for some other reason, but I wasn't able to connect with the printer using the browser. Still, it "seems" to work, at least for the moment.

Thanks again!