cannot keep envy6400 connected to wifi

[martinrtr]

I am now on my thrid replacement envy 6400 which, like the other two stayed connected to wifi for a couple of days and then dropped. although I have replacement printers HP (in their infinite wisdom) start the warranty from the first purchase so, despite having two replacements i am now out of warranty. I CANNOT get the printer to remain connected to wifi and, as several other people work on the network, restarting the router three times a week is not practical. The printer is currently located about 12 inches from the router. Any ideas?

I have always been wary of wifi only devices - I didn't know there was not a wired option with this otherwisw i would not have bought it. I see that they have taped over the usb port - can i just tear off the tape and connect or will this cause it to explode? (Oh I wish!)

[Dragon-Fur]

@martinrtr 

Welcome to the HP Community --

---

@martinrtr wrote:

I am now on my third replacement envy 6400 which, like the other two stayed connected to wifi for a couple of days and then dropped.

although I have replacement printers HP (in their infinite wisdom) start the warranty from the first purchase so, despite having two replacements i am now out of warranty.

I CANNOT get the printer to remain connected to wifi and, as several other people work on the network, restarting the router three times a week is not practical.

The printer is currently located about 12 inches from the router.

Any ideas?

I have always been wary of wifi only devices - I didn't know there was not a wired option with this otherwise i would not have bought it.

I see that they have taped over the usb port - can i just tear off the tape and connect or will this cause it to explode? (Oh I wish!)

---

These are mid-level printers -- not the least expensive but somewhere just above the DeskJet option.

The wireless radio in these printers is decent -- not Enterprise level, perhaps, but certainly good enough to maintain a connection to a mid-or-better level updated router that is properly configured and placed where the printer can send and receive a signal.

Twelve inches is perhaps too close -- yes, this can be a thing.

Too far away is a thing, too, as are obstacles, or poor placement (other than distance, think vertical).

The printer supports 2.4 or 5GHz, though not at the same time.

The printer supports a USB printer to computer cable, though some to many of the features in the applications and software might not work as expected.  HP App, for example, struggles using a USB connection type because so much of the application is based on the printer having access to networked features.  The full driver (available in supported versions of Windows) will tolerate a USB only connection -- the trick is to get the full driver installed.  Not-HP features also work with a USB only connection -- for example, Windows Scan does not require your printer to be connected to a network.

Wi-Fi Direct is a step up from USB -- applications and software generally tolerate (can work) using Wi-Fi Direct.

-- References -- Wi-Fi Direct --

Print from Windows 10, 11 Using Wi-Fi Direct | HP Printers | @HPSupport

  HP printer setup (Wi-Fi Direct)

and

 User Guide – HP Envy 6400 All-in-One series

OR

 User Guide - HP ENVY 6400e All-in-One series

------------------------------------

-- What else? --

Product Name

HP ENVY Pro 6400 All-in-One Printer series

Connectivity (facet)	Apple AirPrint™; USB
Connectivity, Std	1 Hi-Speed USB 2.0; 1 Wi-Fi 802.11ac (dual band)

People often ignore their router -- outdated, weak, poorly or incompletely configured routers are a plague on any network.

DHCP, if you are using it, will (can) let the printer fall off the network without a way to find its way back.  A better option is to assign the printer its own IP address. 

-- Side Bar --

Really, an assigned IP address on any (every) device that can support it might be something to consider to help stabilize your network.

-- What if? --

If you like 5GHz but the printer -- even connected using an assigned IP address -- won't stay connected on that frequency, consider connecting the printer to the 2.4GHz frequency / band.  Slower and connected is always better than faster but flaky.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Example – EWS Setup – IPv4

EWS > HP Document / How-to (Basic format)

Use the HP printer Embedded Web Server (EWS)

NOTE:  Find printer IP address

Section Open the EWS over a local network orientation

Classic EWS – Ink-Jet printers

Ethernet

Open your Browser >

Type / enter the Printer IP address into URL / Address bar

Tab Network > Wired (802.3) > IPv4 Configuration

Wireless

Open your Browser >

Type / enter the Printer IP address into URL / Address bar

Tab Network > Wireless (802.11) > IPv4 Configuration

As Available:

Tab Network > Wireless (802.11) > Advanced

Section Advanced

Network Interface on / off, Network SSID name, Security Settings, Passphrase / Password

Select and connect to the correct SSID / network name for the bandwidth you are using.

Notes

• It is not mandatory that you use a manual / static IP address.  Doing so can improve stability.
• If you assign a manual / static address on the printer, update your router to reflect the assigned IP address.
• EWS sections might be locked and require the printer’s PIN number to access.  Find the printer’s default PIN inside the ink cartridge ink cartridge / area, or perhaps on the bottom or back of the printer.  Check your printer’s User Guide first chapter for details – search the document for “ PIN “.

-- Additional Help, References, Troubleshooting --

 HP DeskJet, ENVY 6000, 6400 Printers - Printer does not respond and is offline

 HP DeskJet, ENVY 6000, 6400 - Blinking lights and error codes

===================================

Message Content References

-- Take advantage of the extensive HP Video collection --

                                            ↓↓↓↓↓↓↓

Technology Tips - Video Gallery from our HP Expert greenturtle

 Technology Tips– YouTube Video Help for Printers

 HP Support Official Channel – HP Support Video Gallery

=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

References / Resources

HP Printer Home Page - References and Resources

Learn about your Printer - Solve Problems

“Things that are your printer”

When the website support page opens, Select (as available) a Category > Topic > Subtopic

NOTE: Content depends on device type and Operating System

Categories: Warranty Check, Alerts, Troubleshooting, Ink & Paper, HP Software & Drivers / Firmware Updates, Setup & User Guides, Product Specifications, Account & Registration, Warranty & Repair

Open 

 Product Home - Printers

 Enter the device type and model name of your HP product

OR

• HP ENVY 6400e All-In-One Printer series
• HP ENVY Pro 6400 All-in-One Printer series

Thank you for participating in the HP Community --

Real people who own, use, and support HP devices.

Click Yes to say Thank You !

Question / Concern Answered, Click my Post "Accept as Solution"