cannot setup WiFi for my Officejet Pro 8710 printer all wifi options were disabled by HP remotely

[capt41mars]

cannot setup the printer for WiFi. all options for Wifi were disabled when the printer was originally setup by HP remotely. Settings, the Pull down panel have no Wifi references. I want to set the printer up for WiFi now

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @capt41mars 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

That sounds incredibly limiting—especially when you’re ready to switch to Wi-Fi and the printer’s menus are locked down. Let’s walk through a few steps to help you re-enable wireless settings on your OfficeJet Pro 8710 and get it connected.

📶 How to Re-Enable Wi-Fi on Your HP OfficeJet Pro 8710

1. Disconnect Ethernet Cable (If Connected)

• If your printer is currently connected via Ethernet, unplug that cable.
• The printer automatically disables Wi-Fi when Ethernet is active.

2. Access Wireless Settings from the Control Panel

• Swipe down from the top of the printer’s touchscreen to open the Dashboard.
• Tap the Wireless icon (it may look like a signal bar or antenna).
• Tap Settings, then Wireless Settings.
• Tap Wireless to switch it On.

3. Use Wireless Setup Wizard

• Once Wi-Fi is enabled, go back to Wireless Settings.
• Tap Wireless Setup Wizard.
• Select your Wi-Fi network from the list and enter your password.

4. Use HP Smart App (Alternative Method)

• Download the HP Smart app on your Windows 11 PC or mobile device.
• Open the app and select Set Up a New Printer.
• Follow the prompts to connect your printer to Wi-Fi—even if the touchscreen options are limited.

If the wireless menu is still missing or greyed out, we may need to explore a factory reset or use the Embedded Web Server (EWS) to reconfigure settings. 

Let me know how far you get with these steps—I’ll be right here to help you take the next move! 💪🖨️

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[capt41mars]

Tried them all. No luck. the smart cannot find the printer unless it is connected by the USB. and from there cannot find wifi. As far as using the control panel nothing is available. No useful settings, pull down panel settings or the wifi icon which is disable. this was all done by HP when they originally set the printer up remotely.  Is there a way to remotely force it back to factory default settings

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @capt41mars,

Thank you for the response.

Since @Hawks_Eye is not available at the moment, I'll be assisting you further.

Try these steps:

Reset Network Settings Only 

If you can reach the Setup or Settings menu:

Tap Setup (gear icon).

Tap Network Setup.

Tap Restore Network Defaults.

If Network Setup is grayed out, that’s because of the lock, so the semi-full reset is your best bet.

Use Embedded Web Server (EWS)

If your printer is connected via USB:

Print a Network Configuration page, even if Wi-Fi is off, it may show the printer’s EWS IP address (it could be 169.254.x.x).

Open your browser, type that IP, this opens the printer’s EWS.

Log in as Administrator (default: no password).

Go to Networking > Restore Network Defaults.

Go to Administrator Settings > Restore Factory Defaults, if available.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,

[capt41mars]

Thats the problem. All of those options were disabled by the HP tech when the printer was setup remotely because my wife could not setup the printer herself. There are no menu or setup options on the control panel. the wifi icon is disabled. I attempted to use the HP smart APP but it could not find the network SSID

Can the printers USB port be used to load the factory default settings and bring the printer back to normal

[capt41mars]

Tried EWS and HP smart setup new printer. No luck. they cannot find the network or the router, even when I input the router password. I can only deduce that the disabling of the printer settings  wifi menu, pull down panel menu, the wifi icon and the back arrow input has locked out the ability to setup wifi. this cannot be corrected until the printer can be reset to factory defaults. HP is the only one that can correct this mistake.

I want to thank you and others for working with me to solve this problem. The thing that is frustrating is this was done by an HP tech who setup the printer remotely. Since I don't have access to the where with all to solve the problem that HP created, an HP tech could once again do this remotely.

[Hawks_Eye]

@capt41mars 

We sincerely thank you for your patience and co-operation during this troubleshooting process.

If after following these steps you still face issues, consider reaching out to our customer support over the phone for further assistance. 

They can provide more in-depth troubleshooting to get your printer back online.

I'm sending you a private message to guide you on the next steps.

To access it, click the private message icon in the upper-right corner of your HP Support Community profile, next to your name.

If this resolves your issue, kindly mark this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" if it was helpful.

Take care and have a great day!

Regards,

Hawks_Eye

[capt41mars]

Thanks for your time and the info to get to a solution. I went to the web page and since my product is out of warrantee, they try to sell you a warrantee before going forward. Can't talk to anyone until you purchase the product. So, I chose the onetime product for 19.95. Guess what, message came up product not available at this time check back later. You just can't make this stuff up. This is our main printer, and it needs to be wifi we no longer use desktops everything laptop and wifi. Don't need cables running all over the desktops. 

Sorry, to vent my frustrations on you guys. You have been very helpful, but you can't fix what the HP tech who setup the printer did by locking out everything wifi from the printer. I do need to get this printer up and running on WiFi and I'll pay the onetime charge to get it done. If HP can't help me with that outcome, then I will have to buy a new one. If that becomes the case, it will not be an HP. We've been HP product people for years but if this is how they do business now, can't even get to someone to help resolve a problem a switch may be in order. Thank you for your support and ear. 

[Hawks_Eye]

@capt41mars 

Thanks for sharing all that—and I’m really sorry you’ve had to go through such a frustrating experience. 

You’ve been incredibly patient, and I truly appreciate that.

Let’s focus on what you can still try to get your OfficeJet Pro 8710 back on Wi-Fi without needing to purchase support or wait for availability.

🧰 Steps to Re-Enable Wi-Fi on Your HP OfficeJet Pro 8710

✅ 1. Disconnect Ethernet Cable

If your printer is connected via Ethernet, unplug it. This can automatically disable Wi-Fi options.

🔄 2. Try a Semi-Full Reset

This reset may restore hidden or locked menus:

1. Turn off the printer.
2. Unplug the power cord from the printer and wall.
3. Wait 60 seconds.
4. Press and hold Power + Cancel + Wireless + Copy Color buttons together.
5. While holding, plug the power cord back in.
6. Release buttons when the printer powers on.

This reset may take a few minutes and will restore factory defaults.

🌐 3. Use the Embedded Web Server (EWS)

If you can connect the printer via USB:

1. Print a Network Configuration Page from the printer.
2. Look for an IP address (e.g., 169.254.x.x).
3. Open a browser on your PC and enter that IP.
4. Log in (default: no password).
5. Go to Networking > Restore Network Defaults.
6. Then go to Administrator Settings > Restore Factory Defaults.

📱 4. Try HP Smart App Setup

• Download the HP Smart app on your Windows 11 PC or mobile device.
• Choose Set Up a New Printer.
• Follow the prompts to connect via Wi-Fi—even if the printer’s touchscreen options are limited.

If none of these steps work, and the Wi-Fi menu remains locked, then yes—it may require remote intervention from HP to undo the original configuration. I truly hope it doesn’t come to replacing the printer, but if it does, I completely understand your decision.

You’ve done everything right, and I’m here to help however I can. Let me know how far you get with the reset or EWS access—we’ll keep pushing forward together. 💪🖨️

Regards,

Hawks_Eye

[capt41mars]

None of these worked.  I now do have a Factory default settings tab but it only sets copy settings back to default.  The printer cannot inform me of its IP address. It does not show up in settings. the only thing that Shows up there is the Ethernet Mac address. We have another HP photo printer that is set up on wifi and it has its settings page with its IP address. Works fine.

As you mentioned in the end of this try, I probably need to have HP reset this remotely.  How do we go about getting that done. I found an HP web page that was offering extended warrantees at different levels. The one that I believe would work for me was a onetime repair for $99.00 much cheaper than buying a new printer. It didn't indicate that printers were covered. 

Is that a viable possibility.