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- HP Community
- Printers
- Printer Wireless, Networking & Internet
- Re: control panel is locked

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07-07-2025 02:25 PM
I did not set up to lock the control panel, but I came back from vacation and it is locked. I cannot get wifi to my printer. I've spent the entire afternoon trouble shooting everything I can and I am just stuck!! Please help.
07-08-2025 11:59 AM
@JCM1966, 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
It seems that your HP OfficeJet Pro 8028e All-in-One Printer's control panel is locked, which might affect its Wi-Fi connectivity. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve these issues:
Unlock the Control Panel
- Restart the Printer: Turn off the printer and unplug it from the power source. Wait for about a minute and then plug it back in and turn it on. This can sometimes resolve temporary lockouts.
Reconnect to Wi-Fi
- Check the Network Connection: Ensure that your Wi-Fi network is available and functioning properly.
- Reconnect the Printer to Wi-Fi:
- Use the HP Smart app to reconnect the printer to your wireless network. This can be done by selecting "Add Printer" and following the setup instructions.
- You can try connecting both with the HP Smart app on mobile devices (iOS or Android) or desktops.
Additional Troubleshooting Steps
- Verify Network Settings: Check the printer’s network settings to ensure it’s trying to connect to the correct Wi-Fi network.
- Update Firmware: Make sure your printer’s firmware is up to date. You can check for updates using the HP Smart app or HP's support website.
- Perform a Factory Reset: If the above steps do not work, you may need to perform a factory reset on the printer, which will restore it to default settings and may help unlock the control panel and resolve connectivity issues. Check the printer’s user manual on how to perform a factory reset.
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,
Garp_Senchau
I am an HP Employee