locked out Administrator password

[WTNVBFL1]

I had to do a Windows OS recovery and after that was done the wifi connection for printer is not connecting. When I try to restart PC and./or printer and use the WPS, which has always worked in the past, it will not connect. I cannot ping the local iIP or the WIFI direct IP.  Reset network and removed/installed device software. HP scan doc does work. None of the HP software is able to detect the printer. Blue light is flashing. I cannot reset the printer as somehow it has become locked - "locked by your administrator. " I am the administrator.   I have not ever been locked out before and never been asked for a password to setup the device. I did try to make a network connection a while back (March 2023) and for a network printer, but it did not work. The device was not locked then and was not afterward either as I did a reinstall of the HP printer software, due to continuous error unable to find Air print Printer. The software reinstall completed without issue.

Why would it be now locked and how do I get access again/unlock?  The device display doesn't even ask for a password??? Cannot connect to the wifi network so what next? 

FYI: the device is still listed in router configuration table. Unchanged other than "not connected." 

[WTNVBFL1]

A VERY HUGE THANK YOU to Cmk2112 for the post that solved this problem for me.

[VictorS · Accepted solution]

Hi @WTNVBFL1 

We're glad you managed to solve your problem 😉


Thanks,
VictorS